Medina

EDA says developer interested in building new Medina hotel

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – A developer is interested in building a new 49-room hotel in Medina on Maple Ridge Road, west of the Bates Road intersection, Orleans Economic Development Agency officials said.

That developer is currently working on a project in Pennsylvania. Once that is complete, the developer could commit to the project in Medina, perhaps in September, said Jim Whipple, the Orleans EDA chief executive officer.

EDA officials have been courting developers for a Medina project in recent months. The EDA had a consultant study the market in Medina to see if a new hotel would be financially sustainable.

The consultant, Interim Hospitality Consultants, said Medina could support a small hotel with 41 to 49 rooms. A hotel that size would see at least a daily occupancy rate of 60 percent, according to the report from Interim Hospitality.

Whipple said this morning there is interest in developers in the project. The EDA wants to submit the hotel project through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, seeking that group’s blessing for state funding to help with an access road off Maple Ridge Road for the hotel.

Besides the usual $750 million state-wide in funding for economic development, this year the state has added $1.5 billion in the “Upstate Economic Revitalization Competition.” The $1.5 billion will go to three regions in the state that submit the best plans for economic development projects. Whipple said the hotel would be a boost for Orleans County.

Orleans could boost its sales tax and visitor spending with the hotel. Orleans County ranked last in the state among 62 counties with visitor spending, according to a state report in 2012. The state report, prepared by Tourism Economics, put the total visitor spending in Orleans at $21.13 million.

Currently the county is limited to many day-trippers because it doesn’t have a chain hotel, EDA officials said.

The EDA has been talking with Cobblestone Inn and Suites about the project in Medina. That company has built many hotels in small towns, typically working with investors in the host community.

The report from Interim Hospitality Consultants said about 30 percent of the Medina hotel visitors would be on business-related trips, while the others would be people visiting family, or in town for class reunions, weddings and other special events.

Ethanol plant will make $2M investment in added grain storage

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Western New York Energy plans to add an 800,000-bushel storage facility to the ethanol plant at the corner of Bates Road and Route 31A.

The $2 million project will allow the company to take in more local corn and have more flexibility for deliveries, especially when farmers try to deliver corn before harsh weather, said Michael Sawyer, WNY Energy chief executive officer.

The company currently has 1 million bushels of storage space with two 500,000-bushel grain bins. They can hold about 18 days worth of corn when the plant is at full capacity. The plant, which opened in November 2007, uses about 20 million bushels of corn annually to produce 55 million gallons of ethanol.

Sawyer said the company is considering an expansion and 800,000 bushels of added grain storage would help with an expansion in the future. In the short-term, the extra storage will allow the plant to receive more corn and have more on site when weather can sometimes wreak havoc at harvest in the fall or in delivering the crop during the winter.

“Weather in our industry can make it difficult on us and corn growers,” Sawyer said.

Farmers sometimes try to beat bad weather and the ethanol plant’s storage can be at capacity, forcing the company to turn away some farmers until there is more storage space. The added storage will allow WNY Energy to better accommodate farmers, Sawyer said.

The Orleans Economic Development Agency is working on a sales tax exemption for the project. If it costs $2 million in materials and equipment, the sales tax exemption would save WNY Energy $160,000.

Jim Whipple, the EDA executive director, is working on setting up the public hearing at the Shelby Town Hall for that sales tax exemption.

Sawyer said the company is eager to get started on construction for the project.

Mustang Band picks student leaders for next year

Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Students at annual banquet are honored for 2014-15 season

Provided photo – This photo shows the leader of the Medina Mustang Band for 2015-16. The group includes Drum Major – Amanda Lunden; Assistant Drum Majors – Andrea Toussaint & Tristan Sanders; Flute Section Leader – Andrea Toussaint; Clarinets – Alex Peters; Saxophones – Madison Holland; Mellophones – Kristian Snyder; Trumpets – Abby Griffin & Kyla Leno; Trombones/Baritones – Corey Strickland; Tuba – Ryan Webber; Front End Ensemble – Megan Furness; Band Managers – Naomi Slingerland, Tyler Soha, Jadiel Flores-Medina, Nick Schaefer and Victoria Schicker; Attendance Officer – Jadiel Flores-Medina; Uniform Manager – Meghan Allen; Secretary/Librarian – Kyla Leno & Meghan Allen; Percussion – Tristan Sanders; Colorguard Managers – Grace Fuller, Leann Schneider, Shianne Sullinger; Colorguard Captains – Brittanie Goodin & Alexis Neuman.

Press Release, Medina Mustang Band

MEDINA – The 44th annual Medina Mustang Band Banquet and Awards Ceremony was held Friday at the Sacred Heart Club. It was an evening of awards and reflection on the many accomplishments in the 2014-2015 year.

Co-directors Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard emceed the event. The Booster organization was credited for their continued dedication and commitment to this organization. Outgoing officers were recognized and thanked for their help as well as the incoming officers.

The “Harry Dinkle Award” was established to recognize someone who is not a Booster officer but who volunteers a great deal of personal time and effort to the band and the Boosters. This year Mike Dreyfus was granted this award for the second year in a row. He was also the co-drum major for the Memorial Day parade based on votes from the community.

Instructional staff were recognized: Twirler instructor Roxanne Morgan; Drill & marching & instrument instructor Jeanette Sheliga; Assistant Band Director & Pit Instructor Katie Toub; Percussion Instructors Jeff Pask & TJ Gray; Color Guard Instructor Diana Baker; Visual Design & Colorguard Instructors Vinnie Monacelli & Kristen Costa. Other staff not in attendance were Music Arranger Jerry Kelsey; Music Arranger Joe Organisciak; and Percussion Instructors Joe Guadagnino and Brian King.

The NYS Field Band Conference Scholarship was given to Chris Keller with the Mustang Band Service Scholarship given to Krista Nellist, and the Orleans County Music Educators Association scholarship awarded to Emma Baldwin.

The Mustang Band marches down Main Street during the Memorial Day parade.

Medina also sent approximately 22 students in the elementary level, 32 students in the middle level and 35 students from the high school to the NYSSMA Solo Festival and overall they achieved scores ranging from Good, Outstanding, Excellent, A and A+.

Outstanding Band Member Awards were given in three categories: Outstanding Rookie went to Miranda Zelazny, Trenton Crews, Jada Draper and Avery Vanderwerf. Most Improved went to Nick Schaefer, Kali Schrader, Noah Pencille and Kaela Grosslinger. Most Valuable went to Abigail Griffin, Madison Holland, Derek Donley and Krystal Kerstetter.

Band Director awards were given by Jim Steele to Brielle Lederhouse and Kyrah Baes. Cheri Pritchard gave awards to Jenna Moore and Karina Bellan.

The Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award was started in 1968 in honor of a man who was a bus driver and always involved with the band. This year’s recipients were Chris Keller, Derek Donley and Brian Bogan.

The band performs during the Memorial Day parade on Main Street near the railroad tracks.

The Joseph C. McCain award was started in 1967 and given to a junior and senior to recognize their dedication and commitment to the band and who reflects the ideals of its founder. This year’s recipients are Tyler Soha and Kyle Herman.

Attendance Awards were given to students who have perfect attendance in the fall or in the spring or both. Service awards were given to students who had between 6 to 12 seasons of participation in the program. Graduating seniors were presented their medallions.

The Junior Prologue was given by Andrea Toussaint and the Senior Epilogue by Chris Keller. A slide show of the year’s events was prepared by Mike Dreyfus with the assistance of Greg Nellist, Joe Granchelli and many parents who submitted pictures.

The Fall Field Show for 2015 is “Illusions.” This is a magic show on a football field. The music is more difficult and therefore the first practice is June 23rd. There are 133 students signed up for the fall season, which is the largest in the past three years. Band Camp will be Aug. 10-14.

Union says labor deal reached for hospital workers

Staff Reports Posted 4 June 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The workers for Orleans Community Health have reached a tentative labor deal and called off a one-day strike planned for June 12, officials at 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East announced this morning.

The union represents 272 employees at Orleans Community Health. Union members must ratify the contract before it takes effect. The vote is next week.

The union said the three-year labor agreement would run from Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2017. The agreement includes annual wage increases that are retroactive and continues step increases.

The deal keeps shift differentials for registered nurses and increased shift differentials for workers in the service and maintenance and LPN and technical bargaining units.

The contract also maintains the workers’ “Training and Education Fund” and keep health benefits without any increases in premiums, deductibles or co-pays, according to the union.

The workers have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2014. The night of settlement marked 39 times that the workers and the hospital were at the bargaining table, according to the union. A federal mediator was at negotiations for the last 10 sessions.

“We are please that the employer recognized that there is a direct connection between the livelihood of healthcare workers and quality care,” said 1199SEIU organizer Michele Jerge. “For instance, how can healthcare workers assist the injured and ill, if they are worried about making ends at home, or job security? Orleans Community Health is an important employer in this community. Good jobs translate into a local economy that can thrive. Our issues are everyone’s issues.”

The union represents 272 healthcare workers at Orleans Community Health in three different bargaining units: service & maintenance, LPNs & technical, and RNs.

Mustang band wins many first place awards at Gorham pageant

Posted 4 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Medina Mustang Band members are pictured with some of the band’s awards from the Gorham Pageant of Bands on May 29-30.

Press Release
Medina Mustang Band

MEDINA – The Marcus Whitman Central School District held its 54th Gorham Pageant of Bands May 29-30. This pageant represents an opportunity for students in the various band programs to come together and perform.

Twelve schools in total participated in the various components including concert, twirlers, percussion, color guard, jazz and parade. Of these, seven participated in parade.

In Jazz Band, Medina Junior High Class A earned 1st place with a score of 89.5. In High School Class A, Medina placed first with a score of 97.5 followed by Albion with 95.

Medina’s Specialty award for jazz was a Middle School soloist, Kody Leno, a trombonist. In High School, the jazz band received awards for best rhythm, brass and woodwinds sections.

Medina was the only competitor in Twirling and took first place with a score of 93.5.

In Color Guard, Medina earned first place in Scholastic A with a score of 96.4. Medina earned first place in Percussion Standstill with a score of 97.

Concert band competition concluded with Medina Middle School earning first place with a score of 167.5 and the High School with 191.5.

The parade down Main Street included seven schools. In High School Class A, Medina took first place with a score of 96 while Albion in the High School Open Class took first place with a score of 87.5. Medina also earned Class Champion and Grand Champion.

The Robert Steele Award was started in 1994 and named after Jim Steele’s father who was the band director in Gorham (Marcus Whitman) for 37 years. It is given to band directors, administrators, boosters who promote music education and are a strong role model and supporter of their school’s music program. This year’s recipient was Shawn Halquist, band director at Brockport High School.

The Medina Mustang Band and all of its components are under the co-direction of Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard. Friday is the Band Banquet and Awards Ceremony and marks the official end of the 2014-2015 season.

Young Preservationists will tour Medina success stories

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2015 at 12:00 am

File photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Landmark Society’s Young Urban Preservationists plan to be in Medina on June 13 to see the renovation efforts at the former R.H. Newell Shirt Factory on West Center Street. That building has been renovated the past decade by local attorney Andrew Meier.

He has made first floor space available for a coffee shop, a meadery and a performance venue out back. The second floor includes law offices and the top floor has loft apartments and hotel rooms.

The Young Urban Preservationists have visited many preservation success stories in the City of Rochester. The trip to Medina is the first outside Rochester for the group, said Caitlin Meives, a preservation planner with the Landmark Society of Western New York.

“We want to showcase all the cool stuff going on in Medina,” Meives said today.

Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group, is pictured in the main performance hall of the Bent’s Opera House. ORG is trying to restore the building, a dominant structure on Main Street.

The young preservationists will look at the Newell building, tour the Bent’s Opera House and get an update on that preservation effort, and visit other spots in the community.

Meives wants to highlight the young entrepreneurs in Medina who are leading the preservation efforts in the community, as well as a resurgence in the downtown business district.

810 Meadworks is one of several new businesses to open in downtown Medina.

The group from Rochester plans to be in Medina from 2 to 10 p.m. The schedule includes a stop at the 810 Meadworks, the new meadery in the Newell building.

The group will also take in a concert at the open air venue in the building. Meadworks owners are offering live music in the former Boiler 54 performance space this year. Meadworks is calling the venue “The Beegarten.”

Meives said the Medina trip is part of the “Backroads & Byways,” a series of day trips to small towns in the region that are promoting preservation.

For more information, click here.

Scholarship honors boy who suffered abuse and couldn’t attend school

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Devante Boston, 17, has been in healthcare facility after assault when he was 4

Provided photo – Mindy Cogovan, aunt of Devante Boston, presents a $1,850 check to scholarship winner Matthew Cochrane, while Devante’s great aunt Phyllis Winters looks on. Devante’s family and friends created the one-time scholarship for a Medina student pursuing a medical career. Devante would have graduated with the Class of 2015.

MEDINA – Devante Boston will turn 18 on June 13. He should have graduated with the Class of 2015 later this month.

But Devante has been hospitalized or in a healthcare facility since he was 4. He has never been able to attend school.

Devante suffered brain damage in May 2002 when David Ricks threw him against the wall. Ricks was sentenced to a maximum 20-year sentence in state prison for first-degree assault.

Ricks, now 37, is in Wyoming Correctional Facility in Attica. He could be conditionally released on July 2019.

Devante has been unable to walk or talk since the assault. He is in a healthcare facility in Buffalo and his family said he functions at about a 6-month-old’s level.

Some of his family members pushed to start BRAVE (Bringing Real Awareness to Victimization Everywhere) about 11 years ago. The group tries to advocate for victims of crimes and their families.

BRAVE and Devante’s family wanted to create the one-time scholarship this year for a member of the Class of 2015 who will study for a medical career. Matthew Cochrane is going into the field of neuroscience. He was presented the scholarship last week.

Devante’s great aunt Phyllis Winters wanted to create the scholarship and hoped to raise $1,000 from family, friends and BRAVE. They were able to give $1,850.

“I just wanted to honor Devante because I knew he wouldn’t be walking across that stage,” Winters said today.

There were eight applicants and Cochrane stood out.

“We wanted to give back to a person going into the medical field because the health care field is all that Devante knows,” Winters said.

Mustang Band brings home several awards from Cleveland competition

Contributed Story Posted 29 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos, Medina Mustang Band

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, from May 21-24 to compete in the Music in the Parks Festival and brought home several honors.

The Jazz Band earned a first place superior rating with a score of 97.5. Wind Ensemble came in first with a superior rating and a score of 92. In parade, Medina earned a first place superior rating and a score of 97.5.

In addition, Madison Holland received the overall best jazz soloist award.

The band returned home in time for the Memorial Day parade and was led down the street by guest conductor, Mike Dreyfus, along with Drum Major Chris Keller. The band will head to Gorham today and Saturday to compete in that festival.

The band is pictured in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

WNY Flash soccer players will promote fitness at Medina school

Staff Reports Posted 27 May 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Members of the Western New York Flash, a women’s professional soccer team, will visit the Oak Orchard Elementary School in Medina on Thursday afternoon to promote fitness.

The Flash are one of nine teams of the National Women’s Soccer League. The club won the inaugural NWSL Shield after finishing the 2013 with the best regular-season record.

The team has partnered with Athletes For Hope as a part of the Let’s Move! Active Schools Campaign.

The Flash will speak with Medina students about the importance of staying active, healthy eating and working toward goals. The assembly will begin at 1 p.m. and will feature 450 students from grades kindergarten to 3rd grade.

The assembly will feature a short presentation from Flash players who will discuss their story, how physical activity is important to them and how it has helped them become a professional athlete.

Afterwards, the team will lead the students in fitness and soccer-related activities.

Orchard Manor celebrates National Nursing Home Week

Contributed Story Posted 26 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

MEDINA – Cassidy Oliver sees how low she can go at the limbo competition, one of the events at the Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina during National Nursing Home Week.

This year’s theme for the event from May 10-16 at Orchard Manor was “Bring on the Fiesta!”

Leonel and Lola Rosario, co-owners of Mariachi De Oro, a Mexican restaurant in Medina, performed Mexican dances with audience participation. The Rosarios also brought refried beans for sampling.

Other events included music, a book fair, ice cream social and a line dancing performance by the Hot Country Liners

Service awards were also presented to staff members for years of service. Dave Denny, administrator, presented the awards. The following are pictured, front row, from left: Vicki Boyd and Roxanne Rhodes. Middle row: Carolyn Dix, Lynn Goodrich, LuAnn Thompson, Jackie Wheatley, Sarah Drier and Laura Bruton. Back row: Administrator Dave Denny and Jim Young.

Long-time band enthusiast gets chance to lead Mustangs

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mike Dreyfus, a Medina Mustang Band booster for nearly 20 years, leads the band while it plays patriotic songs on Memorial Day at State Street Park. Dreyfus also led the band on the parade route from the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue to the park on East Center Street.

He won a contest to be guest conductor for the parade. People paid $1 to vote for one of five guest conductors and Dreyfus was the winner.

“They march real fast,” Dreyfus said after the parade.

Dreyfus joined drum major Chris Keller (pictured at right) in keeping the band on pace.

“He did a good job,” sophomore Kristian Snyder said about Dreyfus. “He kept in time very well and he made his commands very clear.”

Snyder said Dreyfus is popular among the 130-plus kids in the band. He is a vocal supporter at their many parades and events, and works hard to raise money for the Mustangs.

“He’s been one of the biggest boosters,” Snyder said. “He’s a very nice man.”

Chris Keller, left, and Mike Dreyfus lead the band while it plays the National Anthem and other patriotic songs at State Street Park.

Dreyfus became active with the band when his son Kip, Class of 2003, joined as an eighth-grader. Dreyfus has been impressed by the band members’ dedication and accomplishment, and the pride they bring to the community.

He worked 20 years in probation and then 20 years as a substance abuse counselor. He said the band is a great prevention program, helping the kids to connect to the community, learn discipline and resist temptations with drugs and alcohol.

Dreyfus, 68, said he doesn’t have too much musical ability. But it was a thrill to join the band on Memorial Day, with an enthusiastic crowd along the way.

“This is something I can cross off my bucket list,” he said.

Medina shows patriotic spirit on Memorial Day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Rick Forder, a member of the VFW in Medina, carries the American flag down Main Street during the parade today.

Gary Hill hands an American flag to Torry Dames, 4, of Medina. Hill and other members of the Sons of the American Legion handed out hundreds of flags today some people were in a patriotic mood for the parade.

Boy Scouts joined veterans and other service organizations and community groups in the parade today.

Abbigail Smith, 1, of Middleport watches the parade with her father, Johnathan Smith of Middleport.

The color guard performs with the Medina Mustang Marching Band on Main Street today.

The band makes its way down Main Street on a parade route that ended at State Street Park.

The band has about 130 members.

The band stays in position during today’s Memorial Day parade.

A long lineup of community participants joined in the parade, shown here on East Center Street.

A Medina Little Leaguer tosses candy to a spectator along the parade route.

Jack Hill and other members of the Medina FFA were part of the parade today.

Stan Thurber addresses the group at State Street Park. He gives a special shout out to all the Marines in attendance before leading the group in an opening prayer.

Thomas J. Walders, a member of the Medina VFW, plays “Taps” with the Honor Guard at the conclusion of today’s Memorial Day service at the park.

County Legislator Lynne Johnson and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley both spoke at the service. Tristan Sanders, a Boys State representative from Medina, also addressed the crowd.

Family gives diary, dog tag to Medina from Medal of Honor recipient

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – John Butts and his family treasure the dog tag and diary from John E. Butts, the only Medal of Honor recipient in Medina’s history.

However, the Butts family didn’t want to just store the diary and dog tag in a drawer or in a display at one of the relative’s. The family decided to give the identification and diary to the Medina community.

The top photo shows the dog tag with the name Anna Butts, the mother of the soldier. The dog tag was covered in blood, and that blood corroded the metal, causing it to split in half, Butts family members said today.

John Butts, nephew to Medina’s famed soldier from World War II, presented the dog tag and diary to Steve Johnson, commander of the American Legion, during a Memorial Day service today at State Street Park.

Steve Johnson, right, accepts the dog tag and diary from John Butts, nephew of the Medal of Honor recipient from Medina.

Johnson then presented the dog tag and diary to Catherine Cooper, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, which already has a display about Butts with his medals, Medal of Honor citation and photographs.

“They are better served here than being locked in a closet or drawer,” said John Butts, who travelled to Medina from Portland, Maine. “It is more proper here. Medina is the origin.”

Butts and 10 other family members have been in Medina the past few days, learning more about John E. Butts.

The village named a park for Butts and the American Legion post also bears his name. He died in World War II in Normandy. Butts had already been wounded when he led a charge to distract the enemy. He was fatally wounded, but his battalion was able to advance.

Butts had five brothers serve in the war. The family is now spread around the country. They met for a reunion in Medina the past few days with Butts family members traveling from Portland, Maine; San Diego, Calif; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Rock Hill, South Carolina; and Virginia.

The Butts family is pictured with Catherine Cooper, back right, following the Memorial Day service today at State Street Park.

The family came together to give the treasured items from John E. Butts to Medina.

“I’m very appreciative and proud of Medina,” John Butts told a crowd gathered at State Street Park. “I’m very proud of the town of Medina and the kindness and generosity of the people.”

Butts said the big crowds of people that turned out for Memorial Day is unusual in America today. He said his uncle was like many from the community who heeded the call to serve the country.

The family started talking more in the past year when Tim Butts was contacted by a documentary filmmaker about John E. Butts. The family worked to assemble information. They discussed the diary and the dog tag and where those artifacts should go. They decided they wanted back in the community where Butts grew up.

This diary, held by Catherine Cooper, details the boot camp experiences by John E. Butts.

Catherine Cooper, the library director and also Ridgeway town historian, thanked the family for their generosity. She said the diary, with the family’s blessing, would be reproduced for the public.

Doug Butts, a family member from Grand Rapids, Mich., thanked the community for keeping up the park, Legion Post and grave for John E. Butts. Doug Butts said the family is impressed by the small-town charm in Medina.

“It’s a beautiful town with a Rockwellian Main Street,” he said.

Family of Medina’s lone Medal of Honor recipient will attend Memorial Day events

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2015 at 12:00 am

John E. Butts’ family will present his dog tags to community

John E. Butts

MEDINA – John E. Butts remains a source of pride in the Medina community more than 70 years after his death. Butts is the lone Medal of Honor recipient from Medina.

He sacrificed himself in Normandy in World War II, advancing on the enemy to distract them so his battalion could advance. Butts had already been wounded, but pressed on, leading a platoon.

“Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead,” his Medal of Honor citation reads. “When within 10 yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire. By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2LT BUTTS enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission.”

Butts was one of five brothers to serve in World War II. He died in Normandy on June 23, 1944. His body came home in 1948 and he is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Medina.

The American Legion Post and a village park bear his name. There is a display of his medals at the local library. On Monday, following the Memorial Day parade, some of Butts’ family members will present his dog tags to the community during a service at State Street Park.

Several of Butts’ nieces and nephews are getting together for a reunion in Medina this weekend before they present his dog tags on Monday. The relatives are from South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan and California.

They are coming together for the first time since they were kids. The reunion came about after a Dutch television journalist/historian sought more information on Butts for a TV documentary following the 9th Infantry’s campaign from D-Day to WWII’s conclusion. Butts was featured in a segment in the series.

The parade in Medina starts at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and ends at State Street Park with the ceremony at the park starting at about noon.

Early morning fire damages Medina laundromat

Staff Reports Posted 23 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – Firefighters work to put out a fire in Washboard Willy’s on Starr Street in Medina early this morning.

MEDINA – A fire early this morning at the Washboard Willy’s laundromat caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the building and $25,000 to equipment, Medina Fire Department officials said.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 2:22 a.m. The building at the corner of Starr Street and Main Street was filled with smoke with fire coming out of the roof, said Steve Cooley, Fire Department public information officer.

Chief Todd Zinkievich requested mutual aid from the Ridgeway Fire Department to the scene along with an engine from East Shelby to stand by at the Medina firehouse.

While interior crews completed primary searches and fire attack, additional crews laddered the roof to perform ventilation operations, Cooley said.

The fire was knocked down and under control within 30 minutes from time of dispatch.

The cause of the fire appears to be nonintentional at this time but remains under investigation by department investigators. There were no firefighter injuries reported, Cooley said.