news

Albion Elementary reopens on Wednesday

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

Fourth grade classroom relocated in building

Photo by Tom Rivers – An engineer today inspected the wall that was hit by an SUV on Monday and deemed the wall is structurally sound, although most of the brick may need to be replaced.

ALBION – The elementary school will reopen on Wednesday for students in grades prekindergarten through 5 following an inspection of the school today.

An engineer from King & King Architects in Syracuse inspected the wall that was struck by an SUV on Monday afternoon. The engineer found the wall is structurally sound. The steel supports weren’t affected by the crash on Monday, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.

The district relocated a fourth grade classroom led by Lee Sheehan to the second floor on the opposite side of the building. District custodial staff, as well as teachers and teacher aides, moved Sheehan’s class to another room and recreated the scene before the car crash to exacting detail, including the desk arrangements, Sheehan’s New York Yankees decorations, a tabletop hockey game and the “Dugout.” Students’ lockers were also moved by the new second floor classroom.

Although school was closed today, students in Sheehan’s class returned to school to see the new classroom and meet with Sheehan and other teachers.

“They walked into a new room, but in many ways it was the same classroom,” Bonnewell said.

The class has 21 students. Bonnewell said he is most thankful none of the students were seriously injured when the SUV crashed into the wall, sending bricks and debris flying in the classroom. Five students were treated for injuries on Monday.

Today was a chance for the students to talk through their experiences from Monday, when the SUV hit the school at about 3 p.m. The district made counselors available to students.

“All of the kids supported each other,” Bonnewell said.

The class will now meet in a room that was used for small group instruction. The room overlooks the playground. Bonnewell said some of the students remarked they like the view in the new classroom, and they also like being on the top floor of the school in a section mostly used by fifth graders.

Besides Sheehan’s damaged classroom, the district is also closing a second floor computer lab for the remainder of the year. That computer lab is directly above Sheehan’s room.

The district also has moved back the start date for the ELA (English Language Arts) state assessments to Thursday. The three-day exams will continue Friday and Monday for students in grades 3 through 5 with Tuesday as a make-up date.

Bonnewell and the district want to allow a one-day transition back to school before the tests start on Thursday.

The SUV left a gaping hole in the back wall of the elementary school. The two-story brick wall may have to be rebricked. The extent of the repairs will be resolved by engineers and contractors. Bonnewell also said the project will likely be paid for by insurance from the SUV driver and perhaps some of the cost from the district’s insurance provider. Bonnewell said that will all be worked out in the coming weeks and months.

Medina man admits to assault and will be sentenced to prison

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

ALBION – A Medina man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday to attempted assault in the second degree and will be sentenced to prison on June 13.

Michael B. Collier Jr., 23, of East Oak Orchard Street admitted to using a knife to stab a 16-year-old on Oct. 24. The teen has recovered from the attack.

Judge James Punch asked Collier if he used the knife in a way that could injure or cause death to another person. Collier said he did.

Collier is a second felony offender. The charge of attempted assault in the second degree normally carries a maximum sentence of 2 to 4 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Collier will face 1 ½ to 3 years in prison. Punch said that is the minimum sentence for the crime.

Collier remains in Orleans County Jail on $100,000 bail.

In another case, Mary Golding, 51, of Harris Road in Waterport pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the second degree.

The charge normally carries a maximum of 2 to 7 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Golding will face a maximum of a year in the county jail.

She admitted in court she went to a neighbor’s house on Harris Road on Nov. 8 and stole a jewelry box so she could feed her heroin addiction. Golding said she has since been in rehab.

She will be sentenced on June 13.

Engineer will check structural integrity of Albion school

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

ELA tests for grades 3-5 will shift to makeup date

Photos by Tom Rivers – The spot where an SUV crashed into the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School is boarded up Monday evening.

ALBION – An engineer from King & King Architects will inspect the elementary school for structural soundness today.

King & King is the Syracuse firm that designed the addition to the elementary school that was hit by an SUV on Monday. The vehicle left a gaping hole in a fourth-grade classroom and several cracks in the back wall of the school by the community entrance.

Albion school leaders decided to close school today, and Superintendent Michael Bonnewell said it could be closed longer depending on the engineer’s report.

Bonnewell and the Board of Education said the safety of students is the top priority. Bonnewell said he is thankful no students were seriously injured when debris was propelled into a classroom. He also said an initial assessment from King & King shows no damage to the steel supports. A structural engineer will do a more detailed analysis of the damage today.

The elementary school is closed on the first day of the state’s ELA (English Language Arts) assessments for grades 3 through 8. The three-day tests go from Tuesday through Thursday. Albion will use a makeup day for Friday. Bonnewell said the district will work with the state if the school is closed for more than today.

The math assessments for grades 3 to 8 are scheduled for April 13-15.

The state has modified the controversial tests where 20 percent of students opted out last year state-wide. In Albion, the opt out rate was 18 percent.

Bonnewell said the percentage is “significantly lower” this time. Last year about 130 students opted out of the ELA tests, and so far 50 won’t be taking them, he said.

The state, in response to the protests over the tests, reduced the number of questions this year and also are giving students an unlimited amount of time to finish the tests.

Driver hits house on 98 in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2016 at 9:40 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Tom Marano, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, checks the scene of a car accident on Oak Orchard Road.

A driver heading southbound on Route 98, just north of the Village of Albion, left the road at about 8:30 p.m., crossing one residential front yard before banging into a home.

The driver of the vehicle and the occupants of the house were not injured, deputies said on scene. The driver will be ticketed for unsafe speed and could face additional charges, a deputy said.

Debbie Restivo lives in the house with her mother Jessica Matson. The driver also damaged the front lawn of property owned by Michael and Susan Thaine.

Police chief says accident at Albion Elementary remains under investigation

Posted 4 April 2016 at 5:40 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers – Albion firefighter Beau Piskorowski stands outside the back of the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School after a vehicle crashed into the building at about 3 p.m. today.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – On April 4, 2016 at 3:02 p.m. the Albion Police Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident in the driveway of the Albion High School located at 302 East Avenue in the Village of Albion.

Responding Albion Police units were advised that one of the vehicles involved in the accident had left the scene and continued southbound on the school driveway. Moments later additional calls were received indicating that a vehicle had struck the Primary School.

Albion Police units arrived on scene and determined that a vehicle rear-ended another vehicle in the school campus driveway, that vehicle then continued southbound and struck the Primary School. The Albion Fire Department and COVA Ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

Albion police officer Karol Hughes takes a photo of the damage at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School. The SUV that hit the school was pulled away by Waters Auto Body & Paint in Albion.

As a result of the vehicle impacting the wall, the vehicle entered into the building approximately 2 feet. Debris from the vehicle and the wall itself then struck several students that were in a classroom that was located on other side of the impacted wall.

Five students received injuries that appear to be minor as a result of being struck by debris. The injured students were taken to area hospitals by ambulance. The other students in the classroom were evaluated by school medical staff.

The preliminary cause of the accident is believed to be attributed to a medical condition involving the driver of the vehicle. The accident remains under investigation. No charges have been filed against the driver at this time.

SUV crashes into Albion Elementary, 5 students suffer minor injuries

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2016 at 4:47 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A driver suffering an apparent medical emergency crashed into the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School at about 3 p.m. today. Five students in a fourth grade classroom suffered minor injuries, including a student with a leg injury who was taken by ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital..

All students in teacher Lee Sheehan’s class were checked by school nursing staff as a precaution.

Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni says the driver wasn’t injured in the accident. Nenni didn’t release the driver’s name, but the police chief said the adult male wasn’t using alcohol or drugs prior to the incident.

The driver also hit another car near the speed bumps on the driveway by the high school.

The vehicle hit a fourth grade classroom at the back of the elementary school near the community entrance.

Structural engineers were on the way to determine the extent of damage and how many classrooms may need to be relocated.

The vehicle hit a wall and sent debris flying in Sheehan’s classroom. Some of the bricks hit students, causing minor injuries.

Nenni said an investigation is continuing, including what caused the driver to be so erratic.

Lyndonville deputy mayor resigns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2016 at 12:00 am

James Tuk says voters spoke on March 15 when he lost mayoral election

LYNDONVILLE – James Tuk, the deputy mayor in Lyndonville, resigned on Friday, not long after the March 15 election for mayor when he lost, 92 to 19, to John Belson, the former Yates town supervisor.

Tuk said the defeat was a message from voters that they weren’t pleased with his job performance. Tuk had been leading the village government since Halloween, when Steve McAvoy resigned due to the demands of his full-time job.

“I made quite a few adversaries over time and they wanted a different person as mayor,” Tuk said. “Somebody didn’t like the way I did things. I’ve made peace with all of this.”

Tuk was a member of the Village Board for five years. He said the village has projects in the pipeline, including efforts to make the Lyndonville Dam more accessible to the public and to improve the mechanicals at the scenic site.

The village also wants to redesign Veterans Park next to the Dam. The park with some improvements could help bring more people downtown, Tuk said.

“These are in the infancy stage,” Tuk said. “The challenge is to find the money to pay for it.”

Tuk said serving on the board was “very interesting and very constructive.” He only missed two meetings in 5 years. He missed those two because in December 2013 he suffered a stroke which paralyzed his left side.

“I returned to meetings in February 2014 because I was elected to do so and the challenge of the position aided my recovery,” Tuk said. “I am not yet 100 percent but continue to work towards being that.”

Albion closes elementary school on Tuesday for inspection

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – An SUV that crashed into the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School this afternoon not only left a gaping hole in a fourth grade classroom, but damaged the back wall of the school, leaving several cracks.

The school district announced that it is closing the school on Tuesdays for grades prekindergarten through 5 so the building can be fully inspected and prepared for use again.

The district has also cancelled all evening activities today and Tuesday.

“Thank you to all our students, staff, and emergency folks for your work today!” the district said in a message to the community at 5:58 p.m.

Albion Central School Superintendent Michael Bonnewell takes pictures of an SUV that hit the elementary school at about 3 p.m. this afternoon. He is standing next to Albion firefighter Jim Peruzzini.

The accident caused several cracks in the wall in the back of the elementary school near the community entrance.

3 Salamaca brothers plead guilty to grand larceny

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Murray Superette operators to pay $164K-plus in restitution

File photo by Tom Rivers – Members of the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and outside agencies raided the Murray Superette on Route 104 on Oct. 27, 2015.

MURRAY Three brothers who operate the Murray Superette pleaded guilty in Orleans County to grand larceny in the fourth degree and could face a maximum of six months in Orleans County Jail.

Alexander, Myron and Olec Salamaca also agreed to pay restitution, which includes a $15,000 judgment to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance and $149,102 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for abuses in the food stamp program.

The brothers were arrested on Oct. 27 following a 15-month investigation where the Salamacas and some employees allowed customers to illegally exchange food stamps in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) at 70 percent of their value, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force said then.

The Salamacas would swipe electronic DBT cards and give customers cash back or allow them to buy alcohol, untaxed cigarettes, gas and other items unauthorized by the program, District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court today.

“Did you do it with the intent to steal from the U.S. government?” Judge James Punch asked Olec Salamaca.

“Yes,” Olec Salamaca responded.

Each of the brothers admitted to the grand larceny crimes today in Orleans County Court. None of them have prior criminal records. Cardone agreed to the plea deal after the brothers agreed to restitution. He also considered their community record in running a business on Route 104.

The charge of fourth-degree grand larceny normally carries a maximum of 4 years in state prison. If Judge James Punch sentences the Salamacas to more than 6 months in jail on June 20, the brothers can withdraw their pleas and go to trial.

Punch said the Salamacas may have to surrender licenses for some of their enterprises. The judge kept bail at $20,000, which each Salamaca posted in a lower court.

A fourth Salamaca brother also has been charged in the food stamp trafficking scheme. Taras R. Salamaca worked as an employee at the store. His case is in Murray Town Court.

Cuomo signs higher minimum wage into law

Staff Reports Posted 4 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of Gov. Cuomo’s Office – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is joined by state officials in signing a higher minimum wage into law this morning. The wage will rise to $15 in New York City and $12.50 in Upstate over the next five years. He is joined by, from left in back: Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

NEW YORK CITY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation enacting a higher minimum wage plan and a 12-week paid family leave policy.

The legislation was passed as part of the 2016-17 state budget, and Cuomo said it marks a major accomplishment in his efforts to restore economic justice and fairness to working families in New York State.

The Governor signed these two pieces of legislation immediately prior to attending a 1,000-person victory rally, which included workers, advocates, labor leaders, and elected officials. That rally was held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

“By moving to a $15 statewide minimum wage and enacting the strongest paid family leave policy in the nation, New York is showing the way forward on economic justice,” said Governor Cuomo. “These policies will not only lift up the current generation of low-wage workers and their families, but ensure fairness for future generations and enable them to climb the ladder of opportunity. I am proud to sign these programs into law, because they will ensure a stronger, fairer and brighter future for all New Yorkers.”

$15 Minimum Wage

The state budget includes an historic increase in the minimum wage, ultimately reaching $15 an hour for all workers in all industries across the state.

For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage would rise to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018.

For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage would rise to $10.50 by the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2019.

For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, the minimum wage would increase to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2021.

For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage would increase to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 each year after until reaching $12.50 on 12/31/2020 – after which will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.

Further, the bill provides a safety valve to the increases. Beginning in 2019, the state DOB Director will conduct an annual analysis of the economy in each region and the effect of the minimum wage increases statewide to determine whether a temporary suspension of the scheduled increases is necessary. That analysis is submitted to the Department of Labor by the Division of Budget.

It is estimated that more than 2.3 million people will be affected by the increases in the minimum wage.

Previously, New York began moving toward a $15 minimum wage for fast food employees, public sector workers, and SUNY employees – in total amounting to roughly a quarter of a million workers in New York State.

12-Week Paid Family Leave

The state budget includes the most comprehensive paid family leave program in the nation. When fully phased in, employees will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid family leave when caring for an infant, a family member with a serious health condition or to relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service.

Benefits will be phased in beginning in 2018 at 50 percent of an employee’s average weekly wage, capped to 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, and fully implemented in 2021 at 67 percent of their average weekly wage, capped to 67 percent of the statewide average weekly wage. This program will be funded entirely through a nominal payroll deduction on employees so it costs businesses – both big and small – nothing. Employees are eligible to participate after having worked for their employer for six months.

Statewide paid family leave will particularly benefit low-income workers who often lack benefits or job security, and for whom access to any leave, even unpaid, is often not available or cost prohibitive, Cuomo said.

Paid family leave also has the potential to serve as a great equalizer for women. In many instances, women who leave the workforce to care for a newborn not only forfeit their existing salaries in the short-term, but also suffer diminished future earnings and career trajectories in the long term. Establishing paid family leave marks a pivotal next step in the pursuit of equality and dignity in both the workplace and the home, the governor said.

Unshackle Upstate, an organization representing a coalition of over 80 business and trade organization, said the higher minimum wage and paid family leave makes New York businesses less competitive.

“Rather than taking the opportunity to make New York more business friendly or grow its economy, this budget agreement imposes additional burdens and challenges for employers – especially those in Upstate communities,” said Greg Biryla, Unshackle Upstate executive director.

“This unprecedented minimum wage mandate on employers – in addition to a paid leave program – will ensure that New York’s business climate will remain one of the worst in the nation, even as our tax burden remains among the highest in the nation.
As bad as this agreement will be for Upstate businesses and taxpayers, the original minimum wage proposal would have been much worse.

“We commend those lawmakers, especially members of the Senate Republican Conference and Upstate Assembly members, who fought for small businesses, farmers and taxpayers in the face of intense pressure from powerful special interests. We also acknowledge their efforts to include much-needed tax relief as part of this agreement.

“Our leaders in Albany should spend the rest of this legislative session working to enact positive measures that will put Upstate New York on a path to long-term prosperity.”