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2 accused of selling prescription narcotics in Medina

Posted 5 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, OC Major Felony Crime Task Force

Sponaugle

Morehouse

MEDINA – Two Orleans County residents face charges of selling prescription narcotic pills in the village of Medina, following a six-month investigation.

The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and Medina Police Department on Tuesday arrested a Carlton man on numerous counts of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance.

Jackie L. Sponaugle Jr., 22, of 13154 Ashwood Rd. was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. Sponaugle sold some of the drugs at a park near school grounds, the Task Force reported.

He also was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

He was arraigned at Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler, and was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. Sponaugle is to return back to town court today at 6 p.m.

In a separate investigation, Task Force members arrested a Medina woman on Aug. 21, when she was charged with several counts of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance.

Gale V. Morehouse, 51, was arrested at her home at 925 Church St. She was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Morehouse was also arraigned at Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler and was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

Collins joins local officials in pressing for harbor dredging

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Congressman Chris Collins met with Orleans and Nigara County officials Wednesday in Wilson to discuss the need to have several local harbors dredged. Collins is joined by, from left: Jim Ward, representative for State Sen. George Maziarz; Assemblywoman Jane Corwin; Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey, Niagara County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross; Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson; and Niagara County Legislator Clyde Burmaster.

Press release
Congressman Chris Collins

WILSON – Following a tour of Olcott and Wilson harbors, Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) joined with state and local leaders to highlight the urgent need to maintain and protect local harbors along Lake Ontario’s south shoreline.

Collins highlighted the important role these harbors play in the region’s economy and the need for continued and consistent harbor maintenance.

“These harbors play a critical role in the economy of Western New York through both the direct and spin-off benefits of seasonal recreational activities and the charter fishing industry,” Collins said on Wednesday. “Today I join my colleagues in both state and local government to call for both the continued maintenance and protection that is necessary to keep these harbors viable.”

Collins has pushed the Army Corps of Engineers to begin the long delayed dredging of the harbors. Dredging would remove the sediment build up that narrows a harbor’s channel dimension and creates unsafe navigation conditions for both commercial and recreational boating.

Orleans County officials have been pressing federal officials and the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Oak Orchard Harbor, which was last done a decade ago.

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Oak Orchard Harbor needs to have sediment removed to make the channel more navigable for boaters.

“The dredging of these harbors is long overdue, and is needed in order to maintain and maximize the harbors’ economic and recreational importance,” Collins said.

The Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to dredge in Oak Orchard, Olcott and Wilson harbors in 2014.

While in Wilson on Wednesday, Collins also voiced his opposition to the International Joint Commission plan, which calls for altering water levels for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The IJC is a joint body between the U.S. and Canada that controls water levels between the two countries.

Orleans County officials have protested the IJC plan, saying it would increase erosion along shorelines, lowering property values and having a negative impact on the region’s economy by affecting recreational and commercial boating.

“We need a unified front when it comes to advocating for the needs of our lakefront communities and harbors,” said State Sen. George Maziarz (R-Newfane). “Cleaning out these waterways so more boaters can use themand advocating to the IJC on behalf of lakefront property ownersare high priorities for us as representatives.”

Olcott won the “Ultimate Fishing Town” contest last year with Point Breeze winning the title this year. That raises the profile for other communities as fishing destinations. However, the potential is limited when the harbors are not regularly dredged.

Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson attended the news conference Wednesday in Wilson with Collins. Johnson is the county’s representative on the newly created Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance.

“We need to stand united with our neighbors to the west on these two very important issues as we work for funding to dredge Oak Orchard Harbor for boating and tourism and save our property owners along the lake from further erosion from altering the lake levels,” she said.

Author writes about saying goodbye to her mother – ‘The Iris Lady’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Marilyn Neilans discusses her book, “Saying Goodbye to the Iris Lady,” during a book talk and signing Wednesday night at Hoag Library in Albion.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Louise C. Smith planted and tended to 30,000 iris flowers at her garden in Williamsburg. She was an eccentric character with a tireless work ethic.

In 1996, Smith died at age 84. Her daughter Marilyn Neilans was 53 at the time, when she and her siblings were thrust into the emotional and financial strain of their mother’s final months.

Neilans has written a book about that experience. In “Saying Goodbye to the Iris Lady,” Neilans shares what she said is “a common story” of grown children becoming caregivers of their parents at the end of their lives. It may be a familiar story, but it isn’t easy, Neilans said.

In her nearly 400-page book, she writes about the emotional roller-coaster, sibling dynamics and Medicare reimbursements.

Neilans is married to Albion native John Neilans. They live near Knoxville, Tenn. They are in Albion this week visiting friends and family, and promoting the book. Neilans discussed the book last night at the Hoag Library in Albion.

“It’s a book about flowers, siblings and crazy brothers,” she told the Hoag crowd.

Neilans will have another book-signing Saturday at Bindings Bookstore on West Bank Street in Albion from 1 to 3 p.m. Her niece Lisa Neilans Blair will join her at that event.

Blair published a book about a trip her grandmother took across the country in 1939. Alberta Neilans and three of her friends drove from Buffalo to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and then back to Western New York, making many memorable stops along the way. Blair shares excerpts from their journal about the trip. That book is titled, “The Trail of the Gypsy Wagon.”

Albion businesses will stay open for extended hours on Thursdays

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Gertie Albano, owner of Gertie’s Groovy Garments on East Bank Street in Albion, is among several businesses that are staying open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The businesses had their first extended hours Thursday today.

ALBION – A group of Albion businesses are now offering extended hours on Thursdays to give more local residents the chance to buy from hometown merchants.

Today was the debut of extended hours Thursday, when several businesses agreed to stay open until 7 p.m.

“We need some more life in the downtown,” said Maureen Bennett, one of 15 vendors at the Downtown Browsery. She helped recruit businesses to stay open past 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

“With later hours more locals can see what we have and won’t have to shop out of town,” said Bennett, who sells antiques and collectibles at the Browsery.

Other participating businesses include Gertie’s Groovy Garments, Bindings Bookstore, Viola’s Boutique, Hazy Jade, Clothesline, Knight’s Pride, Xpress Fitness and Ace Hardware. Bennett said more merchants are welcome to stay open until 7.

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.

“It’s a good step forward,” said Carolyn Ricker, owners of Bindings. “It assures people there will be more than one business open for the extended hours.”

Ricker is president of the Albion Merchants Association. Business owners are working together planning several upcoming events.

Gertie Albano, owner of the Gertie’s Groovy Garments, praised the camaraderie among the merchants, who are working to create a shopping destination in the downtown.

“We all believe in shopping local and how it benefits the community because more of the money stays in the local economy,” she said.

Kendall man charged with attempted murder of state trooper

Staff Reports Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Botello

YATES – A Kendall resident has been charged with second-degree attempted murder of a state trooper following a traffic stop on Tuesday night, state police reported.

Carlos J. Botello, 42, of Kendall, was stopped by Trooper Dan Metz. Botello 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 the suspect until Botello entered into a farmer’s field and became disabled, police reported.

Metz took Botello into custody without further incident and transported him to the State Police barracks in Albion. Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone was consulted and recommended charging Botello with attempted murder 2nd.

Botello was arraigned in the Town of Yates Court and remanded to the Orleans County Jail on $250,000 bail.

The incident began at approximately 8:20 p.m., when Metz was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle/erratic operator on Route 18 in the town of Yates. Metz located the vehicle and attempted to effect a traffic stop.

Botello did not stop immediately and a brief pursuit ensued. The vehicle eventually pulled over and Metz cautiously approached the vehicle. The operator looked back at Metz, put the vehicle in reverse and accelerated directly at him, state police reported.

The Daily News of Batavia is reporting that Botello 19 years ago fired six shots into the home of a sheriff’s deputy. Botello has spent three terms in state prison, and is currently on post-release supervision.

Botello faces several charges in addition to attempted murder. Police charged him with two counts of driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right and unlawful fleeing from a police officer.

CIDER Act would boost apple sales

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Collins pushes for tax code changes for cider

Photo By Tom Rivers – Congressman Chris Collins joins members of the Orleans County farm community on Tuesday to promote the Cider Industry Deserves Equal Regulation Act, which would reduce the excise tax on hard cider. Collins is pictured inside the tasting room at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina.

MEDINA – Hard cider was popular more than a century ago and then went mostly dormant until a recent comeback.

The industry is on a resurgence and its sales have tripled since 2007. But the potential may not be realized due to an outdated tax structure that sometimes taxes hard cider to the same rate as wine.

“Hard cider is growing leaps and bounds,” said Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, who has introduced the Cider Industry Deserves Equal Regulation Act with Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon.

The CIDER Act would change the definition of hard cider in federal tax law. Currently, hard cider is taxed at different rates based on its alcohol and carbonation level, both of which can fluctuate, especially for small craft operators.

“The hard cider industry is poised for major growth and unless the federal tax code is reasonably adjusted, our producers and farmers are going to miss out on this economic opportunity,” Collins said. “If these simple changes to the tax code are made, not only will the American cider industry expand and become more competitive and profitable, but our local apple growers will see a major demand for their product.”

The average bottle of hard cider contains the juice of three apples. If there is more demand for hard cider, New York growers will see more demand for apples, especially those at juice-grade, which will strengthen the apple industry.

“This change would be good for the economy, jobs and Orleans County,” Collins said at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina.

Wendy Wilson, the winery’s president, said a change in the tax code, taxing hard cider at a reduced rate, would save the winery about $8,000 annually in taxes. That money could be used for more marketing to draw more people to the area, she said.

The CIDER Act proposes three changes for the industry:

Increases the carbonation level allowed for hard cider. Cider consumers expect a high level of carbonation, equivalent to that of most beer. Current federal tax code does not permit this desired carbonation level without reclassifying the project as champagne, which is taxed at a much higher rate.

Increases the alcohol content allowed in hard cider. This change will align the alcohol content with the natural sugar content of apples. The outdated definition of hard cider only allows up to 7 percent alcohol by volume before it is taxed as wine.

Allows pears to be used in hard cider production. Pear hard cider is a popular flavor in the international hard cider market and prohibiting it weakens the U.S. cider industry’s ability to compete globally and hampers sustainable growth.

Collins is the lead Republican sponsor of the CIDER Act in the House of Representatives. He said it could be passed as a standalone bill or perhaps be included in the Farm Bill or other legislation.

Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, said the CIDER Act would be a big benefit to apple growers and cider makers.

“Our state has a long and trusted tradition of producing the best apple cider, and with this legislation, this tradition will continue and expand with new cider options,” Allen said.

Lee-Whedon interior renovations delayed in Medina

Staff Reports Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s interior renovation project was expected to keep the library closed from Sept. 9 through Sept. 30.

But the project has been delayed due to material availability issues, library officials said today.

“Originally scheduled for September, the project has been rescheduled for October,” said Catherine Cooper, library director. “Firm dates will be announced as soon as possible. The board and staff apologize for this inconvenience.”

The project will replace ceiling tiles and carpet, and the walls will be repainted. The library also plans to upgrade HVAC controls and replace the large window in the Quiet Room.

Holley cuts ribbon on ‘new’ school

Contributed Story Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Holley Central School officials as well as local and state elected leaders joined for a ribbon-cutting celebration in front of the junior-senior high school on Tuesday evening. The district is nearly done with about $32 million in capitol improvements to the campus.

Pictured, from left, for the ribbon-cutting include: former Board of Education President John Heise, current board members Robin Silvis, Jack Welch, Norman Knight, Holley Mayor John Kenney, BOE Vice President Kellie Spychalski, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, BOE President Brenda Swanger, Town of Clarendon Supervisor Dick Moy, Town of Murray Councilwoman Kathy Case, BOE members Sal DeLuca and Anne Winkley, and former board member Dorothy Morgan. Following the ceremony, residents, parents and students toured the campus to see new features including a new light court, library, dining hall and science labs in the junior-senior high school, plus a new bus garage and other upgrades to the schools.

Lyndonville girl and sheltie win state title for dog agility

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Rachael Kiefer is pictured with Gemma, a purebred Blue Merle Sheltie. They won grand champion at the State Fair for dog agility.

LYNDONVILLE – A 16-year-old from Lyndonville and her dog Gemma, a purebred Blue Merle Sheltie, were named Grand Champion at the State Fair in the dog agility competition.

Rachael Kiefer has been training with Gemma for nearly two years. Last year she was named the novice grand champion at the State Fair.

Dog agility is a timed obstacle course for dogs with colorful tunnels, jumps, teeters and walks. Rachael and Gemma started in the Orleans County 4-H program under the direction of Ron and Pat Leight.

Gemma was purchased at a breeder and has a champion show dog bloodline, but is too small for show dog requirements.

“Gemma was the puppy hiding in the back of the litter, very timid and unsure,” said Rachael’s father George Kiefer. “Rachael took a liking to her and took the challenge to work with a timid puppy.”

Rachael met her trainer, Jim Sliker of Agility Dream Dogs, during an agility demonstration during the Lyndonville July 4 celebration. Sliker helped Rachael and Gemma become Orleans County and State Fair champions.

Rachael and Gemma also competed at Nationals in Springfield, Ohio, in June, winning several first and second place finishes for trials in the junior dog ability handler division.

“Rachael and Gemma have formed a bond that goes beyond agility and is rooted in friendship,” Rachael’s father said. “Gemma waits patiently at the door every day for Rachael to come home from school. Rachael lights up at the sight of Gemma.”

LynOaken opens living apple museum

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Farm has more than 300 heirloom varieties waiting to be picked

Photos by Tom Rivers – Chris Oakes, orchard manager at LynOaken Farms, holds a Redfield apple, a variety that was developed in 1938. The apple has a red flesh and pink seeds. It’s one of the heirloom varieties in a new U-Pick orchard at the farm.

LynOaken has more than 300 heirloom varieties available in a U-Pick orchard that opened on Sept. 1. The farm believes it is the biggest collection of heirloom varieties available in one location for the public to pick.

MEDINA – More than a century ago, long before Honeycrisp and Empire apples were favorites among apple lovers, Ben Davis was all the rage.

Ben Davis was a popular apple that was tough and could endure being shipped across the ocean in a barrel. That variety faded from the public’s memory and appetite long ago.

A local fruit farm has brought the apple back, as well as about 300 other heirloom varieties, in a new U-Pick orchard on Route 104 in Medina.

LynOaken Farms partnered with a local Amish horticulturist, David Schlabach, to create a living museum of heritage apples. One of the oldest varieties, Winter White Permaine, has 13th-century roots.

“We wanted to show the genetic diversity and history of some of the apples,” said Chris Oakes, orchard manager for LynOaken.

The farm opened the new U-Pick site on Sept. 1. It will be available to the public until Oct. 27. The many apple varieties ripen at different times through the harvest season.

Chris Oakes (pictured) and his father Darrel developed the heirloom orchard with help from local horticulturist David Schlabach.

The farm has 5.5 acres of heirloom apples, plus U-Pick trees full of modern popular varieties, such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold and Empire apples.

Many of the heirloom varieties are smaller with rugged skins, not nearly as shiny as the popular varieties these days. Many of the varieties were grown for their hard cider qualities. They have a bitter taste resembling crab apples.

Some of the old apples are famous, including the Spitzenburg, which was Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple. He planted 32 of those apple trees at Monticello between 1807 and 1812.

The heirloom apples are a short walk from the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, which the Oakes family opened in 2008 at 10609 Ridge Rd.

Katie Oakes, who is married to Chris Oakes, is manager of the farm’s new outdoor pavilion which is the base for the U-Pick operation. It also will be used for special events. It was featured during last weekend’s Steampunk Festival.

Besides the new U-Pick site, LynOaken also just opened a new outdoor pavilion and special events center. Chris’s wife Katie is managing that site, where people can grab a wagon to go apple hunting.

The farm is happy to combine its roots as apple growers with its recent adoption of grape-growing and wine-making.

“We’ve come full circle,” said Jonathan Oakes, the winemaker for Leonard Oakes.

The Ridge Road site also has a wine-tasting room and gift shop.

“We’ve tried to make this a destination,” Chris said. “We have a lot of things going on.”