Holley/Murray

Murray Joint Fire District elects a new fire commissioner

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2024 at 9:35 am

MURRAY – The Murray Joint Fire District elected three fire commissioners on Tuesday, with current chairman Mark Porter defeated by Dave Knapp who was a write-in candidate.

Knapp and Dave Nenni were both elected to 5-year terms, and Scott Harrington was elected to a 1-year term.

In Barre, William Basinait was re-elected as commissioner with 11 votes, and Barry Flansburg was re-elected treasurer with 11 votes. There were 11 voters in the annual election.

In Kendall, Patrick Seaman, an incumbent, was re-elected as fire commissioner.

Holley celebrates tree-lighting on Saturday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2024 at 10:43 am

Lantern parade added to the festivities

Photo by Tom Rivers: Corey Fults, a lineman with the Village of Holley Electric Department, puts lights on a tree in Holley’s Public Square on Thursday.

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley will have its annual tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday when the names of people honored with memory bulbs are read aloud.

Sal DeLuca, recently recognized by the Village Board as Holley’s Citizen of the Year, will be part of the ceremony as well.

The village is trying a new lantern parade, too. People are welcome to bring paper lanterns or other more sturdy ones for a parade. If there are enough lanterns, the parade will start at 6 p.m. and go from the pharmacy to the Public Square.

If there are only a few, people are welcome to just have them at the tree lighting. The Community Free Library has hosted lantern-making workshops to help people make the lanterns. They have been designed and decorated with a theme from The 12 Days of Christmas.

After the tree-lighting, the community is welcome to go the fire hall to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides for free from 1 to 4:30 p.m., with pick up and drop off at the Murray-Holley Historical Society Museum.

The American Legion also will be hosting a craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The big Santa statue in the Public Square was blasted with snow during an intense snow squall on Thursday morning.

Sal DeLuca named Holley’s Citizen of the Year

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2024 at 1:55 pm

Screenshot

Provided photos

HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board last week honored Sal DeLuca as Holle’s Citizen of the Year.

DeLuca was hailed for his long-time contributions on the Board of Education, as a coach and with the Holley Sports Boosters.

The top photo from left shows village trustees Rochelle Moroz and Jessica MacClaren, Sal DeLuca, Mayor Mark Bower, and trustees John Morriss and Jim DeFilipps.

The photo at right shows Mayor Bower presenting the award.

“Sal DeLuca has given an enormous amount of his time in service to the Holley community as a school board member and coach,” Bower said. “ He has impacted numerous Holley residents for the better.”

Holley Rotary aims for 250 wreaths at veterans’ graves for Wreaths Across America

Provided photo: The Holley Rotary Club organized Wreaths Across America at Hillside Cemetery last year and 200 wreaths were set at veterans’ graves in the cemetery, and also at a veterans’ memorial at the cemetery. The memorial includes five granite etched stones for the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The memorial has a pentagon-shaped concrete base and a 25-foot flagpole.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2024 at 9:40 am

HOLLEY – The Holley Rotary Club is leading the effort to place 250 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Hillside Cemetery.

Last year was Holley’s first time in the Wreaths Across America program and 200 wreaths were placed at Hillside.

This year, the Rotary Club wants to see more wreaths at the cemetery where about 600 veterans are buried. There will be a noon ceremony on Dec. 14 at Hillside Cemetery. Volunteers are then welcome to help set the wreaths.

Holley was the third Orleans County community to join Wreaths Across America. Lyndonville and Medina have been a part of effort in recent years. Mount Albion also will be in Wreaths for the first time on Dec. 14. Wreaths has grown to about 4,000 communities around the country.

Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America or sponsoring a wreath to support Holley Rotary should visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NY0482 to learn more. The wreaths are $17 each. Holley already has sponsors for 183 wreaths.

Zach Busch’s love of music proves contagious with students in Holley’s Jr./Sr. band program

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 November 2024 at 11:14 am

Holley sees return and growth of jazz band, marching band and Music Boosters

Provided and file photos: Medina native Zachary Busch conducts the Jazz Band at Holley High School, where he is director of the Fine Arts Department and the band program.

HOLLEY – The director of Holley High School’s band program brings a lifetime of talent and passion for music to the table.

Zachary Busch grew up with music, son of Chris and Cindy Busch of Medina. His dad played trombone in the Mustang Marching Band and was a former assistant drum major. Zach believes he and his father were the only father/son duos to each serve as drum major in the Mustang Marching Band, until this year’s Ryder Jones, whose father Ric Jones was also drum major in his senior year.

Zach’s earliest memories of band are seeing his sister in the Mustang Color Guard in the 1990s.

Zach began playing trombone in the fourth grade. He continued to play in Medina’s concert, jazz and marching band as he grew up. He was drum major from 2010 to 2011, when the Mustang Band won the 2010 New York Field Band Conference title in their division and Grand Champion at the 2011 Gorham Pageant of Bands.

He graduated from Fredonia State College in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in music and in 2019 with a master’s degree. He studied trombone with the late Carl Mazzio, former principal trombonist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a member of the Fredonia Trombone Choir; and a member from 2013-16 and director in 2015-16 of the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble.

Pictured from left in May 2019 include Callie Updike, Evan Valentine, Band Director Zach Busch and Thomas Dobri of the Holley HS Concert Band. The band won first place in a music festival at Darien Lake, topping seven other bands.

Busch started teaching at Holley Junior/Senior High School in the fall of 2016.

“Teaching at Holley is my first and only gig,” he said. “Something I think about often is my goal for this to not only be my first job, but for me to be the only teacher to spend his entire career here and retire from here.”

When he accepted the position at Holley, he knew the first thing he wanted to do was revive their marching band. Over the years they had had several versions of a marching band, but when Busch came on board, they had been two years without one.

“I wanted the students to enjoy the same benefits of marching band I enjoyed,” he said. “Marching band was always a highlight of my life.”

Busch said there was a group of about 20 kids who were enthusiastic about marching band, including wind instrumentalists, a drum line and color guard.

“The group was small, but they knew they were important because they were bringing band back,” he said.

The Holley-Kendall Marching Band Color Guard includes students from both Holley and Kendall school districts.

A joint effort with Kendall had previously been established around 2011, and after getting approval from Holley’s principal Sue Cory, he approached the Kendall administration. The schools already shared other activities, such as unified sports, wrestling, basketball and bowling, and were onboard with a combined marching band.

“Holley and Kendall are rival schools, but I love the way they come together to be better as one,” Busch said.

The Holley-Kendall Marching Band’s first performance was Memorial Day 2017. They played an arrangement of theme songs from “The Magnificent Seven.”

Soon after the marching band’s rebirth came the global Covid pandemic.

“To not only maintain our numbers, but to grow though it was pretty indicative of how much the kids wanted to be part of a band program,” Busch said.

From 20 students in 2017, the band has grown to 50 this year.  They have marched in the Holley June Fest Parade, Holley Memorial Day Parade and Albion Strawberry Festival Parade. They competed in Springville’s Pageant of Bands in 2022, winning first place in Class C parade and Best Drum Major. In 2023, they were third in Class B Parade. At Sherburne Pageant of Bands that year they were second in Class B Parade and third in Class B Color Guard.

Members of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band enter the field for a competition.

Several Holley band members shared their passion for the group.

Isabella Emery, 12th-grade trumpet player and drum major of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band, said her favorite part of being in the concert band was seeing the growth during the school year.

“It is fun to look back on our progress and the great music we have made,” she said. “I first knew I wanted to be a part of the marching band when my elementary band director started talking about marching band. I expressed my interest and she invited me to join in fifth grade as a banner carrier. My favorite part of being in the Holley-Kendall Marching Band is the family feeling I get during the course of our session.”

Senior Owen Schultz, trombonist and assistant drum major, isn’t sure what drew him to join the band in seventh grade.

“It was more of a gut feeling this was something I should be part of,” he said. “My favorite part of concert band is contributing to the larger goal of giving great music performances. I knew I wanted to join the marching band because Mr. Busch said it would be a good opportunity to ‘play loud,’ and in my opinion, that is the best way to play the trombone.”

Maggie Keehan is a senior and alto saxophone player. She got to watch all her siblings play in the band and knew she wanted to be part of the fun they had. She didn’t join until her junior year, when her friends told her how much fun it was.

“My favorite part is building new friendships with people I normally wouldn’t see or interact with.”

Sophomore Aidan Kelley signed up for band in fourth grade. A clarinet player, he said he has always loved music and it plays a big role in his life. He joined marching band in sixth grade after the invitation from Busch.

“I’ve enjoyed being part of the growth of the program ever since,” he said. “I have made friends with people I wouldn’t have otherwise met.”

Holley’s band began in 1958 as the Holley Hawks Marching Band under the direction of Raymond Shahin. They enjoyed tremendous success, including State Fair championships and New York State Field Band Conference titles under direction of Jerry Kelsey.

The Kendall Royal Blue Marching Band was formed in 1963 under the direction of Richard Roberson and had many top finishes at the State Fair from 1963 into the 1970s.

Students perform during a performance of the Holley High School Concert Band, under the direction of Zach Busch of Medina.

Busch also revived the Holley Jazz Band in 2019 with 15 members. It was derailed by Covid in 2020 but the jazz band came back in 2021. It has grown to 30 members in grades seven through 12.

Holley Music Boosters was revived in 2022 and is still building up, Busch said. They have helped with travel costs for the Music Department trips, including Philadelphia this year; purchases for the Marching Band, such as new instruments, and registrations for students attending area All-State festivals.

Busch said he still bounces ideas off his dad.

“I know he loves it and has an ear for it,” Zach said. “And I value his perspective, as well.”

Zach’s wife Andrea, originally from Staten Island, is music teacher at Oak Orchard Elementary School and assistant band director for the Mustang Marching Band.

As for Zach, he loves his job and wouldn’t want it any other way. In addition to his duties as band director, he is chair of the Holley Fine Arts Department, Holley golf coach and president of the Orleans County Music Educators Association.

Kayla Thrower, Holley graduate, is named new director of school musical

Posted 19 November 2024 at 3:09 pm

Will make debut with Grease which will hit stage in March

Press Release, Holley Central School

Kayla Thrower, left, will direct Holley’s upcoming school musical of Grease.

HOLLEY – Holley Middle School/High School has announced “Grease” as its 2024-25 musical production.

Teacher and Holley alum Kayla Thrower has been selected as the school’s musical director. She succeeds MS/HS teachers and siblings Dan and Kellie Burke who co-directed Holley’s musicals for over 30 years; both have now retired from the district.

Thrower is a Holley 2017 alum who notably played the role of Ursula in the school’s 2016 production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” She began teaching social studies at Holley MS/HS in 2022. Thrower previously served as musical assistant, vocal coach and head of stage crew for the school’s musical production of “Little Shop of Horrors” in 2024.

“I am incredibly excited and thankful to lead this year’s musical production,” Thrower said. “As a student, the musical was an integral part of my life. The experiences I had on stage brought me out of my shell and taught me valuable life skills. I am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to give that experience back to my students, who continue to impress me with their talent and dedication to the arts.”

Holley MS/HS chorus teacher Kelly Marzano, who has taught at Holley since 2006, will take over the role of vocal director this year.

“The music in ‘Grease’ is not just integral to the storyline, it’s the hallmark,” said Marzano. “I look forward to helping the cast gain confidence in their singing through good vocal technique and applying that to their character portrayals. We’re fortunate to have so many creative and talented students here in Holley. This is sure to be a production for the record books. I am honored to be a part of it.”

Band teacher Zach Busch will support this year’s production as pit director. “Grease” was performed at Holley in 2017, and it was the first musical he was involved in when he began teaching in Holley that year.

“I am very excited to bring this iconic production back to the stage at Holley,” Busch said. “My goal is to provide the best musical accompaniment possible for our students on stage. I also look forward to welcoming student-musicians into the pit to learn from and play alongside our adult musicians.”

Performances will be held at the Holley Middle/High School Auditorium on March 14 at 7 p.m., and March 15 at 2 and 7 p.m. Ticket information will be shared on the HCSD website at a closer date.

“Grease” Synopsis:

Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical.

Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.

Holley family spotlighted by Hillside during National Adoption Month

Provided photo: The Girangaya family has been highlighted by Hillside as a role model for foster-to-adoption success.

Posted 18 November 2024 at 6:24 pm

Press Release, Hillside

HOLLEY – As they approach their 20th anniversary of working with Hillside as foster and adoptive parents, Chris and Alan Girangaya of Holley, have created a legacy of love and commitment for children in need.

Over the years, the Girangayas have welcomed and fostered dozens of children until either the children could be reunited with their families or other permanent placements could be made. They have also legally adopted eight of those children over the years, six of whom still live at home with their forever dads.

“Chris and Alan Girangaya’s partnership with the Hillside community opened many opportunities for children as well as within their own family,” said Jean Galle, Hillside Vice President of Community Based Services. “Through their care, love, and nurturing, many children have been able to call this family their family, and this house, their home.”

Hillside’s Therapeutic Foster Care model is designed to aim for biological family reunifications whenever possible, with foster parents often playing an invaluable partnership role in that process – but in many cases, adoption remains a possible outcome.

“Hillside has been so helpful and supportive,” Chris and Alan shared. “Because we work so closely with the dedicated Hillside staff, we have developed a close-knit and personal relationship. They’re always there for you!”

As with many of their adoptions, Chris and Alan have maintained relationships with their children’s biological families when possible. In fact, one of their children’s maternal grandmothers joined her grandson’s recent celebratory courthouse adoption ceremony.

Maria Cristalli, Hillside President & CEO, points out that the need for foster families has never been greater, and Hillside is always seeking new families willing to open their homes and their hearts to young people in need.

“Becoming a foster parent makes such a difference in a young person’s life,” she said. “Whether you’re providing short-term or respite support, or long-term support to children in need, these connections and relationships bring stability to so many children.”

Hillside’s Therapeutic Foster Care program includes ongoing training and support opportunities for foster families. To learn more, visit www.hillside.com.

Note: The Girangayas participated in a recent Hillside “Conversations with the CEO” podcast interview with Maria Cristalli. To listen, click here.

About Hillside:

Founded in 1837, Hillside is one of the country’s oldest family and youth non-profit human services organizations, and the largest of its type in New York State. The agency supports vulnerable children, adults and families through services delivered on residential campuses, in group homes, and in a wide range of school- and community-based settings.

Last year alone, Hillside programs and staff—across central and western New York State and in Prince George’s County, MD—helped more than 9,000 young people and families work toward building the stronger futures they deserve. Learn more at www.hillside.com. To support Hillside’s mission, visit www.hillside.com/donate.

‘Scouting for Food’ collects over 450 items for community center in Holley

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2024 at 2:47 pm

Provided photo

HOLLEY – Scouts from Clarendon’s Troop 59 held a “Scouting for Food” drive on Saturday. The Scouts and their leaders canvassed Holley and picked up about 450 items of non-perishable food that was then delivered to the eastern Orleans Community Center in the Public Square at Holley.

Pictured from left include Ken Shaw, James Shaw, Tyler Moore, Scoutmaster Randy Moore, Logan Lane, Ryker Knight and Brandon Knight. Not pictured: Kerry Lane.

Father and son from Holley move IT, computer business from Gates to hometown

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2024 at 9:54 am

TSC Information Technology based in Public Square at former Village Office

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brandon Weber and his father Gregg Weber have moved their business, TSC Information Technology, from Gates to 72 Public Square. The former Holley Village Office now is a retail store for computers and the based for the company providing IT, structured cabling, VoIP phone systems, wireless infrastructure, surveillance camera systems and other services. Gregg Weber has owned the business since 1982, and started with TSC in 1977.

HOLLEY – A father and son have moved the base of their information technology business with a retail computer store from Gates to 72 Pubic Square in Holley, the former village office.

The village moved its office to the former Holley High School, which also has apartments for senior citizens.

Brandon Weber and his father Gregg Weber opened TSC Information Technology at the former village office on Aug. 1. The location works well for them. They have a warehouse on Geddes Street for electronics, and for about 25 years they were bouncing back and forth from Holley and Gates.

The Holley site also has resulted in an increase in foot traffic for the retail store, and the business also is connecting with many more customers in Orleans County.

Gregg Weber was a high school student at Kendall taking computer classes at the WeMoCo BOCES when he started an apprenticeship at TSC in 1977. Five years later, he bought the business at age 21.

Weber specializes in electronic repairs and recycling, and custom personal computers.

“It’s always an ongoing learning with computers,” Gregg said. “It changes weekly, even daily.”

Gregg enjoys the challenge of fixing electronics and computers.

“I’ve always been fascinated buying old things and getting them to work again,” he said.

His son Brandon has been part of the business since he was 13, initially helping in the warehouse. He became the warehouse manager at age 18. He is now vice president and runs the managed information technology, VoIP phone systems, structured cabling and other services.

Brandon graduated from Holley in 2003. He said working with information technology makes a big difference for residents, businesses and organizations. TSC can speed up computers, eliminating viruses and spyware. TSC helps the computers to run better, saving time for people and businesses. TSC also has helped some customers streamline and save costs, combining phone lines for example.

He said it is a rewarding career.

“It’s going into these businesses and seeing the technology woes they have and then improving their technology landscape, making it faster and better,” Brandon said.

Brandon and Gregg Weber said the walk-in traffic for has increased since the business moved to 72 Public Square in August. The retail store sells new and refurbished laptops, PCs and tablets, and also does repairs.

The storefront at 72 Pubic Square has a new look. Brandon’s wife Annmarie painted the façade. She also handles the marketing and website for TSC Information Technology.

Gregg’s wife Janice is the business’s bookkeeper.

TSC is busier since the move to Holley, with many local residents and businesses reaching out to the business. Click here for more on TSC Information Technology.

Brandon also is vice president of a board for a non-profit technology organization, TEKnowledge Worldwide, where people in IT and computer services careers share knowledge with a philosophy, “Community over competition.” Brandon co-founded the organization three years ago.

TEKnowledge Worldwide each year also picks an organization to upgrade their technology for free. TEKnowledge last month went to a linigual school in North Carolina and installed new computers, fiber, camera and a WiFi internet system, providing about $25,000 in upgrades.

Click here for more on TEKnowledge.

Holley pays tribute to veterans for service to country

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2024 at 3:44 pm

Speaker urges vets struggling with PTSD to seek help

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The American Legion in Holley hosted a Veterans Day ceremony today. Scott Galliford, the Legion commander, speaks during the service. Up front with him from left include Kevin Foley, Chuck Eberhardt and Mark James Morreall.

Galliford shared how Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. It was changed to “Veterans Day” in 1954 to honor all veterans who have honorably served in the military.

Galliford had each veteran stand and be recognized during today’s service and gave them a chance to say when and where they served. Galliford said he was a “submariner” in the military from 1975 to 1979.

“I want to say to all of you guys, welcome home and welcome back,” Galliford said. “I’m impressed to be around this much honor and devotion.”

Dave Cole of Kendall speaks about his service in the military. He attended boot camp with Galliford and another one of their friends from Kendall, Stew Leverenz.

The Legion hall includes a banner, “We Support Our Troops – Come Home Soon!”

About 50 people attended the service.

Ron Boyd, a member Jewell-Buckman American Legion Post #529 in Holley and the Sons of the American Revolution, shares about a table set for prisoners of war and those missing in action.

David Shaffer served in the Army for three years beginning in January 1957. He said he was very lucky as his deployment had him in the German countryside for 30 months where he made many new friends.

Sue Johnson, the keynote speaker, asked for a moment of silence “for everyone who has lost lives to invisible wounds.” Johnson worked as an assistant chaplain in the Army and spent two years in Iraq.

In that role, she learned the importance of asking veterans how they are doing.

“Support each other, no matter what,” Johnson said.

She said political opinions, gender, sexual orientation should not be dividers in offering compassion to people.

The VA reports that an average of 17 veterans each day die by suicide, while America’s Warrior Partnership and Duke University said veteran suicides are underreported and as many as 24 veterans a day die on average from suicide.

PTSD and “the wounds we cannot see,” should be taken very seriously, Johnson said.

“It’s courageous to talk about those things and to get help,” she said.

Kevin Foley, a pilot during the Vietnam War, shared about joining the Army in 1968, and then being deployed to Vietnam. He received a Purple Heart and two Distinguished Flying Cross medals after being shot down and being determined to help his fellow soldiers.

Todd Klatt, a mechanic in the National Guard, is also the VFW post commander for eastern Orleans County. He has been deployed twice – to Bosnia and Qatar. He leaves for a third deployment in January, this time to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Holley library hosting ‘Cards for Vets’ today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2024 at 1:41 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Sandy Shaw, recently retired as director of the Community Free Library, and retired Holley Mayor John Kenney write messages in Christmas cards to be given to veterans.

Shaw has organized the annual “Cards for Vets” effort the past five years. She is hoping 500 cards can be written for veterans this holiday season.

Community Free Library is open until 8 p.m. today and welcomes people to come in and write messages in cards.

The cards will be delivered to the NYS Veterans Home in Batavia and the VA Medical Center in Batavia, as well as other local veterans.

Shaw said the cards have all been donated by community members.

Amelia Buchanan of Albion, right, signs cards in the library for veterans. She is joined by her daughters Aubrey and Alexie, and their friend Savannah Gross, left, of Brockport.

“We really wanted to do it,” Buchanan said about writing messages in the cards for veterans. “We hope they will appreciate it and feel joy.”

The library expects to have the cards available for several days for people to stop in and write messages.

Amanda Anderson, the new library director, said she wants to keep the “Cards for Vets” for many years to come. She said Orleans County has a high percentage of people who are veterans.

Holley’s Leigha Walker honored with ‘Do The Right Thing’ award

Posted 8 November 2024 at 7:12 am

On June 9 she performed CPR outside Brockport Subway

Photos by Christopher Martin: Pictured from left include Haley Walker, Leigha Walker’s mother; Monroe County Executive Adam Bello; Leigha Walker; Rochester Mayor Malik Evans; Police Chief David Smith and Jack Brennan.

By Christopher Martin, public information office for Brockport Fire District

ROCHESTER – The Rochester Police Department hosted a “Do The Right Thing” Award ceremony on Thursday, and recognized 18 youths who have been nominated for doing just that in the community.

Leigha Walker holds a “Do The Right Thing” award on Thursday after she was honored in Rochester. Leigha is a student at Morrisville State College and a member of the women’s soccer team.

Leigha Walker, 18, was nominated by the Brockport Fire District after performing CPR and contributing to the saving of the life of another on June 9.

She was working at the Brockport Subway that morning. A man was driving a vehicle when he had a heart attack and became unconscious. He crashed into a pole outside the Brockport Subway where Leigha was working.

She heard the crash and immediately called 911 at about 10 a.m. Leigha grabbed a wooden rod so a bystander could break the passenger window of the pickup truck and then unlock the vehicle.

Leigha and co-worker got the man out of the truck and onto the ground. Leigha checked his vital signs. When the Brockport Fire District ambulance pulled up, a medic urged someone to start CPR.

Leigha did more than 30 compressions to keep Brennan’s blood moving. Then the Brockport ambulance personnel used an AED to get the man’s heart restarted. He was then transported by ambulance to a hospital.

The DTRT program collects nominations from across Monroe County to recognize youth that perform above and beyond that of their peers. They recognize students and youngsters through their high school years.

Leigha was accompanied by Jack Brennan, the man she performed CPR on, her mother and was escorted into the ceremony by a representative from the Brockport Fire District.

The ceremony lasted a little over an hour where 18 youngsters were honored by the DTRT program for their service to others. There were tear-filled moments as each one had their story told by guest host Deanna Dewberry of News 10 NBC as they took to the stage. Each of them was greeted by Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, County Executive Adam Bello, and Police Chief David Smith.

The recipients then had a portrait style photo taken for use on roadside billboards to highlight the program and recognize the recipients in a very personal way. They were then invited to a personal interview with staff from News 10 NBC for broadcast at a later date speaking about how they got here.

The Brockport Fire District offers our congratulations to all 18 recipients and especially to our nominee: Leigha Walker.

Leigha Walker was among 18 youths in the Rochester region honored on Thursday.

Holley cheerleaders win Sectional title

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2024 at 8:51 am

Photos from Holley Central School

HOLLEY – The Holley cheerleaders celebrate on Saturday after winning the C2 Sectional title against 14 other teams. This is Holley’s first fall Sectional title. They won winter Sectional title in 2005, 2007 and 2009, said their coach Heather Kelley.

Holley competed at the Game Day Cheerleading held at Gates-Chili High School. Kelley said this is the second year Section V has held the event.

Members of the team include Bella Emery, Casie Emery, Skylar Gallagher, Natalie Foose, Lexi Guerrero, Michelle Lonnen, Lorainna Jones, Maggie Skehan, Isla Schultz, Madison Lowell, Serenity Rath, Mallory Davis, Hailey Gonzalez and Jose Valentin.

Bella Emery also was awarded the Nancy Saxton leadership award.

The team is coached by Kelley and Katie Chilson-Foose.

Holley competed in three other regular season events in order to be eligible to compete at Sectionals and placed 2nd at all three of those competitions.

“Our athletes worked hard all season to capture the title,” Kelley said. “It wasn’t easy and because Game Day is new we are all still learning. Our goal for yesterday was to compete full out to the best of our ability and entertain the crowd. They gave their best performance of the season yesterday and came home with the title.”

The Holley cheerleaders also cheer at home soccer and football games during the fall season.

The team received an escort into town last night from the Murray Joint Fire District.

Fire destroys Holley house, van and camper

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 October 2024 at 8:54 pm

Photo courtesy of Scott Galliford

HOLLEY – A house at 19 East Albion St. in Holley was destroyed by a fire this evening. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 5:30 p.m. for a fully involved fire in a van. That blaze spread to a camper and a house that was under renovation.

The house is a total loss and the Holley DPW will be knocking it down.

Holley lift bridge named best overall in canal system after last year’s inspections

Provided photo: Pictured from left in front of the Holley Lift Bridge include, from left: JaNae Harrington, Seasonal Canal Structure Operator; Jim Dickson, Superintendent of Canal Maintenance Section 7 (Macedon to Albion); Dana Markle, Canal Maintenance Supervisor 2; Jeffery Slowick, Canal Electrical Supervisor; Nate Calkins, Seasonal Canal Structure Operator; Dave Mellen, New York Power Authority Senior Vice President, and Regional Manager for Canals; and Brendan Simon, Western Division Canal Engineer (Sylvan Beach to the Tonawandas).

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2024 at 5:58 pm

HOLLEY – The lift bridge in Holley was recently named best overall lift bridge in the state’s canal system, which includes 16 lift bridges.

The bridges are inspected each fall. Holley won best overall bridge based on the 2023 inspections.

Each lock and lift bridge across the canal system is inspected by engineers and Canal Corp. personnel. They use a scoring system, evaluating the condition of the maintenance of the operating machinery, safety protocols and the upkeep of the buildings and grounds at each site.

“Awards are given to the highest scoring locks and lift bridges,” Shane Mahar, director of public engagement for the Canal Corp., wrote in a message to Holley Mayor Mark Bower. “The inspection awards recognize the dedication and excellence of our employees that maintain the Canal system’s vital infrastructure.”

This year’s inspections recently were completed  and awards will be announced next year.

Holley’s lift bridge recently was closed to traffic for some repairs. The bridge closed on Sept. 10 and reopened on Oct. 11.