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Orleans approved for $134K grant for dispatching system

Staff Reports Posted 19 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Cuomo announces $10 million in 9-1-1 grants statewide

Orleans County will receive a $134,050 state grant, part of $10 million the state is giving to support emergency response operations at counties state-wide and New York City.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the grants for 57 counties as well as NYC, which all operate 9-1-1 response and emergency service dispatch operations.

“First responders provide a critical service to New Yorkers in every corner of this state, and this funding will help ensure they can respond quickly when an emergency strikes,” Cuomo said. “From extreme weather to roadway accidents and beyond, it is absolutely vital that our emergency personnel receive accurate and timely information when responding to any situation.”

The funding is being administered by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services through the Public Safety Awareness Points Operations Grant. PSAPs are public facilities where incoming calls for help are received and the dispatching of emergency services is initiated.

Throughout New York State, counties provide the majority of 9-1-1 answering and dispatching operations, and coordinate the services among municipal, county and state responders.

Through the benefit of these sustaining resources, counties can also make greater investments in Next Generation 9-1-1 (or NG-911) technology, which will enable text messaging, data services and improved geo-location for emergency response.

Rotary sells chili and crafts in Medina

Staff Reports Posted 19 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Peggy Barringer
MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club had a craft fair and served up chili on Saturday in a benefit for Rotary’s youth programs in Medina.

The event was held at the United Methodist Church in the former Apple Grove Inn at 11004 West Center St.

Bill Bixler and Julianna Duda serve up three varieties of chili (white chicken, sweet, and spicy beer chili). Proceeds of the chili sale benefit the Rotary Club of Medina’s youth programs including scholarships to Medina High School and the foreign exchange student program. Duda said Rotary believes strongly in these programs due to “kids being our future.” The Bread Basket in Medina donated all the bread to go with the chili.

Pumpkins and frog were created by Bubba’s Chainsaw Carvings in Lyndonville.

Vendor Kira Sinclair upcycles used clothing she purchases at the Clothing Depot in Medina and transforms into handmade plush toys.

Pumpkins are ready for harvest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A field of pumpkins along East Countyhouse Road in Albion awaits to be harvested.

Looks like lot of rain in the forecast this week. The National Weather Service in Buffalo forecasts a high of 56 on Monday with showers likely, followed by a high of 55 on Tuesday with a 90 percent chance of rain. On Wednesday, it is forecast for a high of 52 degrees with a chance of rain.

Marker notes spot near Oak Orchard crossed by Indians, early pioneers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – I’ve driven by the “Fording Place” historical marker numerous times, but never stopped to read it until Friday.

The marker was put up in 1932 by the State Education Department. It is at the corner of Oak Orchard River Road and Clark Mills Road, about a mile west of Brown’s Berry Patch.

The marker is north of a shallow part of the Oak Orchard River where Indians and early pioneers would cross. “The Oak Orchard Trail from Batavia to Ontario crossed the creek here.”

I didn’t know ford meant to cross. John Denniston, a long-time local resident and president of the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club, knew all about it. I was at the Archer’s Club on Friday and Denniston pointed to a shallow part of the river, where lots of fishermen now converge in the fall for the annual salmon run.

Albion Shopping Tour doubles in size

Staff Reports Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Vintage Apple Garden on Route 98 in Carlton is participating in the Albion Shopping Tour today. Vintage Apple has a pink theme today with proceeds going to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 26 at Watt Farms.

ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association is hosting its Third Annual Shopping Tour today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s tour has nearly doubled in size, up from 14 participating merchants to 26.

The Merchants Association puts on the event to promote local shops and encourage outsiders to come explore Albion area businesses.

Shopping participants are encouraged to visit as many of the shops as possible to earn a raffle entry for each place they stop. One winner will receive a gift certificate shopping spree worth over $500.

Archer’s Club welcomes anglers for annual fly fishing tournament

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – The St. Mary’s Archer’s Club on the Oak Orchard River in Carlton welcomed 55 participants in the club’s annual fly fishing tournament from Wednesday through Friday.

These anglers are pictured on Friday afternoon along the river. Out-of-state participants came from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

The catch-and-release tournament gives prizes for the biggest Chinook salmon, brown trout, Atlantic salmon and steelhead.

Good time to get out with your camera

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – This is my favorite time of the fall foliage phenomenon, when about half the leaves are still on the trees and the rest have left a colorful blanket on the ground.

I stopped by the Archer’s Club along the Oak Orchard River on Friday. A winding dirt road off Clark Mills Road leads down to the river.

Some of the trees have sprouted high by the banks of the road, letting photographers look straight up, even showing some of the roots.

There is a ravine-like formation next to the winding dirt road. I ventured into the path for this picture.

Sheriff releases name of boy, 15, killed in Shelby

Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

SHELBY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the name of the teenager who died late Friday afternoon after sustaining a gunshot wound at his home in the Town of Shelby.

Jacob A. Stahl, 15, was a 10th grade student at Medina High School. He and a teenaged friend were in an upstairs bedroom when the incident occurred.

While the investigation is continuing, Sheriff’s Investigators are reasonably certain that Stahl’s death was a tragic accident that resulted from the careless handling of a loaded firearm. There is no evidence at this time that suggests foul play. The other youth, whose name is being withheld, has fully cooperated with investigators.

Medina Central School District officials were notified early in the investigation so they could make preparations for grief counseling when students and faculty/staff return to school on Monday.

Church sells Krispy Kreme to help send team to Peru

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Team members from the Albion Free Methodist Church were out selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts today, raising money for the church to send 13 people on a mission trip to Peru in February.

In the top photo, Mike Neidert is pictured with his son Elliott. They will be part of the trip, along with Neidert’s daughter Olivia.

The Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of the church, is pictured with his daughter Ashlyn. They will also be going on the trip to Peru.

The Neiderts and LeBarons are pictured outside Walmart. Team members also sold Krispy Kreme at the Ace Hardware stores in Albion and Medina.

Albion church continues Country Fair tradition

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the First United Methodist Church held their annual Country Fair today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering baked goods, produce, crafts, children’s games and other activities.

In the top photo, Virginia Cole, center, and Kay Ecker pack up chicken biscuit meals. Virginia’s mother, Laurie Cole, is in the back.

Al Capurso provides musical entertainment during the annual church bazaar.

The church is staying in its historic building for “the forseeable future” but it is looking for an alternative site due to the $1 million-plus costs of fixing the roof and addressing structural concerns with the building.

Kim Pritt sells cookies and other baked goods.

Rachel Morasco, right, is selling produce at the Country Fair.

Leslee Lockwood and her daughter Melanie Norton tend to a table full of chocolate, fudge and other goodies.