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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.

Lyndonville implements water use restrictions due to drought conditions

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 11:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The village water supply is running low due to drought-like conditions. That is prompting the Village Board to implement a water restriction policy until further notice.

The village can pump 400,000 gallons of water daily for customers in the village and the Town of Yates. Due to the lack of rainfall, water customers have been using more water for lawns, washing cars and other purposes, Village Clerk Teri Woodworth said.

“The water tower is nearly empty,” Woodworth said. “The restrictions are in place until we can replenish.”

The village water restriction policy, passed by a local law in 2003, says no public water can be used to wash vehicles, and watering lawns or gardens is limited to between 4 and 5 a.m., and 9 and 10 p.m.

Here is a public notice put out by the village this morning:

Due to extreme drought conditions the Village of Lyndonville declares that a water shortage condition now exists throughout the area served by the Village of Lyndonville.

The Village of Lyndonville and the Town of Yates (District 4) are implementing Stage 1 of the Water Conservation and Water Use Restriction policy. These restrictions shall remain in effect until the supply of water available for distribution is replenished.

The following restrictions apply to all customers: Stage 1

A. No Person or entity shall cause, permit or allow:

1. The continuing of a leak or waste from any water pipe, valve, faucet, conduit equipment facility, or device connected to the water system, or which utilizes water, on or in any premises owned, leased, managed, operated or controlled by such person or entity;

2. The washing of any vehide by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connected to the water system.

3. The washing of any street, sidewalk, driveway, outdoor areaway, outdoor steps, building exterior or other structure by means of a hose, fire hydrant or other active source connected to the water system.

4. The use of water from the water system for any ornamental purpose, including but not limited to use in fountains, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools, lakes and ponds.

5. The use of water from the water system to water any lawn, ornamental shrub, plant or tree, except that:

a. Water maybe used to water any lawn, tree, shrub, or garden from 4:00 am. to 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

b. Water may be used at any time to irrigate from a hand held container, vegetables or fruits grown for human consumption.

6. The opening or use of any fire hydrant or of the water there from, for any purpose other than fire protection except in accordance with a permit obtained from the DPW Department and only for the period of and the purpose authorized by such permit and in strict adherence to all terms and conditions set forth therein;

7. The operation of any air conditioning system utilizing water from the water system in a cooling tower, unless within 30 days from the effective date of this regulation a separate meter is installed to continuously measure the flow of water to the cooling tower.

8. Operate any air condition system in excess of two tons of rated capacity or greater or any refrigeration unit rated at 10 horsepower or greater using water from the Village water system, unless such air condition system or refrigeration unit is equipped with a water re-circulating device approved by the Department of Public Works and;

9. The use of water from the water system to fill or maintain the water level in any swimming pool, except that, provided the pool is operated with re-circulating equipment water may be used to fill the pool once during each calendar year, and thereafter may be used as necessary to maintain the water level in such pool.

For more information, contact the Village Office at (585) 765-9385.

Margy Brown re-elected BOE president in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Margy Brown, president of the Board of Education, congratulates Albion graduate Sierra Morgan during commencement in June 2014. Brown was unanimously re-elected Board of Education president on Monday.

ALBION The nine-member Albion Board of Education has unanimously supported Margy Brown to continue as president of the board.

Brown has served in the role since March 2011. She has pushed for excellence in academics and extracurricular activities while insisting on a program that is affordable to district taxpayers. Albion only once in the past nine years has raised school taxes.

“Margy is doing a great job,” said Dean Dibley, who was re-elected the board’s vice president. “She is very connected to the community, and she is very passionate about serving the school district.”

Brown is a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She co-owns and serves as managing partner of Anesthesia Care Associates, which provides anesthesia services for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.

She and her husband Eric have two sons in the district: Harrison and Jeffrey.

The nine-member group has one new member. Steven LaLonde was elected in May.

Bald eagle hangs out near Shadigee

Staff Reports Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of Paul Salmons

YATES – A juvenile bald eagle was photographed this morning by Paul Salmons from his home at the end of North Lyndonville Road on Wescott Lane, an area near the Shadigee by Lake Ontario.

Photo courtesy of Paul Salmons

Salmons said many of his neighbors have spotted the eagle in recent months dining on fish from the lake.

Photo courtesy of Paul Salmons

“Such a beautiful bird,” Salmons wrote in an email.

Local Girl Scouts honor veterans by donating blankets with patriotic themes

Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo Girl Scouts in Albion are pictured with one of the blankets they donated to Hospice of Orleans for local veterans. The Scouts include, front row, from left: Mallory Holt and Julianna Newbould. Middle row: Julia Fuller, Autumn Flugel, Kendall Newbould, Riannon Newbould, and Abrielle Shuler. Back row: Isabel Penafiel, Sarah Mathes, and Molly Wadhams.

Press Release, Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – As part of the “We Honor Veterans” campaign, Hospice of Orleans reached out to facilitate gifts and several troop leaders and girls from the Cobblestone Service Unit of the Girl Scouts committed their time and energy. They were able to complete several heart-warming blankets for veterans. Troop Leader Von Newbould shared that the designs on the blankets were carefully chosen.

A few of the girls had a grandfather that received Hospice care and the girls used to call him Super Man. So, it only made sense for them to choose a superhero pattern for one of the blankets.

Some reflected that the highlights of this project were learning how to make the blankets and then being able to do it all by themselves and meeting a few times at Burger King as a group to spread out. One of the girls even made blankets in the car.

By joining an awareness campaign called We Honor Veterans, Hospice of Orleans recognizes that a vast majority of veterans may not be aware of the services and benefits that may be available to them at the end of life and aims to provide quality care while honoring veterans’ preferences.

In speaking to the girls that participated in this project, it was clear that their understanding of service did not echo a theme of self-sacrifice. Rather, they felt enthusiasm and joy to be able to help. The staff at Hospice extends a heartfelt thank you to all that participated in this service project and knows that each veteran that receives a blanket will feel the care that went into making them.

More extreme heat today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Bikes are set by a tree at Holley’s Canal Park on Monday when about 700 cyclists passed through the county on the annual Cycling the Erie Canal event.

Today will be another hot day with temperatures reach to reach a high of 93. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Orleans and other western and central New York counties.

“Heat and humidity will combine today to produce Heat Index values in the mid to upper 90s.

“Please exercise caution with outdoor activities during peak heat today. Stay hydrated and never leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles.”

Other highs for the next few days include 85 on Thursday, 81 on Friday and 79 on Saturday.

Medina Memorial ceasing home health care services on July 30

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital will stop providing home health care services on July 30, or sooner if a transition is in place.

Hospital officials cited mounting financial losses with the service. Two other agencies provide that service in Orleans County, HCR Home Care and the Visiting Nurse Association. The hospital’s decision to stop providing home health care follows a similar path by the Orleans County Health Department and many other counties that have ceased offering home health care.

“We’re really covered with services in our area,” Cindy Perry, hospital spokeswoman, said about other home health care agencies. “We’re going to be working with them. It will be a seamless transition. The local residents are not going to lose services.”

Some of the nurses, physical therapists and office staff will find other jobs with the hospital or with the home health care agencies, Perry said.

Here is a statement issued today by Wendy Jacobson, Medina Memorial’s president and CEO:

“Medina Memorial Hospital Long Term Home Health Care Program announced that the New York State Department of Health has approved its plan for closing the Medina Memorial Hospital Long Term Home Health Care Program (MMHLTHHCP) in Medina, NY on or about July 30, 2016 or as soon as patients are safely transitioned.

“Since 1987, the MMHLTHHCP has provided services to thousands of county residents. Unfortunately, a number of financial issues, including the elimination of funding over the past few years as well as several years of annual losses, have affected the viability of the MMHLTHHCP. As our nation undergoes changes in the healthcare system, New York State has been working to reduce medical costs and there are excellent programs accessible to residents of Orleans County.

“We will work closely with our patients and families as they transition to Certified Home Health Agencies in Orleans and Niagara Counties. All current patients will be transitioned to the agency of their choice prior to the program closure to allow for continuity of care and services. Our goal is to ensure a safe transition of care for our current patients.

“Orleans Community Health currently has some open positions for qualified staff and is working with the Visiting Nurse Association of WNY, Inc. and HCR Homecare to interview and employ qualified LTHHCP field staff. This will allow for the continuity of caregivers with current home health patients.

“Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve by providing equal access to quality health care services provided at the right time, in the right place, with the most efficient use of resources. This transition will allow us to ensure that our patients in the community are provided the best possible care.”

Ortt applauds governor for waiver process to allow charitable duck races on Canal

Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Amazing Turtle Race at the Strawberry Festival

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Turtle mingles with the crowd in Albion during last month’s Strawberry Festival. Albion has an Amazing Turtle Race during the festival, featuring about 1,000 toy turtles on the Erie Canal.

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt

State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo and local organizations for their efforts to preserve the traditions and benefits of events like charitable duck derby races.

Ortt recently introduced legislation that would allow games of chance, including raffles, to be conducted on state-owned property. The New York State Gaming Commission recently interpreted such games to be a violation of state law. The Governor on Tuesday announced a waiver approval process to allow organizations to hold charitable gaming fundraisers on the state-owned Erie Canal.

“I applaud the Governor for listening to local officials and organizations on this important issue,” said Senator Ortt. “This was an example of an antiquated and illogical law that had been on the books for years but was scarcely enforced. Events like the duck derbies were raising money for good causes, not malice, and organizations were about to suddenly be penalized for that solely because those events are being held on state property. I’m thankful that a commitment to common sense and charity won the day.”

Ortt, along with local officials, reacted to the cancellation of a duck derby fundraiser in Brockport after state Gaming Commission officials said it violated gaming laws and regulations. The derby, which has been a summer staple for the Brockport Arts Festival for years, consists of raffled toy ducks floating down the Erie Canal, which is state property.

Under the recent interpretation of state law, organizations could only hold games of chance or raffle events on their own property or on municipal-owned property, not state property. Cuomo on Tuesday indicated that the state would not follow that interpretation and enforce violations, allowing the raffles to continue.

Brush fire put out in Murray before reaching house, wooded area

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2016 at 3:15 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Firefighters from six local departments were at a brush fire this afternoon on Ridge Road in Murray, preventing the fire from destroying a house and spreading to a nearby wooded area.

This photo shows Joe Morlino of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company at the front of a hose with Andrew Niederhofer, a Carlton firefighter.

Dave Smith, assistant chief for Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, said the homeowner at 15659 Ridge Rd. was burning debris when the fire spread to the grass and brush.

“It was right up to the back of the house and was close to a thicker field,” Smith said at the scene.

The brush fire scorched this field and was close to getting into a wooded area. Firefighters from FHM, Carlton, Barre, Kendall, Holley and Clarendon all responded to the scene.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire from damaging this house.

Barre firefighters Rich Barnard, left, and Jesse Babcock keep water on hot embers in the field.

The fire feasted on this pile of limbs in the backyard.

Assemblywoman Corwin announces she won’t seek re-election

Staff Reports Posted 12 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Jane Corwin

Jane Corwin, who represents an Assembly district that includes the Town of Shelby in Orleans County, announced today she won’t be seeking re-election to a fifth two-year term.

Corwin of Clarence is among the Republican leaders in the State Assembly. She ran for Congress in 2011, losing a close election to Kathy Hochul, who is now the state’s lieutenant governor.

Corwin’s district was mostly in Erie and Niagara counties, but did include the one Orleans town. She appeared at some functions in Orleans, mostly Republican political events.

“I pride myself in leading by example,” Corwin said in a statement this evening, “and I firmly believe that instituting term limits on state officials will go a long way in ending the corruption and dysfunction in Albany.”

George Maziard, Nic Culver and Jane Corwin

File photo – Assemblywoman Jane Corwin joined former State Sen. George Maziarz and Nic Culver, then 14, during the dedication of a historical marker in September 2014. The marker highlights a famous murder case in West Shelby, when an illiterate German immigrant nearly was executed for a murder he didn’t commit. Corwin helped pay for the marker.

Corwin said she was going to “term myself out” from the State Legislature and give someone else have “the opportunity to represent our community and bring Western New York values to the ‘people’s house.'”

Recently she has pushed for a stronger state response to the opioid overdose crisis and also the “zombie house” problem, where banks own houses but let them sit vacant for many years.

The Republican Party will have to move quickly to find a candidate for the position. The Buffalo News is reporting Corwin’s announcement is just two days before the Thursday deadline for submitting nominating petitions for the Sept. 13 state primary elections.

Comptroller says Albion school district taxes too much

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

School leaders disagree, saying Albion needs reserves to cover possible reduction in state aid

ALBION – The state comptroller says Albion Central School taxes district residents too much. Albion has too much in the bank, according to a recent audit from the office of the state comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli.

Albion school leaders disagree with the assessment from the comptroller, which is merely an advisory opinion.

The school district hasn’t increased taxes in nine of the last 10 years. Albion wants money in reserves in guard against a cut in state aid, which happened during the state budget crisis in 2009 and 2010.

The district’s tax rate tax rate for 2015, at $17.37 per $1,000 of assessed property, is the lowest in Orleans County and about $7 less than Medina Central School, which has the highest rate at $24.38 in 2015.

However, the comptroller criticized Albion for not preparing accurate budgets from 2010-11 through 2015-16. The comptroller said the district’s annual $33 million budgets took in about $2 million more in taxes than was needed. That allowed Albion to accumulate a surplus of about $13 million.

The district’s budget is mostly funded with state aid. Local property taxes account for $8,355,939 of the budget.

Besides a surplus that is too big, the comptroller said Albion has a retirement contribution reserve and unemployment insurance reserve that are far too big. The retirement reserve was $7.8 million as of June 30, 2015, which was about 18 times the district’s annual average contribution of $422,000, according to the comptroller’s report.

The balance of the unemployment reserve was $244,000 on June 30, 2015, which was 22 times the district’s average annual unemployment costs of $11,000.

The state says school districts should keep fund balances at no more than 4 percent of the budget. Albion instead has a unrestricted fund balance of 8.5 percent, according to the comptroller, a “surplus” that grew because the district overestimates appropriations and underestimates revenues.

The comptroller also faulted Albion for putting money into a capital projects fund for building projects rather than financing the local share for those projects.

District residents approved a $14.3 million capital project in May 2015 that includes new roofs, and other facility upgrades. The state is paying most of the cost, with Albion’s local share at $1.3 million.

Albion uses surplus funds for the local share, by shifting money from the general fund to a capital projects fund, the comptroller said. Albion then uses that money to pay the local share for projects, rather than borrow that money.

The comptroller said the district is in effect “prepaying” for the cost. Albion could instead finance the local share and could get state building aid on it, while also reducing the annual tax levy. It would be a more transparent way to finance the project, according to the comptroller’s report.

Albion school officials have saved an estimated $4.6 million by not taking on debt and financing costs for recent capital projects, Michael Bonnewell, the school district superintendent, wrote in a May 23 response to Jeffrey D. Mazula, chief examine for the comptroller in Buffalo.

Bonnewell said Albion’s overall budget is 80 percent funded by state aid. “Our collective goal over the years has been to minimize the impact of inconsistency of funding levels from the State Education Department while trying to maintain an effective instructional program insulated from the swings in state aid revenues,” Bonnewell wrote.

The audit report was discussed during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

“We’re going to stay focused on providing a good educational program while being good stewards of taxpayer money,” said Shawn Liddle, the district’s assistant superintendent of business.

Liddle also presented the board with a May 2008 report from the comptroller urging school districts to set aside money for “other post-employment benefits” for employees, including health care expenses.

“Governments should develop plans to address these costs, which can be managed through a combination of cost containment, cost sharing and funding set-asides,” according to the May 2008 report from the comptroller, who was also DiNapoli in 2008.

Board of Education member David Sidari said Albion is the envy of many school districts for the way it has built up reserves and avoided increasing taxes.

“The auditor complements year after year,” Sidari said.

To see the comptroller’s report on Albion Central School, click here.

Old Hippies bring music to canal towns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2016 at 8:00 am

Six-concert series concludes in Holley

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Old Hippies perform a concert from on top of a house boat on Sunday evening in Albion. The band, which is calling itself itself “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the canal concert series, played in Medina earlier in the day. It also performed in Lockport Friday and Saturday, and Middleport on Saturday evening before arriving in Medina on Sunday.

The Troubadours will play in Holley today (Monday) at noon and also at 6 p.m. at the village’s canal park.

The Troubadours include Bill McDonald, Kay McDonald and Vinny Pastore. The band played the canal concert series for the first time last summer, and returned with an expanded schedule this year. The Old Hippies are pictured with the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in the back.

The boat is tied up between the two lift bridges in Albion for the Sunday evening concert.

Vinny Pastore plays the violin with the Orleans County Courthouse visible in back.

The band performed on a sunny evening with calm water on the canal.

Vinny Pastore, Kay McDonald and Bill McDonald entertain the crowd in Albion.

The band is trying to promote the historic Erie Canal as part of the concert series.

Bill and Kay McDonald are perched high on the house boat during their concert Sunday evening.

A local band – Crandall, Wood, and Main – opened for the Troubadours.

First Niagara Bank will close in Holley

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2016 at 8:00 am

HOLLEY – The village of Holley has been home to a bank for at least 150 years, but that will change in October when the First Niagara site at 51 Public Square closes.

First Niagara notified some of its customers today by mail that the branch will close on Friday, Oct. 7. The bank steered customers to the closest First Niagara branch at 4707 Lake Rd., Brockport.

“Your accounts will automatically transfer to the Brockport Branch where you’ll be able to take care of your banking needs with the same ease and personal service you’ve come to expect,” said a letter to customers from Mark R. Rendulic, executive vice president for consumer financial services for First Niagara.

First Niagara is being acquired by Key Bank. The news of the Holley closure disappointed many in the community, including former Mayor John Kenney.

“I’m totally caught off guard,” Kenney said today.

He was Holley’s mayor up until June 30. He didn’t seek re-election last month. Kenney said he met with bank officials in Holley last month and they told him they expected the Holley site would remain open.

Kenney said it will leave a big vacant building in the heart of downtown, and also be inconvenient to residents, businesses and the village government officials, who have the added burden of traveling to sites in Brockport or Albion if they stay with First Niagara/Key Bank.

“The staff in Holley they have a rapport with their customers,” Kenney said. “We’re an older community and change like this isn’t easy for people to deal with.”

Dan Schiavone, a Holley dentist, received one of the letters from First Niagara today, notifying him of the bank’s shutdown. He is hopeful another bank will acquire the site so the site is utilized and the community has easy access to banking services.

More prison time for inmate whose mother sent him painkillers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – An inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion had another 1 ½ to 3 years added to his prison sentence today after being sentenced for attempted promoting of prison contraband in the first degree.

Scott Briggs, 31, of Broome County is an inmate at the prison in Albion, serving a 6- to 7-year sentence for burglary and possession of stolen property. His mother Lori Briggs, 54, of Endicott allegedly mailed her son a painkiller on three occasions and also had it during a prison visitation.

She admitted in Orleans County Court on May 2 to mailing Suboxone to her son, who said in court that he requested his mother mail it to him.

The younger Briggs requested to be sentenced to a drug treatment program through the state correctional system, but Orleans County Court Judge James Punch declined that request today. Punch said Briggs twice had his probation revoked.

“You never took it seriously,” the judge told Briggs during sentencing this afternoon.

Correctional Facility staff intercepted the Suboxone sent by Briggs’ mother. She faces a maximum sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison as part of a plea deal when she is sentenced on July 25.

In other cases in court today:

Brandie Sumeriski, 21, of Albion was sentenced to six months in the county jail in an intermittent sentence from 6 p.m. on Mondays to 8 a.m. on Fridays.

Sumeriski was sentenced for violating her probation. She admitted during a June 6 court appearance to violating probation by drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, socializing with people she wasn’t supposed to be around, not earning her GED, not completing her community service, and not attending mental health sessions regularly. Judge Punch said those represent “substantial violations” of probation.

David M. Mitchell, 27, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted promoting prison contraband. Mitchell, an inmate in the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, allegedly sharpened two metal instruments to use as weapons in the prison. Those weapons were confiscated on Feb. 22. He has prior felony convictions.

Mitchell admitted in court today to having two metal shanks in prison. He will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3 and faces a maximum of an additional 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison.

Marcie Conlon of Holley admitted to violating her probation after being charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, going to Monroe County without permission from probation, drinking alcohol, and using hydrocodone twice without a prescription.

Punch said those represents “substantial violations of probation.”

She could face up to two years in prison when she is sentenced at 2 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The judge set bail at $150,000 for a Medina woman facing drug charges. Erika H. Poole, 36, of 4335 Salt Works Rd. was charged last week with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony). She has prior felony convictions.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court today that Poole will likely face a weapons charge after an unregistered gun was found in her apartment during a search by police.