EMO gives advice for fighting the bitter cold

Photo by Bruce Landis – Bruce Landis took this picture last night of the full moon. He said it was only visible through the clouds for a short while.

A wind chill advisory has been issued for 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 a.m. Thursday for Orleans and other Western New York counties.

On Wednesday the temperature could fall to 3 degrees with a high of 11. But northwest winds, at 15 to 25 miles per hour, could make it feel like 15 degrees below zero.

“Bitterly cold wind chills will result in dangerous conditions for exposed skin,” the National Weather Service advised.

It’s going to be a cold next few days. Today is forecast for a high of 20, followed by a high of 11 on Wednesday and 18 on Thursday. On Friday, it should reach 19 degrees.

The Orleans County Emergency Management Office has issued some cold weather safety tips.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and exhaustion. Get medical attention immediately.

The EMO advises the following:

• Dress appropriately for the weather by wearing several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Remove layers to avoid sweating and subsequent chill.

• Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.

• Wear a hat because much of your body heat can be lost from your head.

• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.

• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.

• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

• Avoid overexertion. Your heart is already working overtime in cold weather. The strain from the cold and the hard labor of shoveling heavy snow, walking through drifts or pushing a car may cause a heart attack. Sweating from overexertion could lead to a chill and hypothermia.

For more information about cold weather and winter safety, click here.

File photo by Tom Rivers – A man walks along East Bank Street in downtown Albion last March 12 when a blizzard hit the county. The downtown was largely deserted due the nasty winter storm.

Press Release
New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBION – A quick-thinking veteran corrections officer administered the Heimlich maneuver on the inmate who was choking and barely breathing on Dec. 28, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association reported.

Officer Michael Kropf, a 25-year veteran of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, noticed that an inmate in the mess hall was choking and barely breathing at approximately 5:10 p.m. Officer Kropf ran to the inmate immediately. He assessed the situation, realized the inmate’s airway was obstructed and administered the Heimlich maneuver.

Initially he was unsuccessful in dislodging the obstruction. He administered the Heimlich maneuver a second time and was successful in clearing food that had lodged in the airway of the inmate.

The inmate, now able to breathe without restriction, was taken to the facility infirmary for treatment. He was then was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital for evaluation. He was treated, released and returned to the medium security prison on Gaines Basin Road.

“On behalf of the entire Executive Board at NYSCOPBA, I would like to commend Officer Kropf for his quick and alert actions on Dec. 28,” said said Mike Dildine, Western Region Vice President for NYSCOPBA. “Certainly his training paid off on that day and saved the life of the inmate. He is prime example of the good men and women who work inside our prisons and keep the citizens of New York safe.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Will a developer finally step forward and commit to rehabilitating the former Holley High School? The building could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places this year, making the site eligible for tax credits for a renovation project.

The dissolution vote in Medina arrives early in the year on Jan. 20. Will residents in the Village of Medina vote to dissolve the village government?

If dissolution passes, the village remains for two more years to allow for a transition. How will town officials decide to take over some or all of the current village services if dissolution passes? If it fails, will town, county or state officials work with the village to reduce one of the most oppressive tax burdens in the state?

This is a local election year with many of the county and town offices on the ballot come November. But candidates will be reaching out to supporters many months before the election, trying to line up endorsements and support. Are there any upstart Democrats or Republicans that will mount vigorous campaigns this year?

Family Dollar has already announced a plan to build a new 8,320-square-foot store in Medina on Maple Ridge Road in 2015. The county has seen many chain stores – from fast food, car washes, auto parts, grocery, and general merchandise – set up in Orleans in recent years. Will any more chains see an opportunity in the county in 2015?

Two new wineries opened last year in Orleans County, bringing the total to four in the county. The Niagara Wine Trail also officially was extended from Niagara County across Orleans and to Rochester. Will the extended Wine Trail pays off with more visitors in Orleans County?

Will any of the local municipalities put together a compelling grant application that lands big state dollars for a community development project? The Orleans towns and villages have received very little in state grants for community development projects in recent years. The state shouldn’t be blamed because there haven’t been many grant applications from the local municipalities. Will our local elected officials brainstorm for a project that could improve the quality of life and make our communities a better destination?

Will someone buy the former Swan Library this year and what will the site, which is zoned commercial, be used for?

Will a local team capture a state championship this year? Several won Sectional titles in 2014.

Brunner International in Medina and Intergrow Greenhouses in Gaines did the biggest local business expansions in 2014. Will another local manufacturer or agri-business invest millions in an expansion? Will a new company pick Orleans County for its business this year?

Can Orleans County climb in the County Health Rankings and in visitor spending? We currently rank near the bottom in these categories out of 62 counties.

Several storefronts were made available in downtown Albion late in 2014. Will new tenants move in, and can they help make the downtown a bigger draw?

After about two years of extensive renovations, the former Tagg’s Tavern will be reborn this year as the Holley Falls Bar and Grill. Will Dan and Monica Seeler’s project be a success, and will it draw more visitors to Holley, helping other businesses?

Can Rob Ortt, the new state senator, make his presence felt in Orleans County, and can he surpass George Maziarz in bringing state resources to Orleans County?

Will Apex Clean Energy secure approvals to build 60 to 68 wind turbines in Yates and Somerset?

Will Richard Penfold keep his effort alive to reopen a landfill in Albion?

Will David Mahar, president of Frontier LLC, satisfy environmental and community concerns for a quarry in Shelby, not far from the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge?

Should Orleans County officials invite Gov. Andrew Cuomo and/or President Barack Obama to try to catch a Chinook Salmon at Point Breeze, “The Ultimate Fishing Town”? And would the governor or president accept the challenge?

Will the area be spared from a punishing winter after the prolonged harsh cold in 2014?

Will the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs for the first time in 16 years?

ALBION – Local and state officials will again update the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on efforts at the county and state to promote business and economic development locally.

The Chamber has scheduled the annual Legislative Luncheon for Jan. 23 at The Village Inn. The 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. event includes lunch and comments from elected officials. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Orleans County Legislature Vice Chairwoman Lynne Johnson have confirmed their attendance.

The event for the first time won’t include George Maziarz, who has retired from the State Senate. His successor, Rob Ortt, has been invited to luncheon, Chamber officials said this morning.

The Chamber also invited a representative from the New York Business Council.

The event is open to non-Chamber members as well. For more information, call the Chamber at 585-589-7727.