Cheryl Wertman took this photo on South Main Street in Medina at about 1 p.m. today when wind and snow made it difficult for motorists to see.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo says a snow squall will impact Orleans and Genesee counties this afternoon before moving towards Wyoming County.
The squall will cause whiteout conditions, lasting about an hour with lake-effect snow to follow, the Weather Service said.
The snow was already falling at about 11 a.m. on Countyhouse Road near the Albion-Ridgeway town border.
The Weather Service urged extra caution on the roads this afternoon and evening.
“Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads are likely to lead to accidents,” the Weather Service said.
It was already getting hard to see very far because of wind and snow around 11 a.m. This photo shows the big grain facility in Knowlesville on Route 31.
Provided photo – Medina Mustang Band student leaders are pictured at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for the New York State Field Band Conference Championship. Students include, from left: Alexis Neuman (Guard Captain, Andrea Toussaint (Assistant Drum Major), Amanda Lunden (Drum Major), Tristan Sanders (Assistant Drum Major) and Brittani Goodin (Guard Captain).
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band is going to Disney World. The band, which finished second in the state championship in Syarcuase on Nov. 1, will be performing a compilation of Disney Music at the Grand Parade at the Magic Kingdom on April 22.
The band is looking forward to this once in a lifetime trip and what the new season will bring.
Band Director Jimmy Steele said he is very proud of the band for its accomplishments in the fall season.
“We did a magic show called ‘Illusions.’ The kids did a great job and we were really thrilled with the progress of the little ones from day one of band camp to the end of the season,” he said. “The growth of the kids and how they felt about their performance was great. Overall it was a great season.”
The Medina Band Boosters have been raising money so the cost to students has been reduced to $275 a person. The Boosters are doing another pizza sale on Jan. 30. The last one sold 1,800 pizzas in six hours.
Route 104 Redemption Center also is offering a 6-cent return on bottles and cans that are received to be credited to the Mustang Marching Band.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Two people were sentenced to 90 days in the county jail, plus five years on probation for felonies in Orleans County.
Henry Lattimer, 34, of West Center Street in Medina was sentenced by Orleans County Court Judge James Punch on Monday. Lattimer pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
He was arrested in July as part of drug bust in Orleans County where 20 people were charged.
In another case, Matthew Ritzel, 26, of Hamlin also was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years on probation.
Ritzel pleaded guilty on Oct. 5 to attempted burglary in the second degree. He admitted to entering a house on Kendall Road in Murray and taking items from the dwelling on June 3.
Ritzel could have faced a state prison sentence, but has no prior criminal history.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today issued the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union address.
“I had hoped President Obama would use tonight’s address to apologize to the American people for his failed policies, which have weakened America’s standing abroad, failed to stop the expansion of ISIS, dramatically increased our national debt, and caused poverty rates across the nation to skyrocket,” said Congressman Collins. “But instead, what I heard was a refusal to own up to any mistakes, and a call to continue on a path that fails to find the solutions working families deserve.
“Americans are demanding a new direction. On the global stage, we need to stand up to our enemies and lead by example. Instead of befriending countries like Iran, who detained U.S. sailors and whose leaders still chant ‘Death to America’ and Cuba, which is holding onto one of our Hellfire missiles, we need to protect allies like Israel.
“When it comes to here at home, the president’s policies have failed to create an economy that can support the middle class. As a result, thousands of Western New Yorkers are still struggling to make ends meet. To get the millions of middle class workers on the sidelines back to work, we need to encourage an environment friendly to job creation through comprehensive tax reform, energy independence, entitlement reform and a patient-centered health care system.
“Unfortunately, the president has stuck his head in the sand, again. Instead of real solutions to the challenges we face, he chose to give us more of his failed rhetoric. America is the greatest country in the world, but if we are to stay the best, we need a leader who will make tough decisions, instead of trying to embellish his legacy.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Dorothy Morgan new deputy elections commissioner
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature set salaries for some appointed positions, including for Chris Bourke, the new undersheriff in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Bourke will be paid $63,814 as the No. 2 leader in the Sheriff’s Department. Bourke, a long-time lieutenant for the department, started as undersheriff on Jan. 1 when the new sheriff, Randy Bower, took office.
The Legislature last week also reappointed Nadine Hanlon of Kendall as clerk of the Legislature at a salary of $55,535. David Schubel of Medina also was reappointed county attorney at $84,273.
The Legislature authorized filling a deputy elections commissioner position. That position was vacated when Clara Martin left to become Bower’s confidential secretary in the Sheriff’s Department.
Dennis Piedimonte, the Republican elections commissioner, makes the appointment for his deputy and he appointed Dorothy Morgan of Murray at a salary of $39,776. She had been working at the Orleans County Health Department. Her husband, Ed Morgan, is chairman of the Orleans County Republican Party and also the Murray highway superintendent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse and First Presbyterian Church are pictured recently after a coating of snow fell.
More snow is expected on Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow advisory from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday for Orleans County, when 2 to 3 inches of snow is expected in the morning and another inch to 2 inches in the evening.
There will be southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 mph, producing significant blowing and drifting snow. Visibility could be as low as a quarter mile at times.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Rochester man pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree today in Orleans County Court and was sentenced to time served.
Tony Thompson, 48, has been in the county jail for about seven months. He has resisted plea offers and was going to go to trial. He had been charged with criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
He said in court today he put Tramadol pills on a table on March 26, 2014. But Thompson said he didn’t receive money for the pain reliever; someone else did.
Thompson said he will work hard to avoid the drug scene.
“It’s unfortunate that I’ve been in this situation all my life,” he told Orleans County Court Judge James Punch today.
The judge wished Thompson well in avoiding drugs in the future.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court there was “compromising proof” in the case against Thomspon.
In another case in county court, a Yates man likely will not face felony charges for fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
Michael P. Silversmith, 57, of Marshall Road was arraigned in County Court on Dec. 21 for the E felony. The charge may be reduced to petit larceny, a misdemeanor. That will move the case out of County Court and to Yates Town Court.
MEDINA – When Clifford Wise Middle School teacher Karen Pane heard that one of her students, Nevaeh Roberts, was ill and needed a bone marrow transplant, it saddened Pane and the fourth graders in her class.
The students wanted to do something to help Nevaeh and her family and decided to sell cookies and have a fundraiser to offset some of her medical costs. It was no surprise that students and staff in the Medina School District, who consider themselves family, showed up in a big way.
Natalie Miles shows off one of the 100 cookies she sold.
When all the cookies were sold, Mrs. Pane was able to donate over $1,500 to Nevaeh’s family.
“The students didn’t stop there either,” says Mrs. Pane. “They donated toys, games and activities for her to pass the time when she was receiving treatment in the hospital. They also made cards, wrote notes and created a book to show Nevaeh how much they loved and supported her in her battle. Her mother shared with me how humbled and thankful her family is for everything the district has done for her family. The best part of all is that her bone marrow transplant was a success and Nevaeh should be returning to school in March.”
Photo by Debbie Patt – Luke Rath is congratulated on earning his Eagle Scout rank by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
KENDALL – Luke Rath from Kendall Troop 94 was awarded his Eagle rank during a celebration on Sunday.
Luke’s Eagle Scout project was re-siding with metal the Kendall United Methodist barn.
The church uses this barn for the storage of many items used throughout the year by many community organizations and this was Luke’s way to give back to the community.
Luke also has two younger brothers in Boy Scouts who are aspiring to earn their Eagle ranks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Miguel Jimenez stands outside El Gallo in this photo from July 2014. He opened the restaurant in downtown Albion during the Strawberry Festival the previous month.
ALBION – A Mexican restaurant in downtown Albion that abruptly closed around Thanksgiving expects to reopen soon.
Miguel Jimenez opened El Gallo, a Mexican restaurant, in downtown Albion in June 2014 during the Strawberry Festival.
Jimenez spent four months with the help of friends and family renovating a downtown building that had been closed for most of the past two decades. He gutted the building, put in a new kitchen, floors and many utilities. He painted the outside of the building, put on new signs and an awning.
His mother was hospitalized in November, Jimenez said on the El Gallo Facebook page.
“Our main concern has been her recovery,” according to the Facebook post. “Fortunately, she has been doing well and we hope to reopen within the next few weeks. We would like to once again, thank the community for your patience and understanding during this very difficult time.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Shelby Fire Chief Andy Benz, left, is pictured with Dale Watts, the 2015 “Firefighter of the Year” for the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Watts was recognized during the fire company’s annual installation dinner on Saturday.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company also honored two 50-year members, Lee Hellert and Anthony “Toby” Satkowski Jr,. and installed officers for the Fire Company, Ladies Auxiliary and Junior Firefighters.
Dale Watts is a 40-year member of the Shelby Fire Company. He is a mechanic at Radiators Plus next door to the Shelby firehall. He is often the first to the fire hall when someone needs help and firefighters are dispatched.
Last March, the emergency dispatch went out about a man in cardiac arrest at Shelby Crushed Stone. The man delivers parts and had been at Watts’ garage earlier that morning. Now the man was unconscious with his heart stopped.
A Shelby Crushed Stone employee started CPR, and Watts was soon on site to take over. The man survived and is alive today.
Andy Benz, the Shelby fire chief, fought back tears in presenting Watts with the “Firefighter of the Year” award before about 200 people.
Watts has been at the firehall since he was a kid. His father, Sid Watts, was one of the Fire Company’s first chiefs.
“It’s in my family,” Watts said.
He estimated he has done CPR 30 times in the past four decades. He is thankful the man survived last year. Watts said that was a first for him, giving CPR and having the person be revived.
Shelby Town Supervisor Skip Draper, right, presents an award to Lee Hellert for his 50 years of service to the Fire Company.
Hellert remains an active volunteer. Over the years he has consistently been among the top 10 of volunteers in responding to calls each year.
“Lee, you’re a special person and I thank God everyday for people like you,” said Gary Lamar, the Fire Company’s outgoing president.
Toby Satkowski, right, also was recognized by Draper for 50 years of service to the Fire Company. Satkowski and Hellert received citations for the State Assembly, State Senate, Congressman Chris Collins, and the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.
Satkowski recently broke his hip. He has been recovering at Medina Memorial Hospital, which arranged a shuttle so he could attend Saturday’s awards banquet.
Officers are sworn in for the Fire Company, including from left: President Tim Petry, Vice President Dale Watts and Treasurer Kirk Myhill. Other officers include: Lori Miller, secretary; Ed Quackenbush, sergeant at arms; Phil Keppler, chaplain; Dale Watts, assistant chaplain; and Gary Watts, steward.
Junior Firefighters are sworn in including Dominic Viterna, secretary; and Dylan Sturtevant, president. Fire Chief Andy Benz is in back and reads them the oath. Other officers include: Andrea Benz, vice president; and Alex Benz, sergeant at arms.
Benz said the Fire Company has been blessed with a strong youth program that is developing a new generation of firefighters.
Eight firefighters completed the basic firefighter training class in 2015, including: Brandon Arnett, Jared Cassett, Jack Miller, Jake Quackenbush, Jessica Reigle, Dustin Shaffer, Hunter Sturtevant and Shawn Woodward.
The Fire Company completed 1,855 training hours for firefighters last year, which Benz said led the county. Dustin Shaffer completed 206 of those hours, the most of any firefighter in the county, Benz said.
In addition, John Miller led the county with 708 training hours for EMS. Two Shelby members completed the training to become EMTs: Miranda Miller and Josh Mckeehen.
Darlene Rich, left, was presented with an award by Rosey Pray, the outgoing president of the Ladies Auxiliary. Pray has been a member of the Auxiliary for 76 years and also was the first woman to serve as firefighter in Shelby. She thanked Rich for being a dedicated volunteer in 2015.
The officers for the Ladies Auxiliary in 2016 include: Patricia Fuller, president; Ike Watts, vice president; Lori Myhill, treasurer; Amy Watts, secretary; and Elaine Watts, chaplain.
Andy Benz, center, presents Jeff Lyons with a “Friend of the Fire Company” award. Lyons Collision donates equipment to the Fire Company, including radios and flashlights for the fire police, electric winches, and also runs extrication and other drills for the Fire Company. Gary Lamar, Fire Company president, is at left.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
This photo shows Log City Road in Elba on Saturday afternoon. The weekend has been warm, including high temperatures near 50 today.
But the temperatures will take a big drop later tonight, falling to 19 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The Weather Service warns of black ice tonight due to the rapidly falling temperatures.
It has issued a wind advisory from 2 p.m. today to 4 a.m. Monday with winds at 30 to 40 miles per hour and gusts up to 50 mph. The winds could take down trees and cause power outages. The wind advisory applies to Orleans and much of Western New York and northern NY.
The Weather Service says blowing snow could hit before 9 tonight. There is a chance for snow showers on Monday with a high near 23. That will be followed by more snow likely on Tuesday with a high near 31. The forecast includes highs of 22 on Wednesday, 25 on Thursday and 27 on Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Statuesque, New York – An occasional series
ORCHARD PARK – The Buffalo Bills in September unveiled a new bronze statue of Ralph Wilson next to the stadium that bears his name.
Wilson founded the team in 1959 and owned the Bills until his death in March 2014 at age 95. New team owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, wanted to honor the man who was devoted to the Bills and kept the team in Western New York.
Sculptor Jerry McKenna created the tribute to Wilson, which is based on a sideline photo of Wilson in 1990, the first year of the team’s glorious run when the Bills had four straight trips to the Super Bowl.
The statue of Wilson is part of a Founder’s Plaza tribute that debuted at the stadium early in the 2015 season. Fans can pose with Wilson and shake his hand. The statue stands 5 feet, 11 inches.
Wilson is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He had the fans and community of Western New York and his native Detriot in his heart. After his death, the team sold for $1.4 billion and more than $1 billion of that sale was directed to Wilson’s charitable foundation to benefit causes in the Buffalo and Detroit areas for many years to come.
Regardless to how the Bills do on game day, fans can connect with the team founder near Gate Five and the team store along Abbott Road.
The Bills say the statue is meant to be a pre-game gathering point.
“I think it’s perfect, just absolutely perfect, for our fans and for our organization, and for everyone that knew Ralph,” Bills President Russ Brandon told reporters after the unveiling on Sept. 12. “Because that is Ralph, as far as how he was and how engaging he was with everyone.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Town Hall will be open on Saturdays beginning in May, closed on Wednesdays except for court
Photo by Tom Rivers – Richard DeCarlo, a former Gaines town supervisor, returned to the Town Board this year after being elected town councilman. He took the oath of office on Tuesday as town councilman.
(CORRECTION: The current hours for the Town Hall are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. An earlier version of this story said the current hours were 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday through Friday. The new hours beginning May 1 will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The building will be closed on Wednesday except for town court, beinning in May. There will also be Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to noon.)
GAINES – The Town of Gaines has been approved for a $16,100 state grant for its court system. The funding through the Justice Court Assistance Program will be used for equipment and other resources for the town court, Town Supervisor Carol Culhane said.
The town sought the maximum $30,000 grant, and received more than half that. It didn’t receive funds for security improvements, Culhane said.
The Town Board is taking steps to improve the safety of the building and court employees. The town hired the Wendel firm to prepare cost estimates for renovations to the courtroom and Town Hall.
Court meets on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and Culhane and board members said court is an “uncomfortable situation” for other town employees in the building.
“The chaos on Wednesday is something to behold,” she said. “We’ve had an outcry from the public.”
Board members debated this week whether the Town Hall should be closed on Wednesdays, except for court. That would ease some of the parking issues for employees and residents using the building for non-court issues.
The town will have town clerk hours on Saturday mornings. Board members wanted to make the change right away this month, but decided to wait until May 1 because tax bills that were just sent listed town clerk hours for the five weekdays.
The board decided to wait until May 1, after tax season, to implement new hours for the town clerk, including 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The town clerk will have hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays beginning in May with no hours on Wednesdays.
Culhane said Gaines will join three other towns in the county with Saturday hours: Carlton, Clarendon and Murray.
The Town Board made a series of appointments for 2016, including:
Andrew Meier as town attorney to be paid $7,800 for the year;
Culhane as budget officer for $2,000;
Lynne Johnson as bookkepper (no salary listed);
Town Clerk Jean Klatt as official registrar for $932, and water collection clerk for $6,309;
Highway Superintendent Ron Mannella will also serve as water superintendent for $18,294 for the year;
Marilynn Miller was appointed to a five-year term to the Zoning Board, where members are paid $25 per meeting;
Michael Grabowski was appointed to a three-year term as town representative to the Orleans County Planning Board and will receive $25 a meeting;
First Niagara as official depository;
The Daily News of Batavia as official newspaper for carrying public notices.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – Ed Fancher is honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award given in the Rotary Club. Fancher receives the award on Friday evening from Kevin Crosby, Rotary district governor for 7090, which includes 69 clubs in Western New York and Canada.
Fancher’s wife Christine and Don Bishop, left, also were part of the award presentation at Terry Hills Golf Course during a holiday party for Rotarians in Orleans and Genesee counties.
Bishop, a long-time Albion Rotarian, listed Fancher’s many acts of service to the Albion community and Rotary Club. Fancher, the executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, is a past Rotary Club president. He also was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow before and is now a two-time honoree.
He helps runs the annual St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner, sets up and takes down the hot dog stand at the Strawberry Festival, serves as treasurer of the Orleans County Fishing Derby and budget consultant for the annual Rotary golf tournament, and also is communications chairman for Club Service. He volunteers with many other Rotary activities.
Fancher has three grown children and last month became a grandfather for the first time.
File photo: Ed Fancher puts hams with brown sugar and pineapple on top in the oven with help from Bruce Landis on March 12 during the St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion.
