By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION Five years ago Orleans County officials welcomed ProAct Inc. to the community so residents without health insurance or limited insurance could get a discount on prescriptions.
The program is free to residents and the county government. ProAct has saved county residents $645,000 in the five years on 21,000 prescriptions, company officials reported to the Legislature.
“That’s money going directly back into residents’ pockets which they can spend on other essentials,” Kayse Diamond, communications coordinator for ProAct, told county legislators on Wednesday.
The program saves residents an average of 36 percent on prescription drugs, and residents can even catch a break on medicine for their pets. The discounts tend to range from 10 percent to 20 percent off of brand drugs and 20 percent to 50 percent discounts on generic prescriptions.
“The program has been a godsend for us,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard.
ProAct is a subsidiary of Kinney Drugs. ProAct runs the program for free, with the hope it will boost foot traffic to its stores.
The company is seeing about a 20 percent drop in utilization of the prescription cards due to lower unemployment, Diamond said.
“More people are getting jobs with benefits,” she said.
The company signs up participating pharmacies that agree to offer the discounts. The company also runs a discount program for dental and eye care coverage.
For more information or to sign up for a card, click here.
Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steven Smith
SHELBY – A man is dead following a one-car motor vehicle accident Thursday night in the Town of Shelby.
The incident was reported at about 9:45 p.m., in the 12400 block of Podunk Road, just east of East Shelby Road. Passers-by observed a vehicle off the south side of the roadway and called 9-1-1. Those same individuals removed the driver (sole occupant) from the vehicle and attempted life-saving measures prior to the arrival of EMS personnel.
Upon investigation, it was determined that the mid-size sedan had been travelling west on Podunk Rd., when the driver apparently lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the south side of the roadway. It continued approximately 165 feet before coming to rest and partially submerged in about 3 feet of marshland and about 50 feet off the roadway. The incident scene is less than ¼ mile from the Genesee-Orleans County Line.
The driver was transported by Medina FD ambulance to Medina Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:38 p.m. Orleans County Coroner Charles Smith was notified and the deceased was taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester for autopsy. His identity is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
The on-scene investigation was conducted by Deputy T.N. Tooley, assisted by Deputy T.C. Marano, Deputy J.J. Cole, Sergeant G.T. Gunkler, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. Deputies were also assisted by the East Shelby Fire Department and Lyon’s Collision Service.
The investigation will continue in an effort to determine what factor(s) contributed to the crash.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2014 at 12:00 am
The towns of Shelby and Ridgeway were part of investigative piece by Channel 4 News in Buffalo today that looked at taxpayer dollars being spent for public relations.
The two towns hired Andina Barone of Mindful Media Group to fight the effort to dissolve the village of Medina and shift some of those village services and tax burdens to the two towns. A dissolution plan sees a 46 percent increase in town taxes in Ridgeway and 10 percent in Shelby.
The towns have each spent about $3,000 for communication consulting, establishment of 24-hour call line, March print media buy, “Town messaging and dissemination,” art supervision, 5,000 stickers and 5,000 cards, according to a documents obtained by Channel 4.
A big crowd turned out last week at a public meeting about the dissolution plan, and most speakers opposed the plan.
“When each taxpayer is going to see a possible 46 percent increase in their taxes, the town has to spend resources in order to protect its taxpayers and they believed at the time that it was a prudent use of resources,” Emilio Colaiacovo, an attorney for the towns, told Channel 4.
The nearly $6,000 cost to Mindful Media Group doesn’t include the printing and mailing costs for at least three town-wide mailers about the dissolution. One mailer accused Medina Mayor Andrew Meier of mismanaging village finances. Another mailer faulted the Orleans Hub for being “unethical.”
The Channel 4 report highlights that Barone is the daughter of Gabrielle Barone, vice president of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. She is also an influential member of the Republican Party.
Colaiacovo said there is no conflict of interest with the towns hiring the younger Barone, who also does work for the EDA.
“The person you’re speaking of is an employee of the IDA. She has no vote. She has no say. She reports to the CEO of the IDA, so she can tell the CEO everything she would want him to say, he ultimately has the final say on IDA decisions along with its board,” Colaiacovo said.
Channel 4 also noted other public entities that pay for PR, including the Niagara Falls Water Board, Erie County Water Authority and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2014 at 12:00 am
A flash flood watch has been issued for Orleans County and most of Western New York.
The watch is in effect from today through Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service says the area could see 1.5 to 2 inches of rain causing possible flooding in poorly drained areas and small creeks.
“By Friday excessive runoff will bring significant rises to larger creeks and rivers with a few possibly reaching flood stage,” the Weather Service advised.
Residents in flood prone areas are urged to monitor weather conditions closely and to be prepared to move to higher ground.
The flood watch includes Orleans, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara, Northern Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County orchards are in their glory right now, with apple and fruit trees blooming for the annual spring pollination.
These photos show apple blossoms at Watt Farms on Route 98 in Albion.
The bloom is about two weeks behind schedule due to the cool spring weather, the New York Apple Association said.
“For one of the most beautiful spring sights you’ll ever see, take a ride around the countryside this weekend or next,” said NYAA President Jim Allen. “With over 55,000 acres of apple trees across the state, we’ve got millions of branches near you.”
Allen says that growers are expecting a “business as usual”-sized crop this fall following last year’s very large crop. The 2013 crop totaled out about 32 million bushels; the state’s average is 29.5 million bushels. The 2013 crop has moved to market quickly, and remaining supplies are expected to be sold out in plenty of time before the new crop arrives.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The letters keep coming in, about five a week since around March 1.
Residents write to state legislators, Orleans County legislators and Carlton town officials, expressing concern about the bridge and road maintenance with the Lake Ontario State Parkway. The county has received 66 so far about the Parkway’s condition.
“Restriction detours, Bridge Closure and Road Maintenance continue on a downward path, which is having a very negative influence on safe and efficient flow of vehicle travel, which is vital to our Orleans County well being,” according to one letter about the Parkway.
County and town officials have urged residents to write to State Sen. George Maziarz and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley about the Parkway.
“LOSP is a very key resource in the North Country of Orleans County supporting our Tourism and Residential travel,” according to a prototype letter sent by several residents.
The County Legislature and several Town Boards have passed formal resolutions requesting the state not divert funds from the NYS Highway and Bridge Trust Fund. Keeping that money for intended purpose would allow the state to better maintain its roads and bridges, the local government leaders have said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – One of the 11 bases for interpretive panels about Medina history and lore was recently installed along Main Street by Rotary Park. The panels should be added next week.
MEDINA – Next week a series of 11 interpretive panels about Medina history will be installed in the downtown business district.
The sign bases have already been installed by the Medina DPW. The panels will be added next week.
Chris Busch, the vice president of the Orleans Renaissance Group, is coordinator of the project. The panels will teach local history, and make for a more meaningful visit for tourists, he said.
“It can bring a historic landmark or event to life and allow a visitor to take home more than a picture and a memory – a deeper appreciation of our village,” Busch said.
The signs also create “the perception of importance – that this place is worth visiting historically, culturally, architecturally and economically,” Busch said.
He expects the project will generate community pride and boost awareness for Medina’s historic, architectural and cultural resources. Businesses will benefit from visitors who stay in the community longer, Busch said.
The project was spearheaded by the ORG with backing from the Medina Business Association. Sponsors paid for the mounts and Ken Daluisio of The Print Shop donated the panels and helped coordinate the project.
Busch designed the panels and they feature village’s history – its sandstone, Erie Canal and railroad prowess, and some notable characters and community leaders, as well as a tribute to immigrants who worked on the canal and quarries. One panel features Grover Cleveland and his wife, the former Frances Folsom, a Medina native. Cleveland married Folsom while he was U.S. president.
Sponsors of the project include the MBA, Gabrielle and Andina Barone, Andrew Meier, ORG, Dave and Gail Miller, Hartway Motors, Rita Zambito/Zambito Realty, Medina Sandstone Trust, Marcia Tuohey, Chris and Cynthia Busch, and the Medina Fire Department Local 2160.
West Seneca – Mike Wertman, who has covered Niagara-Orleans high school athletes for nearly four decades, has been recognized for his years of commitment by a state association of athletic administrators.
Wertman and three others from the Niagara-Orleans League were presented awards on Wednesday at Erie 1 BOCES at the Chapter VI Athletic Administrators Association meeting.
Wertman is the 2014 New York State Athletic Administrations Association Community Service Award winner for his dedication in covering local high school and community sports in Section VI. Wertman has covered athletes in Niagara and Orleans counties first for 35 years at the Medina Journal Register and since late August for the Orleans Hub.
Also receiving an award was Gale Doe of Wilson High School. She received the Judith Martens Secretarial Award for her 21 years of dedicated service as the secretary to the Athletic Administrators who have served at Wilson.
Olivia Denny of Barker and Kaeli Mathias from Kenmore West received the New York State Athletic Administrators Association Scholar Athlete award for excellence in academics and athletics starring in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. Olivia is a three-sport athlete (Field Hockey, Basketball and Softball) and Kaeli in Field Hockey and Ice Hockey.
CARLTON – This picture was taken following the train wreck at Carlton (Ashwood) on July 27, 1883.
A freight car was blown off a siding onto the main track when an excursion train running to the Thousand Islands hit it at 9:48 p.m.
The two heavy engines were both overturned and heavy steel sleeping cars on the rear of the train crushed the light weight wooden passenger cars ahead.
As a result 17 people were killed and 25 were injured.
Our picture shows a number of curiosity seekers looking over the wreckage the next day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Gia Arnold has the Orleans County Conservative Party’s official endorsement in her campaign for the State Senate against George Maziarz.
The Conservative Party Committee endorsed Arnold on Tuesday. Allen Lofthouse, the party chairman, said Maziarz, a 19-year-incumbent, is “a good man.”
But the party leaders like Arnold’s passion. The 24-year-old from Holley runs a tree service with her husband Jeremy. Mrs. Arnold is a state-wide leader of New York Revolution, a group that wants to repeal the SAFE Act. She has led rallies around the state against the gun control measure.
“She comes on strong,” Lofthouse said. “She is pretty passionate about her beliefs. She is real focused.”
Lofthouse said Maziarz has been an advocate for school funding, but hasn’t done enough for Orleans County.
“Nineteen years is a long time,” Lofthouse said about Maziarz’s career in Albany. “We’ve been pushing for term limits.”
Lofthouse first met Arnold through their involvement in the Tea Party movement in Orleans County. Arnold is making her first run for elected office.
“I know she’s young but I don’t think it hurts,” Lofthouse said. “Maybe she can draw more young people to be interested.”
Arnold is running for the 62nd Senate District that includes all of Orleans, most of Niagara and a portion of western Monroe counties.
MEDINA – Residents of the Medina Central School District voted in favor of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s 2014-15 budget at the annual vote on Tuesday. A total of 84 residents voted, with 76 approving the budget.
The 2014-15 budget of $582,753 represents an increase of 1.87 percent over the current year.
Incumbent candidate Maryellen Dale defeated Jamie Troidl. Dale was re-elected to another five-year term at the library’s annual meeting held on Monday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Facing the prospect of $775,000 or more in costs to village taxpayers, the Village Board may decide not to replace the Clarendon Street bridge.
The bridge could instead be removed and the street blocked off by the railroad tracks. The Village Board will have a 2 p.m. meeting Tuesday at Village Hall to discuss the issue with the state Department of Transportation and Bergmann Associates, the village’s consultant on the project.
The board on Monday was told the costs for the replacing the bridge had jumped by about $575,000 and those increases would be fully on village taxpayers, rather than the 80 percent by the federal government, 15 percent by the state and 5 percent by the village for most of the project.
Albion had been expecting to spend no more than $200,000 on the project. The extra $575,000 is too much for village taxpayers, Mayor Dean London said tonight at the Village Board meeting. The village would have to borrow money for that $575,000, which will further increase the costs, perhaps to $1 million total for village taxpayers.
If the bridge is torn down and the street blocked off, village officials expect the decision will upset many people. Clarendon Street is especially busy in the mornings for school buses and other school traffic.
“We’re going to catch heat but we’ll catch more heat if it’s 1 million dollars,” said Trustee Peter Sidari.
The village had been told before that it couldn’t back out of the project without paying the full costs for the engineering, design and other expenses for the project, which have topped $200,000. The village also was told Albion would have to pay the full costs of the demolition, which has been estimated at about $200,000.
But DOT officials told the village that is no longer the case. It wouldn’t have to reimburse the pre-construction costs, and the village would only have to pay the 5 percent share for demolition with the federal and state governments paying the other 95 percent.
Sidari said the village will have a public hearing to get residents’ input. If Clarendon Street is blocked off, more traffic would be pushed to Butts Road and other village crossings, such as McKinistry, Platt and Main streets.
Genesee Valley Transportation, owner of the railroad, has opposed adding another grade crossing in Albion. If Clarendon Street became a grade crossing, GVT has insisted that two other village crossings be blocked off.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Bill Gajewski, administrator for Orleans Community Health in Albion, said the site at the corner of Route 31 and Butts Road is serving community needs and will provide more services as an urgent care site. Beginning the week of June 2, it will be open seven days a week.
ALBION – A healthcare center that opened in November 2012 in Albion will become an urgent care center on June 2 with expanded hours and services.
The Orleans Community Health location will be open seven days a week with later weekday hours. The site at the corner of Butts Road and Route 31 will do non life-threatening care such as X-rays, stitches, lab services for blood and urine, bandages and some other treatments, including care for strep throat and lacerations.
“People will be able to take care of their bee stings and if their kid falls off his skateboard,” said Bill Gajewski, administrator for the Orleans Community Health’s center in Albion.
The urgent care services will ease the demands at hospital emergency departments and provide quicker care for the Albion and eastern Orleans community, Gajewski said.
The center currently has 14 full-time equivalents. It is adding two or three more staff with the shift to urgent care. The urgent care model follows a push from President Obama and the Affordable Care Act to make health care more accessible and less costly, Gajewski said.
“Part of Obamacare is transitioning costs from the emergency departments, which are very expensive,” he said.
Bill Gajewski is pictured in the physical therapy room at the Orleans Community Health in Albion.
He and Orleans Community Health are working on other initiatives to make the Albion center stronger. He would like to see inmates at the Orleans and Albion correctional facilities receive X-rays, physicals and other care from OCH. That would provide a steady source of revenue for the center, and also assist the state Department of Correctional Services by shortening drives for inmate care.
Gajewski also wants to connect with schools and local businesses to have the Albion site be used for employee physicals and drug screenings.
The Albion site could also be federally designated as a rural health clinic, which would boost the Medicaid reimbursement rate by $75 from the current $11 per patient, he said.
Gajewski joined OCH in February. He previously worked as executive director/CEO of St Vincent Medical Group in Erie, Pa., vice president of The Grider Initiative at Erie County Medical Center, and president of WNY Breast Health in Amherst.
“I am very pleased to be part of this dynamic and growing health center,” Gajewski said about leading the Albion site. “We will soon be a designated Urgent Care Center, which will expand the health services available to our community. We will also be expanding Occupational Health Services to provide pre-employment physicals and drug testing for local employers. Discussions are also underway to explore the possibility of adding to our Nurse Practioner staff. I’m looking forward to being a part of this exciting expansion.”
HILTON, NY – Lakeside Karate students have a smashing outcome Sat., May 10, 2014, at the Sensei Jim Grafe Memorial Karate Tournament held in Hilton, N.Y. This Karate tournament donates a portion of its proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has done so since its inception over 12 years ago. The tournament honors the memory of Sensei Jim Grafe, who was an inspirational Karate Teacher who changed many karate students’ lives before his untimely passing in 2002.
The students of Lakeside Karate in Lyndonville practiced for many months to sharpen their martial arts skills for this competition and the hard work was rewarded. If you happen to see one of the students please congratulate them on their personal achievement.
Margaret Klotzbach placed First in Girls Novice Clicker Sparring and placed 2nd place in Girls Novice Kata.
Emma Maynard placed 2nd in Girls Novice Creative Board Breaking. Connor Bell placed First in Boys Novice Kata, Second in Boys Clicker Sparring and First in Boys Novice Creative Board Breaking.
Sensei George F. Kiefer tied for First Place in Advanced Men’s Power Brick Breaking.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION Two weeks from today Orleans County will transition to a new $7.1 million emergency communications system. The “cut-over” is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 28.
At that time, the county will switch from a 22-year-old analog system to a digital system. There will be better reception and coverage throughout the county, said Paul Wagner, the county’s emergency management director.
The project is adding three new transmission towers – at Route 31A by the Clarendon highway garage, in Albion on Countyhouse Road by the Emergency Management Office and in Shelby on Route 31A by the Medina water tank. That will improve coverage, especially at the outer edges of the county where there have been gaps and unreliability in reception.
Firefighters and police often voice complaints about drops in coverage at the eastern and western ends of the county.
The emergency communications system includes 1,100 radios for police, firefighters, Probation officers and other emergency responders. The project includes 390 new radios while the others are being reprogrammed for the new system.
The upgrade also includes emergency communications equipment at the dispatch center and a backup location. Wagner said the analog system will continue as a standby in case there are any glitches with the new system.
