news

DWI checkpoints result in many arrests in Albion

Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni III

ALBION – The Albion Police Department, using STOP DWI funding, engaged in a focused STOP DWI Check Point Detail in various locations within the village of Albion on Aug. 10.

The checkpoints were done with the assistance and coordination of many law enforcement agencies including the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Holley Police Department, Orleans County Probation Department and New York State Parole.

The combined efforts of those involved resulted in two DWI arrests, one DWI drug arrest, three unlawful possession of marijuana arrests, two aggravated unlicensed operation arrests, two warrant suspects arrested from Genesee and Niagara counties, one person listed as missing located and found to be OK, one Probation violation, along with the issuance of several vehicle and traffic violations.

The arrests show the dedication and commitment set forth by the officers of the Albion Police Department and the other law enforcement personnel, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni III said.

“Sadly it also shows the rate of persons driving under the influence and disregarding the laws that are in place for everyone’s safety,” Nenni said. “The Albion Police Department is committed to make the streets safe for all that use them and to focus on taking those persons off the street that violate the law.”

With the assistance of funding provided by The Stop DWI Program and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the Albion Police Department will be engaging in several focused patrol campaigns on a continual basis.

“We will use every tactic and technique available to us to enforce the law and make for a safer community,” Nenni said.

How to spend $25K to boost fishery?

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – A committee weighing how to spend $25,000 to boost the fishing industry in Orleans County is considering putting the title of “Ultimate Fishing Town” on the Carlton town signs, including this one on Route 98.

CARLTON – When the Point Breeze community won the title of “Ultimate Fishing Town” in June, after two months of online voting, the prize brought lots of free publicity for the community. And it also netted cash to promote the fishery, $25,000 from the World Fishing Network.

The check is in a town of Carlton account, dedicated to promoting the area’s fishing resources. The question for a committee of fishing stakeholders is how to best use that money to entice more anglers and visitors to the community.

The committee met for the first time on Thursday. It wants plenty of signage in Carlton and Point Breeze, noting the community won the “Ultimate Fishing Town” in 2013. Some of those signs could be part of the existing Town of Carlton welcome signs on Route 98 and 18.

In the meantime, at least five businesses are working to buy banners that would be on their stores, noting Point Breeze as the “Ultimate Fishing Town.”

The committee also is considering a sportsfishing event that would partner with a veterans organization and a professional sports team. Veterans would be invited on a charter boat in that initiative.

Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle, is on the committee and welcomes ideas from the public. She spoke during Sunday’s awards celebration for the Orleans County Fishing Derby. There were 100 fishermen at the awards party, and Narburgh asked them to submit ideas for promoting the fishery.

I think the committee should use some of the money for a public art project, perhaps having some giant fiberglass fish at different locations at Point Breeze. I think they would be an attraction, and businesses would probably pay to have one on their property.

If we could get 10 of these at Point Breeze, as well as a few in Albion, Holley and Medina, we would have an added attraction that would complement all the salmon and trout.

I was in Olean in March and noticed all of the 4-foot-high fiberglass squirrels sprinkled around the city. I’ve included a picture of “Pop ARThur” from Olean’s public art project called Woodland in the City. I think a similar project in a fish theme would be a major catch for Point Breeze.

Medina library will close most of September for renovations

Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will close for renovations from Sept. 9 through Sept. 30. During that time the ceiling tiles and carpet will be replaced, the walls will be repainted, the HVAC controls will be upgraded and the large window in the Quiet Room will be replaced.

“We realize that this will be an inconvenience for our many patrons. However, closing is the most efficient and safest way to accomplish these necessary improvements” said Maryellen Dale, Board President. “We have put a great deal of thought and planning into this project. Replacing the roof this spring was our first step in securing the integrity of the building for the future. Now we need to upgrade the interior. Lee-Whedon is such a vital community asset: our aim is to make it a more user-friendly destination.”

Before the work begins, the collection will be packed and moved to temporary storage. Patrons are encouraged to visit nearby NIOGA libraries, the closest being Middleport, Lyndonville and Albion. Items checked out from Lee-Whedon after Aug. 26 will not be due until Oct. 1. Lee-Whedon material may be returned to any NIOGA library.

“We are looking forward to the end result, though we are rather dreading the process!” said Catherine Cooper, library director. “We thank our patrons in advance for their patience and understanding.”

Hojack’s joins list of music venues in Orleans County

Contributed Story Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Michael Karcz

CARLTON – The Orleans Hub has highlighted several local venues for live music in the county this summer. The list keeps growing. Ho-Jack’s Bar and Grill had a talent show and karaoke on Saturday.

Jackie Madejski and Gregg Albertson were among the musicians who performed at Ho-Jack’s on Route 98. The two sang several songs, including originals by Albertson.

Following their performance, the microphone was available for karaoke. Jackie’s father, Dr. Tom Madejski, took a turn and sang “Surfin’ Bird.”

Group wants memorial garden at Glenwood Lake

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The recent deaths of two active Medina community members has prompted a group to propose a memorial garden at Glenwood Lake.

“The Circle of Love Memory Garden” will first honor Michelle Stanton Jones and Linda Froman. Jones was 54 when she died on July 29. She was active in the Memories of Medina Facebook group, an online community with nearly 3,000 members that promote the community. Jones organized several “meet and greets” for the group.

Froman was 58 when she died on July 31. She was a real estate broker, and active supporter of several community causes.

The Memories of Medina group wants to recognize both women and make room for more people to be recognized at the garden, which would have a base circle with a 34-foot diameter. Group representatives will pitch the plan to the Ridge Town Board tonight at 7.

The project includes benches, flowers, a sign and an arbor across the path that will be 10 feet tall and 8 feet from post to post. The garden project will cost about $3,500, said Dayton Hausman, a Memories of Medina member. He thinks the group can raise that with $20 donations from about 175 of the members.

“This will be a flower garden that will add a splash of color,” he said. “Right now there isn’t much color down there. We want to create a place where people can sit and reflect.”

Albion church faces a lofty decision

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2013 at 12:00 am

United Methodists face $1 million roof project

Photos by Tom Rivers – Trustees at the Albion United Methodist Church – Cathy Moore, Reid Cole and Marie Follett – are pictured in the choir loft this morning with the sanctuary in the background. The sanctuary roof is supported by fall timber beams that were installed last December as a temporary reprieve for fixing the roof.

ALBION – Reid Cole knows it would be a shock to the community if people passed by the Albion United Methodist Church building and saw a “For Sale” sign.

But it’s not out of question. He fears a demolition of the historic site also isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

The congregation of about 30 families has a difficult decision to make: to spend $1 million or more replacing the roof and rebuilding trusses on the church, or perhaps walking away from the structure at 19 North Platt St.

“We could be looking at anything from fixing the building to demolishing it,” Cole said after church this morning.

He is chairman of the church trustees. Besides the roof project, the church needs brick work and other minor repairs. The membership will meet this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to try to reach a consensus on the future of the church building.

The United Methodist church is part of the Courthouse Square, a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Eight Albion churches are part of the historic district.

The pipe organ at the United Methodist is one of several historical wonders inside the church that is part of the Courthouse Square, a district on the National Register of Historic Places. Eight churches are part of that district.

The Presbyterian and Pullman Memorial Universalist churches are also weighing significant repair projects. But none is nearly as costly at the situation at the United Methodist Church.

Last December, five tall timber beams went up inside the sanctuary of the church. They are helping to hold up the roof of the historic church at 19 North Platt St.

The temporary support columns got the church through the winter, and provide some time for the church to determine its next steps. But with winter again around the corner, church members believe they need to settle on a plan for the building.

The trusses are not properly supporting the roof, causing walls to shift and threatening the viability of the structure. The church was built in 1861 with an addition at 1914.

When the sanctuary was reoriented in 1914, church members at the time cut out the bottom support beams for the trusses. That has weakened the trusses, now jeopardizing the support system for the roof. Putting on a new roof with trusses would be $825,000, in the cheapest alternative. The mostly costly choice approaches $2 million, Cole said.

The church is seeking a $500,000 matching grant through the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation, a grant that requires a local match. The church would also have to front the money and wait to be reimbursed.

Cole said the church meeting Wednesday could include discussion about a capital campaign that would seek funds from the community, including people who don’t attend the church.

“We’d like to have a sense of the direction we need to go,” he said about Wednesday’s meeting.

Marie Follett is a silhouette next to the large stained-glass window in the sanctuary at the Albion First United Methodist Church.

Woman hospitalized after crash in Carlton

Posted 18 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Driver needed to be extricated from wooded embankment

Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith

CARLTON – An Orleans County woman is hospitalized following a one-car crash Saturday night in the town of Carlton.

The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m., in the 1400 block of Oak Orchard River Road. Sandra M. Flanagan (sole occupant), of Kent, was operating a 2004 Ford Taurus westbound on Oak Orchard River Rd., when she failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the south side of the roadway. The vehicle jumped a guard rail and rolled approximately 100 feet down a steep and heavily wooded embankment that leads to Oak Orchard River. The vehicle came to rest upside down against a tree.

Flanagan was trapped in the wreckage for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before being extricated by Carlton and Albion firefighters. Once removed from the vehicle, she was brought back up the embankment by Rope Rescue Teams from the Clarendon and Holley fire departments. Flanagan was then flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter. A crew from Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance also assisted at the scene.

While the incident remains under investigation, it appears that both alcohol and unsafe speed were contributing factors. Charge(s) against Flanagan are pending her recovery.

The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Deputy J.W. Halstead and Sergeant G.T. Gunkler.

Albion men’s softball league bounces back after problem season

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Village instituted tougher rules this year

Photo by Tom Rivers – Tom Burton, a player for the Ludwick Paving and Concrete team, watches a pitch from Cody Miller of Moody’s. Steve Quider is the catcher. The teams are battling at Bullard Park in the playoffs today for the Albion men’s softball league.

ALBION – The Albion men’s softball league was nearly called out for good after last season following complaints about fights, foul language and litter.

Some spectators were charged by police with openly smoking marijuana and consuming alcohol at games, in violation of the state’s open container law by drinking at a public park.

The village gave the league another chance this year, but limited use of four softball fields in the village. Teams could only play one game on a field on a Sunday. That has resulted in far fewer teams this year, down from about 20 last year to nine this season.

The change was designed to prevent long game days at the park. Three games in row often resulted in drinking fests for some fans.

Albion also instituted a policy if a player drank alcohol during a game, the entire team could be forced to forfeit the game.

Village Board members said the league and its fans have been on much better behavior this year. After two months with few problems – there have been a few scuffles among players – the Village Board agreed to let the league have multiple games on fields today. The league is having a double-elimination tournament to declare the champion of three divisions.

“This is a test for them,” Trustee Pete Sidari said when the board agreed to allow multiple games for the tournament.

Spectators caused many of the problems last year, players said today. Players have insisted on well-behaved fans during games the past two months.

Eric Beach, coach of a team sponsored by Ludwick Paving and Concrete, thinks the players and league have proven themselves this year. He is hopeful the Village Board will reconsider the one-game-per-field policy for next season so more players and teams can play in the league.

Beach has played in the league for about eight years. Players enjoy the game and social camaraderie.

“Everyone looks forward to Sundays,” he said about the games. “It’s just fun.”

High school principal wins fishing derby with 35-pounder

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Foster Miller holds the grand prize winning Chinook salmon – a 34-pound, 13-ounce fish – that netted the $4,000 top prize in the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Miller’s son Tyler, 11, finished third in the lake trout division with a 14-pound, 6-ounce fish.

CARLTON – Foster Miller looks forward to fishing season every summer. The 40-year-old Holley resident is often out in a boat with his son Tyler or Foster’s father Ron.

The family watches for fishing derbies and will join, hopeful of hooking a big prize. The Millers struck twice in the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Foster won the grand prize, $4,000, for catching the biggest fish among the 690 anglers who joined in the derby.

Foster caught a 34-pound, 13-ounce Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario near Hamlin Beach State Park. His father, Ron, of Ontario, Wayne County was in the boat with Foster. Ron started taking Foster fishing when he was a little kid. Foster landed his first salmon when he was 5.

He has passed down a love of fishing to his son Tyler, 11. Tyler caught the third biggest lake trout in the fishing derby, a 14-pound, 6-ounce fish that was also hooked just off Hamlin Beach. Tyler’s third place finish won him $200.

His father also won another $200, given to the Orleans County resident who catches the biggest fish during the derby.

Mr. Miller works as a principal in Mount Morris for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

The derby runs for about two weeks, and is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club. Besides the $4,000 grand prize, the Rotary Club gives out $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth place in four divisions: Chinook, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. That adds up to $8,800 in total prize money.

Hunter Westcott, 10, of Hamlin won the lake trout division and $500 for catching this 18-pound, 4-ounce fish. He was all smiles holding the fish during an awards ceremony today at the Carlton Fire Company Recreation Hall.

The club expects to make about $4,500 in profit from the derby, which is used for various community projects.

The following won first prize in the different divisions: Jim Mazur, with a Chinook at 32 pounds, 13 ounces; Charles Davis with a brown trout at 15 pounds, 9 ounces; Gary Dubach with a rainbow trout/steelhead at 13 pounds, 13 ounces; and Hunter Westcott with a lake trout at 18 pounds, 4 ounces.

Derby officials and the 100 people who attended a awards ceremony at the Carlton Fire Company Recreation Hall observed a moment of silence for Judy Christopher, who was active in helping to run the derby for many years.

Christopher died on Aug. 3 after battling cancer for more than two decades. She was co-owner of Four C’s Marina and an active member of the Albion Rotary Club, which has been running the annual derby for about 30 years.

“She was an elegant woman who did a lot for the fishing industry and for this community,” said Ashley Ward, the derby chairman.

Ashley Ward, back left, gets ready to read the winning number during a raffle at today’s awards ceremony for the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Brad Shelp, lower right, helped pass out the prizes. About 100 fishermen attended the awards celebration in Carlton.

Great weather keeps Oak Orchard Harbor busy

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

POINT BREEZE – I stopped by Point Breeze today for a story about the ham radio operators participating in an international lighthouse event. I wrote a story about their event earlier. (Click here to see the story.)

While at the lighthouse, I was surprised to see so many boats coming and going at the Oak Orchard Harbor. The radio operators agreed it was a busy day at the Point.

The sunshine helped, and I bet some of the boaters were trying to catch a big fish for the annual Orleans County Fishing Derby, which ends on Sunday. Foster Miller of Holley is the current leader with a Chinook salmon that weighs 34 pounds, 13 ounces.