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Holley school officials pleased with security efforts in recent years

Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Holley Central School District has taken several measures over the last few years to ensure the safety of students and staff while they are on campus.

This includes employing security officers in both buildings, locking the doors at the beginning of the school day, issuing swipe cards to faculty and staff for building access, using video surveillance throughout the campus and performing lockdown drills.

“Even though there have been no incidents or threats to the security of Holley Central School District, given the current state of the world we’re living in, we’re being proactive by seamlessly integrating these measures into the regular school day,” said Robert D’Angelo, district superintendent.

Several years ago, the Board of Education approved the district contracting with C.O.P. Security to employ security officers in the Elementary School and Middle School/High School buildings during the school day, as well as during evening hours and special events.

The security officers are all former police officers or sheriff’s deputies from local law enforcement agencies. The officers patrol inside and outside the buildings daily and can be seen at district concerts and sporting events. The students greet the officers daily, and they have become very comfortable with the officers’ presence in the district.

D’Angelo is appreciative of their presence.

“They are part and parcel of the culture of the district,” said D’Angelo. “Everyone knows them. The presence of C.O.P. Security helps us maintain a safe and orderly environment. We gain from their experience with law enforcement, which adds to the safety and security of Holley Schools.”

Bob Lillie, who is a security officer at the Elementary School, approves of the measures Holley has taken to keep district employees and students safe.

“From what I’ve seen, Holley security is head and shoulders above the other schools in the area,” said Lillie. “We have to be so security conscious in this age, it just makes sense. Our presence has a calming effect on people because we’re there to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Lillie also enjoys the interaction he has with students. “I enjoy the kids. They crack me up with how honest they are. We’re able to fill in the gaps for the principals and give the kids a neutral person to talk to. In addition to providing security, I see myself and the other officers as ambassadors to get the kids to do right and make good choices. The staff has been very appreciative of having us here, too, and they tell us they feel better having us here.”

D’Angelo agrees. “The security officers are outstanding role models,” he said. “In the past, we’ve had them go into classrooms and talk about bike safety, perform car seat checks for the community, and educate students about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.”

The Board was also instrumental in approving locking the exterior doors to both buildings, issuing swipe cards to faculty and staff to gain entry, and equipping the campus with security cameras.

Security at the Elementary School was enhanced with the decision to contain visitors in the foyer by locking the interior doors to the main hallways. The Board also strives to make sure there are enough lights installed on campus for evening events as students travel between buildings and parking areas.

“I am so thankful that the Board of Education has been committed to taking the lead on adding security measures to the district,” said D’Angelo. “Without them, it wouldn’t happen.”

D’Angelo is part of the Superintendents and Law Enforcement Group, where the five Orleans County school superintendents meet with Orleans County law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office to collaborate on maintaining the safety and security of all Orleans County schools. Holley recently performed a lockdown drill in both schools and all agencies came together for the debriefing on the drill.

“The cooperation from these agencies has been phenomenal,” said D’Angelo. “They were very complimentary about how well the drill went in Holley.”

Orleans Hub saw big jump in traffic in 2015

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Fireworks go off in Lyndonville on July 4 in the biggest fireworks show ever at Lyndonville. This photo was taken looking through a row of trees by the soccer field near the school. Orleans Hub covered numerous community events in 2015.

Orleans Hub saw a big jump in traffic in 2015 with total pageviews reaching 7,811,345.

That is up 48.3 percent or by 2,543,847 from the 5,267,498 pageviews in 2014.

Orleans Hub went live on April 1, 2013. We had 1,697,887 pageviews for nine months in 2013.

Our monthly average of pageviews has increased from 141,490 in 2013, to 438,958 in 2014 and to 650,945 in 2015.

Another industry statistic is average daily users.

We were at 6,739 for 2015, and topped a 6,000 daily average for each of all 12 months.

The 6,739 average for each day is up from the 4,700 in 2014 and 2,100 for nine months in 2013.

September was our biggest month with the contentious primary season drawing a surge of traffic to the site.

That month we had an average of 7,671 daily users and the total pageviews reached 765,677.

The Hub operates out of The Lake Country Pennysaver in Albion.

We have an office at the Pennysaver building, 170 North Main St.

Photo by Cherl Wertman – Kendall’s Taylor Rutland, right, goes high for the ball against Emily Lavarnway of South Seneca on Oct. 30 when the Lady Eagles won their second straight Sectional title, defeating South Seneca 4-1. Orleans Hub has a daily sports report of local high school athletes.

Albion grad landing college coaching job is most-viewed sports story in 2015

Staff Reports Posted 3 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Matt Monacelli

A story on April 21 about Matt Monacelil accepting a position as a Graduate Assistant Football Coach at the University of Findlay was the most-viewed sports story in 2015 on Orleans Hub with nearly 2,000 clicks.

Monacelli, an Albion and St. John Fisher graduate, played football for three years for the Divison III Cardinals and graduated from St. John Fisher in January 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. The University of Findlay is a NCAA Division II college located in Findlay, Ohio.

Here are the five most viewed sports stories last year:

1. Albion Grad Gets Football Coaching Position

2. Pinky Loughlin Memorial Wall of Fame to Induct First Members Friday

3. Kendall High Senior Accepts Division 1 College Golf Scholarship

4. Kendall Hall of Fame to Induct Three

5. Keppler Qualifies for National Championships

The “local sports” page was the fourth most-visited page in 2015, with about 330,000 clicks. That’s behind the main page “headline news,” obituaries and police blotter.

150 turn out for free roller skating at YMCA event

Posted 3 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Tessa Biesinger and Brianna Stewart from Medina both attended the roller skating night on Dec. 29 at the Orleans County YMCA and won i-pod shuffles.

Press Release, Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition

MEDINA – Through collaboration with Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition, the Orleans YMCA, and Medina Area Association of Churches, “Free Roller Skating” had a great turnout on Dec. 29. This event has been very successful for many years, and organizers hope for it to continue to grow.

Free Roller Skating is an event that takes place at the end of December, giving students on school break an opportunity to participate in a family friendly, fun event. This year on Dec. 29, more than 150 school-aged kids and parents laced up and showed off their skating skills. Two lucky winners received an i-pod shuffle.

Without the support from these organizations as well as the children and parents, this event would not have been nearly as successful. The Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition is very grateful for all of the assistance provided to give youth a healthy, fun and safe experience.

For more information on the Drug Free Communities Coalition, click here.

Snow, extreme cold in forecast for Orleans County

Staff Reports Posted 3 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Doug Boyer sent in this photo of a snowy owl he took on Saturday along Lakeshore Road near Petersmith Road in Kendall.

A lake-effect snow advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. today until 1 p.m. on Monday for Orleans and Ontario counties.

The National Weather Service said there could be an inch or less of snow this afternoon, 2 to 4 inches overnight and 2 to 3 inches on Monday.

Winds will be northwest from 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 mph, producing some blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a half mile at times, according to the Weather Service.

Today is forecast for a high of 35 degrees, but Monday it will only reach a high of 13 with a low of 10, according to the Weather Service.

Robert Carr sent this photo in of his family farm, H & R Farms, in West Barre, taken last month during a sunset.

The Weather Channel has issued an extreme cold alert for Monday when the wind chill will be near -2 degrees.

Fire destroys garage in Albion village

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2016 at 8:48 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters work to put out a fire at 140 South Clinton St. in the Village of Albion this evening.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 7:43 p.m. Dark smoke was spewing into the air.

A two-family house wasn’t damaged by the fire, but residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. No one was injured in the blaze.

One of the residents was working on a motor vehicle in the garage when the fire started, a neighbor said. The fire is under investigation.

Barre firefighters are at a backyard on West Academy Street, making sure the fire doesn’t spread to other structures.

Firefighters check hot spots from the fire in the garage.

Holley recognizes library media specialist

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Holley Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley John Grillo, Elementary Library Media Specialist Julie Bader and Principal Karri Schiavone are pictured last month when Bader was presented with a Soaring to New Heights award.

In October, Holley elementary students decorated pumpkins to look like book characters, including this one that resembles Junie B. Jones.

HOLLEY – Julie Bader, Holley Elementary School Library Media Specialist, was presented with the Soaring to New Heights Award during a recent Holley Board of Education meeting.

Karri Schiavone, Holley Elementary School principal, and Ashley John Grillo, Holley Elementary assistant principal, nominated Bader for the award recognizing her efforts to bring the Elementary School Library to life.

“There is always something great inside and outside the library,” Schiavone told Board members on Dec. 21. She noted the library “is always full of kids.”

Schiavone described Bader as “so clever and so creative. There is always something fun happening in the library.”

In their nomination, Schiavone and Grillo praised Bader for collaborating with teachers to incorporate themes and skills being taught in the classroom.

“She designs activities during the day and after school to involve children in the ‘fun’ of reading,” the nomination stated. “She helped design and is teaching integrated technology classes to all of the third through sixth graders. Julie has really taken the library from a place to simply exchange books to a child friendly, adventure filled literacy rich media center.”

School Board President Brenda Swanger said she also has been impressed with the activity surrounding the Elementary Library.

“I walk by and then I turn around and go back,” she said.

Closing of Brown’s Berry Patch by far most-viewed story of 2015

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Brown’s Berry Patch announced on March 3 it would close its retail operation, a popular site along Route 18 in Carlton for about three decades.

When the Brown family announced on March 3 that it would close the retail operation of Brown’s Berry Patch, the story on Orleans Hub went viral throughout Western New York.

The site for about 30 years was a very popular agri-tourism site, providing fun for families throughout the region. The Brown family opted to retire from the retail side of the business, while continuing to grow apples and other fruit. The family has been farming in Carlton since 1804.

The closing of Brown’s was by far the most-viewed story on Orleans Hub in 2015 with 25,322 “clicks,” about 15,000 more than the No. 2 story.

Bob Brown stands next his wife Deborah during the dedication of a Peace Garden on Oct. 5, 2013. Brown’s ancestors helped fight the British during the War of 1812. Paula Savage, the Peace Garden Foundation president, is at right.

Here are the other most-viewed stories from 1 through 10.

1. Brown’s Berry Patch will close retail operation

2. Sheriff’s Office Mourning Loss of Deputy Erin Fuller

Many of the police officers who attended the funeral on Sept. 19 for Deputy Erin Fuller included a black band over their badges in honor of Fuller. This photo shows the badge worn by Deputy Josh Narburgh.

3. 17 Charged in Big Drug Bust

4. Father of 12 Leaves Legacy of Love in Medina

Photo by JC Photography (Jesse Colmenero) – The Bellan family is pictured in the fall 2014 at Mount Albion Cemetery. The group includes, front row, from left: EmmaLee and Karina; Second row: MiKayla, Richie, Da’Ron, Austin and Elizabeth; Back row: Briana, Porter, William, Kyson, Bryce, Kim and Brian. Mr. Bellan and his wife have 12 children, including eight who are adopted.

5. Truck Driver from Medina Killed in Wyoming County

Photo by Tom Rivers – Emil Smith is pictured doing a blacksmith demonstration in August 2012 with his friend George Borelli. Smith hosted the event at his property on Route 63, just south of the Village of Medina. Smith, 54, was driving a truck in Wyoming County when he was killed in an accident.

6. 17-Year-Old Gets State Prison for raping younger sister

7. Man Drowns After Jumping off Kenyonville Bridge

A 67-year-old man drowned on Aug. 6 after jumping off the Kenyonville Road bridge in Carlton. Several fire departments and law enforcement agencies responded to the recovery effort. The man was from Cincinnati and was in town with friends for a charter fishing trip.

8. Mercy Flight Takes 2 From Car Accident in Ridgeway

9. Sheriff Identifies People in Serious Ridgeway Accident

Two people were seriously injured in a one-car accident on July 19 on Horan Road in Ridgeway. The car left the road and the back end crashed into a tree. The driver of the vehicle was pinned and it took firefighters and Lyons Collision more than an hour to free the driver, who was then taken by Medina ambulance to a Mercy Flight landing zone.

10. Crooked Door Closes in Albion

2015 Person of the Year: Randy Bower

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2016 at 12:00 am

Holley man inspired many in campaign for sheriff

Photos by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower is joined by many members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department when he was sworn in as new sheriff on Dec. 30.

Randy Bower in early 2015 met with many Republican Party leaders, trying to make his case to be the next sheriff of the county. When it was time to endorse a candidate on May 7, Bower would get about 40 percent of the vote from the Orleans County Republican Committee.

The majority chose Tom Drennan as the party candidate. Drennan worked as chief deputy for nine years. He certainly had the resume to succeed Scott Hess, who would retire on Dec. 31.

Bower, on May 4, secured the Conservative Party endorsement ahead the GOP committe vote. He was guaranteed a spot on the November ballot, but to win, he would likely need the Republican Party line in November. To do that, Bower would have to force a Republican primary against Drennan and win.

Bower, 50, may have seemed like an unlikely sheriff candidate. He didn’t have experience as a police officer. He worked 29 years as public safety dispatcher.

He also has been confined to a wheelchair after a serious car accident at age 18.

Bower has been active in the community, even coaching the Holley varsity girls basketball team when his daughter Jessica played. The team went from winless to the playoffs with Bower earning coach of the year honors.

If people thought Bower would quietly go away after the Republican Party endorsement, they were wrong. The following week he announced Chris Bourke, a long-time lieutenant and K9 handler, would be his undersheriff.

“Randy is an organizer,” Bourke said during a May 13 interview at Bower’s home in Holley. “I have no doubt he can do the job.”

On June 6, Holley held its annual June Fest parade. There were a few political candidates in the parade, usually the candidate and maybe one or two supporters passing out candy.

Bower had about 50 supporters. They were wearing red “Bower for Sheriff” T-shirts and many of the people in the parade were deputies and employees for the Sheriff’s Department. Drennan didn’t march in the Holley parade.

Randy Bower, left, had a large contingent of supporters wearing red during the Holley parade, helping him in his campaign for Orleans County sheriff. Holley is Bower’s hometown.

Bower’s supporters on the parade routes would grow at Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Parade and the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival. Drennan also appeared with many supporters at those parades.

By June, Bower hand more than 500 signatures of registered Republicans to force a Primary on Sept. 10 versus Drennan.

Bower had his own display and outside booth at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds and met with residents daily. While many candidates seem to get worn down in a campaign, Bower maintained an enthusiasm throughout.

He met frequently with his supporters and assigned team captains to get out the vote throughout the county. He built an organization outside the leadership of the Republican Party, which has long dominated local politics.

On Primary Day, Bower would hold a razor-thin 27-vote lead, 1,588 to 1,561, over Drennan. When the absentee ballots were counted on Sept. 15, Bower won 1,671 to 1,650.

Randy Bower is all smiles outside the Board of Elections office on Sept. 15 when he realizes he has won the Republican line for Orleans County sheriff in the Nov. 3 election. Chris Bourke, left, campaigned with Bower as Bower’s choice for undersheriff.

Drennan also wouldn’t go away quietly. He believed he had the experience in law enforcement and the proven leadership skills to lead the department. He also had the Reform and Independence party lines.

Drennan showed plenty of fortitude and commitment in his campaign.

A third candidate also would emerge for the November election. Don Organisciak, a retired Medina police investigator, had the backing of the Democratic Party.

Orleans County residents were witnessing one of the most competitive and grueling local elections in recent history. On Nov. 3, the election felt like a tossup.

Bower won by a comfortable margin. He topped Drennan, 3,951 votes to 3,507, with Organisciak getting 847.

“I think the people are ready for a change,” Bower said after the results came in Nov. 3. “Now we have to go to work for the people of Orleans County.”

Bower was busy after the election meeting with law enforcement leaders in the county and region. He attended a state-wide conference for sheriffs in Albany.

He ran with several goals for the Sheriff’s Department, including bringing mental health and drug addiction services to inmates in the county jail. “These are our people,” Bower has said.

During the Albany conference, he heard from sheriffs who have success helping inmates with mental health problems. Last month, the Orleans County Legislature announced its support for a similar effort in the county jail after hearing a presentation from Bower; Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent; and Mark O’Brien, the director of mental health in Orleans County.

Mark O’Brien (right), director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department, presents the Stepping Up Initiative to Orleans County legislators on Dec. 16. O’Brien is joined by Scott Wilson (center), the jail superintendent, and Randy Bower.

Bower has shown he can bring people together and inspire them to a higher purpose. During a time of voter apathy and public disenchantment with politicians, he inspired an army of “Randy Red” in his campaign for sheriff.

Bower said it wasn’t just about winning an election. During his swearing-in on Dec. 30, about 125 people filled the main courtroom at the Orleans County Courthouse.

“Now we go to work for the people of Orleans County,” Bower again told the group.

Judge James Punch has sworn in many elected officials the past two decades and he said he didn’t recall such a crowd for one of the ceremonial events.

He told the group at Bower’s swearing-in that the new sheriff is an inspiration for the community, bringing an upbeat attitude and strong desire to serve the public.

“He’s an unstoppable force,” Punch said.

Punch recalled when he was in his late 20s and he met Bower when he was 19, soon after his serious accident. Bower, even then, exuded optimism and gave people a boost, the judge said.

Bower said he lives a blessed life with his wife Robin and their two grown children: Jessica and Jacob. In addition to working as a dispatcher, he has been a member of the Sheriff’s Department’s Off-Road Patrol from 1992-1998, riding all-terrain vehicles to help locate missing persons, stolen property and respond to other situations.

“This wheelchair is just a perception,” said during a campaign speech. “I can do anything I want.”

2015 Rewind: Some of my favorite sports photos from this past year

Posted 1 January 2016 at 12:00 am

By Cheryl Wertman

As we start 2016 today, it’s time to take a look back of “some” of my favorite pictures from 2015. Note: I always consider all of my photos to be my favorites as I post them daily for you to see and it becomes very hard each year to just narrow it down to the 15 I am highlighting today. I hope you enjoy the photos that have been published in the “Hub” this year and I hope I can give you plenty more in 2016.

My No. 1 favorite is this shot of Roy-Hart’s Aaron Metz laying full out to catch a fly ball against Medina. Those types of pictures are a special shot and while I have taken similar pictures, this one stands out as the best one ever.

No. 2 is this shot of Jalin Cooper of Medina going up to block Justin Heschke of Roy-Hart. The amazing part of this shot is that Tyler Ames (22) of Medina is 6’7″ and standing flat footed, Heschke is 6’2″ and jumping about a foot off the floor and Jalin is 6’2″ and is at least two feet higher that the other two to block the shot.

No. 3 is Andy Xapsos of Roy-Hart pitching against Medina during a snow storm at Vets Park. It seemed like Spring was never going to come this year and this shot reinforced that notion as the snow kept coming down during this game in April.

No. 4 is Albion’s Emily Blanchard showing either how hard her head is or how soft the soccer ball was that day. Most people don’t realize how hard a soccer ball is until they try to kick one or how much force is generated when it is headed by a player.

No. 5 is Tania Arellano of Kendall driving to the basket. Tania loved driving to the basket and her facial expressions showed her determination to get there at any way possible.

No. 6 is Kendall’s Mookie Nauden looking to shoot but having the Alexander defender climbing on his back instead.

No. 7 is Emily Kams of Medina showing her concentration to set the volleyball by sticking her tongue out. Emily led Medina in sets and earned All league and All WNY honors.

No. 8 is Kendall’s Jenna Jacobs making a leaping save in the sectionals. Jenna’s goal against average was phenomenal and saves like this one kept her team in the game when the score was low.

No. 9 is Ashley Bocach of Albion diving to make a serve return and showing the agony of putting knees to the floor and hoping the ball goes where it’s supposed to. Albion won it’s third straight N-O volleyball title and as the Libero she was a big part in getting the serve receptions to her teammates to set.

No. 10 is Medina’s Jake Cotter with the fingertip catch. Jake led the Mustangs in rushing and scoring this year and this catch accounted for one of his many touchdowns.

No. 11 is Dylan Bader of Albion jumping over a defender to try to get the the soccer ball. Soccer lends itself to plays like these as defenders try to slide under the offensive player trying to get to the ball.

No. 12 is Medina’s Brett Pecararo laying out trying to shoot towards the goal in lacrosse.

No. 13 is Nick Passarell and Zach Day of Holley doing a wishbone maneuver on the Notre Dame running back in an attempt to tackle him.

No. 14 is Albion’s Morgan Seielstad swimming in the Freestyle. This swim move is the hardest to get a photo of due to how the swimmer’s arm goes over his head. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Last but not least, No. 15 is the Metro 10 Race that was held in Albion pitting Rochester runners against their counterparts from Buffalo. This shot was taken along the canal facing the Densmore Road bridge as a group heads towards the finish line at the 8 mile mark.