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3 face drug charges in Medina

Staff Reports Posted 7 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Another man charged with reckless endangerment for firing shotgun

MEDINA – Four people were arrested on Wednesday after an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.

The Task Force, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Medina Police Department, and the New York State Division of Parole stopped a vehicle in the Village of Medina. As a result, investigators seized a quantity of crack cocaine and arrested the driver and passenger on drug charges and parole warrants, the Task Force said in a news release.

The investigation then led investigators to an apartment house located at 4335 Salt Works Road in the Town of Shelby, where investigators seized a quantity of crack cocaine from an individual at that location.

During the course of the investigation at 4335 Salt Works Road, an additional person who lives in an adjoining apartment fired a shotgun out a second-story window towards the back of the residence. The individual who fired the shot was subsequently placed into custody by deputies and appeared to be highly intoxicated at the time, the Task Force said.

Law enforcement, as part of the investigation, seized more than 20 grams of crack cocaine, cash, two shotguns and other drug paraphernalia.

The following were arrested:

Erika H. Poole

Erika H. Poole, 36, of 4335 Salt Works Rd., Medina. She was charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felony).

Calvin S. Carver

Calvin S. Carver, 27, of 4335 Salt Works Rd., Medina. He was charged with one count of CPCS in the third degree and CPCS in the fifth degree.

Harold D. Hill Jr.

Harold D. Hill Jr., 38, of 198 Pine St., Lockport. He was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Bradley J. Bentley

Bradley J. Bentley, 50, of 4335 Salt Works Rd., Medina. He was charged with one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree for firing the shotgun (Class D felony).

All four were arraigned in the Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Kujawa. Both Poole and Hill were committed to the Orleans County Jail and held without bail due to their previous criminal histories. Both are to return back to Shelby Town Court on today at 6 p.m.

Carver was committed to the County Jail on $50,000 bail and is to return back to the Shelby Town Court on July 11 at 9 a.m.

Bentley was committed to the County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond and is to return to the Shelby Town Court today at 6 p.m.

Poole and Carver are also being held on parole warrants issued by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

State Police also assisted at 4335 Salt Works Rd.

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Carnival fun returns to Kendall

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 July 2016 at 12:00 am

KENDALL – These Kendall kids ride the Twist this evening during the opening day of the Kendall Carnival, an annual gala organized by the Kendall Fire Department. This group includes, from left: Emma O’Neill, CJ D’Agostino, and Brady Werth. They will all be in second grade this fall.

Olivia Bruski of Albion makes her way through an obstacle course on one of the rides at the carnival. American Amusements Rentals of Machias is the ride provider.

The swing ride was popular.

Mike Sanders of Barre heads down the Rapid Slide with his granddaughter, Payson.

These Kendall kids head down the big slide.

It wouldn’t be a carnival if there weren’t goldfish as prizes at some of the games.

A young carnival-goer waves to family on one of the kiddie rides.

The carnival continues until Saturday. There will be a 7 .m. parade on Friday and Saturday will be capped with fireworks at 10:20 p.m. To see the full schedule, click here.

National Night Out turns into county-wide event on Aug. 2 at Bullard

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 July 2016 at 12:00 am

File photos by Tom Rivers – Rex, the K9 for the Albion Police Department, retrieves his favorite toy, a black rubber ball, during an demonstration at Bullard Park last August during the first National Night Out.

ALBION – The second annual National Night Out at Bullard Park is expanding into a county-wide event on Aug. 2 at Bullard Park. Residents will be welcome to try games and activities, as well as free food while meeting law enforcement officers and representatives from many local agencies.

“We want to entertain families in a setting where there are no drugs, tobacco or violence,” said Roland Nenni, Albion police chief and co-chairman of the event along with Patricia Crowley, project director for the Orleans County United Against Substance Abuse Coalition.

The first National Night Out last Aug. 4 attracted 200 people despite a downpour. More agencies, fire departments and other community members have stepped forward since then, wanting to help with the event, Nenni said.

The 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. event will include an inflatable obstacle course, canine demonstrations, face painting, fire trucks, car seat inspections, Mercy Flight aircraft tours, a bike rodeo and other displays.

Nenni said more community groups are welcome to be part of National Night Out. For more information, groups should contact Sarah May at GCASA by calling (585) 331-8740 or by email at SMay@gcasa.org.

Nenni said organizers of National Night Out want community groups to participate if they can provide a game, activity or another way to enhance the event.

The armored vehicle used by the Albion Police Department and the Orleans County SWAT team was on display during National Night Out last August.

One goal of “National Night Out” is to connect police with their communities and promote crime prevention and drug-free activities.

The event will include free hot dogs and hamburgers provided by Fidelis Care and served by a local church. There will also be a bike helmet and school supply giveaway while supplies last.

There will also be a Battle of the Belts competition where each team has four participants who have to run to a vehicle, buckle their seat belts and then throw their hands in the air. A referee will yell rotate and the four team members have to buckle belts at four different seats in the vehicle.

There will be prizes in a youth division (ages 10 to 18); adult division (ages 19 and up); education division featuring teachers and school staff; and a business/organization division.

Nenni said the competition should be fun and also will promote the importance of wearing seatbelts, especially for children in back seats.

Old Hippies will again play music from boat in concerts that start Friday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Band will play six concerts in four days

The Old Hippies in the Medina canal basin

File photos by Tom Rivers – The Old Hippies play a concert from on top of a packet boat last July in Medina. The band is calling itself itself “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the canal concert series.

MEDINA – When the canal was mostly drained in Orleans County last week for emergency repairs to a culvert in Hulberton, Bill McDonald worked on a backup plan for a series of concerts he had planned by boat.

McDonald and the other members of the Old Hippies were performing in Albion last Thursday for the village’s canal concert series. McDonald said the band could tell the canal was slowly refilling. The state Canal Corp. and its contractor made the fix in Hulberton.

McDonald and the band wouldn’t have to drive to concert sites after all. That was the back up plan. They will travel to the canal communities from a house boat and perform from the vessel.

Those concerts start Friday in Lockport and continue until Sunday with performances also in Middleport, Medina, Albion and Holley.

This is the second straight year McDonald, a Batavia resident, has organized the concert series. The Old Hippies will be the “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the concert series, which this year has expanded to two performances in Lockport.

“The canal is so underutilized,” McDonald said today. “We want to promote it and try to get more utilization out of it.”

The Traveling Towpath Troubadours will be back performing in Medina’s Canal Basin on Sunday at 3 p.m. A grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is helping to fund the concerts.

The schedule starts on Friday with 6 p.m. concert at Lockport Historical Society, followed by another concert in Lockport at 11 a.m. Saturday for the Lockport Farmers Market. The music moves to Middleport for a concert by the canal at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Troubadours first perform in Orleans County on Sunday with a concert in Medina’s Canal Basin at 2:30 p.m. The band then travels by house boat to Albion for a 6 p.m. concert on Sunday.

The music concludes on Monday with a concert in Holley at 6 p.m. at the village’s canal park.

McDonald said the concerts were popular last year, with Medina drawing the biggest crowd. The band received such good feedback and is back for another series along the canal, with an expanded slate of concerts including the two in Lockport.

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NY announces $200M to rehab and replace bridges throughout the state

Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Municipalities urged to apply for funding

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Brown Street Bridge in Albion has been closed to traffic for about four years. The bridge was closed on July 18, 2012 by the state Department of Transportation after an inspection showed serious deterioration of major elements of the steel truss floor system. It is one of several canal bridges in Orleans County that are either closed or have had the weight restrictions lowered. There is no timetable for working on the Brown Street Bridge.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the availability of $200 million in enhanced assistance for local governments over the next two years to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts statewide.

This funding, provided through the Governor’s BRIDGE NY initiative, is being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation as part of its $21.1 billion five-year Capital Plan.

The BRIDGE NY program provides emphasis on projects that address poor structural conditions; mitigate weight restrictions or long detours; facilitate economic development or increase competitiveness; and/or reduce the risk of flooding.

“Modernizing and improving transportation infrastructure is a vital component of enhancing New York’s economic competitiveness,” Governor Cuomo said. “By helping local governments make investments to ensure the safety and reliability of their bridges, the BRIDGE NY program will literally strengthen our communities and bolster their viability.”

The $200 million in BRIDGE NY funding is available to all municipalities authorized to receive and administer State and federal transportation funding. Awards will be made through a competitive process and will support all phases of project development including design, right-of-way and construction. Evaluations will be based on the resiliency of the structure, the current bridge and culvert structural conditions, and the significance and importance of the bridge based on traffic volumes, detour considerations, the number and types of businesses served and the overall impact on commerce.

Applications for BRIDGE NY funding will be accepted through September 9, 2016. Applications may be found by clicking here.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll said, “As a former mayor and councilor, I recognize that local bridges matter. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the State is taking the steps necessary to ensure that our diverse economic regions continue to grow and compete nationally and internationally.”

“Our association has been a strong advocate for an increased multi-year funding commitment from the state for the local transportation system, one that specifically includes culvert rehabilitation and replacement,” said Tracy J. Eldridge, president of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association. “With these BRIDGE NY funds available, my colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Department of Transportation to improve the condition, safety and functionality of our aging and ailing local bridge and culvert infrastructure for the benefit of our communities and the traveling public.”

NY paving funds include nearly $600K for Orleans municipalities

Staff Reports Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – In this photo from last October, Jay Pahura, a motor equipment operator for the Albion Department of Public Works, runs a roller over fresh pavement on Hamilton Street. The village will receive $22,775.05 in state paving funds, part of the $100 million fund state-wide.

New York State is making $100 million available to almost 1,600 municipalities throughout the state to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of local highways and roads.

This funding, provided under Governor Cuomo’s PAVE NY initiative, is being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation as part of its $21.1 billion five-year Capital Plan.The PAVE NY program emphasizes projects that improve the physical condition of local roadways, create jobs and enhance local economic competitiveness.

“From replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge to the transformative redesign of LaGuardia Airport, New York has been leading the way in reshaping our infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century,” Cuomo said. “PAVE NY funds strategic investments in local roadways, helping ensure roadways across the state are in good repair, remain reliable for motorists and able to help foster regional economic growth for years to come.”

PAVE NY funds are awarded to New York City and cities, counties, towns and villages for activities such as roadway resurfacing, widening and realignment; construction of turning lanes at intersections; and new drainage to mitigate the harmful effects of flooding.

In Orleans County, the funds add up to $573,186.38. That includes the following: County of Orleans, $294,362.76; Town of Albion, $13,926.46; Town of Barre, $35,103.49; Town of Carlton, $28,017.44; Town of Clarendon, $24,172.92; Town of Gaines, $9,150.03; Town of Kendall, $15,135.70; Town of Murray, $16,431.93; Town of Ridgeway, $26,726.17; Town of Shelby, $25,454.18; and Town of Yates, $20,231.67.

The shares to the four villages include: Village of Albion, $22,775.05; Village of Holley, $6,145.02; Village of Lyndonville, $3,963.36; and Village of Medina, $31,590.21.

Hot and muggy for today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – A chair is pictured by the shore of Lake Ontario last week at Oak Orchard on the Lake.

It’s going to be hot and humid today for Orleans County and Western New York. The Weather Channel has issued an extreme heat alert for Orleans County today when the heat index is forecast to reach 91 and the high temperature will be 88 degrees.

Thursday is forecast for a high of 87, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 9 a.m.

On Friday the high will reach 88 with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7 a.m., according to the Weather Service. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms on Friday night.

Saturday there is also a chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 79.

The National Weather Service says there is a chance for numerous thunderstorms to develop in the area beginning on Friday as low pressure moves into the Great Lakes Region.

“There remains a good deal of uncertainty with respect to the exact timing and intensity of these storms,” the Weather Service said. “But there is some potential for at least a few strong to severe thunderstorms. The primary risk would be isolated damaging winds and large hail. These storms may also produce very heavy rainfall which could lead to localized flooding.”

More than $12K raised at basket auction to benefit Ella Suhr and her family

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 10:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community – and beyond – raised more than $12,000 during a basket auction on Monday to support a family with a baby battling a brain tumor.

More than 200 baskets were donated to support Ella Suhr and her family, and the auction raised $12,584.11, said Jen Button, one of the organizers of the event.

“That is way more than we ever anticipated,” Button said this morning. “It will definitely help them.”

Ella is the daughter of Joe and Meagan Suhr. Mrs. Suhr is a high school teacher in Batavia and her husband is a social studies teacher in Lyndonville. Both Joe and Meagan grew up in Lyndonville and continue to reside in the community.

Ella’s grandparents are also active in the Lyndonville school district. Harold Suhr is on the Board of Education and his wife Joanne is a long-time elementary school teacher. In addition, Ella’s grandmother Carol Neal is a teacher’s aide for the school district.

Ella in March was diagnosed with a brain tumor and stage 4 cancer. Surgeons have removed the tumor and an MRI last week showed no more signs of the tumor, Meagan posted on Facebook.

“We’re thankful for all of the donations,” Maegan said by phone today from Florida. “We’re overwhelmed.”

Provided photo – Many people buying tickets are lined up for the auction on Monday.

The Suhrs are in St. Petersburg for Ella’s care at All Children’s Hospital. She will be discharged today, and will return home to Lyndonville. She has three upcoming rounds of chemotherapy and will have some of her stem cells returned in a procedure at Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at Strong in Rochester.

“She still has a long way to go,” Mrs. Suhr said.

Button, a senior account clerk in the business office for the school district, said she is proud of the way the community has rallied to support the Suhrs.

As volunteers were setting up for the auction on the school lawn on Monday, during Lyndonville’s Independence Day Celebration, more people showed up unexpectedly with baskets to donate. Other people made cash donations, Button said.

The community has rallied to support the Suhrs since Ella was diagnosed in March. Joe’s colleagues at Lyndonville donated their sick days so he could take the rest of the school year off to care for his daughter.

Many in the community wore Lyndonville Tiger colors of orange and black with the message “Suhr Strong” to show support for the family and help raise money for medical costs.

Fireworks bring crowd, fun to Lyndonville on 4th

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 9:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – Fireworks explode in the sky at Lyndonville to cap the 42nd annual Lions Club’s Independence Day Celebration.

The Lions Club hired Young Explosives for the show.

Neila Johnson, 8, of Barker has fun before the fireworks in Lyndonville.

The fireworks are a big draw to Lyndonville.

This family from Barker prepares to send a Chinese lantern. The group includes form left: Kristina Klosin, Natalie Regling (partially pictured), Neila Johnson, Brent Johnson and Christopher Klosin (back to camera).

The fireworks show started with this display of the American flag.

This family watches the fireworks from a swingset at the playground.

The Who Dats played before the fireworks. The band members pictured include from left: Marty Hobbs on bass guitar, Lonnie Froman on lead vocals and John Borello on lead and rhythm guitar.

The fireworks are pictured through the playground by the Lyndonville school.

Jeff Kerr from Massachusetts lets go of a Chinese lantern. He was in town visiitng family.

Fireworks are reflected in the Johnson Creek pond.

The fireworks show lasted more than a half hour and lighted up the sky in Lyndonville.

Shane Ritzenthaler, 9, of Medina holds some sparklers while waiting for the fireworks show.

Lack of rain taking a toll on landscape

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 12:00 am

“We’re going to be in very bad shape” without rain soon

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The trees on the lawn at the Hoag Library in Albion are surrounded by a lawn that has turned yellow and brown due to the lack of rain.Much of the county has only received about 20 to 30 percent of the rainfall the past four months compared to what is normal during that time frame, said Larry Meyer, director of the Farm Service Agency in Orleans County.

The area normally receives about 15 to 16 inches of rain during the previous four months, but 4 inches or less is more common this year for Orleans County, Meyer said. That has left many stunted crops.

Rain is in the forecast for later this week, and Meyer said it is desperately needed for farmers to have a chance at a viable crop for harvest season.

“If this continues we’re going to be in very bad shape,” Meyer said today. “We need rain and it needs to be soon.”

Many farmers have been irrigating which has helped some of the crops. Meyer praised the Canal Corp. for working to reopen the canal quickly after the repair of the culvert in Hulberton. About 25 farms have siphon permits for canal water between Brockport and Middleport.

The U.S. Drought Monitor last week declared that nearly all of Orleans County is suffering from “Moderate Drought” conditions. Meyer said he looked at agency records and the amount of rainfall the past four months is the least amount in about 40 years.