By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This stained-glass window in the young adult room at Hoag Library has been installed in honor of former library director Susan Rudnicky and also the late Ralph Brown, a long-time local fruit grower. His sons, Bob and Eric, followed him in running Orchard Dale Fruit Company in Carlton.
Their mother, Claire, is helping to fund the window along with Bill Lattin. Mrs. Brown was a key contributor to the new library and the young adult room is named in her honor.
Lattin also paid for a stained glass window with an image of a swan. That window was part of the new library when it opened in July 2012.
Lattin wanted to recognize Rudnicky, who worked 16 years as director of Swan Library and then the new Hoag Library. Rudnicky was let go by the library board of trustees in March 2014.
She pushed for the new library, and secured grants and worked with many other donors on the new building. She also led the Swan site through many technological improvements and expanded programming.
A reception will be held in the future and a plaque unveiled in honor of Rudnicky and Mr. Brown.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A bulletproof vest likely saved the life of Deputy James DeFilipps during a shootout on Saturday at about 3 a.m. with James Ellis.
DeFilipps was shot twice in the abdomen, but the vest prevented the bullet from seriously injuring the deputy. DeFilipps only suffered minor injuries. He is at home and in good spirits, Chief Deputy Tom Drennan said today.
Drennan attended today’s Orleans County Legislature meeting and he thanked the county for providing the resources to purchase the vests for deputies. Each patrol car also has rifle and deputies are trained to use it in active shooter situations.
The vests and rifles “were huge factors in the incident,” Drennan told legislators today.
DeFilipps, after being shot twice, fatally shot Ellis, a Wyoming County resident who pulled a handgun on an ex-girlfriend in Shelby. Ellis was then chased by law enforcement before crashing his vehicle into a telephone pole on Route 31A in Clarendon.
Drennan said Ellis open fired on responding officers, including deputies Josh Narburgh, Kevin Colonna and Brian Larkin. Ellis also fired at state troopers Scott Gregson and Kevin Bentley and Holley police officer Guy Burke.
Drennan said the officers and dispatchers involved in the situation should be recognized by county officials for performing their jobs in a very stressful situation. Legislators agreed commendations are in order.
HOLLEY Over 26 million Americans have kidney disease and most don’t know it. That’s one reason why kidney disease kills more Americans than breast and prostate cancer combined every year.
March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to assess their risk for kidney disease. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, or are over the age of 60, you are at risk and should have your kidneys checked.
The NKF is offering a free kidney screening through its KEEP Healthy program on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holley Elementary School, 3800 North Main Street Rd.
All KEEP Healthy participants will answer a brief health-risk survey and have their height, weight and blood pressure measured. At-risk individuals will have their kidney health checked through a simple, on-site, ACR urine test. The ACR test can identify protein in the urine, which is often the first sign of kidney disease. Free educational materials will be provided and a medical professional will review results and answer questions from participants.
One in three American adults is at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Attend this lifesaving screening and give your hardworking kidneys a much-needed checkup this National Kidney Month.
To pre-register for KEEP Healthy, contact the National Kidney Foundation at (585) 598-3963 ext. 31 or www.kidneynyup.org.
Urine strips and accessories for KEEP Healthy are provided by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc. and Quantimetrix Corporation.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
With the start of spring and warmer temperatures expected, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds New Yorkers that residential brush burning in towns with less than 20,000 residents is prohibited in the state through May 14.
“Along with the milder temperatures that come with spring, the risk for wildfires also increases,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “New York prohibits residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce the number of wildfires and protect people, property and natural resources. Since being enacted in 2009, the ban has been very effective in reducing the number of wildfires, and we want people to be aware that they need to put safety first.”
Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in the state. When temperatures are warmer and grasses and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and the lack of green vegetation.
New York has had strict restrictions on open burning since 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce emissions.
The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring months – March 16 through May 15 – when most wildfires occur. Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave such fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.
In the five-year period since the ban was enacted, the average number of spring fires per year decreased by 43.2 percent, from 3,297 in 2009 to 1,425 to 2014.
Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267) or report online. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2015 at 12:00 am
School district, law enforcement warn of consequences
Photos by Tom Rivers – Lee Dillenbeck, Lyndonville athletic director and dean of students, said the school district has held student assemblies to talk about e-cigarettes, alcohol and tobacco use to stress students shouldn’t use those products. Dr. Aaron Slack, middle-high school principal, also spoke during a panel discussion Tuesday night on current trends and issues in drug and alcohol use among youth.
LYNDONVILLE – A recent survey of students in grades 6 through 12 at Lyndonville shows more students are using tobacco and alcohol products in 2013 than in 2011, and Lyndonville also has a higher percentage of students using the products compared to the county-wide rate.
The district has held assemblies to warn students of the health and legal repercussions of using tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Lyndonville also has a simulation of a drunk driving crash in May during prom season to send the message about the dangers of underage drinking.
In this simulation in May 2013, firefighters and emergency responders take a student from a smashed car and transport her by stretcher to an ambulance. The school district is trying to show the dangers of drunk driving.
The district had a panel discussion about drug and tobacco trends among students on Tuesday night. Jason Smith, school district superintendent, wants to engage parents and the community to bring the numbers down and also to avoid a future tragedy.
“Prom night is the most stressful night for me as superintendent,” Smith said. I don’t want to get that phone call about a tragedy. I don’t want to be waiting in a line with hundreds of kids at a funeral home.”
Jason Smith
Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse facilitated the discussion. GCASA also does the student surveys every two years, with new surveys planned for 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Lyndonville and Orleans County middle and high schoolers are showing increased use of e-cigarettes and marijuana.
The numbers show percentage of students that tried alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and marijuana within 30 days of the survey.
Lyndonville students, at just over 20 percent, lead in trying smokeless tobacco within 30 days from when the survey was taken in 2013. Twenty percent of students in grades 6 through 12 also reported to have used marijuana within 30 days of the survey.
Alcohol use is much higher with nearly 45 percent of Lyndonville students saying they tried it within 30 days of the survey.
This chart shows student alcohol use, according to the survey results from 2013.
Ken Strickland, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, said many parents keep alcohol in their homes and students will consume it, sometimes without their parents knowing and often with support of their parents.
Strickland said parents could be charged with unlawful dealing with a minor and endangering the welfare of a child if underage drinking occurs on their property.
If a kid gets hurt or dies in a car crash or from alcohol poisioning, the parents could be sued, Strickland said.
Strickland said he is surprised how many parent-condoned drinking parties occur during prom and graduation season.
“You’d be amazed at how many people are OK with this,” Strickland said.
Deputy Ken Strickland, left, was among the panelists during Tuesday’s discussion of alcohol and tobacco trends. Dr. Magdi Credi, a physician, also discussed the health dangers of using the products.
The school district isn’t OK with it. Lee Dillenbeck, the athletic director and dean of students, said students are likely to be suspended or kicked off teams for underage drinking and using tobacco products.
He attributed some of Lyndonville’s high numbers in 2013 to older high school students buying alcohol and tobacco products and then reselling them to middle schoolers. The district has stepped up efforts to educate students about the dangers and confront older students suspected of selling to younger students.
The village of Lyndonville also made a cemetery across from the district campus off-limits for smoking, and school officials said that has helped prevent tobacco use.
Rebekah Hoffee, a three-sport athlete at Lyndonville, said she and many of her teammates try to use positive peer pressure to keep students from violating the code of conduct by smoking and drinking.
“The teams are supportive,” Hoffee said. “As a friend you pull people back into the light when they go searching for darkness.”
Rebekah Hoffee said a busy student schedule may be the best way to keep students from using drugs, alcohol and tobacco products. Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, is at left.
Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, said e-cigarettes and vape pens are new threats for teen substance abuse. Teens think the e-cigarettes are safer, but they are also addicting and dangerous, she said.
Manufacturers offer e-cigarettes in kid-friendly flavors such as watermelon and root beer.
“They come in a variety of flavors that are appealing to young people,” she said.
Dr. Magdi Credi, a physician, said smoking damages lungs, increases cancer risks and reduces circulation. Drinking alcohol as a kid “is going to affect your system, especially if you drink a full force,” he told students at the panel discussion.
Drinking alcohol while the brain is still developing “will be harmful,” he said.
“If you drink at 14 and 15, by your 20s there is no doubt you will not be like a normal person,” he said.
GCASA officials say vape pens, e-cigarettes and vapor flavors are some of the newest enticements for teens and younger children.
Aaron Slack, the principal, urged parents to be aware of what their children are doing and ask questions. “If you see something, say something,” Slack said.
He also urged students to tell adults if they know other students are using drugs, drinking alcohol or using tobacco products. The information will be kept confidential by the school.
“Students aren’t snitches if they say something,” Slack said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson speaks about the disadvantages facing many Orleans County residents and businesses due to unavailable or low-quality Internet access. She addressed David Salway, director of NYS Broadband Program Office, during a roundtable discussion today at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Tom Biamonte (left), owner of Shelby Crushed Stone, said his company suffers because there isn’t Internet on Blair Road in Shelby.
KNOWLESVILLE – The leader of the state’s effort to extend Broadband or high-speed Internet throughout the state heard this morning how the lack of service in parts of Orleans County puts residents and businesses at a disadvantage.
It also discourages many potential residents and businesses from coming to the county, said Skip Draper, town supervisor for Shelby.
“Commerce is driven by what is there and if it isn’t there, then we just have fields and woods,” Draper said during a Broadband discussion this morning led David Salway, director of NYS Broadband Program Office.
Gov. Cuomo is proposing $500 million in state funds to jumpstart the New NY Broadband Program. Private sectors companies would need to at least match the funding to extend and upgrade service.
That $1 billion-plus investment in public and private funds is far more than the $25 million the state has been setting aside recently to expand the service, Salway said.
Companies that provide the service will be required to offer 100 megabits per second download speeds for the expansion or at least 25 megabits in remote rural areas. That is far greater than the current standard of 6.6 megabits, Salway said.
“It’s a very ambitious goal, but a very achievable goal,” Salway told about 20 local officials and business owners during a roundtable discussion at the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
David Salway, director of NYS Broadband Program Office, speaks during a discussion about Broadband this morning at the Cooperative Extension. He is joined by Angela Liotta, the state’s Broadband outreach director, and Vinnie Esposito, director of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.
Salway has been traveling the state to hear how inadequate Internet is a deterrent for businesses and quality-of-life issues. He heard from several officials how low-quality Internet is putting Orleans County at a competitive disadvantage.
“This is about emerging ag businesses and getting people to live here,” said Jim Whipple, CEO of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
The county is seeing more wineries, hops operations and other small farming operations open, often in rural areas where there isn’t high-speed Internet.
Whipple said he talks with CEOs from bigger companies who are eyeing potential homes if they were to settle in the area. They are surprised when they learn some parts of the county don’t have Broadband.
That means they can’t stream Netflix, they can’t Skype, they can’t work remotely from home, and in some cases can’t complete filings for the government. If they have children, they can’t do on-line research for school projects.
Tom Biamonte, owner of Shelby Crushed Stone, is a mile away from high-speed Internet on Blair Road. He can’t do sales tax reports and regulatory filings from his main office, which is only a mile from Route 31.
He and his employees lack real-time capability for many reports and communication.
“We’re falling behind,” Biamonte told Salway during the discussion. “It’s harder for us to provide up-to-date training with our guys.”
He has asked Time Warner many times to run a line with the service down the road, but the company hasn’t moved on it.
Ward Dobbins, owner of H.H. Dobbins Inc. in Lyndonville, said relaible and adequate Internet is critical for his company. County Legislator Ken DeRoller is next to Dobbins.
Salway said the state funds should make running lines down many rural roads more financially doable for companies because they won’t have to bear the full costs. For very sparsely populated roads, Salway said the state may want to consider state funds, dollars from the Internet providers, and perhaps some money from people being served in that area.
Ward Dobbins, owner of H.H. Dobbins Inc. in Lyndonville, said the company is expanding its apple packing and storage business and needs reliable high-speed Internet to communicate with customers around the world. Employees could also monitor the facilities off site through their Smart phones with strong enough Internet.
“Even though we’re rural we’re global in agriculture,” Dobbins said. “Our needs have changed so much in five years.”
Orleans and Niagara counties have been working to together to identify gaps in high-speed coverage and to prepare a request for proposals for companies to provide service to 3,900 “unserved access points” in Orleans and seven towns in Niagara County.
The timing of the effort comes at a good time with the state funding push by the governor, said Evhen Tupis from BPGreene, the firm that worked with the two counties on the study. The counties are evaluating proposals from the Internet providers.
“This shows collaboration among counties and towns,” Tupis said.
Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson said the two counties have done the groundwork in establishing the need for high-speed Internet and reaching out to companies for the service. The state funds could bring the effort to a reality, and make the county a better place to live and work, Johnson said.
“We are competing against other counties and right now our hands are tied in this area,” she said. “We see the need from the local businesses. Hopefully we can leverage one of the first roll-outs in the area.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Lions Club welcomed two new members – Aaron Robinson and Tim McMurray – to the service organization that is now in its 91st year in Albion.
Club President Bill Robinson, left, sponsored his son Aaron. McMurray, third from left, was sponsored by his uncle, Ron Albertson, far right.
Aaron Robinson, 35, works at CRFS and also plays drums for two local bands, The Who Dats and the Rusty Fisher Band.
He said he is happy to join the Lions, which meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street.
“It’s local and they do a lot of charity work,” Aaron said. “It’s a good supportive group that is positive.”
McMurray, 31, is a local youth football coach and a student at Erie Community College, majoring in civil engineering.
“They have a broad reach in the community,” McMurray said about the Lions. “It’s another way to give back to the community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – It may have been in the low 30s this evening in Lyndonville, but that didn’t stop these three boys from shooting hoops on the school courts at dusk.
The sun is setting in this photo looking toward the row of trees that separate the soccer fields from the baseball fields behind Lyndonville Central School.
The temperature will be much warmer on Wednesday with a high of 47 and a low of 40, according to the National Weather Service. Thursday is forecast for a high of 44, followed by highs of 32 on Friday and 29 on Saturday.
Here is a closer look at the setting sun with the trees in the foreground.
This press release is an update to the deputy-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday in the Town of Clarendon that resulted in the death of James Ellis.
On Saturday at 2:46 a.m., James Ellis went to a residence on Mill Street in Shelby Center and confronted his ex-girlfriend. It is alleged that Ellis put the barrel of a handgun to her head in an effort to solicit information as to the whereabouts of her current boyfriend.
Ellis subsequently left that location causing no further harm to the ex-girlfriend or anyone else. Ellis was eventually located after crashing his car on Route 31A in Clarendon. That led to the exchange of gunfire with Sheriff’s Deputy James DeFilipps that resulted in Ellis’s death.
Later on Saturday, a search was issued at Ellis’s residence at 8 Durfee Rd. in the Village of Wyoming (Wyoming County). The warrant was subsequently executed by members of the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force, the Sheriff’s offices in Orleans and Wyoming counties, and the Wyoming County Probation Department. The search of the Ellis residence provided no evidence of any substance that explain the actions of Ellis earlier in the day.
Investigators have determined that the .45 caliber handgun in Ellis’s possession at the time of his death was recently reported stolen from a residence in Wyoming County.
The incident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. The results of an autopsy being conducted by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester could take several weeks.
It is anticipated that the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office will present the results of the police investigation to a grand jury sometime in April.
Deputy James DeFilipps continues to recover from injuries he sustained as a result of being shot by James Ellis. Deputy DeFilipps is expected to make a full recovery after which he will return to duty.
The Sheriff’s Office is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support received from the citizens of Orleans County following this event.
Provided photos – Medina flute players practice for tonight’s concert at 7, when 50 students in grades 4 through 12 will perform together.
Press Release, Medina Central School
Medina School District flute students in grades 4 through 12 have been preparing a special piece for the district concert at 7 this evening at the High School.
An ensemble of more than 50 flautists have been working on a trio arrangement of the popular song “Twist and Shout” first recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1962 and later covered by many different groups including The Beatles.
The trio was arranged by flute player Tammy Rohring, who is the elementary band teacher for the Wilson Central School District. She arranged the music to have three different levels of playing ability for elementary, middle, and high school aged players.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for younger students to work with older students,” said Jeanette Sheliga, Medina elementary band teacher. “They see and hear what they can accomplish with continued practice.”
Sixth grade flute students also commented on their experience of playing in the Flute Ensemble.
“It was cool hearing high schoolers play,” said Hannah Kenward.
Brooklyn Brown enjoyed hearing different ages playing different parts, and Amanda Woodruff said the opportunity allowed her to meet other flute players.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2015 at 12:00 am
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County officials and residents can hear about a $500 million state proposal to expand broadband Internet throughout the state, including in rural pockets that do not have reliable service.
David Salway, director of NYS Broadband Program Office, will be at the 4-H Fairgrounds today at 10 a.m. to discuss the initiative. He will be at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension on Route 31.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing for $500 million in state funds for internet service providers willing to match the state dollar-for-dollar. The companies will be required to offer 100 megabits per second download speeds for the expansion, however “in certain limited cases, providers may offer 25 Mbps speeds to the most remote unserved and underserved areas of the state,” Cuomo said in January.
Orleans and Niagara counties have been working together to improve broadband service in the two counties, especially in the sparsely populated rural areas.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Four teams competed in the semifinals of the GLOW region mock trials on Monday at the Orleans County Courthouse.
In the top photo, Dylan Beckman serves as an attorney for the team from Batavia and questions a witness.
Amanda Conrad, a witness for Attica, responds to questioning from Becca Canale, an attorney for Batavia.
The fictional case centered on the treasurer of a Booster Club who was accused of stealing $45,200 to feed a gambling addiction.
Albion and Medina both have mock trial teams but they did not advance to the semifinals. The competitions are held at courthouses in Batavia, Warsaw and Albion.
Monday was Orleans County’s turn to host the event inside its historic courthouse, built in 1858.
Becca Canale was one of the attorneys for Batavia. She presents her closing argument to Chad Murray, the judge for the competition.
Madhu Vihani, a lawyer for the Attica team, presents documents to the team from Batavia.
The smaller courtroom on the first floor was used for the competition between teams from Avon, on left, and Notre Dame in Batavia.
Nic Culver of Medina, a freshman at Notre Dame, was a witness for his team.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2015 at 2:05 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers – Firefighters work to put out a fire in a garage on Fancher Road in Clarendon at about 1 p.m. today.
CLARENDON – Joe Blair leaned on a pickup truck and watched a life’s collection of tools and a restored 1938 Chevy owned by his father go up in flames.
“At least it’s not a life,” Blair said at about 1 p.m. today while firefighters brought a garage fire under control.
Holley firefighter Rick Cary sprays water on the fire.
Blair was welding in his garage, behind his mother Rose Blair’s home at 4244 Fancher Rd. The car he was working on quickly was engulfed in flames. Blair was surprised how fast the fire spread.
“I’m lucky I got out,” he said. “It went up so quick.”
The dispatch call went out at 12:31 p.m. Dark smoke spewed from the scene.
Several fire companies responded to the blaze and kept it from spreading to the house next door.
A Fancher-Hulberton-Murray firefighter enters the garage after the flames were put out.
This provided photo shows flames shooting out of the garage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2015 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The Village Board has been told it has violated Civil Service rules by having temporary paid firefighters for an extended period.
Jack Welch, the Orleans County director of personnel, advised the Village Board members last week that the village needs to address the situation.
The village created a temporary paid firefighter position 18 months ago. It was first created for a year and then was extended another six months. The Village Board created a second temporary paid position about six months ago.
Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich asked the Village Board tonight to make the two positions permanent. He estimated the two positions, as permanent full-time jobs, would cost about $4,000 to $4,500 more each annually than the temporary positions. That doesn’t include health insurance costs.
Zinkievich said the two positions have helped reduce overall overtime costs for the department, and also allows the department to answer nearly every call on a speedy basis. He said revenue increases in the ambulance service – higher mileage reimbursement rates and increased out-of-district charges – should more than cover the added expense for the two full-time permanent positions.
Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said the board would likely request a little more time from Welch to resolve the issue. The board briefly discussed the matter during its meeting tonight, before going into executive session behind closed doors.
Zinkievich urged the board to reach a decision soon.
“We need to have serious dialogue,” he said. “We can’t let this drag out.”
The fire chief said the union for firefighters is willing to make concessions in its new contract if the village would make the two positions permanent.
Zinkievich also reported that firefighter Ashton Lang passed the test to serve as a paramedic.
“We have another paramedic on staff so that is excellent,” Zinkievich said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Buffalo man with a previous criminal history was sentenced to 3 years in state prison for selling drugs in Albion.
Timothy Cobb, 31, of 1015 Lafayette Ave., Buffalo, was arrested on June 4, 2014 and charged with numerous drug crimes. He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Cobb has multiple felonies and misdemeanors in his past, Orleans County Court Judge James Punch said during sentencing this afternoon. He sentenced Cobb to 3 years in state prison and 3 years of post-release supervision.
In other cases:
A Rochester man admitted he sold cocaine from a vehicle on McKinstry Street in Albion on Oct. 6, 2013.
Timothy J. Turner, 33, of 451 Mount Read Blvd., in Rochester, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. As part of a plea deal, he will face a maximum of 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on June 29.
If the sentence exceeds 3 years, Turner can withdraw his plea and go to trial.
A Holley woman admitted she had oxycodone, a prescription narcotic, with the intent to sell it on Dec. 6.
Lauren A. Hennekey, 19, pleaded guilty to CPCS in the 5th degree and CPCS in the 7th degree.
Judge Punch accepted her into Drug Court. If she is successful in the program, the more serious CPCS charge will be dismissed and she will be sentenced to the misdemeanor charge of CPCS in the 7th degree.
