news

Unemployment rate in Orleans falls to 5.0%

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2016 at 2:29 pm

The unemployment rate in Orleans County fell to 5.0 percent in June 2016, that’s down from 6.2 percent in June 2015, according to the state Department of Labor.

The state-wide unemployment rate was 4.5 percent last month, compared to 5.2 percent in June 2015.

The DOL reports there were 17,200 people working in Orleans last month, compared to 900 unemployed. That compares to 17,300 working in June 2015, and 1,100 who were unemployed.

The unemployment rates for other nearby counties include: Niagara, 4.8; Monroe, 4.3; Erie, 4.4; Genesee, 3.8; Wyoming, 4.1; and Livingston, 4.4.

Columbia County has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in the state at 3.2 percent, and the Bronx has the highest at 7.0 percent.

The state DOL reports the state’s private sector job count increased by 120,700 since June 2015. In June 2016, the number of private sector jobs in the state was an all-time high at 7,918,400, according to the DOL.

DOT puts Parkway paving, canal bridge repairs in capital plan

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2016 at 2:27 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion is slated for rehabilitation in 2018-19 as part of the DOT’s capital plan. The Albion bridge, plus the one on Route 19 in Brockport, are scheduled for $7.8 million in rehab work.

ALBION – A five-year capital by the State Department of Transportation includes repairs to the lift bridge on Main Street in Albion, $13 million to rehab six other canal bridges in Orleans County, and money to pave the Lake Ontario State Parkway.

Orleans County officials have been pressing the state to spend money to fix bridges and pave the Parkway. The DOT plan includes more than $14 million for Parkway work and nearly all of it is in Monroe County.

The Parkway paving includes $8.97 million to pave the parkway from Route 19 east to Payne Beach, and $5.2 million to pave the Parkway from Route 19 in Hamlin to Route 237 in Kendall. The Parkway paving projects are slated for 2017-18.

Some of the other projects in Orleans, identified in the capital plan, include:

• $430,000 in preventive maintenance for 8 bridges in Orleans County (2016-17)

• $3.13 million to pave Route 98 in Albion (2017-18)

• $13 million to rehab six bridges over the Erie Canal in Orleans County (2017-18)

• $1.63 million for Holley pavement preservation on Route 31 and 237 (2018-19)

• $7.8 million for lift bridge rehab on Route 98 in Albion and Route 19 in Brockport (2018-19)

• $1.35 million for bridge rehabilitation on Route 104 over Oak Orchard Creek (2019-20)

State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) highlighted the list of projects. He said he was pleased to see several canal bridges in the five-year DOT capital program plan.

In addition to the bridge construction work, the state will install sensors on weight restricted canal lift bridges to monitor the structural integrity and to better assess appropriate corrective measures, Ortt said.

“For years, our local roads and bridges have been dangerously underfunded by the state,” Ortt said. “For the first time in more than a decade, the State Legislature has achieved true parity in transportation funding between upstate and downstate – the DOT and the MTA – with $27.1 billion for each entity over a five-year period.”

There are 16 lift bridges on the canal and seven of them are in Orleans County. There are more than a dozen other steel truss canal bridges in Orleans that are about a century old.

“This money is a good start to help fix the structural problems in our region,” Ortt said. “The infrastructure improvements to the two canal lift bridges will contribute to economic growth while maintaining the safety of the individuals who use them, including our farmers and emergency personnel. We need reliable infrastructure to stimulate the economy, create jobs and protect future generations.”

A complete list of DOT projects can be found by clicking here.

Big turnout for golf tournament honoring Wounded Warriors

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2016 at 6:09 pm

HOLLEY – Hickory Ridge Golf Course hosted its fifth annual “Honoring Heroes” Golf Tournament on Sunday. Cindy Diehl, co-owner of Hickory Ridge, welcomes a big crowd at dinner to the event, which raised money for the New York Warrior Alliance.

The first four golf tournaments events raised $57,000 to assist wounded American soldiers and their families.

The fund-raising totals have increased each year from $10,000 in 2012, $13,000 in 2013, $16,000 in 2014 to $18,000 last year. The total from yesterday isn’t available.

Lyndonville native David Bellavia, an Iraq War veteran with the U.S. Army, was keynote speaker during Sunday’s banquet at at golf tournament. Bellavia was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. He wrote about his war experiences in House to House: An Epic Memoir of War.

Bellavia has been a leader in advocating for veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars through Vets for Freedom.

Bellavia said he is proud of Orleans County and how the community rallies around veterans, whether at the Hickory Ridge golf tournament, or standing in bitter cold weather to welcome home a fallen soldier. He noted the county has a long record of sacrifice. Nearly 500 people from Orleans died in the Civil War. Holley had the highest per capita death rate for young men who died serving in the Vietnam War.

The county continues to have young men and women sign up to serve in the military, Bellavia said, calling them “the best of their generation.”

Bellavia also praised the New York Warrior Alliance, the beneficiary of the golf tournament, for its work on behalf of injured veterans and their families. The VA is “overburdened,” Bellavia said, and NY Warrior Alliance helps fill some of the gaps.

Amy Tausch, president of the NY Warrior Alliance, shares some of the group’s outreach. NY Warrior Alliance started as a ministry at Northfield Church in Pittsford.

The all-volunteer alliance provides financial support and basic essentials for wounded warriors and their caregivers. Tausch and a group of volunteers each year take a mission trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and deliver supplies. Tausch noted that Carol Culhane of Albion is part of the annual trip and presents ornaments with her patriotic artwork to veterans.

For more on the NY Warrior Alliance, click here.

A big crowd turned out to support the golf tournament to benefit wounded soldiers.

Big tractors show might in pulling competition at Murray

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2016 at 6:02 pm

MURRAY – Faron Reding Sr. of Lawtons in Erie County competes in the light pro stock class during today’s Murray Tractor Pull. There were about 50 competitors in the tractor pulls, which started on Saturday.

Lloyd Christ developed the track and grounds on Groth Road, which has been hosting the “Fury in Murray” for more than 20 years.

These young fans watch Kirsten Voelpel of Newfane get ready to go in a light super stock tractor she calls “Farmer’s Daughter.” Voelpel, 24, has been pulling for five years. She was second in the light super stock with a pull of 345.9 feet.

The tractors have to pull a 40,000-pound sled along a dirt track.

The Farmer’s Daughter emits dark smoke as it heads down the track.

Stan Farone was among the volunteers in the concession stand. Proceeds from the Murray Tractor Pull are shared with the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company, and Holley Fire Department.

Skip Bartz cuts open a new bag of French fries at the concession stand.

About 600 fans watched the tractor pulling, including this group with close seats to the track.

Chris Jeffres of Wyoming, NY, competed in the semi division and had the biggest pull of the day at 380.4 feet.

Matt Darling of Strykersville drives “Forever Red,” a super farm tractor, as an exhibition pull this afternoon.

Adam Foss of Clarendon watches the action with his son Cian, 2, who covers his ears due to the noise.

Vandals damage train cars by Railroad Museum

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2016 at 2:52 pm

MEDINA – Six windows on historic train cars were smashed with rocks about a week ago. The train cars are from 1946-47 and are owned by The WNY Railway Historical Society.

That group leases the train cars to the Medina Railroad Museum for excursion rides, including the popular Day Out with Thomas in May, wine tours during the summer, fall foliage rides in the fall and the Polar Express during the holiday season.

The rides bring tens of thousands of people into the Medina community.

Historical Society volunteers said the windows were smashed on either July 14 or July 15. The trains are parked on a secondary track down from the Railroad Museum behind the Olde Pickle Factory.

Cody Catlin, 17, of Carlton is one of the volunteers with the The WNY Railway Historical Society. He and others are working to put in new windows after six were broken recently.

Catlin urged the Medina community to report suspicious people near the trains and on the tracks to the police.

Volunteers will replace the broken glass with polycarbonate sheets that need to be cut to size. One polycarbonite window held up from being hit by a big rock about a week ago, but the frame of the window was bent and needs to be fixed.

“It’s upsetting because they are vandalizing other people’s property,” Catlin said.

These windows in the doors to the train cars were shattered by vandals throwing rocks.

Some kids wave out the windows during the Thomas the Train event in May. Nearly 10,000 people rode the train for the event.

Old-fashioned day provides lots of fun in East Shelby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 July 2016 at 11:00 am

EAST SHELBY – Horses pull a wagon of people for a ride today during Old Tyme Day at the East Shelby Community Bible Church. About 2,000 people attend the annual event, where pie, hot dogs, lemonade and other activities are offered for a penny.

Kids and some adults fire gum balls with a sling shot at a giant cutout of Goliath.

Sophia Johnston of Batavia takes a break with a mule named Lucy, which gave rides to kids during Olde Tyme Day.

These four kids watch a group do square dancing in the center of the recreated West Jackson Corners hamlet.

Jonathan Wasnoch, 17, of Medina works in the blacksmith shop.

Bob Murphy of Oakfield checks on the team of horses before they took another group on a ride. Murphy attends the East Shelby Community Bible Church and works with the horses on Olde Tyme Day.

David Green and other East Shelby firefighters were busy with traffic control during the day.

Church volunteers built this mini replica of the church for the West Jackson Corners hamlet. It was among the new additions to the day’s festival.

Today’s Olde Tyme Day had a Wild West theme and included a holdup of this stagecoach.

Elaine Renouf, left, and Alice Root were among the church volunteers who baked and served 300 pies – 2,400 slices altogether that sold for a penny apiece.

4 charged with forging money in Medina

Posted 16 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Medina Police Department

MEDINA – During the month of May, the Medina Police Department received several complaints of counterfeit money being passed around at local businesses. As the cases were investigated it was learned the money was being manufactured locally and was largely used to purchase illegal drugs.

This money was also disseminated and intentionally passed to businesses knowing that the money was forged. On May 5, suspects successfully passed counterfeit money to a business on Maple Ridge Road in Medina. On May 8, the same suspects and additional suspects successfully passed counterfeit money again to four other businesses.

Not all transactions were identified immediately as most bills were caught after being deposited at local banks. This caused some of the cases to go unreported as long as two or three weeks later, or not reported at all.

An investigation by the Medina Police Department was able to develop information that identified four individuals who have been arrested. The investigation is still ongoing, and further arrests are pending.

The following have been arrested:

Peter Jones, 21 of Medina, charged with two counts of Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony);

Michael Burch, 18, of Medina, charged with Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony);

Kyle Allport, 18, of Medina, charged with Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony);

Sebastian Bonk, 24, of Medina, charged with two counts of Possessing a Forged Instrument 1st Degree (C Felony) and Criminal Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony).

The Medina Police encourage patrons, as well as businesses to work together in an attempt to identify counterfeit bills. Businesses should use counterfeit markers whenever practical and be observant for the obvious indicators such as no ribbon printed in the bill, off center cut edges, and the way the bill feels compared to others.

When receiving multiple bills at one time try to check serial numbers as counterfeit bills will usually have the same number. As a customer, beware that a business may receive the bill and then accidently pass it as change. Identifying forged money as quick as possible greatly increases the chances of solving these cases and catching those responsible.

This investigation was conducted by officer. Brian Marsceill. Assisting was officer Greg Fraser. Anyone having additional information on these cases involving counterfeit money or other cases please contact the Medina Police Department at 585-798-5602.

Hawley’s survey of district gives residents’ views on many state issues

Posted 16 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) has released the results of his legislative survey mailer that was distributed to households during the winter. The survey covered topics across a plethora of platforms and state issues, including: ethics reform, infrastructure, jobs, education, paid-family leave and taxes.

“I am proud to announce the results of my 2016 Legislative Survey and I plan to use the feedback I received to formulate policy proposals and my legislative platform if I am re-elected to the Assembly next term,” Hawley said. “It is one of the highest honors of my life to represent my constituents and address their questions and concerns. The overall results of my survey indicate that my constituents believe the state is not headed in the right direction and we are falling short on a number of issues. I will continue to fight to see that we do right by the people of our state and stop catering to downstate special interests and New York City politicians.”

ASSEMBLYMAN STEVE HAWLEY: 2016 LEGISLATIVE SURVEY

1.) How do you feel about the direction in which New York State is headed?
o Right Direction 16.2%
o Wrong Direction 75.3%

2.) What issue should be the top priority of New York State government in 2016?

o Education 11.2%
o Economic Development/Job Creation 23.2%
o Cutting Taxes 44.8%
o Improving NY’s Business Environment 23.2%
o Ethics Reform in Government 30.9%

3.) The state’s minimum wage increased to $9/hour on December 31, 2015. Many have called for an increase to $15/hour over the next few years. Economists predict an increase to $15/hour will result in the loss of between 200,000 and 500,000 jobs in New York State. What is your opinion about the state’s minimum wage?

o The increase to $9/hour is fine 61.4%
o Minimum wage should be raised slightly (less than $12.50/hour) 25.1%
o Minimum wage should be increased to $15/hour 6.9%
o Minimum wage should be higher than $15/hour 0.4%

4.) New York has made recent downstate commitments to a new Tappan Zee Bridge ($4 billion), renovating LaGuardia Airport ($4 billion), and funding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ($8 billion). In 2016, how should available money be distributed to repair New York’s aging roads, bridges & infrastructure?

o Spend available infrastructure money equally across New York State 29.3%
o Spend a greater portion of infrastructure money on upstate projects to balance previous downstate spending 44.8%
o Spend all available money on upstate projects, downstate has already received its fair share 22.8%

5.) Census data shows that more people leave New York each year than any other state. In your opinion, what is the biggest factor causing people to leave New York for another state?

o High cost of living 38.2%
o Lack of jobs or business opportunities 31.3%
o Property taxes 49.0%
o Weather 5.4%

6.) What is the best way to create more jobs in New York State?

o Lower taxes on businesses 24.7%
o Eliminate regulations and red tape 39.8%
o Lower taxes across the board 48.3%
o Open casinos 1.5%
o Rely on state grant programs like START-UP NY 1.2%

7.) Standardized tests in our schools – part of the Common Core Curriculum – have been a controversial topic among parents, teachers and education professionals. More than 200,000 students in New York State opted out of taking the exams last year. In your opinion, what should be done to address Common Core?

o Nothing, children should take the tests and adapt to the program 2.3%
o Stop giving the tests until the Common Core program is fixed 29.0%
o Continue the tests while working to address flaws in the program 21.6%
o Stop standardized tests in schools, they take away from the learning environment 37.1%

8.) Community colleges offer students a valuable bridge toward careers and future education. Some officials have proposed the idea of providing free community college to students in New York State. What are your thoughts on this proposal?

o Free community college is an important measure that should be pursued 7.7%
o Students attending community colleges deserve more assistance from the state, but not their entire tuition 35.1%
o Taxpayers cannot afford to provide this financial commitment at this time 56.0%

9.) While students and families across New York face increasing tuition costs and college debt, some legislators have proposed the DREAM Act – a taxpayer-funded tuition assistance program for illegal immigrants. How do you feel about the DREAM Act?

o Support 5.8%
o Oppose 91.5%
o N/A 2.7%

10.) Some state leaders have proposed 12 weeks of paid family leave to become law as part of this year’s state budget. Do you support this proposal, and if so, how do think this should be funded?

o Yes, I support this proposal but it should be paid by the employee through a deduction 36.3%
o Yes, I support this proposal but the employer should pay for it 6.9%
o Yes, I support this proposal but the state should pay for this program 5.4%
o I do not support this proposal 50.2%

11.) Do you support the elimination of pension and retirement benefits for elected public officials who are convicted of felony corruption charges?

o Support 90.0%
o Oppose 3.1%
o N/A 6.9%

12.) Governor Cuomo has pledged to limit outside income for legislators to 15% of the base salary for Assembly members ($11,925). Do you support the limiting of outside income for elected state officials?

o Yes, I support limiting outside income to $11,925 per year 18.9%
o No, the idea of a citizen-legislator is important and we shouldn’t limit outside income 58.7%
o Yes, we should ban all outside income and state legislators should work year round and full-time 16.2%

13.) Do you support term limits for legislative leaders (i.e. Speaker of the Assembly, Majority and Minority Leader of both the Assembly and Senate)?

o Support 90.3%
o Oppose 5.8%

Volunteers celebrate finishing Circle of Love Memorial Garden

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Vince Iorio, pastor of the Calvary Tabernacle Church in Medina, shares a prayer during a dedication event this morning for the Circle of Love Memorial Garden.

There are 32 memorial plaques on this stone garden wall. The plaques are $75 each and there is room for many more.

One of five benches at the garden is a memorial for Michelle Stanton Jones.

After work on the garden slowed last year, these three women pushed to finish the project. They include, from left: Carol Bellack, Andrea Walton and Jenn Thom.

They have also formed The Medina Memorial Garden 501c3, a non-profit group to manage the site, and accept funds and spend money for improvements.

The women credited Dayton Hausman for coming up with the idea of the garden, and praised many of the early volunteers who did a lot of work in creating the space.

Jenn Thom, right, thanks volunteers for their work on the garden. The angel was donated by Lynn Stanley in honor of her son. Thom said the garden will need perpetual care, pulling weeds and watering flowers, among many tasks.

Besides the birdhouse, the perimeter of the garden includes solar-powered lights. The centerpiece of a stone circle has a heart in the center.

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Medina’s Farm-to-Table Dinner is a sell-out

Staff Reports Posted 15 July 2016 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The village’s first annual Farm-to-Table Dinner event is a sell-out with 125 tickets sold for the Aug. 4 dinner that will be served on Main Street in the village’s historic downtown district.The meal will be a full five-course dinner, prepared by chef Michael Zambito of Medina’s Zambistro restaurant. Each course will feature pairings from local Niagara Wine Trail wineries, 810 Meadworks and a WNY brewery.

“We made provisions for one-hundred tickets only, with an extra twenty-five in reserve in case demand was high,” Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, said on Thursday. “As of this morning, all one- hundred and twenty-five tickets have been sold. We want to thank everyone for their amazing and generous support of this landmark event which has generated Medina buzz from Rochester to Buffalo.”

The Orleans Renaissance Group is organizing the the dinner, which is a fund-raiser for the the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The ORG started the farmers’ market last year. It now draws about 500 people every Saturday at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.

The farm-to-table event will be located on the north end of Main Street, between Pearl and West Center Streets. Guests will arrive at 6:30 p.m. with the first course scheduled to be served at 7. A rain date is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Albion park hosts annual children’s carnival

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Xavier Byrd, 9, of Albion gets a football painted on his cheek by Gabriell Struble, one of the park supervisors at Bullard Park, which hosted a children’s carnival today.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee organizes the carnival with help from other local agencies and the park supervisors in the village park program. More than 300 children attended the carnival, which included about 30 different stations with games and activities.

Aiden Miller, 10, of Albion tries the game Plinko.

The Bounce House was a hit with Kyle VanAmeron, 11, and many other children.

“Mr. Scribbles” – Michael Sparling of Perry – was a popular stop at the carnival. He let kids scribble on a paper and then he added cartoons of animals with a friendly message.

Mr. Scribbles made this artwork for one of the kids at the park. The kid added the scribble.

Victoria Figueroa paints a butterfly on the cheek of Charlotte George, 2, of Albion.

Drought conditions worsen

Staff Reports Posted 15 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of Sharon Gavenda – People are pictured at Point Breeze during sunset on Thursday.

The severity of the drought conditions in Orleans County and Western New York has intensified, according to a weekly update released Thursday by the United States Drought Monitor.

Last week Orleans County was considered to be in “moderate drought.” Now, much of the county is in “severe drought,” according to the Drought Monitor.

State-wide, 11.39 percent of the land mass is considered in severe drought, while 44.39 percent is in moderate drought and 89.57 percent is considered at least abnormally dry, which is an improvement from a week earlier when 93.67 was considered at least abnormally dry.

Click here for more from the Drought Monitor.

Boaters raise $11,000 in fight against cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2016 at 11:00 am

Provided photos – There were nearly 100 boaters at the Eagle Creek Marina over the weekend for the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for Boaters Against Cancer.

KENDALL – Two beloved members of the boating community at Eagle Creek Marina died from cancer this year. Many of their friends, still grieving from their loss, organized the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for the newly formed Boaters Against Cancer. The funds will go to families of boaters battling the dreaded disease.

Dave Bentley was friends with both Scott Harris and Phil Lance, the two long-time boaters who fought cancer.

“They were two of my best friends,” Bentley, owner of Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport, said today. “They were two great guys.”

Bentley was part of the effort from the boating community to put together the three-day Boaters Against Cancer event last weekend at Eagle Creek Marina. The event featured concerts, food trucks and was going to include a flotilla, but that was cancelled due to rough waters.

“It will be an annual event,” Bentley said today.

Scott Harris fought bravely against male breast cancer for almost four years. He was a boater for his entire life. He grew up boating with his parents at Oak Orchard Yacht Club.

Harris owned several boats over the course of his life and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. He is survived by his wife Karen; children Nick, Cory and McKenzi; and grandson Tanner.

Phil Lance, “Canada Phil,” battled colon cancer for about two years. He began boating as a youth while fishing with family. He held many boating certifications and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. His boating adventures took him all around Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and throughout the province of Ontario.

He is survived by his wife Jill, her children and grandchildren.

Boaters have fun by the lake during the Boaters Against Cancer event.

About 40 to 50 boaters who are regulars were part of last weekend’s memorial event for the two boaters. Another 30 boaters visited to join the effort.

“It turned out to be a very good first-time event,” said Dave Oschmann, manager of the marina.

For more information about Boaters Against Cancer, click here.

Flower Show returns to this year’s 4-H Fair

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 14 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Amanda Mrzywka is almost hidden behind the “Bountiful Basket” she plans to enter in this year’s Flower Show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development are sponsoring this year’s Flower Show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair July 25-30.

Amanda Mrzywka, a member of the 4-H team, is working to organize this year’s show. This is the second year for the Flower Show, which Mrzywka says got off to a great start in 2015. There were 86 entries in ten classes.

“People said how beautiful it looked,” she said. “It made the space full of color and got people excited.”

The show includes both open and junior divisions, meaning anyone can enter.

Exhibits can be entered in one of ten classes: cut flower bouquet (single or multiple stems); kissing ball design; miniature gardens or fairy gardens; dried flower or dried flower bouquets; edible container arrangements; houseplants; made for the shade; bountiful baskets; pedestal or regular urns for the sun; painting, drawing or photograph of a flower or garden.

“The biggest competition is in the miniature gardens/fairy gardens class,” Mrzywka said.

An example of a Made for the Shade container with shade-loving plants.

There are some changes from last year’s show, most notably a $2 per person per entry pre-registration fee for entries taken to the show by 7 p.m. on Friday, July 22. Entries received Saturday, July 23, will cost $5 per entry. The fees help to cover costs such as judges, ribbons and prizes, Mrzywka said.

Entries can be brought to the Lartz Building for pre-registration from 4-7 p.m. on July 22 or July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for regular registration.

Judging will take place Sunday, July 24, at 9 a.m. Once exhibit judging is complete, exhibits will be showcased at the Flower Show booth in the Lartz Building on the fairgrounds, allowing fairgoers to enjoy the show throughout Fair Week.

At the judge’s discretion, an honorable mention prize will be awarded this year. Mrzywka says the honorable mention will be the “top prize” of the overall show. First, second and third place ribbons will also be awarded in each class.

Also new this year is a Garden Design Contest, which will give community members in local garden clubs an opportunity to design and create a garden on the fairgrounds based on the theme “Together We Bloom.” Judging for the Garden Design Contest will be held Monday, July 25, at 4 p.m.

Additionally, the Flower Show features a Fresh Bouquet Competition on Wed., July 29, at 6:30 p.m. The contest is open to the public. The entry fee is $10.

Register at the fair office during the week of fair. The winner will be presented with a trophy. Mrzywka encourages entries, even from those who might not like flowers or have allergies.

“You can enter a photograph,” she said in the painting or drawing of a flower or garden class. “Anything in a frame” will be accepted, she said.

“If you have baskets that are thriving, take them down and bring them to fair to show for a week,” she added.

For detailed information and rules for the Flower Show go to cce.cornell.edu/orleans or stop at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office on the fairgrounds.

Amanda Mrzywka stands with containers which would be suitable to enter in the fun in the sun pedestal or regular urns class.

Vehicle hits Holley building, making section uninhabitable

Staff Reports Posted 14 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos courtesy of Kurt Wannenwetsch

HOLLEY – A vehicle hit a building at 81 State St. in Holley at about 8:30 this morning, causing some structural damage to the building and minor damage to the vehicle. The driver wasn’t injured.

Code enforcement assessed the damage and deemed a section of the building uninhabitable until the damaged area could be stabilized and further assessed.

Holley firefighters, including Fran Gaylord (pictured), responded to the scene as well as Holley police officers.