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Sheriff identifies people in serious Ridgeway accident

Posted 19 July 2015 at 9:20 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers – Law enforcement officers check the scene of a serious car accident this afternoon in Ridgeway on Horan Road. This photo shows the scene after the driver and a passenger were both transported by ambulance and Mercy Flight helicopter.

Press Release
Orleans County Sheriff
Scott Hess

RIDGEWAY – A man and a teenager are hospitalized tonight following a one-car crash late this afternoon in the Town of Ridgeway.

The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m., in the 3500 block of Horan Road. A 2007 Hyundai 2-door sedan was traveling north when it crested a hill and the driver then apparently lost control on the down slope.

The vehicle crossed the center line and left the roadway on the west side. The car struck a mound of earth in the driveway of a private residence and became airborne. It continued approximately 60 feet in the air before striking a tree. It then spun 180 degrees and struck a second tree before grounding and coming to rest facing south.

The front seat passenger and registered owner of the vehicle is identified as Emmitt R. Weese, 50, of Holley. Weese was trapped in the wreckage for about 25 minutes before being extricated by Ridgeway and Shelby firefighters. He was flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

The driver of the vehicle is identified as Austin D. Winters, 16, of Medina. Winters was trapped in the wreckage for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. He was also extricated by firefighters and then flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Both individuals sustained what were described as “life-threatening” injuries.

Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Medina Fire Department Ambulance crews, who also transported victims to awaiting helicopters. A crew from Lyons Collision Service also assisted firefighters at the scene.

While the incident remains under investigation, it appears that excessive speed was a contributing factor. Both driver and passenger are facing charge(s) pending their recovery.

The incident was investigated by Deputy A.A. Breuilly, assisted by Sergeant G.T. Gunkler and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. Deputies were assisted at the scene by Medina Police Sgt. M.R. Borrell & Officer J.R. Frentz.

Mercy Flight takes 2 from car accident in Ridgeway

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2015 at 7:50 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – Two people were seriously injured in a one-car accident this afternoon on Horan Road in Ridgeway.

The car left the road and the back end crashed into a tree. The driver of the vehicle was pinned and it took firefighters and Lyons Collision more than an hour to free the driver, who was then taken by Medina ambulance to a Mercy Flight landing zone.

Firefighters work to free the driver from the wreckage.

The accident occurred at about 4:48 p.m. The passenger was also seriously injured and taken by Mercy Flight soon after the accident. The driver was freed from the wreck at about 6:20 p.m. Many long-time firefighters said it was one of the most difficult extrications they’ve done.

The car was wrapped around a tree and the dashboard had moved forward against the driver’s legs, making it difficult to release him.

The driver remained conscious during the rescue effort, and gave his grandmother a thumbs up that he was doing OK while a crew of about 40 people tried to get him out. Firefighters said his vital signs were good at the scene.

Authorities haven’t released the names of the driver or the passenger.

The accident occurred on a section of Horan Road, north of the village line where there are many bends and dips in the road.

The neighbor with the tree in her yard called 9-1-1 after hearing the crash. When she went out to her front yard, she said she started praying for the people inside.

“This is a nasty hill,” said the neighbor, who asked not to be identified. “The sound was something I never want to hear again.”

Another neighbor a few houses north said there are frequent accidents on the road. He would like to see a lower speed limit clearly marked north of the village line. He said people drive 55 miles per hour or faster, when the top speed should be closer 35 mph.

The road also doesn’t have shoulders and there are no center line markings.

The car left the road and its tire marks could be seen in the one neighbor’s front yard and driveway before hitting the tree.

Ridgeway, Shelby, Medina and Lyndonville firefighters all responded to the scene, along with Medina Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Mercy Flight and Lyons Collision.

Hall & Oates band member performs in Medina on Wednesday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Eliot Lewis will play at Bee Garten

Photo courtesy of Eliot Lewis – Eliot Lewis will do a solo show Wednesday in Medina before playing with the Daryl Hall & John Oates band in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Thursday.

MEDINA – The concert series at the Bee Garten in Medina will feature a high-profile musician on Wednesday when Eliot Lewis, from the Daryl Hall & John Oates band, plays a solo show.

Lewis will play the following night in Niagara Falls, Ontario, at Fallsview Casino Resort. He welcomes a chance to share his music, including in small towns.

“I love trying out new places and having new experiences,” Lewis said by phone. “There’s been a lot of great surprises.”

Lewis plays the guitar, keyboard, bass, and drums, and he is a rock, R&B, and soul singer, a songwriter and producer. He joined Hall & Oates in 2003. He was a member of The Average White Band, a Scottish soul band, from 1989 to 2002.

“Playing with Hall & Oates is an amazing day job,” Lewis said. “They have so many great songs.”

Lewis has his own music, with five albums to his credit. He has played in major venues all over the world, as well as on The View, The Voice, Conan O’Brien, Today Show and Jimmy Kimmel.

Lewis is a featured performer on the award-winning TV show, Live From Daryl’s House with Daryl Hall. Lewis said Live From Daryl’s House has been a big boost for his career.

In Medina, he will share his own music following a question and answer session with the audience. He said he will talk about some of his musical experiences. Tickets are also available for dinner with Lewis before the show. For more on tickets and the Bee Garten, click here.

Thom Jennings is coordinating the concert series at the Bee Garten, the former Boiler 54 at 113 West Center St. Jennings writes concert reviews for the Niagara Gazette. After reviewing a Lewis concert last year, Jennings and the musician stayed in touch. Jennings reached out to him about performing in Medina.

Lewis said he is happy to play at the Bee Garten.

“I want to support anywhere that supports live music,” he said. “I’m always open to new musical experiences.”

For more on Eliot Lewis, click here.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

EAST SHELBY – Sheep are pictured today at the Old Tyme Day celebration at West Jackson Corners, the area by the East Shelby Community Bible Church on East Shelby Road.

The church is having its annual old-fashioned day celebration today. Orleans Hub will more photos posted later today from that event.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. today for Orleans and several other counties in western and central New York.

East Shelby Church celebrates old-fashioned fun

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

SHELBY – Phoebe Allen, 6, of East Shelby rides a horse that is led by Leah Sheelar. There were several horses available for rides today at Old Tyme Day at the East Shelby Community Bible Church.

The church celebrated its annual old-fashioned festival today, and a few thousand people were served pie, hot dogs, popcorn and candy – all for a penny.

The church also treated people to wagon rides, candle-making, horseback rides and many other activities that were light on technology.

Sandra Snyder of Medina stays busy making popcorn, which proved a popular snack even on a hot and humid day.

Lydia Miller, 9, of Albion shows her skills in walking with stilts.

These “townspeople” showed up at the town meeting agitating for women’s rights. They include, from left: Brie Olsen, Olivia Doberstein and Becca Nigro.

The church brings to life the West Jackson Corners hamlet for Old Tyme Day and the community held a mock election for mayor.

Here is one of the ballots for mayor. Each candidate ran an energetic campaign during the festival today, delivering stump speeches and passing out propaganda.

Alice Root, a volunteer with the church, has the pies ready for the crowd. The church served up 285 pies – more than 2,000 slices of pie altogether.

The pie and everything else were only a penny today.

Doug Fairbanks of Arkwright in Chautauqua County leads this wagon ride.

West Jackson Corners was full of people and activities by the church on East Shelby Road.

Erik Olsen, pastor of the church, leads the town meeting at West Jackson Corners.

Susanne Keryk, left, and her daughter Karen made flowers and animals out of balloons. Susanne’s son Keenan was also a balloon artist.

Albion’s Dye Hose prepares for parade in 1889

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 18 July 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Formed amidst the vast wilderness that was Upstate New York, Albion was built within dense old-growth forests that covered the region. The untouched and uncultivated land proved to be both dangerous and threatening for early settlers.

Wooded regions were filled with deadly animals that have gone unseen in this area for decades, but the most deadly threat to early settlement was fire.

Dating back to 1829, Albion’s earliest protection against the threat of fire was prevention. Fire wardens sought to eliminate dangerous scenarios that often led to devastating disasters, yet for those occasions where the inevitable fire broke out, the bucket brigade became the last defense against these deadly occurrences.

Between 1831 and 1880, Albion witnessed the development and transformation of the area’s fire fighting force from the establishment of a rudimentary group of young men to the creation of a well-developed and complex system of multiple fire companies.

The earliest fire garage was situated on North Main Street at the site of Gurney’s Old Coach Inn, then adjacent to the Village Hall. On Nov. 14, 1874 the new Village Hall was constructed on the northwest corner of East Bank and Platt Streets. On the second floor, the building contained a large auditorium for meetings and entertainment while the first floor contained village offices and space for the storage of fire apparatus.

It was during this time that Village of Albion President William B. Dye took an active interest in the establishment of a new fire company – Dye Hose Company No. 5. Under the direction of George W. O. Shourds as temporary chairman, Robert Beach was selected as President and W. Lettis as foreman of the organization with approximately ten charter members. George Shourds and Morgan A. McLean were the last two surviving charter members when the organization celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1932.

The company was formed the week ending on May 28, 1881 and the group participated in their first practice at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on July 19, 1881. Adler, Dye & Company furnished the new uniforms, which consisted of blue coats, white shirts, white caps, and white pants lined with red trim. On their second anniversary in May of 1883, the Village of Albion Trustees purchased a new four-wheeled hose cart for the company at a cost of $500.

In this image, you will see Dye Hose Company No. 5 lining up for a parade on July 4, 1889 in front of the present Village of Albion Police Station. The building originally served as a garage for fire apparatus and the original doors and many windows have since been bricked over.

It is presumed that the hose cart in tow is the original cart purchased for the company in 1883. This photograph was taken from the northeast corner of Platt and East Bank Streets looking northwest – notice the boardwalk situated along the dirt streets.

This piece originally appeared as part of the Revisiting Old Orleans series at www.orleanscountyhistorian.org.

Runners complete 5K trek around fairgrounds

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos and article by Kristina Gabalski

KNOWLESVILLE – The early morning weather was cloudy and muggy, but 33 participants made their way through the 2nd annual Orleans County 4-H Fair 5K Fun Run sponsored by the 4-H Fair Committee.

Participation was up exponentially from the first run in 2014, which had only two runners.

“This year is a much greater success than last year,” Fair Committee Chairman Mark Moore said following the run. “Thanks for supporting the fair.”

Grace Gregoire, left, and her mother Kellie Gregoire of Murray head for the finish line together at this morning’s 5K Fun Run.

Proceeds from the event benefit Orleans County 4-H programs.

The run looped around the fairgrounds – south along Wood Road; west on West Countyhouse Road; north on Taylor Hill Road; and back to the fairgrounds for the finish.

The Fun Run is not timed, but first place male and female runners, and first place male and female 4-H finishers were recognized.

Will Gregoire makes a sprint to the finish as the first male 4-H’er to cross the line at the 2015 Orleans County 4-H Fair 5K Fun Run. His twin brother, Jacques, is just behind on the left.

Evan Steier was the first male finisher. The first woman was Elizabeth Hawes. The first female 4-H’er was Emma Mathes and the first male 4-H’er was Will Gregoire.

The fun run kicked off a week of fair preparations. The Orleans County 4-H Fair runs the week of July 27-Aug. 1.

Evan Steier

Emma Mathes

Flash Flood Watch issued for Sunday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

GAINES – A swing hangs next to a former cobblestone schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, just north of the Erie Canal, in this photo from today.

A group of preservationists are trying to clean out and save the former schoolhouse, which was built in 1832, making it one of the oldest cobblestone buildings in the area.

The region could see a lot of rain on Sunday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Flash Flood Watch for Orleans and several other counties in western and central New York. The watch is in effect from Sunday morning until 11 p.m.

The Weather Service said torrential downpours could cross already saturated soils. The excessive runoff could result in rapid rises on small streams and creeks, in addition to poorly drained areas.

Weather Service warns of extreme heat on Sunday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This birdhouse is pictured along the Erie Canal in Albion with the Keitel Road canal bridge in back.

The National Weather Service is warning of extreme heat in Orleans County on Sunday when the high is forecast to reach 91 degrees with 72 percent humidity. That will make it feel like about 95 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 83 degrees.

Thunderstorms swept through the area last night, and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning between 4:15 and 7:15 a.m. for Orleans, Genesee, Wayne and Monroe counties.

AmeriCorps workers available for sites in Orleans

Staff Reports Posted 17 July 2015 at 12:00 am

BATAVIA – Host sites are sought for AmeriCorps workers in a program based in Batavia but available to the four GLOW counties, including Orleans.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau’s AmeriCorps application has been approved for another year of funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Youth Bureau is planning for the 12th year of the program, which will begin Oct. 1. As part of this process, non-profit and government agencies are invited to attend an information session to receive details about AmeriCorps. There will be a presentation on the program at 2 p.m. on July 27 at Hoag Library in Albion.

Organizations have utilized AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects. Assignments include activities that fall under one or more of these focus areas: healthy futures, fitness and nutrition education for youth, environmental stewardship education and agency capacity building. Host sites complete a proposal that outlines the duties for each position. Members can create new programs or enhance existing services, and their work can benefit different parts of your agency.

Proposals requesting members to begin serving this fall are due by Aug. 10. Member recruitment and selection will begin after that date. Please contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us for further details about the information sessions or to discuss options for your organization further.