By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 30 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – Rebecca Semmel, a 4-H’er from Wyoming County, braved hot, sticky conditions to model this outfit she made during the WNY 4-H District Clothing Review on Wednesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
A visit to Gettysburg, Pa., inspired the historical outfit which is typical of women’s fashion, circa 1863. Rebecca will wear her outfit when she works in the Historical House at the Wyoming County Fair later this summer.
The Orleans County 4-H Fair played host to the Western New York 4-H District Clothing Review Wednesday afternoon. 4-Hers from Chautauqua, Niagara, Wyoming and Orleans counties took part, modeling garments and clothing ensembles they had made or embellished.
Melinda Waag, 14, of Fredonia models her outfit.
Orleans County’s own Emma Mathes, 14, of Barre models her lacy party dress during the WNY 4-H District Clothing Review. She is a member of the Adventurers 4-H Club.
Dana Daigler, 17, of Niagara County models a purchased skating outfit she embellished by hand with 2,300 Swarovski crystals.
Dana spent 12 hours on the project and used crystal AB and fire opal colored crystals to accent the bright red skating outfit.
MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital officials say they have reduced MRSA and C. Diff infections by 71.4 percent this year compared to data in 2013-14, when Consumer Reports says Medina Memorial had the highest rate of infections for Western New York hospitals.
Officials at Orleans Community Health, the parent organization of Medina Memorial, say they believe in the transparency of reporting of quality measures.
“However, we are concerned with the Consumer Reports methodology, which according to their technical specifications states that ‘although extremely serious, these infections are relatively infrequent, which makes the infection rates volatile, as the occurrence of one or two infections can have a large impact on reported rates …'” according to a statement from the hospital today.
Medina Memorial staff have made changes to cleaning processes, skin preparation prior to certain procedures and education for staff ordering and obtaining blood cultures to accurately reflect a community acquired or a hospital acquired infection, hospital officials said in a statement.
“We will continue to implement best practice measures in our hospital to continue to provide quality care close to home,” Medina Memorial officials said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Camryn Eick, 9, of Albion holds two alpaccas – Stella, left, and Bella. She was getting ready to take them for a walk on Wednesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Ruthie Kuipers, 5, of Byron competes in the small fry pedal tractor pull. She finished second in the 45 pounds and under division.
Nick Sacco, 13, of Albion competes in the dairy showmanship competition on Wednesday. Nick works part-time at the Neal family dairy farm and is showing one of their cows.
Ken Strickland, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, competes in a new doughnut-eating contest at the fair. Every contestant ate more doughnuts than Strickland. Deputy Jeff Cole also competed in one of the doughnut-eating heats.
Kylie Poynter, right, and her sister Tiffany sing “Just A Kiss” by Lady Antebellum during karaoke at the fair.
Jeremy Neal gives the instructions for the grease pole competition to the BB Queens, a team with eight women and one man. They were successful in getting to the top of the pole on Wednesday night.
Blue, a horse owned by Michela Hanlon of Kendall, relaxes in its stall after a busy Wednesday of competitions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Amy Sidari has been performing dance and occasionally singing for the community for more than four decades.
Two years ago she opened a cabaret at her dance studio and has welcomed many singers, musicians, comedians and other performers to the venue at 28 West Bank St.
This Friday the site will feature a familiar face in a new role. Sidari is doing a one-person comedy show. She said the show is a bit of a family roast, with some teasing of her parents, husband and five children. She is pictured above on Monday during a rehearsal for the show.
She said her family has provided her with lots of material for her show, “Did I Say That Out Loud?”
She directs plenty of her material at her mother and father, Sandy and Ace Caldwell, and some of their struggles as they get older and wrestle with forgetfulness and have a hard time hearing.
“Aging can be fun,” Sidari said.
Amy Sidari is pictured with her parents, Ace and Sandy Caldwell, who have been married for 49 years.
Sidari may poke fun, but she said she wants to let her family know how much she loves them, and appreciates some of their quirks. She wants to share some of those family follies with the community.
“God has given me so many moments of laughter I have to share it,” Sidari said.
She has been dancing since she was a toddler, first taking classes at Christ Church and learning ballet, tap, jazz, point and other styles.
Sidari opened her own studio, Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, in 1997 and she and her staff teach dance and creative arts.
For more information on her show Friday, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Kaylee M. Loiacono, 27, of Brockport was arrested on drug charges on Tuesday, bringing the number of people arrested in a recent drug bust to 19.
Loiacono, of 87 Willow Brook Apartments, was arraigned in Orleans County Court this afternoon. Judge James Punch set bail at $5,000.
She was charged with three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, which are both Class B felonies.
The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force worked with law enforcement agencies in four counties in a 7-month investigation into the sale and distribution of heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pills and marijuana in Orleans County.
The Task Force announced 17 arrests on Friday, with another person being arraigned on Monday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Lydia Scharlau, 9, of of Medina tries to answer a question from Bill Gerling, judge at the rabbit and cavy show on Tuesday. Lydia’s rabbit is named “Thomas O’Malley.”
Special Events
Senior Citizen Coffee, free coffee for senior citizens from 1-4 p.m., compliments of the Orleans County – 4-H Senior Council.
Daily Feature
New for 2015! The Orleans County Flower Show, sponsored by Orleans County Master Gardeners. Display located in the Lartz Exhibit Building, daily presentations at 6 p.m.
Daily Feature
Meet Michael Keene, author of five books on hidden history in New York, in the Lartz Building. 3-9 p.m.
8 a.m. Senior Council Stand Opens
9 a.m. Dressage Horse Show – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 a.m. $5 Admission per car starts
10 a.m. All Buildings Open
10 a.m. Goat Show (Dairy, Companion, and Pack) – Knights Building
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nutrifare Senior Luncheon with Al Howe (Food will be served at 12 pm) – Curtis Pavilion
12 p.m. Leader’s Pie Stand Opens
1 p.m. Story Time by Community Free Library of Holley – Trolley Building
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Emily Cebula, Library Director at Yates Community Library in Lyndonville, reads the book Scrabble Creek during Story Time on Tuesday at the 2015 Orleans County 4-H Fair. Story Time is held at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. through Friday in the Trolley Building.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – This year’s theme features a “Story Campsite” with a tent and forest scene. A child-sized picnic table setting that is part of the display is a 4-H fair entry. Members of the Adventurers 4-H club worked to decorate the area and made “sit-apons” for participants.
1 to 3 p.m. P.Raising Kids Children’s Activity Center with face painting, crafts and art projects – Trolley Building
1 to 3 p.m. The Nuts and Bolts of Nutrition with Extension EFNEP Educator Natalie. Interactive displays and demos – Trolley Building
1:30 to 3 p.m. Bread & Butter Making Demo and tasting – Trolley Building
1 p.m. Western NY 4-H District Clothing Revue – Orleanshub.com Stage
2 p.m. Poultry Knowledge Bowl – Wachob Pavilion
2 p.m. Meat Goat Show. Knight’s Building
2 p.m. Story Time by Community Free Library of Holley – Trolley Building
3 to 10 p.m. Midway Rides of Utica $20 unlimited rides wristband – Midway
3 p.m. Dog Knowledge Bowl – Orleanshub.com Stage
3 p.m. Fair Official Meeting – Fair Office
Photo by Tom Rivers – Some goats enjoy a meal at the fair on Tuesday.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) is criticizing Gov. Cuomo’s intention to overhaul La Guardia Airport in Queens.
The project, announced Monday in New York City by Gov. Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden, is estimated to cost roughly $4 billion and no details have been released on how New York will finance the major project.
“Infrastructure spending of this magnitude should better serve New York State as a whole, not just downstate and New York City residents,” Hawley said. “My district alone contains fifty-six percent of the Erie Canal system’s lift bridges and any discussion of infrastructure spending should include repair of upstate roads, bridges and highways.
“Many of my constituents rarely use La Guardia Airport, but they are being asked to help foot the bill so downstate residents can have more convenience when they travel. This is an exclusive and alienating way of governing, further opens the divide between upstate and downstate, and breeds resentment among upstate residents who continue to see their infrastructure crumble. I am calling on Gov. Cuomo to release a financial plan detailing this project and its financial burden on taxpayers.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Medina man faces drug charges, and brings the total number of people arrested in a big drug bust to 18.
The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, working with law enforcement agencies in four counties, on Friday announced 17 people had been arrested following a 7-month investigation into the sale and distribution of heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pills and marijuana in Orleans County. (Click here to see that initial report.)
The Task Force said on Friday more arrests were pending.
Henry Lattimer, 34, of West Center Street in Medina has been arrested since the drug bust announcement on Friday by the Task Force. Lattimer is charged with criminal possession and criminal sale of a controlled substance, both in the fifth degree, as well as criminal sale of marijuana in the fourth degree.
He was arraigned in Orleans County Court on Monday afternoon and Judge James Punch set bail at $50,000. (Lattimer will be fully arraigned on Thursday with assigned counsel.)
Some of the other defendants in the drug arrests also were arraigned in court on Monday, including:
Shane M. Maynard, 37, of 12801 Ridge Rd., Apt. B, in the Town of Gaines. He was arraigned on 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Maynard pleaded not guilty. He is in the county jail on $100,000 bail.
Diane M. Gallagher, 46, East Shelby Rd., Town of Shelby. She has been charged with 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree.
Gallagher pleaded not guilty on Monday during an arraignment. Judge Punch set her bail at $100,000.
Philip A. Riley, 32, of 110 West Bank St., Albion. He was arraigned on 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree.
He pleaded not guilty. He is in the county jail on $100,000 bail. Riley is currently on state parole.
Jennifer McCarthy-Conklin, 39, of 1 Thomas St., Holley. She was arraigned on 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree.
McCarthy-Conklin pleaded not guilty. She has posted $5,000 bail.
Bennie Coger, 63, of 525 West Ave,. Apt. 7, Medina. He has been charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in 3rd degree.
Coger is in the county jail on $100,000 bail. He is also currently on state parole.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 28 July 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – “The wheels are turning slowly,” Village of Holley Development Corporation Board President Daniel Schiavone told board members Monday evening.
He said changes made in an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency have been given a “blessing” by the village’s attorney – meaning village leaders should now be ready to sign the agreement allowing the eight “Diaz homes” in the village to become the property of the VHDC and then sold.
The EPA has owned the houses for about a decade. The houses were vacated by residents following a chemical leak from the former Diaz Chemical in January 2002. They have been cleaned and tested by the EPA and deemed safe, with the exception of high lead levels. Village officials want them back on the tax rolls.
“The agreement (to which minor changes were made) just came through today,” Schiavone noted during the board meeting.
“It is an involved process, don’t expect things to happen overnight,” Schiavone warned.
“It will happen,” he said, regarding the transition in ownership of the properties, “We’re just going to have to be patient.”
Schiavone also announced that the village has agreed to mow the lawns of the homes while the VHDC is in possession of them.
“That takes a great burden off our shoulders,” he said.
Questions were raised regarding any possible tax liens on the properties which might date to before the EPA purchased the homes. Additionally, board members briefly discussed options for selling the properties, including listing them with a realtor or selling them at auction and whether or not the properties need to be insured.
Board members hope to have answers to their questions in time for their next meeting, which they set for Aug. 31.
“This is gonna happen, they’re gonna be ours,” Schiavone said regarding the properties. “The wheels of the EPA will turn slowly, but they will turn. We need to be prepared to keep the ball rolling.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – The 4-H horse program in Orleans County is seeing a resurgence, 4-H leaders say. There was a big group of riders competing today in the English Horse Show at the Carlos Marcello Arena.
Kelsie Johnstone of Holley, left, and the other riders wait to compete in the Hunter hack event, where horses need to complete two jumps. There were 16 participants in the senior division today.
Makenzie Ferranti of Holley is ready to compete in the English Horse Show.
Andrew Uderitz, 10, of Albion competes in the cross rails competition on his horse, Baylee. Andrew won the event for novice riders.
The riders and their horses are lined up in the show arena.
Horses and their riders aren’t the only ones being tested at the fair today. Jacques Gregoire, 12, of Murray competes in the Rabbit and Cavy Showmanship competition. Jacques is pictured with his Guinea Pig named “Bumpy.”
