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Holley Native Earns Doctor of Pharmacy

Contributed Story Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Robert F. Taylor III from Holley, N.Y., earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from the LECOM School of Pharmacy on Sun., June 2, 2013.

Rob graduated with high academic honors and is a Rho Chi Society Gamma Tau Chapter Member, the National Fraternity of Academic Scholars in Pharmacy.

In 2007, Rob graduated from Holley High School. He then attended St. John Fisher College before being accepted to LECOM’s School of Pharmacy.

Recently, Rob accepted a Pharmacist position in North Carolina with Walgreens. He is the son of Bob and Roxann Taylor of Hurd Road, Holley, N.Y.

Albion graduates get sendoff for ‘incredibly exciting’ future

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Ryan Castrechino heads to the stage to get his diploma with some enthusiastic support from his classmates.

Eboni Taylor accepts her diploma from Margy Brown, the Board of Education president.

Alan Quintana Aragon gives a thumbs up to Principal Leslie Stauss during graduation.

ALBION – The Class of 2013 left a record of accomplishment and service at Albion, Board of Education President Margy Brown told about 2,000 people during commencement this evening in the high school gym.

The 158 graduates earned 800 college credits, passed 156 Advanced Placement courses, completed 29 vocational programs and amassed an impressive record out of the classroom. Students completed 9,000 community service hours, won 16 League titles in sports, 5 Sectional crowns and 27 awards through the musical program.

Brown told them that success is often not clearly defined in life. “Define success for yourself,” she said.

The graduates were addressed by Class President Joyce LaLonde, Salutatorian Alison O’Hearn and Valedictorian Michael Patterson.

Class President Joyce LaLonde addresses a crowd of about 2,000 in the high school gym.

LaLonde urged her classmates to spread their wings and go and do great things in the world. However, they should keep perspective and not rush to judgments about others.

She referred to eight giant crayons that line the entrance of the elementary school. She said her classmates would do well to live by the principles on those crayons: perseverance, optimism, honesty, respect, compassion, integrity, responsibility and loyalty.

Salutatorian Alison O’Hearn urged her classmates to seize opportunities.

O’Hearn told the graduates that every day is full of opportunities to do the right thing and make a difference. Graduation represents a new opportunity “to recreate yourself and to be who you always wanted to be.” She thanked teachers, parents and other student supporters “for helping to create opportunities for the Class of 2013.”

Patterson said the experiences shared by the class will be keep the group bonded forever. Those connections can stay strong in a world of Smart Phones, social media and the Internet.

Valedictorian Michael Patterson urged the class to stay connected and united, while using their freedoms to make a difference in the world.

The graduates share a hometown that gave them a strong foundation for the future, Patterson said.

“The world ahead of us is incredibly exciting,” he said. “When we leave this building we’ll have the freedom and power to determine our future.”

The senior chorus sings the National Anthem at the beginning of the graduation program.

Marquise Riddick walks to the stage to receive his diploma.

Quarryman will find a home in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Bronze statue, mural planned for Waterman Park

Bill Koch of the Stone Art Memorial Company in Lackawanna designed the statue and heritage site for Albion. The back stone wall will be modified from this drawing so it fits in Waterman Park.

ALBION – Nearly a century after the local sandstone industry hit its peak in Albion and Orleans County, the quarrymen will make a triumphant return to the community.

Mayor Dean Theodorakos and village officials support an 8-foot high bronze statue of a quarryman for Waterman Park on Main Street. I’ve been working on this project for a several months through the Albion Main Street Alliance. We have the statue designed and intend to pursue state funding to help make it a reality.

The park will have a quarrying theme. A 20-foot-long mural with quarry workers will be installed in the next two weeks at 117 North Main St., the building owned by Rick Albright on the north side of the park. The Albion Historic Preservation Commission approved that project on Thursday. The mural is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club and will be painted by artist Nin Bogue of Lyndonville.

The quarry industry drew thousands of immigrants to Orleans County, and many of those natives of Poland, Italy, Britain and Ireland put down roots here, raised families locally and provided the skill, brawn and money in this community to build incredible church buildings, and other monuments of sandstone that endure today.

The quarryman statue is targeted for the front of the Waterman Park. The sign, stone flower planter and a tree would be moved to make room for the statue and sandstone base.

Their work is prominent all over the state, with ornately carved Medina sandstone featured in houses, government buildings, houses and other treasured structures.

Outsiders come into Albion Medina and Holley and often are impressed by the churches, the courthouse and the downtown business districts. These were prosperous communities full of daring people who dreamed big.

Visitors wonder how it all happened, how these small towns lived the American Dream in such a big way. The quarrymen were the key, in my opinion, to leaving such a lasting legacy, from the beautiful Mount Albion Cemetery to churches that reach into the sky.

The quarrymen did more than build these towns. They left descendants who are among the community leaders today.

The statue will be 8 feet high, from head to toe, but will be taller because of an extended arm and hammer. It will be set on sandstone. I think this will be an attraction, and will help people understand the history of the community, and give us a chance to express our gratitude for the bold achievements of these blue-collar workers from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.

We’re still in the early stages, but I wanted people to know about this effort. I’d like to be on a quarrymen committee to help raise money for this project. If anyone is interested, send me an email at tom@orleanshub.com. I think this committee could also work on developing a Sandstone Trail along Route 31.

Daisy Chain remains enduring graduation tradition at Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Alicia Cochrane, a junior at Medina, helps to assemble the Daisy Chain today. The 54-foot-chain of flowers is a graduation tradition dating back nearly a century in Medina.

Medina students use 90 bushels of daisies, and lots of masking tap to make the chain of flowers.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – On Thursday they scoured the fields, hunting for daisies. They came back with 90 bushels of them.

The 16 top-ranked girls and top two boys in Medina’s Class of 2014 spent most of this morning and early afternoon assembling a 54-foot-long chain of daisies in what has become an enduring graduation tradition at Medina.

Every year 18 juniors are selected for the task. They will lead the graduates into the auditorium tonight, and will drape the Daisy Chain at the front of the stage. Some of the students in the Daisy Chain this year have parents and grandparents who helped with the project in a previous generation.

“Medina is big on traditions,” said student Emilee Austin while taping rows of flowers to form a section of the chain.

She and 15 other girls will carry the chain while wearing white knee-length dresses and white gloves during graduation tonight. The two boys will wear tuxedos.

Students work together to cut the stems, set the flowers in a row of masking tape and secure it to the chain of flowers. The group includes, from left: Samantha Wendling, Mackenzie Wright and Melanie Schrader. Jenna Brien is in back.

Eighteen students, the 16 top-ranked girls and the top two boys in the Class of 2014, spent two days building the Daisy Chain.

Medina has traced the tradition back to the 1920s at the school.

“To me it symbolizes hard work,” said English teacher Eric Hellwig, the Daisy Chain advisor. “It makes graduation a beautiful event. When the girls walk in with their white dresses and the boys in their tuxedos, it gives it a formal air.”

The 54-foot-long chain used to be longer. But when Medina moved to a new school in 1992, the stage was smaller. The chain used to be 60 feet and was shortened to fit on the new stage.

That’s still a lot of flowers. This year, the daisies are plentiful and plump because of all the rain. Last year they were in short supply, and students had to work hard to find them.

Samantha Wendling is thrilled to help with the project. Her grandmother Shirley Plummer, 81, helped make the Daisy Chain when she was a junior. Another current junior, Jenna Brien, is following family in making the chain. Her mother, Lori Brien, was a daisy.

Medina expects to keep the tradition for years to come.

“As long as people have connections to the community and the past, it will endure,” Hellwig said.

Photo by Tom Rivers

8 face drug charges in multi-agency investigation of cocaine in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

13 arrests altogether for drug or immigration crimes

ALBION – A multi-agency law enforcement effort resulted in 13 local arrests for drug and immigration crimes.

The arrests on Thursday followed an eight-month investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine in the Albion area, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.

Law enforcement seized two ounces of cocaine, a rifle, cash, scales, packaging and drug paraphernalia.

The following were arrested for drug charges:

Felix Onofre-Rojas, 61, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd., Albion, who was 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.

Patricia Nava-Chavez, 44, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd., Albion, who was charged with three 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. Nava-Chavez is an illegal alien, and an immigration detainer was filed by Immigration and Customs, the Task Force reported.

Lidio Ramirez-Figueroa, 35, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd., who was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He is an illegal alien and an immigration detainer was filed by Immigration and Customs, the Task Force reported.

Jorge Villanueva-Ledesma, 34, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd. He was charged with nine counts of criminal sale and nine counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. The Task Force reported that he is an illegal alien and an immigration detainer was filed by Immigration and Customs.

Publio Barcenas, 52, of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd. faces one count of criminal sale and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Rudolfo Juarez-Ramerez, 30, of 17255 Lakeshore Rd., Kendall, was charged with one count of criminal sale and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He is an illegal alien and an immigration detainer was filed by Immigration and Customs, the Task Force reported.

Jose Gallegos-Gonzalez, 56, of 285 Walker-Lake Ontario Rd., Hamlin. He was charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Raquel T. Torrez, 34, of 256 Ave. D, Rochester, who was charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers filed immigration charges against the following at 285 Walker-Lake Ontario Rd., Hamlin: Salvador Ramirez-Montoya, Jose Lopez-Gloria, Israel Arrevillaga-Lopez, Jose Lopez-Gloria and Leonel Lucas-Gonzalez. ICE also filed immigration charges against Martin Contreras-Ramos of 14691 Zig-Zag Rd., Albion.

The following agencies were involved in either the investigation, search warrants or arrests: The OC Major Felony Crime Task Force, ICE, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Task Force, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air Marine, Drug Enforcement Agency in Buffalo, the Orleans County Multi-Agency SWAT Team, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, City of Rochester Police Department.

Law enforcement executed search warrants at 256 Ave. D in Rochester, 285 Walker-Lake Ontario Rd. in Hamlin, and 14691 Zig-Zag Rd. in the town of Gaines.

The drug suspects were arraigned in Albion Town Court by Justice Gary Moore and committed to county jail on $50,000 bail. They are to return to court at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

The immigration violators were processed by federal authorities and are being held at the Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests and charges are pending.

Company issues statement on closing Medina production facility

Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Worthington will close site, lay off 174 workers

Press release, Worthington Industries

MEDINA Worthington Industries, owner of a torch manufacturing facility in Medina, issued a press release about its decision to shut down the Medina site, the former BernzOmatic. The statement came from the company’s headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.

Here is the statement: Worthington Industries, Inc. (WOR: NYSE) announced today a plan to consolidate its BernzOmatic hand torch manufacturing operation in Medina into its existing facility in Chilton, Wis.

The consolidation is expected to reduce internal freight expense and maximize available capacity at the Chilton facility where the company already manufactures BernzOmatic hand torch fuel cylinders. The closure of the Medina operation is expected to be complete by mid-2014 to ensure an orderly transition.

“As the transformation efforts continue across our company, we are committed to identifying cost savings opportunities and increasing efficiencies. The consolidation of these facilities is an outcome of this work,” Worthington Industries Chairman and CEO John McConnell said. “Decisions that result in displacing employees are difficult, and are approached respectfully, with financial support and help in finding new employment.”

Worthington acquired the Medina operation in July 2011 when the company purchased the BernzOmatic business from Irwin Tool Company, a subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid. The facility originally opened in 1969 and currently has 174 employees.

Medina employees will have the opportunity to transfer to the Chilton facility. Severance and outplacement services will be provided to employees who will not continue with the company.

About Worthington Industries

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metals manufacturing company with 2012 fiscal year sales of $2.5 billion. The Columbus, Ohio based company is North America’s premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured pressure cylinders, such as propane, oxygen and helium tanks, hand torches, refrigerant and industrial cylinders, camping cylinders, exploration, recovery and production products for global energy markets; scuba tanks, and compressed natural gas storage cylinders; custom-engineered open and enclosed cabs and operator stations for heavy mobile equipment; steel pallets and racks; and through joint ventures, suspension grid systems for concealed and lay-in panel ceilings, current and past model automotive service stampings, laser welded blanks, and light gauge steel framing for commercial and residential construction. Worthington employs approximately 10,000 people and operates 83 facilities in 11 countries.

Founded in 1955, the company operates under a long-standing corporate philosophy rooted in the golden rule. Earning money for its shareholders is the first corporate goal. This philosophy serves as an unwavering commitment to the customer, supplier, and shareholder, and it serves as the company’s foundation for one of the strongest employee-employer partnerships in American industry.

Holley teen injured in serious accident

Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, OC Sheriff’s Department

GAINES – An 18-year-old girl from Holley is hospitalized with serious injuries this morning following a one-car crash in the town of Gaines, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The incident occurred at about 5 a.m. in the 2300 block of Eagle Harbor-Waterport Road. A 1993 Subaru 4-door sedan, operated by Jillian Marie Troy (sole occupant), was traveling north when the operator apparently lost control of the vehicle. The car travelled across the center line and ran off the west side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck a concrete bridge structure that carries the roadway over Otter Creek.

Troy was extricated from the heavily damaged vehicle by Albion and Carlton firefighters. Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance personnel were also at the scene. Troy was flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where she remains in guarded condition.

The incident was investigated by Deputy M.C. Mele, Sergeant D.E. Draper Jr., Investigator C.L. Black, and Chief Deputy T. L. Drennan. The investigation is continuing.

Flower Power at St. John’s

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The front lawn of the St. John’s Episcopal Church is now full of red flowers. Michael Klepp, owner of “The Plant Man” in Medina, planted the Salvia flowers today with help from his friend Brett Lomnicki.

Klepp is a master gardener with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. The church, one of the oldest in Orleans County, is located at 200 East Center St.

150 jobs will be cut in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Worthington Cylinders tells employees plant will close in 2014

MEDINA Worthington Cylinders called employees into a special meeting this afternoon and announced the plant, the former Bernz-O-Matic, would close next year with the production shifting to a site in Wisconsin.

The decision will put 150 people out of work locally.

Diane Watts is one of them. She has worked there for nine years in assembly, production and quality control. Her sister has 39 years at the site, while their brother has worked there for 40 years. Watts said there are many long-term employees at the company who will have to look for new jobs.

Worthington bought Bernz-O-Matic two years ago. Bernz-O-Matic had operated in Medina since 1969, making torches.

Worthington makes cylinders for the torches in Wisconsin. By shifting the torch production to Wisconsin, the company told employees it can do everything at one site, saving in transportation costs.

Watts said employees were told the company will ramp up production in Medina, to have extra product while the company shifts production to the site in Wisconsin. The Medina plant will close in mid-2014, employees were told.

The news comes after JP Morgan Chase announced two weeks ago it was shutting its Albion mortgage servicing unit, putting 413 people out of work in September.

“There’s going to be a lot of people in Orleans County looking for a job,” Watts said.

Albion man faces numerous drug charges

Posted 21 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Vance DeRoller

Press release
OC Major Felony Crime Task Force

ALBION – An Albion man faces numerous counts of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance following a 10-month investigation into the sale and distribution of prescription narcotic pills in the village of Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Vance R. DeRoller, 45, of 130 West Academy St. was allegedly selling large amounts of hydrocodone pills that were prescribed to him, the task force reported today.

An investigation is ongoing and additional arrests and charges are pending.

DeRoller was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree, one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree, one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and eight counts of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the fourth degree.

The task force and Albion village police executed a search warrant on Wednesday at DeRoller’s residence. He was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Judge Kevin Howard and committed to Orleans County Jail without bail. He is due back in court at 9 a.m. on July 17.