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Kent resident sentenced to prison for probation violations

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Kent resident who admitted to several probation violations was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison on Monday.

Luke G. Sorta, 23, could have been sentenced to a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch gave him less than the maximum.

Sorta during a Sept. 14 court appearance admitted to violating his probation by abandoning his job at Brunner, failing to get his General Equivalency Diploma, admitted to smoking marijuana several times, as well as consuming alcohol and circumventing the drug testing policy. He also left the area without telling probation.

Sorta was recently arrested in Idaho on a warrant for violating probation. He was returned to Orleans County and has been in the county jail.

In other cases in County Court:

A Medina man pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Bradley Dunaway, 52, of Oak Orchard River Road could face up to 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 8. This is his fifth alcohol-related offense.

Dunaway admitted in court on Monday he had been drinking prior to an accident on June 20 at Ridge Road and Culvert Road in Ridgeway. He registered a 0.18 blood alcohol content, more than double the legal limit. He has been free on $50,000 bail.

An Albion man pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, which has a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison.

Brandon A. Honore, 30, of East Park Street admitted to selling cocaine. He was arrested in July when 20 people were charged a seven-month investigation into the sale and distribution of drugs in Orleans County.

Honore has been in jail on $100,000 bail. He has two prior felonies and has already been to state prison.

His attorney, Kevin McKain, asked that jail be reduced, given that Honore was working full-time and committed no crimes for six years. Judge Punch agreed to lower bail to $25,000.

Honore will be sentenced on Feb. 8.

A 19-year-old Bergen woman pleaded guilty to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. That charge normally carries a maximum of a year in jail, but Kuyanna Kuyal won’t spend time in jail as part of a plea deal on Monday.

Kuyal has no prior criminal record. She could be sentenced to probation on Feb. 8.

She admitted in court that she was in a car on May 7 when cocaine was sold. Kuyal allegedly assisted in cocaine sales, but did not possess the drug, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

She faces a six-month suspension of her license. If she can’t obey the law while on probation, Judge Punch said she would be put in jail for a year.

Barre Scouts collect nearly 500 items in food drive

Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo, Heidi Pask

BARRE – Scouts in Troop and Pack 175 in Barre collected 478 food items on Saturday in the annual Scouting for Food campaign. Scouts are pictured at the food pantry of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

The group includes front row, from left: Guideon Pask and Owen Rush.

Second row: Dillon DiGiulio, Brett Schreiner, Willem DeRuysscher, Matthew Mathes and Isaac Hickman.

Third row: Mr. Schreiner, John Schreiner, Dominic DiGiulio, Eli Pask, Ben Hickman, Mr. DiGiulio, Aiden Rush, Mr. Hickman and Sadie Pask.

Scouts not pictured include Nicholas Luft, Ivan Barry, Tristan Lusk and Nicholas Andrews.

Other local Scouts also participated in Scouting for Food.

Syracuse awards degree to Lyndonville native who received Medal of Honor in WWII

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

(Includes reporting from Syracuse University)

After war, Forrest Vosler attended classes at Syracuse

Provided photos, Syracuse University – Technical Sergeant Forrest Lee Vosler was born on July 29, 1923, in Lyndonville. He was presented the Medal of Honor on Aug. 31, 1944 in a ceremony in the Oval Office with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

SYRACUSE – A Lyndonville native who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in World War II has another accomplishment: a college degree.

Forrest Vosler was posthumously awarded the degree during a ceremony at Syracuse University on Friday. Vosler attended classes at Syracuse following the war.

Vosler, a technical sergeant and U.S. Army Air Force radio operator, sustained serious injuries to his eyes, legs, and arms when the plane he was in was shot down and crashed in the North Sea.

Vosler was unable to complete his baccalaureate degree due to his combat injuries. He persisted for 17 years, dropping in and out of school, trying to earn the degree he dearly wanted, said Ray Toenniessen, an Albion native who is managing director of Development and External Relations for the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University.

“Despite being named the Army Air Force’s ‘Greatest Hero’ of World War II, Vosler’s combat injuries to his eyes made it difficult for him to study,” Toenniessen said. “He had trouble reading because he could only see shapes and shades, and required additional surgeries.”

Vosler died on Feb. 17, 1992 with his dream of a college degree not fulfilled. On Friday he joined Syracuse University’s Class of 2015.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud presents a diploma to Steve Vosler, son of Forrest Vosler, during a special Degree Conferral Ceremony on Friday. Dr. Karin Ruhlandt (left), dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Mike Haynie, Vice Chancellor for Veteran and Military Affairs also were part of the ceremony.

A committee through the Institute for Veterans and Military Families reviewed Vosler’s transcript and military service. The committee recommended the university award him an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts. On Friday, Chancellor Kent Syverud presented the degree to Vosler’s son, Steve Vosler.

Forrest Vosler also was recognized as this week’s “Hometown Hero” for Syracuse University and Steve and his wife Karen were recognized on the field at the football game.

Vosler was born on July 29, 1923, in Lyndonville. After graduating from Livonia High School, he enlisted in the Army Air Force where he became a radio operator. Vosler was assigned to the 358th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, in England. He was a crewmember of a B-17 Flying Fortress called the “Jersey Bounce, Jr.”

Provided photo – This World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. includes the name of Lyndonville native, Forrest L. Vosler, a technical sergeant who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt awarded the Medal of Honor to Vosler in the Oval Office on August 31, 1944, for his actions over Bremen, Germany.

Vosler was hit twice by 20 mm shrapnel after taking the place of one of the plane’s gunners. Despite many injuries to his legs, arms and eyes, he managed to tend to the wounded tail gunner, repair the damaged radio equipment, and send a distress signal before the aircraft crashed into the North Sea, Syracuse University said.

Vosler was discharged from the Army Air Force following numerous surgeries and extended stays in nine hospitals. He matriculated at Syracuse University in the spring of 1945. While at Syracuse, he met and married his wife, Virginia Slacka Kappa Delta and a Liberal Arts graduate of the Class of 1945. They raised four children in Central New York: two sonsStephen and Jeffrey, and two daughters Sondra Fields-England and Susan Snow Bass.

Steve and Karen Vosler, center, were recognized during Saturday’s football game in Syracuse.

Albion middle schoolers have successful food drive for Community Action

Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo, Albion Central School

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee representative Andy Ebbs receives goods from Albion Middle School students Abby Tucker, Ashlyn LeBaron, Cody Wilson and James Salvatore.

Students in grades 6-8 collected boxes and bags of canned food to help needy families in the community. The project was organized by the Albion Middle School National Junior Honor Society and the Grade 7 Service Learning classes. A special thanks to all who contributed.

Collins urges Cuomo not to accept Syrian refugees in NY

Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Congressman Chris Collins

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) today released the following statement demanding Governor Andrew Cuomo stop his plans to accept Syrian refugees into New York.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our country and Western New Yorkers is my central focus,” said Congressman Collins. “At this point, we cannot guarantee with 100 percent certainty that the refugees we are accepting from Syria don’t pose a threat to our community. Until we have a process in place that achieves that goal, I am calling on Governor Cuomo to stop plans to accept Syrian refugees.”

Holley Scouts have good collection in food drive

Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo, Erika Thorn

HOLLEY – Holley Cub Scout Pack 3062 collected 559 items of food on Saturday during the annual Scouting for Food campaign in the Village of Holley. All of the food was donated to the Eastern Orleans County Community Center. This food will be used to fill the Thanksgiving Holiday food baskets for needy families in our area.

Scouts pictured include, from left: Front row – Dawson Arnold; Middle row – Aro Krueger, Hunter Sommerfeldt and Noah Patten; Back row – Destin Brown, Miguel Vasquez-Pulcino, Aaiden Smith, Ronald Thorn, Grant Smith and Marshall Rubens. Not pictured – Tyler Moore, Kaden Rheinwald, Steven Hein and Zachary Mrzywka.

Tentative budget keeps county tax rate at $9.89

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – After several months of effort, Orleans County officials have put together a tentative budget for 2016 that keeps the tax rate at $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The $64,435,941 budget plan filed Friday reduces spending by $579,325 from the $65,015,266 in 2015. In 2014, the last year the county owned a nursing home, the budget was $79.8 million. That year the tax rate was $10.11.

The county’s workforce has shrunk from 416 full-time and 164 part-time positions in 2014 to 318 full-time and 89 part-time for 2016.

County officials have pared other departments, and negotiated health insurance deals where employees pay more towards insurance. That has resulted in costs for salaries and benefits below what the county was paying in 2012 for non-nursing home departments, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

He is also the budget officer and filed the tentative budget on Friday, before the Nov. 15 deadline. The County Legislature is expected to discuss the budget during its 4:30 p.m. meeting on Wednesday. The Legislature will also set a public hearing on Wednesday for the budget.

The tax rate will be unchanged, but the county will take in a slight increase in taxes. The tax levy will increase by 0.7 percent from $16,209,165 to $16,323,150. Property taxes represent about 25 percent of the revenue for funding the budget.

Sales tax also represents about a quarter of the revenue for the budget. After budgeting for no increases in 2014 and 2015, county officials are going to recommend another $250,000 in sales tax to $14,035,000.

“Weak gas prices and continued economic uncertainty causes us to look at this number with a great deal of caution,” Nesbitt says in his message with the tentative budget.

State reimbursements are also big revenue sources for the budget, but Nesbitt said the state has been slow with its share of the money, which often forces the county to use its reserve funds.

With the nursing home’s “enterprise fund” being closed out last month, some of those funds (over $2 million) will likely stay in the county’s fund balance to provide a bigger cash flow cushion. Some of the enterprise fund will also be set aside for workers’ compensation claims and a self-insurance fund.

The budget also accounts for a drop in welfare expenses as caseloads decrease and the county has more success with welfare fraud. There will also be a slight drop in community college expenses from $1,740,000 to $1,700,000 (county pays a third of tuition costs for residents from Orleans County).

Funding for agencies includes:

$232,500 for Cornell Cooperative Extension (requested $254,966) – $225,000 in 2015;

$166,500 for Economic Development Agency (requested $166,500) – $170,000 in 2015;

$77,500 for Soil and Water Conservation District (requested $85,000) – $75,000 in 2015;

$10,000 for four public libraries (requested $42,883) – $10,000 in 2015;

$5,000 for Mercy Flight (requested $5,000) – $5,000 in 2015;

* $5,000 for Friends of Mental Health (requested $5,000) – $0 in 2015;

* $3,000 for GO Art! (requested $5,000) – $3,000 in 2015;

* $1,000 for Sportsmen’s Federation (requested $1,000) – $1,000 in 2015.

Radio show host discussed WWI songs during Cobblestone annual meeting

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

GAINES – Michael Lasser signs a copy of a book for Georgia Thomas, a member of the Cobblestone Society Museum board of trustees.

The Cobblestone Society had its annual meeting on Thursday at Tillman’s Village Inn. The museum just completed its 55th season.

Michael Lasser is host of the nationally syndicated Fascinatin’ Rhythm radio show on National Public Radio. He discussed World War I music, and provided background on some of the popular songs of the war, including “We Take Our Hats Off To You, Mr. Wilson,” “I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier,” “When The Lusitania Went Down,” “Over There,” “Till We Meet Again,” and “Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning.”

Lasser discussed how the songs of World War I revealed the attitudes, values and beliefs of the era. Many Americans didn’t want to get involved in the war.

The Cobblestone Museum has commemorated the 100th anniversary of the start of the war with exhibits this year.

Lasser is co-author of America’s Songs: The Stories Behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley (2006) and the writer of America’s Songs II: From the 1890s to the Post-War Years (2013). He is working on a third book, City Songs: The American Popular Song, 1900-1950.

Donut-eating contest at fair recognized by international association

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am

File photos by Tom Rivers – Ken Strickland, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, competes in a new donut-eating contest at the fair last July. He competed against 4-H’ers and 4-H volunteers. Every contestant ate more donuts than Strickland. Deputy Jeff Cole also competed in one of the heats.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair is getting some international attention for its first-ever donut-eating contest held during the fair in late July.

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) has awarded the contest first place (fairs under 100,000 in attendance division) in the Competitive Exhibits (participatory contest) category of its annual contest program.

“This is the first time our fair has been recognized with an IAFE award and we’re all very excited,” says Robert Batt, Orleans County 4-H Youth Development Educator.

The award will be presented at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas Nov. 29-Dec. 2.

“Brandon Johnson will attend to represent our fair as he has for the last three years while looking for new exciting entertainment,” Batt said. “Our entry will also be put on a flash drive and shared along with all other winners with all member fairs in attendance at the IAFE annual convention.”

According to the IAFE website, the contest program awards, “display the level of professionalism we strive to uphold in the industry.”

The IAFE represents more than 1,000 fairs around the world.

Jason Clark, center, and Morgan Seielstad compete in a donut-eating contest. Contestants were challenged to eat six doughnuts.

The Donut Eating Contest was sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, which provided the donuts for the event. The event included heats involving three participants at a time who went head to head with a local law enforcement officer from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department to see who could consume the most donuts during a set period of time.

Participant and audience reactions were excellent, fair officials reported in their entry form for the award.

“Many people have already commented that they plan to participate again next year and we have a small number of sheriff’s deputies working on plans and strategies for next year,” the entry states.

The awards and convention bring recognition to the Orleans County 4-H Fair, and also help local fair planners make the Orleans County 4-H Fair an even better event.

“These awards allow our fair members to not only compete for top honors in the respective division, contest, and categories, but also give fair representatives the opportunity to network,” the IAFE website states. “Having the ability to learn from one another in the fair industry is priceless.”

Robert Batt agrees. “Hopefully Brandon (Johnson) comes back with some more news about potential acts and a thumb drive full of great ideas for us to think about.”

NY Farm Bureau says $15 minimum wage would raise costs by $500 million in state

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Jim Kirby runs a planter on Zig-Zag Road in Gaines in May during corn planting season.

If New York raises the minimum wage to $15, farmers in the state would see their operating costs increase by $500 million, and that would likely put many farmers out of business, New York Farm Bureau said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to bring the minimum wage from $8.75 to $15 an hour in a phased-in approach.

Farmers are in New York already face higher operating costs than competitors in other states, said Dean Norton, NYFB president.

“No other state in the nation comes close to having a $15 minimum wage,” Norton said in November issue of Grassroots, Farm Bureau’s monthly publication. “In fact, our main farm competitor states, like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida will have minimum wages about 30 percent lower than New York’s.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation did an economic analysis of the $15 minimum wage in New York. A 300-acre vegetable farm in central New York would see its costs rise by $600,000 annually. A large dairy farm in the North Country would pay out about $1 million more a year while a smaller dairy in Schoharie County would pay $200,000 more, Farm Bureau said.

The organization said many farms already are at slim profit margins. Some farms, due to price swings in the dairy cycle, are making little or no money.

“This proposal is extremely disappointing and dangerous to the farm business owners that struggle to run financially viable businesses in upstate and rural New York,” said Jeff Williams, director of public policy for NY Farm Bureau.

Norton said most farmers already pay more than the minimum. The current average wage on a farm in New York is $12.15 an hour, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Upping the minimum wage would lift all farm wages,” Norton said. “A worker who already earns a higher hourly rate based on experience and time on the farm would still expect a higher salary than those who are newly hired.”

A $15 minimum wage would force farmers to pay even more than that to keep skilled and experienced workers, Norton said.

If the governor’s proposal goes through, Norton said more farms will turn to automation to reduce labor costs, and consumers can expect to pay more for produce and food.

“The wage hike will also be a bigger barrier for smaller farms who are interested in hiring new employees to grow their businesses,” Norton said. “This will ultimately be bad news for the rural economy that depends on agriculture as its bread and butter.”

Medina honors new class of distinguished alumni

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Barbara Waters addresses Medina High School students on Friday when she was inducted into the school’s “Wall of Distinguished Alumni.” Waters has been active in the community, owning several businesses and serving on the board for Medina Memorial Hospital. She shared about hard work, and meeting her goal of getting a college degree – at age 60.

MEDINA – High schoolers looking for inspiration for the future don’t have to look far for examples of Medina students who have been successes, pouring their lives into the local community or leaving their mark elsewhere in the country and the world.

The school has a “Wall of Distinguished Alumni” and five more graduates were inducted into that select group on Friday.

Michael Cavanagh, high school principal, said the school wants to honor alumni, promote school spirit and pride, and provide an incentive for current students.

“The people we honor today are proof that we are all capable of greatness and making a difference in society,” he told about 600 students in grades 8 through 12 during an afternoon program in the auditorium.

The school inducted Barbara Waters, Class of 1948; Lee Eick, Class of 1969; Dr. Hugh McElwee, Class of 1960; Wilford Gratrick, Class of 1930; and Edwin Caleb, Class of 1965.

Barbara Waters was first to be inducted. She graduated during an era with fewer opportunities for women. However, she would own five family businesses and became an influential leader in healthcare for the community. She built and opened the 120-bed Orchard Manor in 1972, the 24-bed Willows, the Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park, and bought and remodeled many homes.

She credited her father, Frank Balcerzak, for instilling a work ethic in his children. Barbara shared with students about how she and her twin sister, Marcia Tuohey, would work on a muck farm as teen-agers.

“It wasn’t glamorous work for two young girls but it was enough to buy clothes,” Waters said. “The lesson that hard work never hurt anybody we learned at an early age.”

She was active on the board of directors for Medina Memorial Hospital for 22 years, and was able to recruit many long-time physicians to the community.

Waters and her late husband Robert were long-time community dynamos, pushing projects in the Medina area. Mr. Waters wrote the nomination for his wife to be considered for the Wall of Distinguished Alumni before his death on July 29. Mr. Waters was inducted into the group in 2003.

His wife shared with students about her dream of going to college and earning a degree. When she graduated from high school in 1948, not many women were in college, and there wasn’t much financial aid for students.

After achieving business success, Mrs. Waters went to college at Niagara University. When she was 60, she graduated after being in classes with students ages 19 and 20.

“Everyone has a dream,” she said. “I wanted to receive a degree.”

Waters told students there are job opportunities locally. She told the girls “the glass ceiling has been cracked” and they should aim high. She told the students to cope with changes throughout life.

Bill Eick, an Orleans County legislator, accepts the award on his brother’s behalf.

“There are so many opportunities now,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to really work hard.”

Waters was the only one of the five inductees to attend the program on Friday. Two inductees are deceased and two others live across the country.

Lee Eick enjoyed a career as a successful structural engineer after earning a degree from Purdue University in 1974. He worked on projects around the world, building bridges, dams, water turbines and renovating historic properties for Ch2m Hill Companies, Ltd. He lives in Oregon and has been an influential mentor for engineers and an active church member in his community.

Lee’s brother, Bill Eick of Shelby, accepted the award on his behalf. Bill read a statement from his brother, who credited family values and a work ethic from the family’s dairy farm for helping him attain success and strive to serve others.

Dr. Hugh McElwee is a gastroenterologist in Fort Collins, Colo. He has been in practice for 43 years and has several breakthroughs in his field.

Cavanagh read a statement from McElwee who said he wasn’t the smartest student at Medina.

“I wasn’t the best at anything in high school,” McElwee said. “Patience and persistence are more important than intelligence or money.”

Edwin Caleb’s sister, Karen Larson, accepted the award on his behalf on Friday.

Edwin Caleb was born in 1947 and grew up in West Shelby. He earned a law degree in 1979 in Oregon and would serve 27 years as district attorney for Klamath County, Oregon, establishing Citizens for Safe Schools program, the Elder Abuse Task Force and the Domestic Violence Reduction Unit. He supervised the Klamath County Major Crime Team in the investigation and conviction of murderers and sex offenders.

He also was active in mentoring programs with local youth. Caleb was picked as “Citizen of the Year” in 2012 by his local newspaper for his professional and humanitarian work. He died on Jan. 29, 2015.

Wilford Gratrick earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Michigan State University and was in the ROTC program. He served as a company commander in the Army during World War II before returning to Medina in 1946.

He worked for the Medina Power and Light Company before joining the Army again in 1948. He would travel the world with the Army using his skills in nuclear technology. After he retired from the Army, he worked as a professor for four years at the University of California in Berkeley. He died in 1985 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

GCCs new nanotechnology degree approved by SED

Posted 14 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – “Timing is everything” according to pundits, politicians and song writers, and also from the officials at the New York State Education Department, who just approved Genesee Community College’s Nanotechnology Associate in Applied Science Degree.

The approval of the new two-year degree continues the community-wide excitement following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s visit to GCC’s Batavia campus last month, and his announcement of the anchor tenant, 1366 Technologies for the new WNY Science and Technology Manufacturing Park (STAMP) projected to open in 2017 in Alabama, New York.

Nanotechnology is the fascinating microscopic world seen at the atomic level and applied to an enormous variety of industries and new career opportunities. From biopharmaceuticals to biotechnology, electronics to semiconductor fabrication, material and environmental sciences to biochemistry, as well as information storage, medicine, security, and so much more-today’s nanotech students are at the cutting-edge of tomorrow’s high end careers.

GCC is not alone in preparing tomorrow’s nanotechnology workforce. The four-semester Nanotechnology AAS program includes the first three semesters at GCC, and the fourth and final semester will be taken at Erie Community College’s North Campus though a new GCC-ECC partnership that underscores the SUNY (State University of New York) seamless transfer initiative.

In addition, officials at area high schools are already excited about the prospects for their students, and in fact, a special Open House and announcement is planned on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the WNY Tech Academy at the Byron-Bergen Junior and Senior High School at 6917 West Bergen Road in Bergen. (Contact wnytechacademy@gmail.com for details.)

GCC’s Nanotechnology students will study electronic device and circuit behavior, basic chemistry, biology and physics, as well as the fabrication techniques used to create micron and submicron scale structures.

Techniques covered include reactive ion etching, metallization, thick and thin film deposition and photolithography. This skill set will lead nanotech graduates to jobs as technologists in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medical and clinical laboratories, and information technology.

They will have the option of working in private industry, public government agencies, the military, and aggressive young start-up companies. It is no surprise that 9,000 new jobs are estimated over the next 20 years at the new STAMP facility in Alabama.

“Rapid growth in nanotechnology is creating a strong demand for technicians with training in microscopic fabrication techniques with experience using clean room procedures. We will provide our students with necessary experience to succeed in this burgeoning new industry, and be ready for the new jobs that are nearly in our own backyards,” said Dr. Rafael Alicea-Maldonado, dean of GCC’s Math, Science and Career Education. “And of course, any student who wants to continue his or her education to the next level will have a globally recognized and highly transferrable SUNY degree.”

Orleans County pilot was favored wingman of WWII fighter ace

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 14 November 2015 at 12:00 am

GAINES – This image, courtesy of the American Air Museum in Britain, shows Capt. Eugene E. Barnum of Gaines discussing the actions of his latest mission at Halesworth Airfield in Suffolk, England.

The exact date of the image is unknown, but was passed for publication on November 26, 1943. Standing left to right is Lt. Col. Francis “Gabby” Gabreski, Lt. Eugene Barnum, and Lt. Frank Klibbe. Gabreski was shot down over Germany on July 20, 1944 and spent five days imprisoned in Stalag Luft I near Barth, Germany. Klibbe died on January 27, 1944 during a flight test when the engine of his P-47D failed.

Barnum, a native of Gaines, was placed with the 61st Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group stationed in Britain. While flying with the 56th Fighter Group, Barnum became the preferred wingman of “Gabby” Gabreski until Dec. 2, 1944.

It was during a “Ramrod Mission” (short range attack on ground targets) that Capt. Barnum was charged with sweeping the airspace in advance of U.S. bombers heading towards Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany. While engaged with the enemy, Barnum’s plane collided with Lt. Wyman Baker, sending both planes to the ground over Dorf-Gull, Germany. Both men perished in the crash.

Barnum was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster for his actions during several missions in the summer of 1944. He was credited with two confirmed kills and was responsible for confirming the 27th kill of Capt. Robert Johnson, the World War II ace that surpassed Eddie Rickenbacker’s World War I total of 26.”P.T.” or “Pete,” as he was often called, was the second son of Eugene and Florence Barnum to sacrifice his life in service with the U.S. Armed Forces.

In July of 1944, Lt. William Barnum was killed while serving with the 9th U.S. Army Infantry during the Allied breakout from Normandy. While the Allies prepared to sail across the English Channel, William tried one last time to visit his brother at Halesworth Airfield. Unfortunately, Eugene was on a mission and did not learn of the visit until after William’s death on July 16th.

The deaths of both Barnum boys was a devastating loss to the family back home and was felt by community members throughout Orleans County. Eugene and William were laid to rest in the American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands – cenotaphs are arranged in the family lot at Mt. Albion Cemetery, representing the final resting places of the two brothers.

With the passing of Veterans Day, we hope that no one ever experiences such a loss, but thank all servicemen and women who have the courage to serve our nation.

Cuomo says NY will be vigilant after attacks in France

Posted 13 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Cuomo’s Office

After terrorist attacks killed at least 100 people in Paris today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo released two statements:

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I offer my thoughts and prayers to all those who have been affected by the attacks in Paris earlier today. These were tragic and senseless acts of violence that have claimed innocent lives and torn families apart – and my heart goes out to the loved ones of all who have been lost. As more details emerge, I want the people of Paris to know that just as the world has stood by New York in times of tragedy, today New York stands with you.

“Tonight I have directed New York State law enforcement to remain vigilant in the wake of these senseless attacks. The New York State Police, the New York State Intelligence Center and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are actively monitoring the situation for any implications in New York State and remain in constant communication with their local and federal partners.”

Later Cuomo said he directed that the lights of One World Trade Center’s 408-foot spire will light up blue, white and red this evening, Nov. 13, and in the days ahead in solidarity with the people of Paris.

“Today’s horrific attacks in Paris have moved us all, and the more we learn, the more our hearts ache,” Cuomo said. “These were cowardly acts of evil by people who have inexplicably chosen to believe in radical hatred above all else. We reject that kind of extremism – choosing instead the bonds of liberty, equality and fraternity that bring us together.

” Today, and in the days ahead, New York will light One World Trade Center in blue, white and red as we stand in solemn solidarity with the people of France, just as they have done for us in our own times of tragedy. We join them in mourning those who were killed, and in praying for those who were injured or lost loved ones. And we continue to stand side by side with them in our commitment to a free and peaceful world.”

Power stays on despite fierce winds

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The power has stayed on in Orleans County since fierce winds began whipping through the area on Thursday. This photo shows the American and POW/MIA flags by the Post Office in Albion on Thursday afternoon.

Dispatchers say trees or large branches have fallen since Thursday on West Road in Carlton, Hulberton Road in Murray, and Lyndonville Road in Ridgeway. Dispatchers say there have been no power outages from the wind.

Orleans and much of Western New York are under wind advisory until 3 p.m. today. Today is forecast for a high of 47 degrees with a chance of rain and the possibility of snow overnight.

Saturday will have a high of 43 with chance for rain/snow. Sunday will reach 56 and be mostly sunny, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.