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4 plead guilty to crimes in Orleans and could be sentenced to prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Four people pleaded guilty on Monday to crimes in Orleans County and they could be sentenced to state prison.

A Brockport resident admitted he sold cocaine in a sale arranged through a phone call with someone in Orleans County.

Jesus M. Vargas, 35, said he sold the cocaine in Brockport last December. He was arrested in December following an investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force into the sale and distribution of cocaine and marijuana in Orleans County and Brockport.

Vargas pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. As a second felony offender, he would face a maximum of 1 ½ to 4 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, he would be sentenced to no more than 2 ½ years in prison. If Judge James Punch gives Vargas more than 2 ½ years, he can withdraw the plea and go to trial.

Vargas will be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Terry R. Johnson, 25, of Medina pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, a charge that carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Johnson would face a maximum of 1 ½ to 3 years in prison.

He admitted he knew he was given a forged check and then tried to cash it. Johnson said someone bought his car with a forged check in another person’s name. Johnson told the judge he knew the check was forged.

Joseph Taylor, 18, of Shelby Center pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the second degree, which carries a maximum of 2 to 7 years in state prison plus 1 ½ to 3 years of post-release supervision.

Taylor admitted in court he broke into a house on Long Bridge Road in Albion on Jan. 15.

He has been in jail on $25,000 bail. After a request from attorney Nathan Pace for a reduction in the bail, Punch lowered it to $20,000 for Taylor, who will be sentenced on Sept. 14.

An Albion teen pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the fourth degree, which has a maximum sentence of 3 years in state prison, and attempted burglary in the second degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in state prison.

The boy, 16, could be granted a youthful offender and could face a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison as part of a plea deal. Because the boy from Albion may be given youthful offender status, Orleans Hub won’t publish his name.

The boy admitted in court he entered a house on East State Street on March 10 and stole items. He also admitted in court he jumped on top of an Albion student’s car and was dancing on it on Feb. 11. That caused $3,122 in damage to the car, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

The boy has been in the county jail on $20,000 bail. He had his bail reduced to $5,000 on Monday. He will be sentenced on Sept. 14.

In another case, Joel Hernandez was sentenced to a year in state prison for driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Hernandez, who has a prior driving while intoxicated charge in Albion, pleaded guilty in March to DWI and AUO on Oct. 26, 2014 in Albion.

2 are sentenced to jail for crimes in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Two people were sentenced to Orleans County Jail this afternoon by Judge James Punch.

Joshua J. Fisher, 25, of 4 North St., Albion, was sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation for felony driving while intoxicated.

Fisher was stopped by police in Albion on Nov. 9 and allegedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.

Fisher has been in the court system before and was terminated from the Drug Court. He said he has matured and will take probation seriously. His attorney Richard Roxin told Judge Punch that Fisher is enrolled in a treatment program with the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and is working hard to improve his life.

“Our goal here isn’t just to help you,” Punch told Fisher during sentencing. “I have to protect the public from you.”

As a term of probation, Fisher will need to use an interlock ignition device, which measures Blood Alcohol Content.

A Byron man was sentenced to four months of intermittent jail for an assault charge.

Gregory Vogt, 27, of Cook Road was charged with second-degree assault after allegedly striking a victim in the head with a bottle on Sept. 14 in the Town of Murray.

Punch told Vogt the attack was “excessive” and a “very serious crime.”

Vogt will serve his jail sentence from 6 p.m. Sundays to 6 p.m. Tuesdays for four months. He also will be on probation for five years.

Pro-life activist, 18, inspires crowd at Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Lia Mills, a prominent pro-life activist, addresses 250 people during the 12th annual banquet for the Care Net Pregnancy and Family Center.

Mills, 18, is a university student in Canada. She rocketed to fame as a 12-year-old when her mother posted a 5-minute YouTube video of her daughter speaking against abortion (click here). That video now has over 2.6 million views.

Mills talked about that speech on Friday when she addressed the Care Net supporters at the White Birch Golf Course. Mills said her teacher urged her not to discuss abortion. But Mills felt strongly about the issue and she said she felt God prompting her to make the speech.

“When God asks me to do something, I say yes,” she said. “I’m ordinary but I serve an extraordinary God. God can and will use you. God wants you to be willing.”

Mills has become a sought after speaker against abortion. She said abortion doesn’t empower women. They are often coerced to have abortions by boyfriends, Mills said. There are underlying issues, such as poverty, that often compel women to abort, Mills said.

“If we want to be about choice and about empowering women, you need to alleviate those external factors,” Mills said.

She urged the group to be advocates for life, to be a voice for unborn children.

And she urged the group to be bold in their faith and be open to where God may be leading them.

Mills also addressed students at the Orleans County Christian School in Medina on Friday morning and Saturday evening was part of a youth rally at the Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina.

The Care Net Pregnancy and Family Center of Greater Orleans provides free ultra-sounds, pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted infection testing and resources to families in crisis. The center is located in Albion at 111 West Ave., across from McDonalds.

Boater tries to beat the rain on Canal

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This boater heads west on the Erie Canal in Albion this morning with the Gaines Basin Road bridge in the background. There wasn’t any rain when these photos were taken at about 9:45 a.m., but the sky got dark soon after with the threat of rain.

There is a chance for showers in Orleans County today with a high forecast for 75. It could be worse. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the Springville area at about 11 a.m.

For Orleans County, the Weather Service is forecasting a high of 72 on Tuesday with thunderstorms likely, followed by a high of 80 on Wednesday with a chance for thunderstorms. Thursday is forecast to be mostly sunny for a high of 78, followed by a high of 79 on Friday with a chance of thunderstorms.

The same boater pictured above passes along the canal just east of the Gaines Basin Road bridge in Albion.

Politicians love a parade

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The big parade in Holley on Saturday gave elected officials and those seeking public office a chance to promote their candidacies and connect with the public.

In the top photo, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and his community liaison Barry Flansburg pause for a moment on the parade route along Route 31 in downtown Holley.

Randy Bower, left, had a large contingent of supporters wearing red during the parade, helping him in his campaign for Orleans County sheriff. Holley is Bower’s hometown.

Village trustees Skip Carpenter, left, and Brian Sorochty ride together in a golf cart in Holley’s pararde. They are both up for election on June 16 with Sondra Knight also on the ballot. Holley will elect two of the three candidates to two-year terms.

Sondra Knight, right, walks the parade route, trying to build support for her campaign for the Village Board.

Holley Mayor John Kenney, left, and Village Trustee Kevin Lynch ride together in the parade. They were both elected to two-year terms last June and won’t be on the ballot for the June 16 village election.

Muslim community says mosque in Waterport threatened by lawsuit

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Protestors are out at Courthouse Square today trying to raise awareness of an impending court action that could make a mosque in Waterport no longer available to the World Sufi Foundation.

The local Muslim community has used the mosque on a dirt road in Carlton for 37 years. Many people have been married at the site on Fuller Road over the years. The mosque continues to be used for services and prayers, said Bilal Huzair, deputy director for the World Sufi Foundation.

He said a former wife of one of the mosque’s ministers has filed a lawsuit, seeking possession of the building. The issue has been argued before James Punch, acting State Supreme Court justice, and his decision is expected soon, Huzair said.

“This is not an individual’s property,” he said about the mosque. “We’re being held back from practicing our faith.”

About 50 protestors began walking along Main Street by the courthouse at about 10 a.m. They plan to be there until 4 p.m. today.

“We want to make sure our freedom of the Constitution is upheld,” Huzair said. “Our focus is on preserving our rights.”

Huzair said some of the protestors weren’t part of the World Sufi Foundation, but were supportive of the group’s effort to raise awareness of the case.

“We want to make sure this doesn’t happen to another church,” Huzair said.

Huzair said the lawsuit should worry all of those concerned about faith and liberty. He said the lawsuit contends the site on Fuller Road and also a community-run medical office are not religious properties and should be seized to settle a private lawsuit that does not directly involve the community.

“This is an abuse of the legal process,” Huzair said. “The court should have dismissed this outrageous claim immediately. Instead they have left us hanging for months not knowing if our place of worship would be sold out from under us.”

Blacksmith shoes a horse in Shelby a century ago

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am

SHELBY – This photograph taken in June of 1907 shows the interior of Nelson N. King’s Blacksmith Shop located at Shelby Center. A native of Newfane, King started his blacksmithing career in Orleans County working with Maxim “Peter” Pilon at Carlton Station.

In July of 1900, Pilon sold his shop and all of the associated tools to King who assumed control of the business shortly after. On June 27, 1903 King married Lillian Ryan at Shelby and started to rent the Bailey Blacksmith Shop at Shelby Center in late October of 1904.

Nelson King is bent over with the horse’s hind leg positioned between his own legs preparing the hoof for shoeing. On the left, Pierson “Syke” Neal is shown working a horseshoe on the anvil while Adra Wormuth, a local farmer, observes.

Blacksmiths wore aprons to cover their clothing, protecting them from sparks created by the pounding of heated metal. The only man in the photograph not wearing an apron is Wormuth, which suggests that he brought the horse to the shop for shoeing.

This shop is particularly unusual given the amount of light inside of the room. Blacksmith shops were often dark, allowing the smith to observe the changing colors of the metal. Different colors represented different temperatures and depending on the intended final product, a combination of specific temperatures and tools were required.

Scattered across the floor are a number of this tools including tongs and sledgehammers. Hanging on the wall next to the door is a rake used for working the fire in the forge, which was likely off to the left of Neal’s anvil.

Mustang Band picks student leaders for next year

Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Students at annual banquet are honored for 2014-15 season

Provided photo – This photo shows the leader of the Medina Mustang Band for 2015-16. The group includes Drum Major – Amanda Lunden; Assistant Drum Majors – Andrea Toussaint & Tristan Sanders; Flute Section Leader – Andrea Toussaint; Clarinets – Alex Peters; Saxophones – Madison Holland; Mellophones – Kristian Snyder; Trumpets – Abby Griffin & Kyla Leno; Trombones/Baritones – Corey Strickland; Tuba – Ryan Webber; Front End Ensemble – Megan Furness; Band Managers – Naomi Slingerland, Tyler Soha, Jadiel Flores-Medina, Nick Schaefer and Victoria Schicker; Attendance Officer – Jadiel Flores-Medina; Uniform Manager – Meghan Allen; Secretary/Librarian – Kyla Leno & Meghan Allen; Percussion – Tristan Sanders; Colorguard Managers – Grace Fuller, Leann Schneider, Shianne Sullinger; Colorguard Captains – Brittanie Goodin & Alexis Neuman.

Press Release, Medina Mustang Band

MEDINA – The 44th annual Medina Mustang Band Banquet and Awards Ceremony was held Friday at the Sacred Heart Club. It was an evening of awards and reflection on the many accomplishments in the 2014-2015 year.

Co-directors Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard emceed the event. The Booster organization was credited for their continued dedication and commitment to this organization. Outgoing officers were recognized and thanked for their help as well as the incoming officers.

The “Harry Dinkle Award” was established to recognize someone who is not a Booster officer but who volunteers a great deal of personal time and effort to the band and the Boosters. This year Mike Dreyfus was granted this award for the second year in a row. He was also the co-drum major for the Memorial Day parade based on votes from the community.

Instructional staff were recognized: Twirler instructor Roxanne Morgan; Drill & marching & instrument instructor Jeanette Sheliga; Assistant Band Director & Pit Instructor Katie Toub; Percussion Instructors Jeff Pask & TJ Gray; Color Guard Instructor Diana Baker; Visual Design & Colorguard Instructors Vinnie Monacelli & Kristen Costa. Other staff not in attendance were Music Arranger Jerry Kelsey; Music Arranger Joe Organisciak; and Percussion Instructors Joe Guadagnino and Brian King.

The NYS Field Band Conference Scholarship was given to Chris Keller with the Mustang Band Service Scholarship given to Krista Nellist, and the Orleans County Music Educators Association scholarship awarded to Emma Baldwin.

The Mustang Band marches down Main Street during the Memorial Day parade.

Medina also sent approximately 22 students in the elementary level, 32 students in the middle level and 35 students from the high school to the NYSSMA Solo Festival and overall they achieved scores ranging from Good, Outstanding, Excellent, A and A+.

Outstanding Band Member Awards were given in three categories: Outstanding Rookie went to Miranda Zelazny, Trenton Crews, Jada Draper and Avery Vanderwerf. Most Improved went to Nick Schaefer, Kali Schrader, Noah Pencille and Kaela Grosslinger. Most Valuable went to Abigail Griffin, Madison Holland, Derek Donley and Krystal Kerstetter.

Band Director awards were given by Jim Steele to Brielle Lederhouse and Kyrah Baes. Cheri Pritchard gave awards to Jenna Moore and Karina Bellan.

The Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award was started in 1968 in honor of a man who was a bus driver and always involved with the band. This year’s recipients were Chris Keller, Derek Donley and Brian Bogan.

The band performs during the Memorial Day parade on Main Street near the railroad tracks.

The Joseph C. McCain award was started in 1967 and given to a junior and senior to recognize their dedication and commitment to the band and who reflects the ideals of its founder. This year’s recipients are Tyler Soha and Kyle Herman.

Attendance Awards were given to students who have perfect attendance in the fall or in the spring or both. Service awards were given to students who had between 6 to 12 seasons of participation in the program. Graduating seniors were presented their medallions.

The Junior Prologue was given by Andrea Toussaint and the Senior Epilogue by Chris Keller. A slide show of the year’s events was prepared by Mike Dreyfus with the assistance of Greg Nellist, Joe Granchelli and many parents who submitted pictures.

The Fall Field Show for 2015 is “Illusions.” This is a magic show on a football field. The music is more difficult and therefore the first practice is June 23rd. There are 133 students signed up for the fall season, which is the largest in the past three years. Band Camp will be Aug. 10-14.

NY offers $100K reward for information leading to capture of 2 convicted murderers

Staff Reports Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am

One of prison escapees convicted of murder in Niagara County

DANNEMORA – New York State is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of two convicted murderers, including one from Niagara County.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the reward during a press conference this afternoon for the two men who escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. That prison is in the north country, just south of the Canadian border.

Richard Matt

One of the escapees, Richard Matt, was convicted of murder in Niagara County. Matt, 48, is described as a white male, 6′ tall, 210 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes. He has tattoos including “Mexico Forever” on his back, a heart on his chest and left shoulder, and a Marine Corps insignia on his right shoulder.

Matt is serving a sentence of 25 years to life following his conviction in Niagara County for three counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping, and two counts of robbery after he kidnapped a male victim and caused his death by beating him on Dec. 3, 1997. Matt was transferred to Clinton Correctional on July 10, 2008.

David Sweat, 34, is the other convicted murderer on the loose. He is described by state police as a white male, 5’11” tall, 165 pounds, brown hair and green eyes. He has tattoos on his left bicep and his right fingers.

Sweat is serving a sentence of life without parole following his conviction in Broome County for one count of first-degree murder after he caused the death of a Broome County Sheriff’s deputy on July 4, 2002. Sweat was transferred to Clinton Correctional on Oct. 30, 2003.

David Sweat

State Police said they were called on Saturday at 5:45 a.m. by officials at the Clinton Correctional Facility. The prison said two inmates were unaccounted for during a 5:30 a.m. bed check.

Both men are considered to be a danger to the public, State Police said.

“If located DO NOT approach them,” State Police said in a news release. “Contact 911 or the New York State Police immediately at (518) 563-3761.”

The governor said more than 250 law enforcement and corrections officials are actively searching for the inmates.

“Today we are asking for the help of the public as we continue our search to arrest these two individuals,” Cuomo said. “They are convicted murderers and our first order of business is to ensure they don’t inflict any more pain on the community. We are urging anybody who sees them or knows anything that may assist our investigation to contact the State Police as soon as possible. With the public’s help, we will return these men to where they belong – behind bars.”

Fireworks are a booming spectacle

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos By Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Murray Holley June Fest concluded with a loud and colorful fireworks show at the Holley soccer field tonight.

The fireworks capped a perfect day for the festival, with beautiful weather for people to enjoy a full schedule of events from the morning to the night, said David Dill, festival chairman.

He said today’s festival was the best in the event’s history.

These photos show a light pole at the soccer field and part of the bleachers.

This young observer gets a picture of the fireworks.