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3 are arraigned on felony charges in County Court

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Three people were arraigned in Orleans County Court on Monday for alleged felony crimes, including drug sales, driving while intoxicated and burglary.

A Rochester man arrested in December following a three-month investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine from Rochester to Orleans County was arraigned on charges of third degree criminal possession and criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Maurice D. Jacobs, 37, of Conkey Avenue has no prior felonies, but he does have a long history of misdemeanor convictions as well as failures to appear at court, County Court Judge James Punch said. He set bail at $20,000 for Jacobs.

In other arraignments:

A resident of Ridge Road in Holley had his bail increased from $100 in the Kendall Town Court to $25,000.

Norman Henhawk, 58, allegedly was driving drunk on Dec. 5 when he went through a stop sign and hit another vehicle, causing injuries to people in the other vehicle and Henhawk’s passenger, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Henhawk was arraigned on reckless endangerment in the first degree, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, operating under the influence of alcohol and driving while intoxicated.

The DA said Henhawk has two prior felonies and several misdemeanors.

“This is a serious crime and he has an incredibly serious record,” Punch said in setting bail.

Mary Golding, 51, of Harris Road in Waterport was arraigned for second-degree burglary and pettit larceny. She allegedly stole money and jewelry from a Harris Road resident in November.

Judge Punch set bail at $5,000 for Golding.

Medina firefighter at Orchard Manor given new jacket from MFD

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

MEDINA – Don Lepkoske, a former Medina firefighter who is now a resident at the Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, was surprised on Monday when members of the Medina Fire Department stopped by and presented a new monogrammed jacket.

The Fire Department placed the order for new jackets and wanted to include Lepkoske. After a visit with Lepkoske, firefighters sounded the truck’s siren, leaving Don with big smile.

Pictured, front row, from left: Jeff Tuohey, Don Lepkokse, and Ferdinando Papalia. Back row: Don Marchner, Sergio DiCenso, Mike Sidari, Dell Stork, Captain Jonathan Higgins, and Josh Wolck.

Parents of children birth to age 5 invited to literacy program in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2016 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Gretchen Murray Sepik of Albion stars as Erie Canal Sal during a performance at the Strawberry Festival in June 2013. She will be part of a family fun night to promote storytelling and literacy on March 31 at the elementary school. The literacy effort will be on four Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning Feb. 11.

ALBION – A four-part literacy program will give parents of children from birth to age 5 tips on helping their children excel at school.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is teaming with Albion Central School and the Albion Rotary Club to run literacy workshops on four Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

The first workshop will be at the elementary school this Thursday and will focus on early brain development, the beginning of speech and use of technology with young children.

“Parents are first and foremost their children’s first teacher,” said Bonnie Malakie, director of the Head Start program through Community Action. “This will help parents with fulfilling their role.”

The program will bring in specialists in speech pathology, language development and storytelling.

The program is free and open to parents in the Albion school district. Child care will be provided. Parents should enter at about 5:45 p.m. through the community entrance in the back of the school.

Besides the Feb. 11 workshop, other sessions include Feb. 25 on story telling (will help parents tell their own stories) and will focus on making reading fun; March 10 will focus on prekindergarten and kindergarten readiness with the parents’ role. The workshop will include classroom visits.

The program will conclude on March 31 with a family fun night that includes children’s author Josie Waverly, professional storyteller Gretchen Murray Sepik, and other games, stories, prizes, refreshments and a book fair.

For more information, contact Community Action at 589-5683.

Albion Interact Club connects with Senior Citizens through bingo

Staff Reports Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo, Albion Central School

ALBION – Some residents at the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion last week enjoyed a game of bingo with members of the Rotary Interact Club.

The following Rotary Interact Club members are pictured from left: Vivian Rivers, Haley Bader, Emily Blanchard and Nikki Eldred with Villages residents Joy Wieme, center, and Lucille Bloom, right.

Albion student advances to state oratorical contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

Meredith Patterson, an Albion senior, won the zone competition for the American Legion Oratorical Contest and advances to the state competition on March 5 in Albany.

The zone event was held Saturday in Mount Morris. Another Albion student, Kyle Thaine, also competed. He won the district competition in Buffalo last month. Thaine and Patterson both advanced to the zone competition.

Patterson won an $800 scholarship for the Zone 5 victory and will receive another $2,000 scholarship for competing at the state level.

The participants at the zone event needed to deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech without notes about the Constitution. Each contestant also needed to speak for 3 to 5 minutes on one of five topics, assigned at the contest.

Patterson is valedictorian for the Class of 2016. She is also captain of the cross country team, a drum major in the marching band, and a lector at Holy Family Parish. She wants to attend an Ivy League school to major in political science.

 

Medina Winterguard wins 1st at Victor competition

Staff Reports Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

VICTOR – Medina’s Varsity Winterguard took first place against nine other guard units during a Winterguard show on Saturday at Victor Central School.

There were 28 guards performing altogether in eight different classifications, plus one guard in exhibition.  Medina’s Winterguard scored 62.21 points to take first in the A1 class. The students performed at a quick pace using flags, rifles and acrobatics.

Medina will next compete March 5 in Lancaster and then Medina has its Home Show on March 12 with both the Varsity and Cadet guards performing. The Medina Home Show, Colorburst 2016, will be in the High School Gym. The doors open at 4 p.m., the show starts at 5 and there are 20 guards performing. The Medina Cadet guard performs at 5:21 and the Varsity guard at 7:40.

4 are sentenced at county court, including 3 to state prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – An Albion man who admitted to selling cocaine was one of four people sentenced in Orleans County Court today by James Punch.

Brandon Honore, 30, of East Park Street pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He is a second felony offender with a previous drug charge for attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree. He has another prior felony and has already been in state prison.

Honore was arrested in July when 20 people were charged a seven-month investigation into the sale and distribution of drugs in Orleans County.

His attorney, Kevin McKain, said Honore had been working full-time for six years before the drug charge last July. McKain asked that the judge not revoke Honore’s driver’s license as part of the sentence and Punch agreed to let Honore keep the license when he is released from prison.

McKain said Honore has turned his life around and will be a productive citizen when he is out of prison.

Punch said Honore needs to be sent to prison.

“You have a long criminal history of drug crimes,” Punch said during sentencing this afternoon. “This is a serious and protracted criminal history.”

The judge also sentenced Honore to two years of post-release supervision. He told Honore to stay away from drugs or else the next sentence will be longer.

“You are introducing serious, harmful drugs into this community,” Punch said, calling Honore “a drug salesman.”

In other sentencings today:

A Medina man was sentenced for his fifth alcohol-related offense. Bradley Dunaway, 52, of Oak Orchard River Road was sentenced today to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison for felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Dunaway had been drinking prior to an accident on June 20 at Ridge Road and Culvert Road in Ridgeway. Dunaway registered a 0.18 blood alcohol content, more than double the legal limit.

A Medina resident was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Justin R. Carpenter, 31, of Medina was stopped on Aug. 22 by state police.

He registered a 0.20 Blood Alcohol Content, 2 ½ times the legal limit. He has a prior misdemeanor DWI from November 2006 in the Town of Shelby.

A 19-year-old Bergen woman avoided jail and was sentenced to 3 years of probation. Kuyanna Kuyal pleaded guilty to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a charge that normally carries a maximum of a year in jail.

Kuyal has no prior criminal record. She admitted in a previous court appearance that she was in a car on May 7 when cocaine was sold. Kuyal allegedly assisted in cocaine sales, but did not possess the drug, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Judge Punch said today that Kuyal “wasn’t the driving force behind the crime.” He wants her to seek mental health treatment and continue with treatment through the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

Ministry of Concern adds development director to attract funding, volunteers

Staff Reports Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Nyla Gaylord is the new director of development for the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.

ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, known by many in the community as “The Agency of Last Resort,” has appointed Nyla Gaylord as director of development.

In this newly created position for GOMOC, Gaylord will focus on securing new sources of funding, recruiting volunteers, and program development.

“The Ministry of Concern, like so many small not-for-profits, is struggling to manage the impact of reductions in funding,” said Laverne Bates, executive director. “(The new position) will enable us to focus on securing funding for current operations and expand services.”

Gaylord, a resident of Clarendon, most recently worked as the director of development and community relations for Hospice of Orleans, Inc. She has worked as a grant writer and with other not-for-profit agencies.

“It is such a pleasure to work locally and see all of the great things being done in Orleans and Genesee County – yet there is so much more that can be done,” Gaylord said. “I believe that the Ministry of Concern has an important role to play in improving the lives of the poor and working poor in our communities.”

The Ministry of Concern grew out of a grass roots effort of local churches which organized in 1968 to respond to the needs of farmworkers and the poor.

Today, nearly a half century later, the agency serves residents who face crises, from shut-off notices for utilities to not having basic furniture.

GOMOC runs a program where donations of used furniture are delivered to families in need. The Just Friends, E-3 Team Youth Mentoring program provides mentors (coaches) to youths in need of positive adult connections. Emergency services are provided to help when other resources are not available. To donate or volunteer, call 589-9210 and speak with the new director of development.

GOMOC’s office is in downtown Albion at 121 North Main St. – the third floor of the Albion Visitors’ Center. Assisting people with utilities is the biggest category of need for GOMOC in Orleans County. GOMOC served 1,281 clients with utility bills in 2014.

The breakdown of other cases in Orleans includes 664 with furniture and appliances; 247 for holiday assistance; 223 for personal care items, food and baby supplies; 92 for prescriptions; 79 for school supplies; 50 for gas and transportation; 25 for emergency shelter and housing; and 136 for other.

For more on the Ministry of Concern, click here.

GCC professor will talk presidential primaries in lecture Tuesday

Staff Reports Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Derek Maxfield will explain caucuses, open and closed primaries

BATAVIA – What is the difference between a caucus and a primary? Why is it important? How long will it take for each party to choose its nominee?

For answers to these questions and more, join GCC Associate Professor Derek Maxfield at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9 – the day of the New Hampshire Primary – for a presentation on the presidential nominating process.  The presentation will be at the GCC Batavia campus in the Conable Technology Building.

Maxfield has worked on a presidential campaign before. About 30 years ago he served on the staff for Sen. Paul Simon as he sought the Democratic nomination. Maxfield said the experience was exhausting and exhilarating.

He returned to New Hampshire on Jan. 29 to see a campaign rally in person for Donald Trump. Maxfield said Trump clearly has a following with more than 1,500 people at the event in Nashua. (Maxfield predicts Trump will win on Tuesday.)

Maxfield will discuss how different states choose delegates. Iowa held the first caucus last week and New Hampshire has an open primary tomorrow, where non-affiliated voters can cast a ballot during the primary. Other states like New York have closed primaries where only Republican and Democratic can vote in their respective primaries. (New York’s primary is scheduled for April 19.)

Maxfield also will discuss how candidates accumulate delegates. New York has 291 Democratic delegates and 95 Republican delegates up for grabs.

Maxfield said it is proving to be an exciting race thus far. It is possible no candidate will have all the needed delegates to secure the nomination in time for the convention. He will discuss a brokered convention, and also the possibility of Donald Trump going outside the party if he doesn’t have enough delegates and still pursues the presidency.

SOS president asks Cuomo to fill local seat on Siting Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2016 at 12:00 am

YATES – The president of the citizens group opposed to the wind turbine project proposed in Yates and Somerset has written Gov. Cuomo a letter, asking him to fill the seat on a Siting Board for the “Lighthouse Wind” project.

There are supposed to be two local representatives and five leaders of state agencies on the “New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.” That board will review the proposed project that includes up to 71 turbines that could peak at 620-feet high in the two towns.

One local representative has been named to the board. Randy Atwater, president of the Barker Board of Education, was appointed by John Flanagan, majority leader of the State Senate.

Carl Heastie, speaker of the State Assembly, also could have named a local representative but he didn’t act on the matter.

Now Pamela Atwater, president of Save Ontario Shores and wife of Randy Atwater, is pressing Gov. Cuomo to fill the other local seat.

“The Article 10 Board, even with two local appointees, is already heavily skewed against local government and community Home Rule,” Atwater wrote to Cuomo. “To enter the next phase of the siting process with one local representative position unfilled would be unfair, a further insult to the concept of Home Rule and would send a signal that the entire Article 10 process is preconfigured to ignore legitimate local and regional concerns.”

The board includes five leaders of state agencies – chairman of the Department of Public Service, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, commissioner of the Department of Health, chairman of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the commissioner of Economic Development.

The loss of “home rule” for the project has been denounced by many local municipal boards and elected officials, including the town boards in Yates and Somerset; the Erie, Niagara and Orleans county legislatures; and Congressman Chris Collins, State Sen. Robert Ortt and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Surveys in Yates and Somerset have also showed strong opposition by residents to the project.

Apex Clean Energy has submitted a preliminary scoping statement and has until Feb. 11 to respond to “several hundred” comments on the PSS. After those responses, Apex officials said they look forward to more formal conversations about the project with the community and state agencies, said Taylor Quarles, development manager for Apex’s proposed Lighthouse Wind project.

Albion attorney left legacy of service to community

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 6 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Volume 2, Issue 6

ALBION – I received a few calls and inquiries about Thomas A. Kirby following the recent news article highlighting newly established scholarships through the Albion Central School District – who was he and why a scholarship in his name?

Albion Council #1330 Knights of Columbus developed an annual memorial award for a deserving graduating senior who showed commitment and service to the community. This image shows Thomas A. Kirby as a young man, a freshly minted lawyer eager to establish a local partnership in Albion. The photograph is paired in the collection with that of Thomas L. Hughes.

Thomas Kirby was born on March 22, 1869 in Albion to John and Catherine Hayes Kirby. As a young man, he was no stranger to patriotic duty and service to the community.

Undoubtedly a young Thomas would have heard the stories told by his father, who served with the 8th New York Cavalry during the Civil War, was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, and sent to Andersonville Prison Camp. He received his earliest education in the common schools of Albion and took an interest in law at a young age, studying with John Cunneen who would later serve one term as New York State Attorney General.

A flourishing partnership developed between Kirby and Thomas L. Hughes and the two practiced law together until Hughes decided to move to New York City. The relocation forced Kirby to practice on his own, maintaining an office on East Bank Street.

As an Irish Catholic, Kirby was dedicated to the church committee serving as a trustee of St. Joseph’s Church for a number of years. He was active in the local branch of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association in its earliest years during the 1880s, an organization largely responsible for supporting working Catholic men with life insurance during times of economic hardship, personal injury, and death.

For reasons unknown, the C.M.B.A. branch eventually developed into the Knights of Columbus Albion Council #1330 which focused its efforts on similar endeavors. The respected community member was selected as the organization’s first Grand Knight (president) when the council formed in 1908.

As a prominent member of the Republican Party and members of the New York State Bar Association, Kirby was elected for one term as Orleans County District Attorney from 1899-1901. During the famed trial of Charles Stielow, Kirby assisted the District Attorney with the prosecution of Stielow for the murder of Charles Phelps of Shelby, a role that created a heavy criticism of local officials involved in the case.

Kirby was instrumental in establishing the Albion Chapter of the American Red Cross during the First World War, acting as the organization’s first Vice Chairman. He was the attorney for the Village of Albion and President of the Board of Education at the time of his death on Jan. 29, 1922.

As an exceptional trial lawyer, Kirby developed a reputation throughout Orleans County and across Western New York as an outstanding and prominent orator. In Carl Carmer’s book, “Dark Trees to the Wind” published in 1949, Carmer recalls a Fourth of July celebration in Albion where “the Town’s lawyer-orator, corpulent and elegant in his best blue suit and white waistcoat, stood on the platform and with calculated deliberation began his patriotic oration. Twenty minutes later his rich deep voice was pouring out his devotion to his country and his flag with all the poetry and rhetoric born in his Irish soul. His audience was spellbound” It is without a doubt that Carmer was writing of Thomas Kirby.

His obituary concluded, “Thomas A. Kirby always stood for the right as he saw it and was fearless in his denunciation of wrongFaithful in every trust reposed in him” The Knights of Columbus chose to honor a man who was well respected within their organization and a man who was held in high regard throughout the community for his commitment to service and patriotism.

900 attend Medina wine-tasting event

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A big crowd of 900 people are participating at the eighth annual Wine About Winter in downtown Medina.

Celebrity Day Spa is one of 30 wine-tasting stops on the event. This picture shows, from left: Brandy McKinney, Day Spa owner Edee Hoffmeister, and Amanda Riggle.

They were giving out gift certificates and coupons, as well as sips of wine. Hoffmeister said the event draws people to the downtown business district, giving them a chance to socialize and see many of the businesses.

Hoffmeister praised the Medina Business Association for its effort in planning and organizing the event.

“They have done a wonderful job with it,” she said.

Some of the commemorative wine glasses are displayed on a table at the start of the wine-tasting.

The 900 people is up from 850 a year ago. Cindy Robinson, the Business Association president, said the event will likely be capped at 900 in the future.

“We’re going to have to limit it because we don’t want long lines and we don’t want to overload the businesses,” she said.

Some of the Wine About Winter participants are lined up on Main Street to sample some of the wines.

Joel Hurlbutt, 23, of Albion and his friend Angela Corloni of Albion are pictured at the English Rose Tea Shoppe in Medina. They said they were impressed by number of family-owned businesses in Medina.

This group of friends and family stayed together on the wine stops. They are inside The Bread Basket. The group includes, from left: Dalton Vercruysse, Erika Myhill, Lisa Wheatley, Lori Myhill, Kirk Myhill, Mary Washak, and Dale Watts.

Paul Schwenk, right, of Schwenk Wine Cellars in Kent pours wine for Jim and Paula Dresser of Medina at A Kut Above.

Mrs. Dresser said the event has become a chance to reconnect with friends and visit Medina’s many shops in the downtown.

Peggy Johnson, one of the co-owners of Kut Above, said the event has proven popular.

“It’s a perfect time of the year,” she said. “In February a lot of people have cabin fever.”

Orchard Manor wears red to promote heart health

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

MEDINA – Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina took part today in National Wear Red Day.

Orchard Manor residents and staff wore red to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke. Donations made will help fund research and education efforts by the American Heart Association to fight against the nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers – heart disease and stroke.

Pictured, include, front row, from left: Jenna Rath, Amy Martin, Dave Denny, Brenda Cherry, Richard Pizzuto and Michelle Clor.

Back Row: Patty DiNardo, Karen Biehl, Laurie Seager, Kari Root, LuAnn Thompson, Lori Sutton, Rose Ann Velesko, Katy Owczarczak, Jamie Murphy and Laura Lechner.

Local United Way welcomes new board members

Posted 5 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, United Way of Orleans County

ALBION – The United Way of Orleans County is pleased to announce three new members to its Board of Directors.

Cathy Balys of Holley and Rebecca Mannella of Medina were voted in last month. Carol D’Agostino of Kendall joined last summer.

Cathy Balys

Balys is manager of financial reporting and analysis for the Catholic Family Center in Rochester. Mannella oversees the ICU/Respiratory Therapy Department and Out-Patient Lab for Orleans Community Health. D’Agostino is principal of Kendall Junior/Senior High School.

“These women not only represent different geographic areas of our county, but they also bring a range of expertise and new ideas to our Board,” said Jessica Downey of Albion, Board President. “It’s fantastic to have them join us!”

Rebecca Mannella

Orleans United Way, which merged Eastern UW and Western UW four years ago, focuses on community improvement in three impact areas: education, health and income (jobs). A funding application process each fall helps the board select partner agencies that most effectively fulfill community needs.

Funds collected from individuals and employees at workplaces county-wide are distributed according to evidence-based results. The 2016 campaign goal is $279,104.31, coinciding with three major routes criss-crossing Orleans County.

Latest reports showed the campaign about 60 percent complete with five months remaining. This year’s campaign officially ends June 30.

Carol D’Agostino

“The local emphasis of our United Way is so important and, I think, misunderstood by some people,” said Executive Director Marsha Rivers of Albion, who serves as the organization’s lone full-time employee. A part-time financial coordinator, Tiffani Ford of Waterport, keeps the books. Volunteers – including the 14-member Board – do all the rest. “Our Board is a group of local leaders using local dollars to help local causes – we’re neighbors helping neighbors.

“Our affiliation dues to United Way Worldwide, because of our small size, are very modest – we get a ‘big bang for our buck.’ With UWW, we can identify with a widely known, well-respected brand while also taking advantage of community-building resources from all over the world, applying best practices right here at home.”

Vets Service Agency getting a makeover with sign, office renovations

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Earl Schmidt stands in the main office of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, where a inside service window is being added, doors widened, and space reconfigured to make the place more accessibility for veterans and more secure for staff.

The County Legislature has authorized up to $7,560 for the project, which is expected to completed later this month at 13996 Route 31 West, next to The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center.

The sign out in front of the office will be changed from Veterans Administration to Orleans County Veterans Service Agency.

Schmidt, the new director of the Veterans Service Agency since December, said the Veterans Administration sign is confusing to the public. Some residents and veterans think the county office is part of the VA, and Schmidt said the county site isn’t affiliated with the federal agency, although he can help veterans navigate the VA bureaucracy.

Bert Mathes, a Buildings and Grounds employee for the county, measures the new window in the office.

Buildings and Grounds employees are making doors wider for veterans in wheeelchairs and motorized scooters so they can get through the front door and a bathroom.

Schmidt said he expects there will be an open house for the community after the project is done.