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2 will be registered as sex offenders

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Two men currently in state prison will soon be released and will be registered as sex offenders. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch assigned the risk levels on Monday.

Jeffrey Elsenheimer, 34, was deemed a level 2 sex offender, a moderate risk of a repeat offense. Elsenheimer is a former Medina firefighter who admitted to a sexual relationship with two teen-age boys.

He is currently an inmate in the Mohawk Correctional Facility. His earliest release date is Jan. 23, 2015.

Elsenheimer was arrested in August 2012. An investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force showed that Elsenheimer photographed sexual acts committed with the boys and had other nude photographs of the boys on his phone.

An Orleans County grand jury filed a 29-count indictment against Elsenheimer. He pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual act.

He was sentenced to two years in state prison and had to surrender his EMT license.

Another man was deemed a more serious threat by Judge Punch. Robert C. Schwab, 27, was assessed as a level 3 offender, the highest possible.

Schwab allegedly had sex on multiple occasions with a 12-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted criminal sexual act and was given a maximum sentence of 4 years, 6 months in state prison.

His earliest release date is Feb. 1. He is currently at Groveland Correctional Facility.

Both Elsenheimer and Schwab will be listed in the state’s sex offender registry.

New barbecue business opens in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Lawrence Nelson, owner of Just Right BBQ, is pictured with chef Sheila Holley at the new food establishment, 701 South Main St.

MEDINA – Lawrence and Juanita Nelson opened a new barbecue business last month in Medina, wanting to showcase the cooking talents of their friends, Johnny and Sheila Holley.

Just Right BBQ features chickens and ribs, and will expand its menu next month, likely adding pulled pork, and side dishes of green beans, and macaroni and cheese.

“I enjoy it, giving people what they want,” Mr. Nelson said. “I’m not going to go cheap on them.”

Nelson is retired from Harrison Radiator in Lockport. The Albion resident also is a Vietnam War veteran.

He has long been impressed by the Holleys and their cooking skills. Mr. Holley is temporarily sidelined due to an injury. His wife has been handling the bulk of the food preparation, slow-cooking the chicken and ribs.

“I enjoy meeting the people and getting their ideas and thoughts,” Nelson said. “There’s a lot of different people that come in and out of here.”

He and his wife put a new kitchen in the business. Mrs. Nelson juggles time between Just Right BBQ and her job at Baxter International in Medina.

The business is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Nelson said later hours will likely be added in early 2015.

For more information, call (585) 331-2891.

Judge sets bail for 2 jailed on drug charges

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge James Punch set bail for at least $100,000 for two people in jail on drug charges.

Bail was set at $100,000 for Vickie L. Hughes, 49, of 71 West Ave., Apt. 45 in Brockport. She was arrested on Dec. 3 and charged with two counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, 2 counts of CSCS in the fourth degree and four counts of CPCS in the fifth degree.

She was arraigned by Albion Town Justice Gary Moore on Dec. 3 and remanded to Orleans County Jail on no bail, due to a previous criminal history.

Judge Punch set bail at $200,000 for a Brockport man who was arrested on Friday and charged with five counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Jesus M. Vargas, 35, of 18 North Main St., Apt. 111, is likely to be charged with additional drug crimes, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Vargas was arraigned on Friday in the Town of Murray Court by the Judge Gary Passarell. Vargas was committed to Orleans County Jail without bail due to his previous criminal history.

Long-time HVAC and cooling business calls it a career

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Roger Fisher is selling his business to Mark Farone

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – After 48 years of being on call 24 hours a day, Roger Fisher (right) is eager to retire. He has eight more days and then he will pass his business assets on to Mark Farone.

The two worked together for 13 years at Barclay and Fowler in Brockport. Then that business was bought by Griffith Energy. Fisher started his own business, Roger Fisher Heating and Air Conditioning, about 20 years ago. Farone followed not long after, venturing out on his own with Farone Heating and Cooling.

In 2002, Farone suffered a broken back in a car accident. He was laid up for nearly a year. Fisher handled many of Farone’s customers, and didn’t take them as his own.

That gesture allowed Farone to return to work and his business.

“He covered my calls for me,” Farone said today. “Without that I probably would have lost my business.”

Fisher found it difficult to go on vacation once he was in business for himself. But Farone, when he returned to work, urged Fisher to take a break. In recent years, Fisher has been able to take off five or six weeks a year, with Farone and his staff of two technicians handling Fisher’s customers.

Fisher, 73, relished the getaways, the chance to ride his snowmobiler and not be jostled by late-night service calls.

He is selling his inventory to Farone and turning over his list of 1,200 customers. He said they will be in good hands with Farone.

“He’s done a real good job over the years,” Fisher said. “He’s local and he’s young enough to do it 24-7.”

Farone lives in Barre. He has two employees, James Pinson and Ed Snyder. Farone will officially take over Fisher’s business on Jan. 1.

Fisher said he is looking forward to that day, and getting on his snowmobile.

“I’m going to be 74, but when I’m on the snowmobile, I’m 42,” he said.

Albion Baseball Club played on Caroline Street in 1905

Posted 23 December 2014 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian

ALBION – Both of these photos from 1905 show the Albion Baseball Club and field. This athletic field and grandstand was located on Caroline Street near Ingersoll Street backing up to the Erie Canal.

The team members were: H. Kilborn, first base; J. Craffey, second base and Captain; Frank VanStone, third base; Ralph Vick, short stop; Herbert Reed, left field; Homer Brown, center field; Walter Radley, right field; Robert Clark, pitcher; and Pete Galarneau, catcher.

The club mascot was Arnold Donovan, the young boy standing in front. Note the chicken-wire screen on the grandstand to protect spectators. Clark’s popcorn and peanut stand shows to the far left in the lower picture.

3 sentenced to jail or prison for drug crimes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Three people were sentenced in Orleans County Court today for drug crimes. All three will spend time in either county jail or state prison.

Stephen W. Miles, 51, received the stiffest sentence of 2 years in state prison. Miles admitted in September he had a prescription narcotic, tramadol, and intended to sell it on March 26 from his room in Albion at 175 North Main St., Room No. 12.

He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree. He faced a maximum sentence to 2 ½ years in state prison. His attorney, Brian Degnan, said Miles was taken advantage of others in the drug crime, by preying on his low intellect and addictions. Miles was one of 16 people arrested in a April 1 drug raid by local law enforcement.

Miles has committed “a slew of petty larcenies and misdemeanors” in recent years, but has avoided “serious trouble” since the 1980s, his attorney said.

Miles said he has long struggled with drug addiction. He asked County Court Judge James Punch to make sure the sentence includes drug treatment.

“If you do that you’ll probably save my life,” Miles said.

Three of his friends have recently died from drug addictions, Miles said.

Punch said Miles has “a long and consistent criminal history” and has had opportunities for drug treatment. Because Miles admitted his crime, Punch didn’t give him the maximum sentence.

He said Miles and others that sell drugs cause many ruined lives in the community.

“You don’t know who survives and who doesn’t when you sell drugs,” Punch said.

Miles was also ordered to pay $45 in restitution, the cost of the drug buy by law enforcement.

In other sentencings today:

A Medina woman was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison for criminal possession of controlled substance in the 5th degree.

Debra Unell, 52, of Orient Street in Medina admitted in court to trying to sell cocaine. Unell was charged after she allegedly sold cocaine on three occasions between Oct. 3, 2013 and Dec. 11, 2013.

Unell apologized for her actions. Her attorney Nathan Pace said she has health and substance abuse issues. Until her arrests in 2013, she had not committed any crimes for 15 years, Pace told the judge.

Punch said Unell “has a very substantial criminal history” and hasn’t cooperated with agencies trying to help her. Besides the state priosn sentence, Unell was ordered to pay $334 in restitution for the drug buys from law enforcement.

A former Albion resident was sentenced to four months of intermittent jail time, plus five years probation.

Melissa A. Warren, 28, is a first time offender. She admitted she possessed cocaine on March 5 with the intent to sell it.

The former Albion resident now lives in Batavia. She pleaded guilty to CPCS in the fifth degree, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 2 ½ years in state prison.

She apologized to the community, her family and her young son for her crime.

Warren works nearly full-time and the judge said she needs to continue gainful employment. She is to report to the county jail on Monday mornings and will stay until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays for the next four months. She also was ordered to pay $40 restitution.

2 from Brockport face drug charges following investigation in Orleans

Staff Reports Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

BROCKPORT – Two Brockport residents face multiple drug charges following a three-month-investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine and marijuana in Orleans County and the Village of Brockport, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.

Jesus M. Vargas

The Task Force and the Brockport Police Department on Friday executed a search warrant at 18 North Main St., Apt. 111 – The Villager Apartments – and arrested two individuals on drug charges.

Police seized more than two ounces of cocaine, three pounds of marijuana, more than $5,000 in cash, and scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

The following were arrested:

Jesus M. Vargas, 35, of 18 North Main St., Apt. 111. He was charged with five counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (a Class B felony).

Vargas was arraigned in the Town of Murray Court by the Judge Gary Passarell. Vargas was committed to Orleans County Jail without bail due to his previous criminal history, the Task Force reported. Vargas is to return to Murray court on Dec. 24 at 4 p.m.

He faces further charges regarding criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of marijuana in Monroe County, the Task Force said.

Tabitha L. Drager, 21, of 18 North Main St., Apt. 111. She was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (a Class B felony) and one count of criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree.

Drager was arraigned in the Town of Sweden Court and committed to the Monroe County Jail. She is to return to Sweden court on Dec. 23 at 3 p.m.

Albion police make arrest with string of larcenies and burglaries

Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Stolen property recovered, additional persons of interest identified

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – The Albion Police Department has made an arrest in relation to the ongoing investigation regarding the larcenies and burglaries that have occurred over the past several weeks in the northeast side of the Village of Albion.

Search warrants were executed at two locations in the Village of Albion on Saturday with one search warrant executed today in the City of Batavia.

A large quantity of stolen property was recovered as a result of the search warrants and additional persons of interest have been identified.

The case is ongoing with additional arrests expected. The names of those arrested, wanted or other persons of interest are not being released at this time. A more complete press release will be done when the investigation is closer to being completed.

The Albion Police are asking anyone who may have had items stolen, regardless if they have filed a police report, to contact the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627 to identify and recover their stolen property.

The Albion Police were assisted by the Batavia Police Department, Batavia Police Emergency Response Team and the Genesee County Drug Task Force.

Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627.

Another $200K round of grants available for Medina façade projects

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – This home at 204 West Center St., Medina, was one of the houses in the village to receive matching funds for improvements through a grant administered by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will soon accept applications for a third round of $200,000 grants.

MEDINA – A third round of grants for new coats of paint and other beautification improvements will soon be available to Medina home and business owners.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is administering the program. The funds are provided by an anonymous donor.

This will be the third year for the program, which has provided $200,000 annually for building improvements. About 50 homes and 15 businesses have received money through the project, said Kathy Blackburn, the Chamber executive director.

“It’s having an impact,” she said. “Some of the homes just look fantastic.”

The matching grants provide up to $10,000 per project within the Village of Medina. The applications are expected to soon be available on the Chamber website. Blackburn said there will be an informational meeting in mid January with applications due in February.

The projects are all reviewed by the Chamber’s Façade Grant Review Committee, which is expected to approve the grants in March.

Eligible projects include exterior painting; woodwork and architectural metal repair, cleaning, restoration, painting or replacement; masonry repairs and tuck pointing; window and door repairs or replacement; cornice or parapet projects; awning work; and exterior lighting fixtures.

Hawley faults Cuomo on fracking decision

Staff Reports Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, is critical of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement last week that New York will not allow hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to access natural gas.

“Gov. Cuomo’s decision to defer to the New York State Health Department’s opinion on hydraulic fracturing allows him to wash his hands of the situation while virtually guaranteeing that fracking will not happen in New York,” Hawley said.

“While I understand the potential economic benefits of allowing fracking in New York State, I believe we must take into account the preservation of our environment when making such an important decision,” Hawley said in a statement issued today.

“While dozens of other states, including our neighbor Pennsylvania, have allowed their natural gas deposits to be safely fracked, it is crucial to examine how hydraulic fracturing will affect such as vital natural resource as our drinking water. In this case, Gov. Cuomo clearly favored environmental concerns over the potential for new jobs, lower taxes and more abundant natural resources.”

Hub calendar makes a nice Christmas gift

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – An Orleans Hub calendar for 2015 makes a fine Christmas gift. They are for sale for $10 and include 25 local images (two for each month plus the cover image).

The calendar showcases the four seasons in Orleans County. The cover photo shows Marisa Hanlon of Kendall riding her horse at the 4-H Fairgrounds while the sun was setting during the fair this past July.

The are available at the Lake Country Pennysaver, 170 North Main St., Albion, and at Main Street TV & Appliance Sales at 430 Main St. in Medina.

Orleans Hub can mail these as well with an additional charge for shipping. For more information on that, call the office at 585-589-5641.

County officials praise Lattin for dedicated career as historian

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, center, was recognized today during the final Orleans County Legislature meeting of 2014. Lattin is retiring on Dec. 31.

Legislature Chairman David Callard, left, presented Lattin with a “Special Recognition Award” for his 36 years as county historian. Resident Al Capurso, right, presented Lattin with a model of a log cabin that Capurso made.

“Bill has been extraordinary,” Callard said. “He has gone above and beyond to promote our county history by teaching, lecturing to our community members and our visitors from near and far about the strong history and heritage we have here in our county.”

Lattin also served as curator of the Cobblestone Museum for nearly 40 years and was influential in many of the museum’s acquisitions. He also coordinated the relocation of several of the buildings at the museum complex near the corner of routes 98 and 104 in the Town of Gaines.

Outhouses, a print shop, blacksmith shop and Farmer’s Museum were all moved to the museum complex to be preserved.

Callard praised Lattin for his “extreme professionalism” and efforts on many fronts in preserving local history.

Capurso said Lattin is a long-time friend. The historian also worked with former Albion Mayor Donna Rodden, Capurso’s late mother in law, to have several sites in Albion – Mount Albion Cemetery, the Courthouse Square and Downtown Albion – listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Capurso worked for a month to create a model of pioneer log cabin for Lattin.

“It’s a drop in the bucket for what Bill has given of himself for the county and historic preservation,” Capurso said. “He doesn’t seek recognition. That’s not what drives him.”

The Legislature expects to appoint a new historian in early 2015.

County planners support plan for new Family Dollar in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am

C.L. Helt, Architect, Inc. in Charlotte, NC – The proposed new Family Dollar in Medina would be on Maple Ridge Road across from Tim Hortons in Medina.

MEDINA – A proposal for a new Family Dollar store on Maple Ridge Road has the support of the Orleans County Planning Board, although the board expressed some concern about traffic congestion in that area of the proposed store.

Planners met on Thursday and recommended the Village of Medina Planning Board approve the site plan for the 8,320 square foot structure. Family Dollar wants to move out of the Tops Plaza about ½ mile away to the next site across from Tim Hortons.

Planners suggested the driveway for the store line up with the driveway for Tim Hortons or to maximize the space between them. The Village Planning Board and state Department of Transportation will have a say in that issue.

The Durban Group, which is based in North Carolina, is proposing the new building at 11300 Maple Ridge Rd. The company anticipates construction from April to September 2014.

It is requesting 28 parking spaces, which is 14 less than the village code for a 8,320 square foot building. The County Planning Board supported the variance request.

The project includes a pylon sign and connection into the village’s sewer system.

In other action, the Planning Board:

Supported a proposal for a gift shop at 10446 Ridge Rd., about ½ mile east of the Jeddo hamlet in the Town of Ridgeway.

Terry and David Ronson want to open Plum Creek Gift Shop in the General Business District. The site also is used for Ronsons Auction Center.

Recommended the Town of Clarendon approve a special use permit for Nathaniel Lorenz to have roll-off containers at the corner of Mansfield and Hindsburg roads.

Planners say the neighborhood at 15663 Mansfield Rd. is remote, with the nearest house about 700 feet to the west. Lorenz plans to call the business, ARG Roll Off Containers. He will store the containers at the site and rent them out.

Supported Kim Rowe’s proposal to expand the parking lot at the Cobble-Ridge Co-Op, 14462 Ridge Rd.

Rowe wants to add a 100-foot wide by 66-foot deep parking to the northeast of the building. That parking area will serve a flea market, garage sale and farmers market that operate on a seasonal basis from April 1 to Oct. 31.

Albion cheerleaders in 1960 were spirited bunch

Posted 21 December 2014 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian

ALBION – These six girls from Albion High School posed for this varsity cheerleader picture in the fall of 1960.

From left: Duann Juliana, Marilyn Mack, Sharon Pawlaczyk, Sandra Lascell, Ivylene Phillips (note the number 61 on her jacket), and Judy Nesbitt.

Albion names winners in storefront decorating contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association has named Burgio Salon the winner of the Hometown Holiday window decorating contest. The shop is owned by Colleen Albright at 117 North Main St.

A panel of seven judges picked the winner. Knight’s Pride Custom Woodworking at 120 North Main St. received an honorable mention award.