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It’s Silver for Suhr in Moscow

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Jenn Suhr competes in a pole vaulting competition May 31 at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. She finished second today in the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Jenn Suhr, the reigning Olympic Gold medalist in the pole vault, wanted to beat her main challenger in Moscow, Russia.

But Yelena Isinbayeva, the aging superstar, turned in her best performance in four years today to win the gold medal on her home turf. Suhr took silver, second place in a competition that featured the best pole vaulters in the world.

“They got their money’s worth,” Suhr said in a statement posted on her Facebook page. “It was one of the best pole vault competitions ever put on, 82 took third, 75 took fourth. That’s just great performances all around. And not to mention the crowd, the cheering and how into it they were. I have to look at it as a success. I’m happy with the silver. I look at the whole year – Olympic gold, world record indoors, silver at worlds and I’m quite happy with that.”

Suhr, a Fredonia native, lives in Kendall and Riga. She is married to Lyndonville native Rick Suhr, who is also her coach.

Isinbayeva won the gold medal by clearing 16-feet-0 1/2 to beat Suhr, who cleared 15-feet-9 ¾.

Mr. President, come pick an apple and catch a salmon in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

The president will be in Western New York next week as part of a two-day trip across upstate and Pennsylvania.

He will use venues to tout his agenda for the middle class. I think Orleans County provides an ideal backdrop for the president to make his case for many issues that are part of his agenda, including the immigration reform, a new Farm Bill, a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem and a strong Main Street.

While the president’s staff works to finalize the details of his trip, I would encourage the local officials in Orleans to invite the president to our county. Chris Collins, our Congressional representative, also should advocate the president come to our county.

Obama could begin the day on a charter boat, and try to reel in a 30-pound Chinook salmon. The president could experience one of the Great Lakes in person, learning about the Lake Ontario as an economic driver for the lakeshore counties and also as a vital source of fresh drinking water.

After the fishing trip, he could stop by one of our apple orchards. I would encourage him to try picking apples to get a feel for the hard work needed to harvest the crop. He could meet some of the workers from Mexico and Jamaica who are vital to labor intensive agriculture.

I would encourage the president to then hop on a canal boat in Albion and ride to Medina. He could see small upstate communities along the historic waterway, villages that are trying to reinvent themselves while preserving their past glory. When he gets off the boat in Medina, the president may feel like he is in Disneyland. There aren’t a lot of historic downtowns like Medina, with well-kept buildings that are mostly full of merchants or professionals.

Obama could hear from the small town business owners about the impacts of his health care initiatives. I think he’ll get honest, from the heart answers.

I think a stop in Orleans would be a real eye-opener. Let’s roll out the welcome mat.

5th DWI results in prison for Medina man

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION A 58-year-old Medina man was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for driving while intoxicated.

Earl Anderson of 11089 Maple Ridge Rd. has been charged with DWI five times since 1978, with 2005 the most recent case until he was charged Dec. 9 on Dunlap Road in Shelby.

“You’ve had an incredible amount of DWIs in your life,” County Court Judge James Punch told Anderson during his sentencing on Monday. “I have to protect the people of the county from you.”

Anderson also was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.

In another DWI case, Felix Onofre-Rojas, 61, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd., Albion, pleaded guilty to DWI on May 4, when he was stopped with a BAC of 0.21 percent. Onofre-Rojas has a prior DWI on June 24, 2008 in Hamlin.

He could be sentenced to up to four years in state prison on Oct. 28.

Onofre-Rojas also faces several drug charges for the sale and distribution of cocaine in the Albion area. He could be sentenced to up to 5.5 years in state prison, time that would run concurrent with the DWI offense.

Onofre-Rojas was prepared to plead guilty to the drug charges on Monday, but he disagreed with District Attorney Joe Cardone’s time frame of when the crimes occurred. Cardone said the crimes occurred February 2013, but Onofre-Rojas refuted that in court. Onofre-Rojas acknowledged he sold the drugs, but he told Judge Punch it wasn’t in February.

Cardone said Onofre-Rojas sold cocaine “repeatedly.” Cardone and Onofre-Rojas will discuss the plea in an upcoming court date, when Cardone checks with staff and law enforcement about the time frame of the crimes.

Onofre-Rojas was arrested on June 20 and charged with two counts of a criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

In another case in county court on Monday, two Jamaican nationals were arraigned on charges of first-degree criminal possession of marijuana. Calvin Bennett, 37, of the Bronx and Roderick Johnson, 29, of Rochester were stopped by law enforcement in February in Clarendon. They allegedly possessed 450 pounds of marijuana.

Priming for a fresh look

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Stephen Rutledge of Albion scrapes off old paint this afternoon on one of the doors facing Main Street at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion. Rutledge will also scrape off the paint on the alcove over the door. He will prime and repaint the doors and alcove on the historic church built with Medina sandstone.

Stairway above the canal

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Here is another photo from last night’s sunset photographic excursion by the Erie Canal in Albion.

Orleans Hub posted several photos of the canal last night. This one shows the staircase for the lift bridge. I’ve been told the bridge used to be an upright position back when it was built a century ago. The bridge was lowered for the occasional horse and buggy.

A hundred years ago there were a lot of boats passing through Albion. Now there are a lot of cars, but only an occasional boater so the bridge stays down most of the time.

DOT will reduce speed on 31 near Salt Works Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

State will also double-line section of road in Shelby

Photo by Tom Rivers – The intersection at Salt Works Road and Route 31 in Shelby will be safer after the DOT posts a speed limit reduction, town officials said on Tuesday.

SHELBY – Motorists will soon have to drive slower on Route 31 on a section of the road just west of the village. Drivers also won’t be allowed to pass another vehicle on a portion of the state highway near the Salt Works Road intersection.

Town of Shelby officials and Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick announced Route 31 will soon have the posted speed limit reduced from 55 to 45 miles per hour about 50 yards west of Salt Works Road to the beginning of the 40 mph zone at the village line. The state Department of Transportation will also double-stripe the road near the intersection.

“We’re hoping it will be taken care of in the next month to month in a half,” Eick said during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting.

He has been pressing the state DOT to improve the safety of the Route 31 and Salt Works Road intersection for a year. He said he was nearly “clipped” about a year ago at the intersection. Town officials said the intersection is currently dangerous because of fast drivers on Route 31 who often pass other vehicles.

“We’ve been trying to do something with that intersection for the last 25 to 30 years,” said Ken Schaal, a Shelby town councilman.

He said a concerted effort by several businesses near the intersection, requesting a speed reduction, helped sway the state to lower the speed limit.

Orleans lift bridges will be inspected

Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

State is doing annual mandated check of canal system

Photo courtesy of Canal Corporation – The Tug Syracuse is docked in Buffalo’s Erie Canal Harbor this morning awaiting the start of the annual Canal Inspection Tour. Canal official will be in Orleans County later this week.

Press release, NYS Canal Corporation

The annual inspection of the New York State canal system began today in Buffalo when the Tug Syracuse departed from the Erie Canal Harbor to assess the historic waterway, the New York State Canal Corporation announced.

Canal Corporation officials will inspect the seven lift bridges in Orleans County on Wednesday and Thursday, starting with Medina’s bridge at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday and then working east to check more lift bridges in the county. The maintenance inspections in Orleans are scheduled to end in Holley at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, when crews will depart to Brockport.

The legally mandated inspection will take place over the next two months in two- and three-day segments. It is one of the most critical tools the Canal Corporation has to make a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of the overall condition and capital needs of the nearly 200-year-old canal system, which generates $380 million in tourism-based economic activity and provides drinking water for thousands New Yorkers of as well as water resources for agriculture, industry and hydroelectric power generation.

“For nearly two centuries, the canal system has remained vital to the prosperity of the Empire State, both commercially and recreationally,” said New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation Chairman Howard P. Milstein. “This inspection is an important opportunity to gauge the overall condition of the canals first-hand, but also to recognize the excellence of our staff for their maintenance of this national treasure. It is this commitment that has allowed this modern marvel to continue to flourish over the years.”

The inspection team grades individual components at locks and lift bridge locations statewide and will then give awards for top performance later this year.

The inspection tour is a tradition that dates from October 26, 1825, when Gov. DeWitt Clinton departed from Buffalo aboard the Seneca Chief to mark the opening of the Erie Canal after eight years of construction.

The effect of the canal was both immediate and dramatic, and settlers poured west. Trade exploded with freight rates from Buffalo to New York at $10 per ton by canal, compared with $100 per ton by road. Within nine years, canal tolls more than recouped the entire cost of construction and New York City was the busiest port in America.

“We are excited to embark on the 2013 Canal Inspection, a time-honored tradition that is central to our maintenance, rehabilitation, and strategic planning efforts,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “With the canals playing such an important role in the livelihood of the communities that line its shores, it is essential that we ensure the facilities and equipment of the Canal Corporation are in good working order and acknowledge our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts year-round.”

Slate roof comes off Baptist Church in Medina

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

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The historic First Baptist Church in Medina is getting a new roof. Matt C.M. Contracting of Medina is taking off the slate roof and putting on an asphalt one. The roof has been leaking and some of the cracked pieces were a danger.

The roofing company has tried to save as many of the intact slate pieces as possible. Many of them are being given to members of the congregation as souvenirs. Jeff MacDonald, an employee for the roofing company, holds one of the pieces.

Students raise money for trip to Italy

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

Photo by Tom Rivers – A group of Albion students pose for a photo after a golf tournament Sunday to help them raise money to go on a trip to Italy this spring. About 25 students in the Latin program at Albion are planning to attend the trip. Some of the group includes, from left: Katie Rustay, Bella Prest, Jacob Squicciarini, Drake Arnold, Savanah Wirth, Shelby Restivo and Skyler Smith.

ALBION – When Albion Latin teacher Irene Henion announced last school year she was working on a trip for Latin students to go see Italy, many students and their parents saw the trip as a rare chance for the students to see another side of the world.

Henion tries to take students to Italy once every four years. The trips, including spending money, total about $4,000 per student.

A team of Albion parents and their children have formed a fund-raising group, which has planned several events in recent months. On Sunday, they organized a golf tournament at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Holley.

“It’s the chance of a lifetime for our kids,” said Steve Smith, father of Skyler.

The group has had a yard sale and a booth at the Strawberry Festival. Students also have been serving as hosts at the Cabaret at Studio B at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy. More fund-raisers are in the works.

Currently 27 students are planning on attending the trip, which will feature Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Venice and other spots in Italy and ancient Rome.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Stephanie Rustay, whose daughter Katie is Italy-bound. “Every opportunity she can have I want her to take it.”

5 years in prison for Barre man who assaulted deputy

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

ALBION – Charles Sheets was sent to state prison today for five years after he assaulted a deputy in December.

Sheets, 49, has a prior felony for attempted assault of a police officer in Monroe County in 2004. He was charged with second-degree assault for the more recent case.

Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy J.J. Cole responded to a domestic incident at Angevine Road on Dec. 28. When Cole attempted to bring Sheets into custody, Sheets fought with the deputy, causing him an injury. Sheets also was charged with harassment and menacing for the domestic incident.

“You’re a self-centered, undisciplined, violent and a very dangerous man,” Orleans County Court Judge James Punch said during sentencing today.

Sheets was sentenced to five years in state prison, five years of probation after prison and his wife was issued an order of protection.