By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2014 at 12:00 am
It’s the coldest winter in about four decades. It feels like day after day of brutal, bitter cold.
But Orleans County somehow shines amidst the snow and ice. Rick Baase of Carlton took the top photograph of the sunrise on Tuesday when it was 2-below zero.
It looks like steam is coming off Lake Ontario in the photo about 2 miles east of Point Breeze.
Peggy Barringer took this picture of the frosted window on her front door at Albion. The iced windows have revealed some wondrous artistic patterns.
Julie Miller of Barre last week took this picture of a sundog, which resembles a rainbow on a blistering cold day. She took it of a scene on Route 31A, west of Route 98 near Barre Stone Products.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 6:23 am
No school in Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina
The five school districts in Orleans County are all closed today due to dangerously cold temperatures. It is sub-zero outside and the wind gives a wind chill of minus-25.
The districts however will offer the Regents exams, including transportation for high school students taking those tests.
“We have several students that have prepared for it,” Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith said about the Regents. “It’s a one-shot deal for them and we have students trying to get an advanced score.”
Albion has cancelled classes for grades kindergarten through 8. High schoolers were off this week anyway, except for Regents. The high school bus is delayed two hours. The morning exams start at 10 with the afternoon tests at noon.
Smith, the Lyndonville superintendent, kept school open on Monday with a two-hour delay. With today’s closing, Lyndonville has now used up four snow days. To accommodate for those days, a March 14 Superintendent’s Conference Day has been changed to an early release day.
The districts need to provide a minimum of 180 days instruction, according to state law. If districts use up all of their snow days, they may have to adjust the school calendar, including scheduled vacation days. Smith said that would be a last resort.
“We should still be OK, but we’re hanging on by a string,” he said.
Photos by Sue Cook – Art & Soul is located at 410 N. Main St. next door to the Zambistro restaurant.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – The American lifestyle is all about doing everything in a New York minute and taking very little time to recuperate from the stresses of the everyday. Art & Soul in Medina offers a space to help people step out of all that. Owner Donna Bryant says it is the area’s first expressive healing arts studio lounge.
The front of the store is a boutique area selling whimsical primitives and handmade gifts. All of the fiber merchandise such as hats and handbags are handmade from natural materials. There is also natural tea for sale that can be sampled during monthly tea tastings on the third Thursday of every month.
The back of the space is where things get really interesting. Classes will be offered to teach basic techniques on the looms, spinning wheels, or sewing machines for crafts that attendees can then try out using studio equipment.
Students of the studio can learn techniques ranging from Saori weaving to what Bryant calls mindful, intuitive sewing. The equipment also can be used at other times besides classes to allow for a creative space when someone needs to take some quiet time.
Looms are available for anyone who would like to try out the craft without having to purchase large, expensive equipment at home.
Bryant says the studio offers an atmosphere that allows for healing with low meditative music and a helping hand whenever someone would like assistance. She thought of starting the studio when she was recovering from spinal surgery. During that time, she made craft items as a type of rehab for herself and wanted to pass the healing onto others.
She sees her shop as a therapeutic venue without the concerns of perfection and judgment from others. It is about overcoming the fear of trying something new and making things for the sake of personal enjoyment. Perhaps you may never make a perfect item on a loom, but if you enjoy the process then that is what is most important, Bryant said.
“Try it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. You can have as many beginnings as you want.”
Most of the fibers available are quality material such as wool. However, Bryant also offers acrylic yarns that are great for children or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot if they are uncertain about the craft. She said classes will be offered that will appeal to children eight years old up to adults. She plans to offer one-day events to let people get a taste of the craft, but also plans to offer classes that could run once or twice a week for several weeks.
An array of colorful materials are available for making crafts in the fiber studio lounge.
Children can work on simple crafts such as basic potholders. Teens can look forward to a Project Runway-style fashion show, interior decorating, altered couture to help change up their wardrobes, and needle felting. Other classes she plans to offer include hand-dyeing fabrics, basket weaving, quilting, and making simple handbags.
Bryant is also looking for people in the community who would be willing to teach classes on other fiber topics. She would love to hear from knitters, crocheters, and anyone else who would like to share their ideas for classes. She wants her business to be used as a healing vehicle and a draw for the area. If there is enough interest she said she would expand to include classes for people with disabilities.
“There’s nothing like this in Rochester or Buffalo,” she said.
The only places she has seen that offer this service have been in places such as Texas, California, and New York City. She wants her business to be known as a studio focused on intuitive creativity and engaging in something fun and different, rather than just a place to shop.
Art & Soul is currently open on Saturdays, although appointments can by made by calling (585) 798-4980 or (585) 318-4314. It will be open during Wine About Winter on Feb. 1. It will also have a free tea-tasting event called Cherubs & Chocolate on Feb. 9 that requires registration by phone.
YATES – Fire caused significant damage this afternoon to a Yates house at 1429 Niagara-Orleans Countyline Rd.
Ed Bouchane took these photos of the fire that broke out around 3 p.m. Several fire departments responded to the blaze. Firefighters were still on scene at about 9 p.m. The fire was out and crews were cleaning up at the site, an Orleans County dispatcher said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The five-person Town Board still hasn’t reached a majority decision on what is typically a routine annual appointment: hiring an attorney for the town.
Robert Roberson of Lockport did the job in 2012 and 2013 at a $36,000 annual contract. Town Councilmen Jake Olles and Todd Sargent favored bringing Roberson back for 2014.
But new Town Supervisor Matt Passarell and new Town Councilman Richard Remley favored either John Gavenda of Albion or Andrew Meier of Medina. Both offered to work for a base contract of $25,000, with litigation and some other non-routine work at an additional cost.
Councilman Dan Paprowski looks to be the swing vote. During a Jan. 13 meeting, he held off on voting for anyone, wanting to review the contract proposals. During a meeting on Monday, he said he wanted to look into additional attorneys, including the Hodgson Russ firm in Buffalo, which represented the town in the fight to halt a new landfill from Waste Management as well as other litigation.
The unresolved matter of hiring an attorney will be brought up again Feb. 10.
Passarell wants an attorney at the board meetings to provide advice. Most of the local Town Boards have an attorney present at their meetings. Passarell also said the town needs an attorney on board so Albion can implement a comprehensive plan that includes some zoning changes to encourage businesses and also preserve farmland.
“There’s work that needs to be done,” he said. “I’m concerned because right now that work isn’t being done.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
The National Weather Service is warning about low temperatures and a wind chill that could hit 20 to 30 degrees below zero. It will be 0 to minus-5 out this morning combined with brisk winds.
“These dangerously low wind chills will result in a risk of hypothermia and frostbite for anyone outside for even a short period of time without proper clothing,” the Weather Service said. “If you must be outside this morning use common sense and dress warmly.”
The announcement applies to Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties.
“Hi, I’m Congressman Chris Collins and I want to take a moment to discuss the President’s State of the Union address.
For weeks now, President Obama has been talking about using a pen and a phone to get things done. But the American people don’t need a pen and a phone, they need jobs and a paycheck. We need to focus on strengthening our economy. There are 91.8 million Americans out of work and at the end of the day jobs are created by economic growth, not mandates from Washington.
Unfortunately, President Obama did not talk about plans for economic growth, like fundamental tax reform, energy independence, or significant changes to ObamaCare. We could immediately bolster our nation’s economy by changing ObamaCare’s definition of a full-time work week from 30 hours back to the traditional 40. And we could repeal the medical device tax, which is hurting American manufactures.
But we didn’t hear any of these solutions from the President. Instead, we heard more “big government knows best” solutions that are paid for by borrowing more money from China.
The American people want the checks and balances that come with divided government. But they also want Washington to roll up its sleeves and actually get something done.
Thankfully, Congress has started to get the message. We recently passed a responsible spending bill, which will help restore Congress to regular order, and are poised to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill.
But we cannot do it alone. We need President Obama to work with Congress to address our nation’s addiction to deficits and debt, so we can begin to move our country toward a balanced budget. We need President Obama to work with Congress to reform Social Security and Medicare, to ensure they are solvent and give Americans confidence in their retirement future. And we need the President to work with Congress to get rid of Common Core, and put an end to the federal government telling local schools how and what to teach.
Sadly, nothing in President Obama’s address indicates he has gotten the message that government works better when we work together. We need a President who will work with Congress, not around Congress.
Thank you for listening, and as always, please continue to reach out to me to share your comments and concerns.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Downtown Browsery includes 15 vendors on East Bank Street, including, from left: Linda Hollenbeck, antiques and collectibles; Susie Gaylard, hand-crafted purses; and Maureen Bennett, antiques and collectibles. The Browsery is added more vendors with its move to a second location.
ALBION – The Downtown Browsery is expanding after eight years, adding a second location in the Albion historic downtown business district.
On Feb. 15, the Uptown Browsery will open at 118 North Main St., a site last used by the Golden Gourd.
The Downtown Browsery currently has 15 vendors. Some of them will go to the Uptown site, which will also include several new vendors.
“We were turning people down,” said Browsery President Maureen Bennett. “Now we have more room for new people.”
The Browsery includes a variety of items, with the vendors also specializing in their own niches, Bennett said. She sells vintage collectibles.
Bennett believes the two Browsery sites can be part of a resurgence in the downtown business district. In September she pushed for several businesses to stay open to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Uptown Browsery has room for more vendors. It will have a soft opening on Feb. 15 and a grand opening on March 1.
“We’re trying to get downtown moving,” Bennett said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
With more bitter cold temperatures forecast for Wednesday morning, two local school districts have already decided to be on a two-hour delay.
Lyndonville and Medina will run their school buses two hours later than the regular schedule. Classes will start at 9:50 a.m. in Lyndonville.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for Orleans County until 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The wind chill will feel as low as 25 below zero in the morning, the Weather Service advised.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Botello
ALBION – A Kendall resident accused of trying to kill a state trooper rejected a plea offer in court on Monday that would have capped the prison sentence at 15 years.
Carlos Botello, 42, is accused of attempted murder of a state trooper following a traffic stop on Sept. 3. Botello was stopped by Trooper Dan Metz. Botello, who also has been charged with driving while intoxicated, allegedly attempted to back over the trooper. Metz avoided being struck, but Borello smashed into a state police vehicle.
Botello then fled the scene by vehicle. Metz pursued him until Botello entered a farmer’s field and became disabled, police reported.
District Attorney Joe Cardone presented a plea offer to Botello in county court on Monday. If Botello pleads guilty to attempted murder in the second degree as well as the DWI he would face a maximum sentence of up to 15 years, according to the offer from Cardone.
But Botello, with his attorney Nathan Pace from the Public Defender’s office, rejected that in court. Judge James Punch then set a date for the trial. A jury will be selected on April 1 and the trial is scheduled to start on April 2.
Botello in recent court appearances had asked that Punch recuse himself from the case due to his past with Botello when Punch was both county court judge and district attorney. Botello on Monday said he is withdrawing his request that Punch recuse himself.
Botello remains in the county jail on $2.5 million bail.
