Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – A new resident to the Town of Barre suffered minor injuries in an accident at about 11 a.m. today in Barre, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Judith Sumption recently moved from Illinois to East Barre Road, deputies said. She was traveling eastbound on East Barre Road when she lost control of her vehicle near Cushing Road. The vehicle slid off the road and came to a rest near a row of small trees.

She was transported to Strong West in Brockport by the Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance in Albion.

Deputy Brian Larkin looks over the scene.

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Garrett Rustay, in red hat, gets off a shot in today’s Street Brawlers Hockey Game at Bullard Park in Albion.

Nearly every Sunday for the past two years, whether it’s freezing or stifling heat, a group of Albion hockey enthusiasts gather at Bullard to play street hockey.

The group was out today in about 25 degrees temperatures. They meet at 10 a.m. and play to 1 p.m. They said more players are welcome to stop by and join the action.

Jonas Trapiss, right, tries to get in position to fire off a shot.

Dakota Johnson is ready to attack.

Andy Ashworth plays goalie. The group only had one goalie today, leaving one empty net.

Garrett Rustay is on the move.

ALBION – Tops Friendly Markets announced today that it will close the pharmacy department in its Albion store and use that space to offer shoppers more product choices. The company will continue to serve customers from 52 pharmacy locations within its network of stores.

The pharmacy department closing at the Albion store located at 408 West Ave. will be effective later this month and is part of Tops’ decision to closed pharmacy departments in 27 of its 79 pharmacies.

Prescription files at the Albion Tops will be transferred to the Rite Aid pharmacy in Albion at 10 East Ave., Tops officials said.

Tops and Rite Aid are working together closely to ensure the transition will be as seamless as possible for customers.

“Tops does not have a one-size-fits-all approach to our stores, which means our neighborhood locations vary greatly by size and offering.,” said Frank Curci, Tops chairman, president and CEO. “Space inside some of our supermarkets is at a premium and some of our locations are not filling enough prescriptions to make the most efficient use of our resources. A business decision was made to close out select pharmacy departments.”

In the available pharmacy spaces, Tops will continue expanding its offerings in health products, beauty products, fresh food, deli and other product areas. Customers will have more access to a wider selection of products, while still having a conveniently located outlet for their prescription needs, Curci said.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni III

ALBION – The Albion Police Department has arrested five people who were allegedly either responsible for committing crimes and/or involved in the possession of stolen property taken during crimes that occurred in November and December.

The Albion Police Department has recovered numerous items that are stolen or believed to have been stolen. The items were seized during search warrants and as a results of the arrests.

The following were arrested:

Farrell

Jeffrey J. Farrell Jr., 27, of 431 West State St., Albion. He was charged on Dec. 20 with six counts of petty larceny, three counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, one count of unlawful dealing with a child in the first degree, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

He was jailed on $5,000 bail. He is to return to Albion Town Court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 14.

Vitale

Christopher N. Vitale, 29, of 260 East Park St., Albion. He was charged on Dec. 27 with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, one count of unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree, one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, and NYS parole warrant.

He was jailed on $10,000 bail and is to return to Albion Town Court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13.

Vitale

Dawn M. Vitale, 40, of 260 East Park St., Albion. She was charged on Dec. 27 with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, one count of unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Vitale was released on her own recognizance. She is to appear at Albion Town Court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13.

Thomas

Christine L. Thomas, 26, of 431 West State St., Lot 9, Albion. She was charged on Dec. 29 with one count of criminal possession of stolen property, one count unlawful dealing with a child in the first degree, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

Thomas was released on her own recognizance. She is to appear at Albion Town Court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13.

Vasquez

Thomas R. Vasquez Jr., 28, 309 Catherine St., Medina. He was charged on Jan. 6 with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree.

Vasquez was released on his own recognizance. He is to appear at Albion Town Court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.

Three search warrants were conducted as part of the investigation, with two in the Village of Albion at 431 West State St. Lot 9 and 260 East Park St. A search warrant was also executed in the City of Batavia at 136 Summit St.

As a result of the search warrant in Batavia, Philip R. Ayala, 29, of 136 Summit St., was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, and unlawful possession of marijuana. He is being held without bail.

The owners of many of the items now in possession of the Albion Police Department are yet to be identified. Albion Police is asking residents in the village and surrounding areas to check for items that may have been stolen or may be missing without their knowledge.

The items recovered range from small hand tools, power tools, air compressors and snow blowers.

Residents should contact the Albion Police at (585) 589-5627 if they think they are missing items that may have been recovered by the Police Department.

These crimes had a great impact on the victims and continued until aggressive investigative police action was taken, Police Chief Roland Nenni III said.

The investigation was very time consuming and the officers who worked on the cases spent much of their time away from their families during the holidays. The successful investigation was made possible because of the combined efforts of the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Air and Marine, Batavia Police and Emergency Response Team, and the Genesee County Drug Task Force.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Barre firefighters John Egloff, left, and Pat Lamka run a chain through a chimney at 13496 West Countyhouse Rd. They also put dry chemical powder in the chimney to help put out a fire and break up the creosote.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 2:10 p.m. Albion, Medina and Barre firefighters worked to clear the chimney in the house owned by Jerry Belcher.

Dale Banker (right) is the county emergency management coordinator. He joined firefighters at the scene. It was only 7 degrees out.

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Joe Fuller, the newly elected town justice in Albion, took the oath of office tonight during the Albion Town Board meeting.

Fuller retired in July after working as an Albion police officer for 20 years. He retired as a sergeant and also was the K-9 officer. He also is a county coroner.

Fuller was joined at the swearing in by his wife Paula and their daughter Julia. Town Justice Gary Moore administered the oath.

After Fuller took the oath, he switched roles with Moore, who then took the oath of office. Moore just finished his first four-year term as justice. He is a retired police officer.

Moore holds court at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fuller will have court at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays. His first court date as judge will be tomorrow morning.

Fuller attended a six-day training last month for new justices. Two other newly elected or appointed justices in Orleans County also attended the “Taking the Bench” course through The New York State Judicial Institute. Joseph Kujawa of Ridgeway and David Gaudioso of Kendall both are starting as judges.

In Albion, the two justices will each be paid $16,810 in 2015. There will be one more new face at town court this year. The Town Board approved added a part-time clerk to work with Denise Cornick, the full-time court clerk. Linda Scurry will serve in the new part-time position.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Two cars were in an accident this afternoon in the Village of Albion at the intersection of West Park Street and West Academy Street. Albion firefighters, including Dominick Sidari at right, were on the scene soon after the 2:20 p.m. dispatch call went out.

One person was transported by COVA Ambulance with minor injuries. Others appeared to be shaken up, but were not transported by ambulance.

Albion firefighters were joined at the scene with personnel from COVA and the Albion Police Department.

Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Graham was among the firefighters at the location.

No other information is available.

Photos by Peggy Barringer
ALBION – Sisters Mary Lou Ames and Barbara Ames love Christmas. They love it so much, they put up 19 Christmas trees this year.

Each tree has a specific theme and is decorated accordingly. Their home on East Countyhouse Road is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland complete with a myriad of other holiday collections that are put on display.

The sisters, who live next to the family-owned business Homestead Wildflowers, start decorating around the first of November and continue daily right up until Christmas.

The Circus Tree is one of 19 decorated for the season.

The “Silver and Gold Tree” shines near a window.

Mary Lou Ames, head floral designer at the shop, said that they generally leave the trees up through the month of January.

The women said they have no idea how many ornaments they have, but many came from annual trips to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the “World’s Largest Christmas Store,” in Frankenmuth, Mich.

A quote from Charles Dickens is framed and on display.

Nutcrackers line the stairway.

After living in motel room for 14 months, family settles into apartment

Photo by Tom Rivers – Kevin Madden and his fiancée Stacie McKay are pictured with daughters Madison, left, and Leah. Madden also has a son, Cole.

ALBION – For 14 months, Kevin Madden and Stacie McKay lived in Room 10 at Dollinger’s Motel in Albion. They were joined by their three children, who are now ages 4 to 7.

They have been homeless for much of the past five years, staying with friends and family when they weren’t in the motel.

That changed in early October when they moved into an apartment on Ingersoll Street in Albion. They have painted the walls, made repairs and cleaned the place.

For them, it’s home, a welcome relief from five turbulent years.

“You have no choice but to get through it,” McKay said. “Your instincts take over.”

She and Madden both credit God for the turnaround, and help from new friends.

Jack Burris is one of those friends. He was out for a jog in October 2012 with the “Run for God” group the Albion Free Methodist Church. They ran along the Erie Canal Towpath and Burris saw Madden fishing in Sandy Creek, just west of the Brown Street bridge.

Madden was with the three kids, including the youngest, then age 2, in a baby carrier on his back. Burris thought it was a picturesque scene, a young father and the children by the creek, just as the leaves were changing color.

When the runners finished their jog, they stopped at the church at the corner of East State and Platt streets. Burris was locking up the church when Madden happened to walk by with the three kids. Burris had heard they were staying in a motel room.

Later that day, Burris knocked on the door of Room 10 at Dollinger’s, and offered to take Madden and family for dinner at Kentucky Fried Chicken. They went and talked. Burris noticed Madden was heavily tattooed with the F-word one his knuckles.

But Burris saw Madden’s close attention to the children, and was impressed with his intelligence and thoughtfulness. Burris invited Madden and his family to the Free Methodist Church. He said the church had many children’s programs with a nonjudgmental congregation.

About a month later, Madden, McKay and the three kids attended their first service at the church. Madden and McKay say they were reluctant to go at first.

“We didn’t think it was for us,” Madden said.

But they found a welcoming group and a laid-back atmosphere with a band that plays worship music and doughnuts and coffee served after the service. Madden and McKay like the music so much they sing the songs around their apartment, including at night to the kids at bedtime.

Provided photo – A family of five lived in Room 10 at Dollinger’s Motel in Albion for more than a year.

They have been regulars at church each Sunday, with McKay joining a women’s Bible study on Tuesdays and Madden attending a Thursday night men’s study group. The kids are in the Sunday school program and all have been baptized.

Madden and McKay admit they used to be addicts who also heavily drank. Those days are over, by the grace of God, they say. They also have quit smoking.

McKay works at the new Dunkin’ Donuts in Albion. Their lifestyle changes and the job have given them enough money to pay the rent for their apartment, to buy furniture, and cover all of their bills and even give to the church.

“Once we started living right we had all of this extra money,” Madden said. “We’ve been able to get back on our feet. I’m glad that we’re settled.”

Burris praises Madden and McKay – and God – for the turnaround.

“I tell them they should be proud of what they’ve accomplished,” Burris said.

He said he felt “a still small voice” when he saw Madden fishing and then walking by the church more than two years ago. Burris believes he was being prompted by God to reach out to Madden and his family.

Madden said Burris has become a close friend and a steadying influence. He is grateful Burris knocked on the motel room door, taking a chance on a stranger.
Madden said there are others in the community without a permanent address, who fight addictions and may be depressed.

“There’s a lot of people who need help, who you can pass by on the street and who can’t pay a bill,” Madden said. “You can go anywhere in America and find people who are stressed out. God is the one who gives and takes away. You have to be humble and give God all of the credit.”

McKay and Madden started dating on Aug. 17, 2009 – they both remember the exact date. They met in Hamlin, where Madden’s mother has friends. Madden was visiting there when he met McKay. She was living in Spencerport at the time, and visiting her parents who lived in Hamlin.

Madden saw McKay and commented to a someone that she was “a real pretty girl.”

They talked by phone a few times before they started dating. As a family they enjoy camping, fishing and hiking.

Madden and McKay admit they’ve made many mistakes, but they have fought through the adversity.

“We were together yesterday, and we are together today,” McKay said. “We will be together tomorrow. That’s the main thing.”

McKay counts her blessings, for a stranger’s kindness and God’s provision.

“If you do even the smallest thing you could change someone’s life,” she said.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The asking price for a former mansion that served as a community library for a more than a century: less than $100,000.

The “For Sale” sign is in the front yard of the former Swan Library at 4 North Main St. The 8,118-square-foot building is also listed by the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors.

Snell Realtors of Albion was hired by the Swan Library Association to list the building, which has been idle since June 2012 when the community library moved to the new Hoag Library site.

The Library Association has received an undisclosed offer for the building, which is in a commercial district that is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Library Association is eager to sell the site, which has been costing about $25,000 annually for utilities, insurance and maintenance.

United Methodists expect to leave historic site in 2015

Photos by Tom Rivers – Tiffany Crawford lights the candles in the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve service at the Albion First United Methodist Church.

About 100 people attended the Christmas Eve service inside a church built in 1860.

ALBION – It was an emotional service last night for Christmas Eve at the Albion First United Methodist Church. In addition to reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ, the congregation faced the reality of what it believes will be the group’s final Christmas Eve service in their historic church building.

“This is the first of many lasts we have to endure,” said church member Kim Pritt, who sang with the church choir last night. “Every year we walk out of here on Christmas Eve full of joy and emotion. But tonight it won’t be a pleasant emotion.”

The building needs about $1 million in roof repairs. The congregation doesn’t have the money. It has tried for grants but hasn’t found help for the project.

For more than two years it has rented tall wooden pillars to support the roof. That isn’t a long-term solution and those pillars are costing the church about $15,000 a year.

The congregation expects to leave the site in 2015. The board will meet with denomination leaders on Jan. 12 to discuss if the church will be sold at an auction or put on the market, or if it will be torn down.

Marie Follet leads the Joyful Good Shepherd Ringers during last night’s service.

The bell ringers are perched up high in a loft by the sanctuary.

The church is one of seven church buildings that are part of the Courthouse Square, a district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1914, the United Methodist church reoriented the sanctuary. When that happened, some members didn’t like that lower beams that helped support the roof truss system were more visible. The church removed the lower beams. A century later, the roof is in danger of collapse from a truss system that needs to be totally rebuilt.

The Rev. Jack Laskowski leads the Christmas Eve service last night.

The congregation has tried to make the best of the wooden pillars in the sanctuary, decorating them for the holiday season.

Roger Fisher is selling his business to Mark Farone

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – After 48 years of being on call 24 hours a day, Roger Fisher (right) is eager to retire. He has eight more days and then he will pass his business assets on to Mark Farone.

The two worked together for 13 years at Barclay and Fowler in Brockport. Then that business was bought by Griffith Energy. Fisher started his own business, Roger Fisher Heating and Air Conditioning, about 20 years ago. Farone followed not long after, venturing out on his own with Farone Heating and Cooling.

In 2002, Farone suffered a broken back in a car accident. He was laid up for nearly a year. Fisher handled many of Farone’s customers, and didn’t take them as his own.

That gesture allowed Farone to return to work and his business.

“He covered my calls for me,” Farone said today. “Without that I probably would have lost my business.”

Fisher found it difficult to go on vacation once he was in business for himself. But Farone, when he returned to work, urged Fisher to take a break. In recent years, Fisher has been able to take off five or six weeks a year, with Farone and his staff of two technicians handling Fisher’s customers.

Fisher, 73, relished the getaways, the chance to ride his snowmobiler and not be jostled by late-night service calls.

He is selling his inventory to Farone and turning over his list of 1,200 customers. He said they will be in good hands with Farone.

“He’s done a real good job over the years,” Fisher said. “He’s local and he’s young enough to do it 24-7.”

Farone lives in Barre. He has two employees, James Pinson and Ed Snyder. Farone will officially take over Fisher’s business on Jan. 1.

Fisher said he is looking forward to that day, and getting on his snowmobile.

“I’m going to be 74, but when I’m on the snowmobile, I’m 42,” he said.

Stolen property recovered, additional persons of interest identified

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – The Albion Police Department has made an arrest in relation to the ongoing investigation regarding the larcenies and burglaries that have occurred over the past several weeks in the northeast side of the Village of Albion.

Search warrants were executed at two locations in the Village of Albion on Saturday with one search warrant executed today in the City of Batavia.

A large quantity of stolen property was recovered as a result of the search warrants and additional persons of interest have been identified.

The case is ongoing with additional arrests expected. The names of those arrested, wanted or other persons of interest are not being released at this time. A more complete press release will be done when the investigation is closer to being completed.

The Albion Police are asking anyone who may have had items stolen, regardless if they have filed a police report, to contact the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627 to identify and recover their stolen property.

The Albion Police were assisted by the Batavia Police Department, Batavia Police Emergency Response Team and the Genesee County Drug Task Force.

Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association has named Burgio Salon the winner of the Hometown Holiday window decorating contest. The shop is owned by Colleen Albright at 117 North Main St.

A panel of seven judges picked the winner. Knight’s Pride Custom Woodworking at 120 North Main St. received an honorable mention award.