These kindergarten teachers let students know they are missed in the classroom.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 April 2020 at 12:51 pm
MEDINA – The Medina school district was planning a Mustang Motorcade today, to let students know they are missed. But the district decided against it, not wanting to encourage a crowd of kids and their families to gather.
So the district instead did a virtual parade, with more than 100 teachers and staff sending in photos for a 12-minute video. Many of the teachers and staff are wearing Medina Mustang shirts or crazy outfits.
The district encouraged students to “Stay happy, Stay healthy, Stay strong!”
Provided photo from Mindful Media Group: Western New York Energy, an ethanol plant on Bates Road in Medina, produces about 60 million gallons of ethanol annually.
Posted 2 April 2020 at 7:36 pm
Press Release, Western New York Energy, Orleans Economic Development Agency
MEDINA – Western New York Energy in Medina has adapted its operations to provide distilleries, technology companies, and global personal care corporations in the United States and Canada with ethanol to produce hand sanitizer in response to the coronavirus global pandemic.
“In conjunction with New York’s corn growers, Western New York Energy is committed to assisting distillers and companies of any size to manufacture hand sanitizer in the fight against this devastating pandemic,” said Tim Winters, WNYE President and CEO. “We could not do this without the support of the farmers, our partners for the past 13 years, who are the bedrock of this region.”
Photo courtesy of Black Button Distilling: Some of the WNY Energy ethanol is being used for sanitizer.
The WNY Energy facility is locally owned and can produce up to 150,000 gallons per day of tech-grade ethanol for industrial purposes such as sanitizer production. Winters and 50 employees are supplying some of the country’s largest technology companies and global personal care corporations that have repurposed operations to address the nationwide need for sanitizer, along with distillers across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Maine that have halted alcohol production to produce sanitizer for the urgent needs of doctors, hospitals, and at-risk communities.
Distilleries that WNY Energy first supplied at the forefront of the COVID response include: Black Button Distilling and Iron Smoke Distillery in Rochester, Uncle Jumbo’s Vodka in Buffalo, Prohibition Distillery in Roscoe, NY, Clayton Distillery in Clayton, NY and Maine Craft Distillery in Portland, ME. Many of those companies first bottled the sanitizer in 24-ounce glass liquor bottles they had in stock, but are now working to make sanitizer available in larger gallon containers, pails or drums.
“Western New York Energy is a respected industry partner and a critically important, reliable market for our corn growers,” said Colleen Klein, executive director of NY Corn and Soybean Growers Association. “In usual circumstances, our crop is used in the Medina facility to make clean, renewable fuel but these are not usual circumstances. We are facing unprecedented times as a state and nation. We applaud WNYE’s ability and willingness to pivot their business to provide much needed sanitation resources while maintaining the market for our growers during these uncertain times.”
More distilleries across the Northeast, Midwest, and the larger corporations WNYE has begun to supply are ramping up the production of 75-80% alcohol-based hand sanitizers for retail and wholesale.
“As we move forward, you can rest assured that New York farmers are going to show up to do their job – whatever it takes,” Klein said. “We’re happy to have a friend in Western New York Energy who shares this mentality. Whether you’re farm tough, New York City tough, or anywhere in between – we’re all stronger together.”
Western New York Energy opened in 2007 after construction of a $90 million facility in Medina. WNYE is proud to be partnering with New York’s farmers to produce domestic, clean, renewable energy.
On an annual basis WNYE processes approximately 20 million bushels of corn into more than 60 million gallons of fuel-grade biofuel blended with gasoline; 140,000 tons of high-quality dairy distillers grain for the dairy and livestock industries; 1.8 million gallons of feed-grade corn oil sold as a feed product or for further processing into biodiesel; and 100,000 tons of food-grade carbon dioxide.
“Western New York Energy has become one of the most important industries in Orleans County and New York State,” said Jim Whipple, CEO of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. “The economics tied to WNYE not only supports local farmers, but the operation is the largest taxpayer in Orleans County. It is important that products made in New York’s farm communities be given purchasing priority in times like this, as we are often more equipped and adaptive to support the needs of heavily populated urban areas that could be struggling.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2020 at 9:40 am
Photos from Rob Dennis, director of transportation for Medina school district
MEDINA – The school district is finishing its third week of “Operation Food Drop” and has been distributing 1,000 to 1,200 meals daily to Medina families.
District administrators have teamed with cafeteria workers and the transportation department to organize the program and get the breakfasts and lunches to children in the community.
“We will continue throughout Easter break and into the foreseeable future,” said Rob Dennis, the transportation director for the school district. “I am very proud of how well our school leadership has come together in these difficult times for us all. Medina Strong, Mustang Strong.”
Dennis praised the cafeteria staff led by Maria Haegerty.
“Our transportation department has worked seamlessly with Maria, and her department to get food to the students and families of the district,” Dennis said.
The district has been delivering the meals between 11 a.m. and noon each day at the following locations:
• Pine Street Park: corner of Pine Street and Park Avenue
• MAAC Thrift Depot: corner of Starr Street and Orient Street
• Orleans County YMCA Parking Lot: 306 Pearl Street
• Former Towne School Parking Lot: 181 Bates Road
• Shelby Fire Department Parking Lot: 4695 S. Gravel Road
• Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company parking lot on Knowlesville Road
• Oak Orchard Elementary Bus Loop
Dan Doctor, director of community outreach for Medina Central School, also has been taking food to homeless families in the district.
For more information about the food program, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2020 at 4:47 pm
MEDINA — Mayor Michael Sidari has issued an emergency order, closing the village playgrounds, including the skate park, to the public to assist in lowering the spreading of the coronavirus, which threatens the public health, the mayor said.
The emergency order also closes the village buildings to the public, except for employees and by appointment.
Sidari said the village parks and buildings will be monitored by the Medina Police Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement and the DPW superintendent.
The emergency declaration is in effect for 30 days, but Sidari said he would review it in five days.
The Village of Albion has also closed its public parks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2020 at 10:03 am
MEDINA – The school district has cancelled a Mustang Motorcade that was planned for Friday, with teachers and staff driving throughout the community to see students.
“We are doing this for precautionary reasons,” said Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent. “We do not want our children and families, who may be outside lining the parade route, to wind up becoming too close to their neighbors and friends.”
Kruzynski said the district will try another way to connect with children and boost their spirits during an extended school shutdown.
“The goal of this parade was to spread cheer and community, and we are going to put together a ‘virtual parade’ in the very near future,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2020 at 7:35 pm
Caravan of fire trucks flash lights, beep horns in show of support
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Firefighters from the Western Battalion in Orleans County – East Shelby, Shelby, Medina, Ridgeway and Lyndonville – brought fire trucks and parked outside Medina memorial Hospital this evening beginning at 6 p.m.
Firefighters flashed lights of on the trucks and drove through the parking lot, beeping the horns to show their appreciation for the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital.
Click here to see a video of the fire trucks driving through the parking lot and past the hospital.
Click here to see the fire trucks lined up on Ohio Street outside Medina Memorial.
Steve Bane, the second assistant chief at Lyndonville, suggested the tribute and the other leaders of the five fire departments were quick to say yes.
“This is our closest medical facility,” Bane said outside the hospital this evening. “They are getting fatigued. We just want to help get the morale up for everybody.”
Bane has seen similar tributes for larger city hospitals. He said Medina deserves recognition from the community for the life-saving work of the staff.
These firefighters chat outside the hospital. They include from left: Justin McAdoo of Ridgeway, Brad Mahke of Medina, Sergio DiCenso of Medina, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Kristin McAdoo of Ridgeway, Adam Fisher of Medina and Jacob Crooks of Medina.
Crooks, a lieutenant with the Medina Fire Department, said the Medina hospital provides critical healthcare services for the community.
“Without them the next closest hospital would be Batavia and Lockport,” Crooks said. “We just wanted to show them that we support them and to keep up the good work.”
Dawn Petry, a certified nurse’s aide at the hospital, said the staff is thankful for the community’s outreach recently, with donated surgical masks, food and blankets.
“We appreciate everything the community has done for us,” said Petry, whose husband Tim is president of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. “It’s been helping us with the long hours.”
Megan Perkins, another CNA, said her co-workers took photos from some of the hospital rooms of the display by the firefighters.
“It’s appreciated that they would think of us,” Perkins said.
She said the staff is committed to their patients and the residents.
“I come to do my job to make people feel they are cared about,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2020 at 3:33 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: A Mustang banner is displayed outside Medina High School.
MEDINA – The teachers and staff of Medina school district are planning a Medina Mustang Motorcade on Friday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
The district is hoping the motorcade will spread some cheer to students who are now home from school for the third week due to health concerns with the coronavirus.
“We ask that you find a safe location to enjoy the motorcade – maybe from your front porch, in a vehicle or in lawn chairs at an appropriate social distance!” according to a notice from the district. “Please note that nothing with be thrown during this parade. But there will be noise! Music, horns, etc!”
The district encourages students to make a banner or a sign and show their “Medina Strong” pride.
“It is also National Find a Rainbow Day,” the district stated. “We hope that we can spread some hope and cheer during this unprecedented time.”
Motorcade Route:
Shelby Fire Hall—South on 63, West Shelby Rd, R-Hellert Rd, L- Ryan Rd, R-Salt Works Rd, Over route 31, R-Park Ave, R-West Ave, R-Maple St, R- Gwinn St, L-Park Ave, R– Prospect, R-Ryan St, L– Glenwood, L-Oak, L-Gulf, R-Stork, L- N Gravel Rd, L-Commercial St, L-E Oak Orchard St, L-Bates Rd, L-North St, L-State St, L-Chadwick St, R-Starling Dr, R-Elizabeth St, L-Mead Ave, R-Elwood St,
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2020 at 3:12 pm
Board also approves $2,500 contribution to skate park upgrade
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board on Monday approved a four-year contract with career firefighters that gives them 2 percent annual raises.
The contract includes 20 firefighters. They also need to contribute 25 percent towards their health insurance premiums.
The contract runs from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2023. The boar don Monday agreed to pay the firefighters their retroactive pay increase. Trustee Owen Toale said that increase is in the current village budget.
Monday’s meeting deviated from a normal meeting. It was closed to the public with two of the five Village Board members and the village clerk participating online through Zoom. (Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers also participated through Zoom.)
The board intends to utilize Zoom until a state of emergency is lifted. Right now the state has ordered no public gatherings of more than 10 people.
In other action at Monday’s meeting:
• The board agreed to contribute $2,500 to upgrades of the skate park at Butts Park. The Medina Skate Society is leading an effort to raise $250,000 in matching funds for the park’s upgrades.
Medina has been awarded up to $250,000 from the Tony Hawk & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundations. Medina has about $200,000 raised locally so far. The grant deadline for the local share is March 30. At that point every dollar that has been raised locally will be doubled. Medina could have $500,000 to build a skate park if the $250,000 local match is met.
The park is used by skateboarders, bikers, scooters and in-line skaters.
• The board set 7 p.m. on April 13 for a public hearing on electric charging stations. Burger King wants to put an electric charging station at its parking lot on Maple Ridge Road.
• The board voted to add a $50 charge plus the cost of a tree when people seek to donate a tree to be planted by the village. Mayor Mike Sidari said trees range from $175 to $219, depending on the variety.
Whatever the cost of buying a tree the village will add $50 to cover the village’s cost for digging a hole to plant the tree, the cost for mulch and a water bag.
That means, with the current prices, if someone wants to donate a tree it will cost $225 to $269.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Lt. Todd Draper of the Medina Police Department begins his presentation at the First Presbyterian Church in Medina on steps to take in the event of an active shooter situation. Standing at left is Police Chief Chad Kenward, who supports Draper’s program.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 March 2020 at 2:16 pm
(Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub is trying to get caught up on some of the events we covered before the coronavirus became such a dominant story. This article is from a presentation on March 10.)
MEDINA – If there is one thing Lt. Todd Draper never wants to hear from a local resident it is, “It couldn’t happen here.”
Draper, a former combat medic, a 15-year member of the Medina Police Department and its K9 officer, is on a mission to educate everyone in the area what to do in the event of an active threat situation. This could come in the form of a shooter, a person with a knife, a vehicle attack or explosives.
It could happen anywhere, and it could happen here, Draper said.
“My wife is a teacher and my son goes to Medina schools,” Draper said. “The mentality that it won’t happen here doesn’t fly anymore.”
His family and his community are near and dear to his heart, which is why Draper has made of point of educating himself and his fellow officers how to prepare and what to do in an active threat situation.
On March 10 at the First Presbyterian Church in Medina, Draper gave a one-hour presentation on how to prepare and what to do in an active shooter situation. He has previously done the presentation for the staff at the Medina School District and recently approached the Medina Area Association of Churches, offering to do one for them.
Pat Crowley, former prevention educator at GCASA and member of the First Presbyterian Church, is secretary of MAAC and offered to take the lead in planning the presentation. The Rev. William Wilkinson was all in favor of it and the church agreed to host the event, even serving supper.
More than 80 people turned out to hear Draper, who stressed what people do in and active shooter situation matters – a lot.
“The actions you take in the first few minutes of such a situation may make the difference between life and death,” he said.
He said the facts are disturbing, but they are serious.
The incidences of a shooting have increased from five a week in 2009 to 15 a week in 2020.
“This is the new norm,” Draper said, quoting former President Obama. “We don’t want it to happen here, but we want to prepare if it does.”
He urged making a plan now.
“You can’t wait until it happens,” he said.
He shared results of a study of 160 active shooter situations. Ninety-nine percent were single individuals, 94 percent were male, 90 ended by suicide or leaving the scene and 21 were ended by civilians. An active shooter situation usually lasts six to eight minutes. There were 250 active shooter situations in the United States between 2000 and 2017. Active shootings have happened in educational buildings, commerce, government buildings, open spaces, a temple, an Episcopal church and a synagogue.
Lt. Todd Draper explains actions to take in the case of an active shooter situation. About 80 people attended his presentation on March 10.
In the case of the shooting in a Texas church, the suspect was killed by an armed volunteer security guard.
“It shows how important your actions are before the police arrive,” Draper said.
He also said this occurred in a village of about 14,000 which would almost be the number of people in Medina and the surrounding towns.
Again stressing the importance of making a plan, Draper said the body’s ability to react in a time of stress is reduced from 86 percent to 15 percent.
“You need a pre-established plan,” Draper said. “Know the right action, and don’t follow the flock.”
He said it has been 60 years since a child died in a school fire, and that is because of frequent fire drills – planning ahead.
Steps to remember are:
• Know what to do.
• Practice it.
• Focus.
• Breathe.
• Shift emotion.
Your response plan needs to be clear and everyone in your organization should know what to, but some information might be for staff only. Plans need to be consistent and simple.
Plans should include how to create a physical barrier; people in the building should know which doors are locked and when they are locked.
Draper said he would love for churches to assign an usher to man the door and suggests keeping the door locked. He said a congregation is typically sitting with their back to the door, making it easy for someone to come in during the service unnoticed. He said if someone came late and the usher knew them, he could welcome them it, but if the person presented a threat, the locked door would prevent them from entering.
“The days of honor-based security are gone,” Draper said.
Signs to look for that someone might be considering a threatening action include social withdrawal, isolation, feelings of rejection, uncontrolled anger, drug/alcohol use and making serious, violent threats.
The most important thing is “If you see something, say something,” Draper said.
In the event one is caught in an active shooter situation, Draper said the first thing to do is call 911 and try to evade the assailant.
“Distance is your biggest friend,” he said. “Try to put space between you and the assailant.”
Then find cover that will stop a bullet. A wall will conceal you, but will not stop a bullet, Draper said. If you run, only take your cell phone to call 911 and make sure to silence it so it won’t give your location away.
He said to look for improvised weapons, such as an aerosol can, a stapler, scissors or a fire extinguisher.
If someone is shot, Draper said it’s possible to survive a gunshot wound if someone knows how to stop the bleeding. “Stop the Bleed” is another program the Medina Police Department teaches. He recommends churches have “Stop the Bleed” kits in their sanctuary.
In conclusion, Draper said, “Don’t ever say it won’t happen here.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Board of Education met on Thursday and utilized social distancing to stay apart. Normally the board members and administrators sit close next to each other at one long table. Arlene Pawlaczyk is the BOE president. Mark Kruzynski, district superintendent, is in back at right. The district capped the people in the board room at 10 to adhere to the governor’s directive to reduce social capacity in buildings.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2020 at 1:03 pm
Not sure when students can return, and state funding also an unknown
MEDINA – The school district is adjusting to an unknown calendar in the coming weeks and months. Right now, there are no classes, sports or other extracurricular activities.
Even graduation, about three months away, is uncertain.
Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, hopes for a return to normalcy. But, as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus continues to grow in the state, that might not be anytime soon.
The superintendent urged everyone to practice social distancing in public by staying at least 6 feet away from other people. If you are sick, stay home.
Adhering to guidelines will speed up how quickly the state and country can get back on schedule, he said during Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
“How long do you think it will last?” Kruzynski said during the meeting. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Thursday’s meeting was limited to 10 people at the boardroom to reduce the chance for spreading the virus.
While the district has been largely emptied of people the past week, the school buildings have been undergoing a “deep cleaning,” Kruzynski said.
Students also have been given on-line materials and other schoolwork during the current shutdown. The district also has been serving about 1,000 meals daily since Tuesday. Those meals are available to students between 11 a.m. and noon at the following locations: Pine Street Park, MAAC Thrift Depot, Orleans County YMCA parking lot, former Towne School Parking Lot, Shelby Fire Department parking lot, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company parking lot in Knowlesville and the Oak Orchard Elementary bus loop.
Kruzynski praised the cafeteria workers for preparing the meals, bus drivers for delivering them, and teachers for their efforts preparing schoolwork.
“The Medina Mustang family really showed how amazing they are this past week,” Kruzynski said.
The school district was closed on Saturday. The governor has closed all school districts in the state for two weeks. Kruzynski expects another directive from the governor, extending the closings.
Kruzynski said school administrators also are trying to get the final details together on the school budget. The biggest source of revenue, state aid, now faces uncertainty due to the economic pain for small businesses due to the coronavirus.
“State aid is a concern,” Kruzynski said. “What started off as a really smooth has been turned upside down.”
The superintendent also said state aid testing scheduled for next week has been postponed. The state hasn’t set if the tests could happen later in the school year.
The meeting on Thursday was on YouTube (click here). Kruzynski took a moment to address students who are out of school until further notice.
“Students if you are watching, you are still our focus and you will remain our focus as we get through this,” Kruzynski said.
Board member Dave Sevenski said the school shutdown is hard on the community, especially for the seniors. Many colleges have cancelled their commencement programs in May. Medina’s graduation is scheduled for June 26.
“Let’s say we don’t open,” Sevenski said about the remainder of the school year. “What happens to the seniors?”
“That is a good question,” responded Marc Graff, Medina’s assistant superintendent. “If I were a senior or a parent of a senior, I would be asking the same thing. It’s a fluid situation. It’s coming day by day.”
If Medina and other schools are unable to have commencement, Kruzynski said Medina would hold a celebration for students at some point.
The district leadership was praised by board members for their quick response and efforts to provide services to students.
“Thank you for rolling with it and for being flexible and efficient,” said board member Ann Bunch.
The board on Thursday approved resolutions authorizing the superintendent to shorten the workday to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., only a few people are currently working in the district office – Kruzynski; Graff; Julie Kuhn, the district clerk; and Dan Doctor, director of community outreach who is helping coordinate the district’s food delivery during the shutdown.
The board also approved a resolution for the district to continuing paying staff their normal pay, and also a resolution to allow people to work out of job descriptions. Kruzynski said that would allow indoor cleaners to work outside, for example.
These deaths are believed to be drug-related, police chief says
Press Release, Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department in cooperation with other local law enforcement agencies are investigating the recent deaths of two young adults.
These deaths are believed to be drug related. If anyone has any information regarding these deaths, please contact the Medina Police Department at (585) 798-5602.
In addition to these incidents, we are aware of a recent spike in the area of drug-related deaths. It is believed that many of these deaths may be linked to heroin and fentanyl usage. These deaths are often due to increased levels of fentanyl. Individuals using these products many not even know that fentanyl is being mixed into these drugs, or may not be aware of their potency.
A reminder to all residents, fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug that can be deadly even when touched and absorbed into the skin. These dangers can increase dramatically when fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, and individuals may not be aware that they are taking them.
As always, we are continuing to work with local partners to fight opioid addition. Please work with us in keeping yourself and others safe. Thank you.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus has made adjustments to its operational plans. These operational plans are accordance with guidelines set by the CDC and other federal, state, and local authorities.
The Medina Police Department administrative office is closed to the public until further notice. Only police officers and other essential personnel will be allowed inside the building.
Police Officers can be contacted by calling Orleans County Dispatch (585) 589-5627 or, in the case of an emergency, 911.
During business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), you can also call (585) 798-5602 for an officer or administrative assistance.
Calls for service that are not priority, officers may utilize phone contact rather than appearing in person.
Calls for service that require officers to appear in person may result in the officer asking persons to come outside to speak rather than inside or in close proximity.
We understand any frustration this may lend you, but please understand these measures are taken to reduce officers’ exposure to the virus and to still provide a high level of service to the public.
These operational plans will remain in effect until further notice.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 8:26 am
MEDINA – Medina Central School, which is closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, will continue to provide students with the meal service program.
Beginning today, breakfast and lunch will be available to our students between 11 a.m. and noon each day at the following locations:
• Pine Street Park: corner of Pine Street and Park Avenue
• MAAC Thrift Depot: corner of Starr Street and Orient Street
• Orleans County YMCA Parking Lot: 306 Pearl Street
• Former Towne School Parking Lot: 181 Bates Road
• Shelby Fire Department Parking Lot: 4695 S. Gravel Road
• Knowlesville Volunteer Fire Company Parking Lot: Knowlesville Road
• Oak Orchard Elementary Bus Loop
Students must be present, when possible, to receive their meals, Marc Graff, assistant superintendent, said in a letter to the community.
“We will monitor the distribution process and make any necessary adjustments as needed,” Graff said. “We wish to thank all of our students, families and staff for their understanding and patience as we work through these unprecedented times.”
For more information, click here to be directed to the district’s website.
Provided photos: Pictured from left include Medina Skate Society members Cathy Puff, Mayor Mike Sidari, Terri Nelson, Alex Feig and Dawn Powell.
Staff Reports Posted 16 March 2020 at 2:26 pm
A skateboarder does a trick off a ramp at the skate park on Sunday.
MEDINA – The Medina Skate Society raised about $1,600 on Sunday with a meat raffle and special event at Butts Park in medina, where the Skate Society wants to upgrade the equipment for skateboarders.
Alex Feig, president of the Skate Society, estimated about 40-60 people stopped by for the two-hour event.
The Skate Society is pushing to raise money as part of a matching grant. Medina has been awarded up to $250,000 from the Tony Hawk & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundations. Medina had $202,000 raised locally before Sunday’s event.
The Village of Medina will be building a new public concrete skate park over the next year thanks to a pair of area donors who wish to remain anonymous, Feig said.
The grant deadline is March 30 at which point every dollar that has been raised will be doubled and the Village of Medina could have $500,000 to build a skate park, which will be used by skateboarders, bikers, scooters and in-line skaters as well as be an architectural work of art, Feig said.
The skate park is anticipated to be a new hub of activity for families, organizations and even radical skateboarding tourists from far and wide.
The Skate Society is requesting $2,500 contributions each from the Village of Medina, towns of Shelby and Ridgeway and Orleans County.
The Skate Society wants to name the new skate park in memory of Luke Nelson, who passed away unexpectedly in April 2017. “Luke’s passion to fix his beloved skate park has inspired family, friends and community members to love and appreciate their local skating scene and skate park,” Feig said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2020 at 3:16 pm
Both sites will offer limited access for patrons to return and borrow materials
The public libraries in Medina and Holley are closed until further notice, although both libraries intend to allow limited access for patrons to return and borrow books and materials.
Catherine Cooper, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, said Lee-Whedon will be closed to the public to be in compliance with the Orleans County Health Department’s declaration of a state of emergency.
“Procedures to facilitate borrowing and returning materials will be announced,” she said in an email.
The Community Free Library in Holley will be closed to the public but will have staff in the building from 10 a.m. to noon each day to answer any questions, gather holds, and “organize your family’s needs,” Sandra Shaw, library director, said in a letter to the community.
She said the staff and Board of Trustees “want everyone to be safe during these trying times.”
Community Free Library has established following protocols so patrons can take out materials and return them.
• Staff will wipe down the books that come in the book drop and delivery (for as long as that continues), fill holds with books that have been wiped down and placed in bags with a family’s name on them. Staff will then call and tell patrons that the items are in the library foyer from 10 a.m. to noon for someone to pick them up. The front door will be relocked at noon.
• Staff will also place in the foyer applications for library cards and instructions on how to access Hoopla (videos and books) overdrive (eBooks and audio books) and Zinio (emagazines).
• No patron will have access to the library past the foyer “as this is for your safety and ours,” Shaw wrote in her letter.
• For copies of magazines, tax forms etc., call the library at (585) 638-6987 and ask staff to then put them in a bag with the patron’s name.
