ALBION — The school district is holding a public meeting for parents at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the Middle School Auditorium to discuss how parents can help their children feel safe at school.

Last week three middle school students were charged with conspiracy for an alleged plot to kill other students and staff at the school.

The students have been suspended, and their cases are being handled in Family Court and by Probation.

Police, mental health personnel and school officials will be at the meeting on Tuesday evening, Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, said in a letter posted on the district website and that also went home with students today.

“I know that this situation has been unnerving for everyone in our school community,” Bonnewell writes in the letter today. “We at school recognize the concerns that have been expressed and appreciate your ongoing patience and understanding. As we have noted before, the legal and disciplinary processes, as well as student privacy laws, prohibit us from sharing certain information.”

The school superintendent said safety remains the district’s first priority. At this point, the district can share the following:

• The code of conduct for suspensions requires a disciplinary hearing process dictated by the state and the three hearings are forthcoming.

• The district will continue having a school resource officer on campus from the Albion Police Department, with additional patrols from the Albion PD.

• The school resource officer and middle school principal met with middle school students to discuss their safety.

• The district will continue to pursue the best available safety and security, reviewing safety practices and procedures with staff, local law enforcement, State Police, architects and safety design specialists.

Bonnewell said “misinformation” by rumor, social media and the in the press “makes the situation even more difficult.”

He urged any students or parents to share any possible safety concerns with school building principals or the superintendent’s office.

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ALBION – The Albion Town Board has approved a local law establishing a 15-ton weight limit on Gaines Basin Road from the south entrance of Walmart, going south to the Barre townline, which is between West County House Road and Route 31A (West Lee Road).

Delivery trucks should use alternative routes such as routes 98 and 31, said Michael Neidert, the Albion town highway superintendent.

The town previously didn’t have a weight limit for the road. Neidert said heavy trucks, such as tractor trailers and loaded dump trucks, have avoided going through the village on 31 and 98. Those heavy vehicles have taken a toll on the road, Neidert said.

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‘This is a wake-up call that these dangers are very real, and tomorrow we may be faced with a different outcome.’ – Assemblyman Hawley

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Following the stifled plot of three middle school students in Albion who intended to conduct a violent attack inside their school, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is reiterating a call for armed school resource officers (SROs) to be present inside every school in New York state.

The school resource officer assigned to Albion Central School helped thwart the planned attack after receiving information from school officials about a threatening message posted on the app Discord.

Hawley’s legislation, A.3732, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, would mandate that all school resource officers are properly trained veterans or retired law enforcement and provides $50,000 in state grants to each school district that hires a SRO. Hawley wrote Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie during 2018 budget negotiations asking for funding for each school statewide to hire more armed security following the horrific school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

“I applaud the work of local law enforcement and teachers in Albion for stopping this plan and thank them for their vigilance. The situation at Albion Middle School proves that increased security measures are absolutely necessary in schools across the state. This is a wake-up call that these dangers are very real, and tomorrow we may be faced with a different outcome,” Hawley said. “I will continue pushing for each school around the state to be given grant funding to hire at least one armed School Resource Officer. We cannot place a cost on the safety of our children and our teachers.”

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ORCHARD PARK – The Albion pep band was out in force to support the Albion football team during Friday’s game at New Era Field. These drummers in the pep band get ready to head inside the stadium.

They include, from left: Aubrey Boyer, Emma Tower, Abby Tucker, Olivia Morrison, Sophie Zambito, Molly Wadhams, Andrew Uderitz and Nick Perry.

These sousaphone players include Rowan Ford, Dyllan Roath and Jacob Coolbaugh.

The pep band makes its way through the security check leading into New Era, the home of the Buffalo Bills.

Angela LaGalbo and the Albion cheerleaders help fire up a large contingent from Albion.

An Albion fan is excited after a big play from the Purple Eagles. Albion lost the game, 34-20, to WNY Maritime in the Section VI Class B championship game.

The game was Albion’s first appearance in the title contest since 2002. Albion finishes the season at 8-2.

High school band teacher Michael Thaine, right, and the pep band were high energy throughout the game.

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ALBION — The school district and law enforcement are investigating threatening and inappropriate messages shared among a small group of middle school students through an on-line gaming app, the school district said in a letter to the Albion community on Wednesday.

Students who were involved in the original messages have been removed from school pending completion of the investigation and completion of disciplinary action by the school, Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, wrote in the letter.

The district’s Threat Assessment Team – with assistance from the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Mental Health Department, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and a specialist from the FBI – are working on the situation.

“The safety of our students remains our highest priority,” Bonnewell said in the letter. “This case has been the sole activity of many of our school staff as well as of partners on the Threat Assessment Team,” he wrote. “We are grateful to those students and parents who have shared information they have regarding this or any other possible safety issue.”

The school superintendent said the district welcomes anyone in the community to share information about safety concerns by contacting the appropriate school building or his office.

The district can’t share more details about the situation at this time, he said.

“We will continue to share information as the law permits, recognize your frustration that we can’t share more, but appreciate your understanding that, as we address the problem, what we are able to say is governed by federal and state laws,” he said.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Two businesses opened in downtown Albion in late September. On Saturday, Janna Stirk had a grand opening celebration for “Marked. by Janna.”

Janna, center with scissors, is joined at a ribbon-cutting by Adyson Stirk, son Brody, husband Morgan, Mayor Eileen Banker and Ava Stirk.

Stirk does body-waxing and micro-blading, which puts semi-permanent tattoos on eyebrows.

“A lot of people do it in the city,” she said about microblading. “This is bringing it to the small town.”

She works out of 4 East Bank St., in a building owned by Corey and Marilyn Black.

She was a stay-at-home mother in recent years before starting her business. She previously worked 10 years for Chase’s banking operation in Albion.

Janna Stirk and joined by her son Brody at Marked. by Janna.

“I didn’t plan on opening my own business,” Stirk said. “The space became available. I opened and people started calling me and booking appointments.”

Mayor Eileen Banker presented Stirk with certificates of commendation from the village and also State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, where Banker works as Hawley’s chief of staff.

“Thank you for taking the opportunity to open this business in Albion and for giving Albion a chance,” Banker said.

Stirk also is an artist and leads painting classes for groups, often at parties.

Stirk is sharing the building space with Terri Jordan. Stirk’s entrance is on East Bank Street while Jordan’s storefront is at 63 North Main St.

Terri Jordan opened the Little Shop on Main in late September. She is at the corner of Bank and Main streets. She said it is a great location in the downtown.

She sells bath bombs, artisan soap and soy candles. She makes them all with natural ingredients.

The soy candles are here most popular item, so far.

The bath bombs, which moisture skin and have aroma therapy, also are very popular, especially with teen-age girls. “They want to feel good and smell good,” Jordan said.

The Little Shop is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Jordan works full-time at Hospice of Orleans as the finance manager.

Jordan has her own labels for bath bombs, soap and candles. She also sells glassware, cannisters, baskets and canvas signs.

Douglas Jordan holds a wood carved and painted duck he made from a block of wood. Jordan is Terri’s father. Some of his ducks are available at the Little Shop on Main.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Chase Froman stars as the Big Bad Wolf in Albion High School’s production of The Big Bad Musical. The hour-long show puts the Wolf on trial and the audience gets to decide whether he is guilty or innocent of the charges – 3 counts of huffing and puffing with intent to destroy, 2 counts of attempted murder by ingestion, 1 count of grandmother impersonation, 4 counts of attempted sheep abduction and 17 counts of lurking.

The first show was on Friday evening and the wolf was found not guilty. There are shows today at noon and 7 p.m. at the Albion Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

Rowan Ford is the Boy Who Cried Wolf. He is singing, “I Cried Wolf.” The defense attorney, The Evil Stepmother, asks the Boy Who Cried Wolf why he falsely accused the Wolf on at least two occasions, and if he is certain about the identification of the Wolf on the third time.

Aubrey Boyer is Sydney Grimm, a flashy reporter for a cable news channel, EFN – Enchanted Forest News. She is covering the high-profile trial.

Leah Kania is the Evil Stepmother and resents doing pro-bono work on behalf of the Wolf, but proves to be effective counsel, poking holes in the witnesses’ testimony.

Russell Kingdollar III plays Pig Three, one of three little pigs. Kingdollar is the smartest and most articulate of the pigs. He doesn’t like the derisive tone of being called a “little pig.”

Emma Tower is Pig One, which isn’t a very smart pig. (Sophia Zambito is Pig Two.) The pigs sing, “He Huffed and He Puffed.”

Casey Starkweather plays Little Red Riding Hood, a spoiled brat, who heads the stand to testify against the Wolf.

The Big Bad Wolf performs with six Wolfettes, from left: Hannah Coolbaugh, Hannah Brewer, Olivia Morrison, Sydney Mulka, Annalise Steier and Molly Wadhams. The Wolf sings, “Have Mercy On Me.”

Emily Mergler plays Fairy Godmother and is prosecuting the Wolf. She sings, “No More.”

Zachary Kilner portrays Judge Wise Old Man and seeks audience participation with the fate of the Wolf.

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Fire Safety winners get picked up in the big red trucks

Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller

ALBION – Firefighters from Albion, Barre and Carlton have been picking up elementary students since last week and giving them a ride to school. First-grader Leo Gotte is shown with his teacher, Miss Samantha Seaman, and Carlton firefighter Ryan Woolston.

One student in each grade level – prekindergarten to grade 5 – won a ride in the fire truck. The winning student had the top poster or project to promote fire safety.

PreKindergarten winner Adysyn Lamb is joined by her teacher, Mrs. Deanna Moore.

Kenneth Whitcfoft from Mrs. Debra Perry’s room won for the kindergarteners. His classmates joined him for a group photo with the Albion fire truck.

Kindergarten winner Kenneth Whitcfoft and Mrs. Debra Perry wave to the class when they arrive at school.

Second grade winner Caleb Wolfe was joined on the ride his his teacher, Mrs. Kim Mergler.

Third grade winner Annabelle Harper from Mrs. Sheryl LeBaron’s room is helped off the bus by Albion firefighter Rob Connor.

Makenzie Cook is the fourth grade winner from Mrs. Cheryl Rightmyer’s class. They rode in a Barre fire truck.

Melodee Sager, a fifth-grader in Mr. Mark Skurzewski’s class, got to ride a Barre fire truck.

Another student, Rilee Tranello, is scheduled to get a ride on an Albion fire truck on Friday morning.

The fire safety week program and contest is organized by teacher Angie Wolfe.

Some of the winning posters and projects are in display in the lobby at the elementary school, including this one by first-grader Leo Gotte.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters battle a fire at a large shed in Albion on Tuesday evening at about 7 p.m. The fire was at 168 West Academy St., a house owned by Richard Nenni and rented out. The tenants were able to stay in the house because the fire was largely confined to the shed, said Albion police officer Will Francis.

The fire was caused by an a electrical heater in the shed which didn’t have enough space, said Francis, who is a fire investigator. He was assisted in determining the cause by Steve Cooley, a county fire investigator, and Jacob Crooks, a fire investigator with the Medina Fire Department. There were some combustibles inside the shed – paint and propane – that caused the fire to accelerate, Francis said.

The house is across from Auto Zone on West Avenue.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brian Sorochty, mayor of Holley, speaks during a Waterfront Advisory Committee meeting in Albion on Tuesday. Sorochty would like to see a brand developed for the canal towns, and marinas with gas and other services for boaters.

There are widewater locations on the canal that are underutilized that might be ideal for the marina locations, Sorochty said.

He was among about 40 people at a meeting Tuesday evening at Hoag Library. They are working to develop a Canal Corridor Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the villages of Albion and Holley, and the towns of Albion, Murray, Gaines, Ridgeway and Shelby. The Village of Medina has developed its own waterfront plan.

The meeting included a hands-on, interactive workshop for people to identify potential projects and strategies with long-term community and economic benefits along the Canal Corridor.

The county received a state grant for $62,000 to develop the plan and hired LaBella Associates as a consultant.

Samuel Robinson, 19, is the Village of Albion representative on the committee. He said the communities need to consider people who ride bikes and uses public transportation in the community. There also needs to be more “fantastic activities for youth.”

The workshop on Tuesday was the first in a series of three public participation meetings that will be held over the next six months. Future public meeting will focus on a review of potential revitalization projects and the final recommendations for the plan.

LaBella handed out stickers and asked people to rank their highest priorities along the canal. Red-colored stickers signified the highest priority, with green the second highest, yellow the third highest and blue the fourth highest priority.

Many of the red stickers went by economic development, with a goal to boost investment and job opportunities in the canal communities. That includes a better environment for small businesses in the downtowns, as well as commercial, industrial and agriculture growth.

The farming sector would benefit from continued use of siphoning canal water for irrigation. The canal bridges also need to be strong enough to handle farm equipment, the group said.

Top priorities also went to more programs – community events, concerts, races, competitions and historical event celebrations – along the canal.

Some people wanted to see an improved streetscape, with more trees in the downtown, safer cross walks, and signage directing people to services and attractions. The canal towns should also have interpretive panels to better explain local history and the canal’s role in developing the towns.

Adam Johnson (pictured), owner of the 39 Problems bar and restaurant on Main Street in Albion, said the downtown would be more pedestrian friendly if the travel lanes on Route 98 were narrower. That would encourage drivers to slow down, and give more room for pedestrians.

He also wants to see more trees in the downtown, and diagonal parking on one side of the Main Street so there is more parking.

The canal path itself would benefit from lighting, so people would feel safer walking in the evening and at night, Johnson said.

In Holley, he’d like to see the original canal bed cleaned out and promoted. There are numerous former quarries along the towpath and Johnson said they should have signs on them, so people would appreciate the area’s Medina sandstone heritage.

The group also favors having distance markers on the towpath, to inform cyclists, boaters and other users how close they are to a town.

This sign is on the west side of the Main Street lift bridge in Albion. Adam Johnson said there should be more signage in the commercial area of the village, instead of waiting until people may have passed by the community.

Johnson also sees opportunities to use the canal in the winter, because there is some water that remains. Johnson said it could be used for ice skating and other winter sports.

There also should be more launches along the canal for people with kayaks, he said.

Community members including Albion Village Trustee Stan Farone, right, put stickers to signify their priorities for projects in the canal communities.

The Waterfront Advisory Committee will meet again in November to review the ideas from Tuesday’s workshop. Ed Flynn, director of planning at LaBella, said community members can email him other ideas for the committee to consider. His email is eflynn@LaBellaPC.com.

The waterfront plan could be used by the canal communities to pursue state funding for projects, Flynn said.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters battle a fire at a shed behind a house in Albion on West Avenue, across from Auto Zone. They were dispatched to scene at 6:54 p.m.

The building was quickly consumed by fire and appeared to damage a structure next door. This is on the north side of the road, between West Academy Street and Empire Coating.

No additional information is available.

Click here to see a video of the fire.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard speaks during today’s dedication of a graveside marker for Charles D. Harris. He received a new headstone in the summer at Mount Albion Cemetery, following the efforts of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Medal of Honor Historical Society.

The new marker is on west side of the cemetery on Route 31.

Harris, who fought in the Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Apache Wars in 1869.

On September 23, 1869, Harris was present at Red Creek, Arizona, with Company D of the 8th U.S. Cavalry. On that date, the 8th Cavalry engaged a group of Apache Indians during the Apache Wars, which resulted in three men receiving the Medal of Honor.

Harris had a military gravestone in the cemetery, but it didn’t note he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The specifics of the engagement and the actions that warranted the awarding of the medal remain shrouded in mystery, Ballard said. After the war, Harris returned to Albion and lived a quiet life until his passing on September 6, 1895.

Harris is one of two Medal of Honor recipients to be buried in Orleans County. The other, John Butts of Medina, is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Medina.

Ray Johnston, director of the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the U.S., spent about five years trying to show that Harris was the same Charles D. Harris who served in the Civil War from Albion. There have been two occasions where a Medal of Honor was awarded to the wrong person with the same name.

Johnston traveled to Albion from Toledo, Ohio. The retired U.S. Postal Service carrier served in the Vietnam War.

The Medal of Honor Historical Society has been able to find the final resting places for 160 Medal of Honor recipients and continues to try to find 365 others.

Johnston said the organization would like to have a photo of Harris and also know the whereabouts of his Medal of Honor.

“I love looking for these lost souls,” Johnston told about 50 people at the marker dedication ceremony today.

Ray Johnston greets Betty and John Kemp of Clarendon. Mrs. Kemp is the great-niece of Charles Harris. She read about the ceremony for Harris in the Lake Country Pennysaver.

“I was a little shocked to see it in the paper,” she said. “This is like coming home.”

Tim Archer, a service learning teacher at Albion, organized today’s dedication service. One of his classes of seventh-graders attended the event.

“Bravery and courage are important virtues,” Archer said. “He (Harris) pushed through his fears and we are certainly grateful to him.”

MacKenzie Snook, an Albion seventh-grader, shares about Harris’s sister, Lydia. She was 11 when she was killed September 28, 1859, when the Main Street bridge collapsed on the Erie Canal. Her brother was 13 at the time.

Archer’s students two years ago worked with the Orleans County Historical Association to purchase a gravestone for Lydia Harris at Mount Albion.

These students – from left Kiera Zambito, Chloe Gray and Madison LeBaron – sing “God Bless America” at the ceremony.

Seventh-grader Landen Allis shares history about the Medal of Honor. About 3,500 of the medals have been awarded since the Civil War.

Another seventh-grader, Oliver Beach, spoke at the ceremony and shared a poem, “Recessional.”

County Legislator Don Allport said the community should remember and honor the sacrifices of veterans, including those from Harris’s era.

“I will always be grateful of everyone who came before me and allows me to stand here in this great republic,” Allport said.

Eileen Banker, Albion’s mayor, also spoke and thanked Archer’s class for helping to honor Harris, more than a century after his death.

“We have a solemn duty to honor the men and women like Charles Harris for what they are – heroes,” Banker said.

Members of the local Honor Guard did a 21-gun salute and then Taps was played.

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