Press release, Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force
MEDINA – A Medina man was charged today with criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance after a month-long investigation into the sale and distribution of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in the village of Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.
The Task Force and the Medina Police Department arrested Jesse S. Bolt, 38, of 723 South Main St., Apartment 1. He was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Bolt was arraigned in the Town of Shelby Justice Court by Judge Dawn Keppler. He was sent to Orleans County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or bond. Bolt is to return to Shelby court 6 p.m. on Thursday.
This investigation is still ongoing and further charges and arrests are pending, the Task Force reported.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Schwenk’s Wine Cellars in Kent pours wine during the Wine About Winter event on Feb. 1, which sold out with 750 participants. Schwenk’s was in the basement of the Bent’s Opera House.
MEDINA – They draw lots of people and breathe new life into large old buildings. Wineries and microbreweries have been “wildly successful” in other Western New York communities, said Martin Busch, Medina’s code enforcement officer.
He is part of a village government that is working to tweak the zoning in the downtown and in the business districts to state that wineries and microbreweries are allowed uses.
The current village code doesn’t specify wineries and breweries are allowed. That doesn’t mean they are prohibited in Medina, but the businesses would have an unpredictable path if they tried to pursue that type of project in the village. They would need approval from the Medina Zoning Board of Appeals.
The current language in the code doesn’t give the village controls over the businesses, either. Medina wants to welcome the business ventures, while also establishing standards for noise, odor, and storage and disposal of waste products.
Busch said “more than one” business is interesting in Medina for a winery or brewery. The community is ideally located in the middle of the expanded Niagara Wine Trail, which now runs from near Niagara Falls to the west side of Rochester.
The wineries and breweries have been successful in former cold storages and other large buildings in Western New York, Busch said. He visited the Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company in Wilson, which opened in May in a former cold storage. That brewery is part of a restaurant and has attracted customers to that community.
He sees a winery and brewery feeding other nearby businesses in Medina, including agriculture that would provide hops and grapes to make the product. The businesses could also help the village by using water and sewer services, Busch said.
The Village Planning Board will consider a zoning revision. It won’t be a radical change. It may just be an insertion of a paragraph about breweries and wineries in the business district.
Any changes would require a public hearing through the Village Board. The changes could be approved as soon as in May or June.
“We’re trying to get ahead of the game if someone applies,” said Planning Board member Todd Bensley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Kwik Fill on Pearl Street will have a new canopy with lights and fire extinguishers. The site will also go from four gas dispensers to two which will improve traffic flow on the lot.
MEDINA – Motorists getting gas at the Kwik Fill on Pearl Street will soon have a canopy to shield them from rain and more lights from on high to improve the safety of the site.
The Village of Medina Planning Board tonight approved the site plan to add a canopy that will be 15 feet above the ground. The canopy will have lights and a fire extinguishing system.
The gas station at 118 Pearl St. also will upgrade the gas pumps, with new concrete pads and gas piping. The gas station’s owner, Petroleum Services Inc. of Hilton, also will reduce the number of gas dispensers from four to two which will improve the traffic flow on the lot, said Marty Busch, the village’s code enforcement officer.
The Planning Board also said the project would not have any negative environmental impacts.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Ellen J. Goods recently put up a sign on Main Street that includes a chair. The Village Planning Board approved the sign during its meeting tonight.
In other action, the Planning Board:
Issued a certificate of appropriateness for a sign at the Ellen J. Goods store at 433 Main St. The sign includes a chair that is attached to the façade.
The sign was installed more than a month ago. The store’s owner, Lynne Brundage, was working to have the store open and the sign up for the Wine About Winter event on Feb. 1, Busch said.
Planning Board members have looked at the sign in person and they unanimously agreed it’s a nice match with the historic district.
“It fits just fine,” said board member Marguerite Sherman. “It’s cute.”
Courtesy of smartDESIGN architecture PLLC – A new 4,300-square-foot building will be used by United Memorial Medical at the former Pizza Hut location on Maple Ridge Road.
A month after approving a Batavia hospital’s plan for a new health care center on Maple Ridge Road, planners saw a revision to the site plan that eliminates two of the parking spaces and a bump-out, which improves a turning radius in the parking lot.
Planning Board members said they are happy United Memorial Medical Center made the change.
Real estate developer Chad La Civita of Buffalo will demolish the former Pizza Hut and build a new 4,300 square-foot site for UMMC .
The Batavia hospital has been providing women’s health services at 100 Ohio St., space owned by Medina Memorial Hospital. Medina closed its birthing wing in July 2011. UMMC now delivers more than 100 babies a year to Orleans County women.
The new site will have more space for doctors, patients and staff. UMMC provides obstetrics, gynecological care and other health services. The project now includes 26 parking spaces.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2014 at 12:00 am
3 school districts will give memorial to Lisa Husung
Provided photo – Kristopher Moseley is pictured with Lisa Husung. The two planned to marry July 2015. Mr. Moseley is pushing to create a memorial scholarship for his fiancée, who died Jan. 2 from complications from Lupus.
MEDINA – Lisa Husung wanted to be an ambassador, working with international students. But ultimately, she decided the best way she could make a difference was in a one-on-one setting, working with students to read and learn.
Husung, 23, was close to earning a master’s degree at the University of Buffalo to become certified to teach reading and English as a Second Language. Her life was cut short on Jan. 2 when she died from complications from Lupus.
The community has rallied around her family, and is working to establish a memorial scholarship in her name. Each year the Albion, Medina and Roy-Hart school districts will give a senior a $200 scholarship in Husung’s name. There will be a fund-raising event from 4 to 10 p.m. on March 22 at Medina Theatre. There will be a magician, DJ, food and a silent auction as part of the scholarship fund-raiser.
Lisa attended school at Albion until the fourth grade. She graduated eighth in her class at Medina in 2008. She was an honor student despite early struggles learning to read.
The scholarship at Albion and Medina will go to a graduating senior who needed academic intervention services, or who is an ESL speaker or a refugee. In Roy-Hart the scholarship will go to a student pursuing the teaching profession.
“The three communities came out to support us in her death and they will support us in the scholarship,” said Lisa’s mother Janet Husung.
Carl and Janet Husung hold a picture of their daughter Lisa from her graduation day from Oswego State College. The Husungs are raising money for a memorial scholarship in their daughter’s name that will be awarded to a senior each year in Albion, Medina and Roy-Hart school districts.
Lisa grew up in a household with teachers. Her mother is a kindergarten teacher at Albion. Lisa’s father Carl is a high school reading teacher at Roy-Hart. Growing up, Lisa helped her father with the AYSO soccer program both in Medina and Roy-Hart.
After earning a bachelor’s degree at Oswego State College, Lisa worked as a substitute teacher at Albion and Medina. This past summer she taught children of migrant farmworkers at Lyndonville. Lisa didn’t want to be a teacher in a large classroom setting. She enjoyed working with ESL students, where there was more one-on-one interaction.
“She loved her kids,” her father said. “She was the kindest person you’d ever meet.”
Lisa has enjoyed working with children since she was a teen-ager. In high school she volunteered at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, running Lisa’s Craft Corner for children. She worked as an AmeriCorps employee for two summers in the library and for five years would be called to fill in when staff went on vacation or for maternity leave.
“She was a joy, a gem,” said Catherine Cooper, the library director. “She was always happy and pleasant. She was an A-student and an A-person.”
At Oswego, Lisa met her fiancé, Kris Moseley. The two got engaged on Jan. 25, 2013. They were planning a July 2015 wedding at Vizcarra Vineyards.
Moseley is working as a long-term substitute teacher for a sixth grade class in Medina. He met Lisa during an education class at Oswego. The two saved each other seats and studied together while their relationship blossomed. Moseley is helping to organize the scholarship fund-raiser.
Provided photo – Lisa Husung works with a student at Lisa’s Craft Corner at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. Lisa worked there over five years.
The community already is working to raise money for the scholarship and to honor Lisa. This past Saturday, the Medina Winterguard dedicated its show in Medina to Lisa, who was active in the marching band and colorguard as a student.
She also started dancing with the Dancenter in Medina when she was 2 ½ and was in the ballet class right up until around Thanksgiving. The Dancenter will dedicate its spring recital to Lisa.
Tickets for the March 22 event are available at Blissetts in Medina, Bindings Bookstore in Albion, the Middleport Library or at the door the day of the event. They can also be purchased online at www.medinatheatre.com.
Donations can be made directly to the Lisa M. Husung Memorial Scholarship at any Key Bank branch or mailed to Key Bank, 514 Main St., Medina, NY 14103.
Provided photos – Medina’s Varsity Guard performs “Dance of the Dolls” on Saturday during a competition at Medina.
Press release, Medina Marching Band
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band and its Boosters on Saturday hosted the Winterguard Colorburst 2014 show, the first time Medina has hosted a Winterguard show since 2008.
Medina’s Pony Guard performs “Roar” during a Winterguard show on Saturday at Medina.
The event involved 15 colorguard units from Western NY and Canada performing in exhibition or competition.
Medina’s Pony Guard performed their show “Roar” in exhibition. This year’s group consists of 34 students in grades 5 and 6 who will hopefully serve as training and recruiting for the varsity guard.
Medina’s Varsity Guard was the only competitor in the Scholastic A (SA) class and scored 72.82. Their show, “Dance of the Dolls,” highlights the gymnastic abilities of the girls.
The 1st place winners in each of the classes are:
GCP (Gates Chili Patriots) in Cadet class, 57.45; Ventures in RA (Regional A), 73.48; Gates in A1, 62.59; Lakeside in SR, 51.97; Medina in Scholastic A (scholastic A), 72.82; and Ventures in 1A, 78.58. Webster’s Drumline completed the show with an unscored performance.
Overall the guard show was a success with approximately 350 people attending. Medina is dedicating its 2014 season to Lisa Marie Husung who passed away at age 23 on Jan. 2, 2014 following a hard fought battle with Lupus. Lisa graduated from Medina in 2008 and had participated in Winterguard and Colorguard for five years.
Provided photos – The Fredonia Trombone Choir performs Saturday in Medina at a concert attended by about 200 people.
Press release, Orleans Renaissance Group
MEDINA – Under the direction of retired BPO principal trombonist, Carl Mazzio, the 24-horn SUNY Fredonia Trombone Choir wowed a crowd Saturday evening in St. Mary’s Church.
Concert-goers were thrilled with the performance and offered an extended standing ovation at the concert’s end.
The trombone choir performed several classical and pops pieces. The concert included Holy Trinity Music Director and Principal Organist Aaron Grabowski on the church’s Barckhoff pipe organ.
About 200 people attended the event. Director Mazzio praised the Orleans Renaissance Group for organizing the concert. Mazzio also praised the beauty of the venue and the hospitality in coming to Medina for the second time. The ensemble performed at St. Mary’s previously in 2012.
Many attendees made their first trip to Medina. They traveled from Amherst, Clarence, Elma and other suburbs.
The next concert in the ORG series features an evening of Irish music with East Rochester’s Róisín Dubh on March 8 at St. Mary’s Church.
Photos by Sue Cook – Sixth-grader Layna Violario wows the crowd during a karaoke contest Friday night at Medina Lanes. She received an honorable mention at the end of the show by taking fourth place.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – The seats were full for Friday night’s WNY Idol Karaoke Contest at Medina Lanes bowling alley. Contestants preregistered for the event for an opportunity to win cash prizes.
The DJ and judging for the contest were provided by Block Head 59 Music Entertainment. The first round included many eager singers putting their heart and soul into their singing.
Ron Lemke stands before the crowd singing an original song he wrote called “Always Remember I Love You” that he dedicated to Kamie Marcin who sat among the audience.
Once the first round was complete, eight contestants were selected for the second round based on criteria such as overall vocal talent and an ability to remember the words, as no screen was used and song lyrics were recalled from memory.
The final round was narrowed down to four singers. The grand prize of $300 was awarded to Rich Nolan with an energetic performance of Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl.”
Rich Nolan impresses the judges with his country-music singing.
All four contestants were praised by the judges who suggested that they each pursue their singing. The judges offered to help connect the singers with bands in the region.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2014 at 12:00 am
Company is adding 35-40 jobs to Medina site
Photo by Tom Rivers – Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, discusses a plan for a 48,000-square-foot addition at Brunner with Town of Ridgeway Planning Board members, from left: Charles Pettit, Tom Fenton (chairman) and Richard Swan. The board will review the site plan again on March 5.
MEDINA – A company that has committed to a $15 million expansion in Medina wants to have the project ready for production of truck axles by Jan. 1, 2015.
Brunner International already employs 360 people at the corner of Bates Road and Route 31. The company will add 35 to 40 jobs as part of a 48,000-square-foot expansion to the south side of its current complex. The new building will go next to a 41,250-square-foot expansion about five years ago that added 50 jobs in Medina.
Brunner looked at Kentucky for the latest expansion, but picked Medina for the project. Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, said one of the selling points for Orleans County was the support of the local governments.
She asked the Ridgeway Town Planning Board to work hard to expediently approve the site plan.
“We want to make this as efficient as possible for them and give them more room,” Barone told the Town Planning Board on Wednesday.
Brunner and EDA will need to re-establish a wetland as part of the project. The company and EDA are working with the Army Corps of Engineers on that issue. A new access road will also be built and Barone said local governments will assist with that project.
Brad MacDoanld, Brunner vice president, told the Ridgeway Planning Board that the company expects to soon submit a formal site plan to the town.
“We’re making a significant investment in equipment and automation,” MacDonald told the Ridgeway planners. “We’re excited about it.”
The board will meet again at 7 p.m. on March 5 to discuss the site plan.
Planning Board member Charles Pettit praised MacDonald and the Brunner leaders for picking Medina for the expansion.
“It’s great to see cars in the parking lot and tractor trailers coming in and out of there,” Pettit said.
Brunner is based in Canada. The company is expanding the production of machined axle forgings that are sold to large, heavy-duty truck and trailer suppliers. It will utilize automation and add jobs as part of the expansion.
“It will put more people to work in the community,” said Planning Board Chairman Tom Fenton.
New York Power Authority in December announced it approved 2.4 megawatts of low-cost electricity for the project. The state also said it would provide a $750,000 incentive package under Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Program.
Photos by Chris Busch – Hartway Motors in Medina is getting a new metallic façade panel that will say “Chevrolet” in blue. The dealership, which is located in a historic district, is making the changes as part of a national push by Chevy dealerships.
Press release, Medina Historic and Architectural Review Board
The Hartway building is the state and national registries of historic places. The building also is listed on the National Register for its own merits.
Historic preservation can sometimes be at odds with national corporate branding, said Medina Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch. He also leads the village’s Historic and Architectural Review Board. That board found some wiggle room with the Hartway project.
The building features a post-war architectural style known as Streamline Moderne.Its lack of decoration or ornamentation, flat roof, white walls, glass block, and curved, aerodynamic forms are the chief identifying features of the building, Busch said.
In examining the proposed plan more closely within that context, the Review Board found that none of those features change, are destroyed, or were going to be irreversibly altered, he said.
“You might be tempted to lump this structure with the proposed changes into the pile with all the other newer suburban Chevrolet dealerships,” Busch said. “However, upon closer inspection, you will see that the Hartway structure is indeed different in that it does maintain the essential design characteristics of the original Streamline Moderne.”
The Medina business also is “nowhere near the scale of the typical suburban dealership structures,” Busch said. “It remains a pedestrian scale structure that make it compatible with the surrounding pedestrian scale buildings/neighborhood, with many of its design elements that define its historical importance in tact.”
In summing up its findings, the Review Board found that the architectural style of Streamline Moderne embraced the use of modern materials, and the use of them in the proposed changes was in keeping with not only the style but with the spirit of the style – an intent to celebrate clean, modern, aerodynamic lines through the use of modern materials.
The project received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Review Board.
Busch said it is a good example of the board working to maintain a credible preservation district while balancing the practical needs of local business.
“The Hartway project is a great project, and we’re very excited to see this compatible upgrade on a business that is key to both Medina’s Main Street and its Historic District,” Busch said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2014 at 12:00 am
Red Hat Society are regulars at local restaurants
Photo by Tom Rivers
GAINES – The Red Hat Society was out on the town again today, this time stopping at The Village Inn for lunch.
The group includes about 20 members who live in the Medina area. They call themselves “The Apple Dumplings.”
They go out at least once a month, wearing red hats and purple clothing. They may go shopping or out to eat. (The group also is open to members younger than 50, but they have to wear pink hats and lavender-colored clothing.)
Shirley Amos pushed to start the group about 15 years ago. Amos, 84, died on Dec. 4. She was the group’s leader, the “Queen Mother.” She loved the color red and even had a red coffin at her funeral, her friends said.
The group insists on the dress code and one other criteria: “Have fun.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Three incumbents for the Village Board will run without opposition on the March 18 ballot.
Current Mayor Andrew Meier and trustees Patricia Crowley and David Barhite are running under the independent Village Party. The terms are for two years.
Meier works as an attorney and entrepreneur in Medina. He has been leading the push to explore dissolution of the village. Meier expects a dissolution would save village taxpayers significant money. A committee is working with a consultant to determine the savings and how to best fold current village services into the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, or in other special taxing districts.
Barhite is retired from a career with the Orleans County Department of Social Services. Crowley works as a program coordinator for the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse in Orleans County.
Village Clerk Debbie Padoleski said other residents picked up petitions to run for the Village Board, but none returned them by the Feb. 11 deadline.
The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. on March 18 with voting at the senior center, 615 West Ave.
MEDINA – A one-vehicle rollover crash Thursday afternoon has resulted in the arrest of a Medina man.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., in the 3100 block of North Gravel Road (State Route 63). Aaron L. Kepner, 25, was operating a 2006 Chevrolet sedan travelling south when he lost control of the vehicle.
The car ran off the west side of the roadway and overturned. Kepner was not injured and refused medical attention at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Kepner is charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with blood alcohol content at .08 percent or more, speed not reasonable or prudent, and unsafe lane change. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Ridgeway Court on March 10.
The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Investigator D.E. Foeller Jr. and Sergeant G.T. Gunkler.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2014 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Local law enforcement seized cash, drugs and a semi-automatic rifle after a drug bust in Medina on Wednesday.
MEDINA – Three Medina residents face numerous charges following a year-long investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine and marijuana in the villages of Medina and Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.
Local law enforcement agencies arrested three people from Medina and seized more than 3 ounces of cocaine, 2 pounds of marijuana, a quantity of heroin, ecstasy pills, a variety of prescription narcotic pills, a variety of “bath salts,” a designer drug, more than $3,000 in cash, a semi-automatic rifle, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.
Police searched the “Biz Nest” at 525 Main St. in Medina and seized more than 1,000 pirated DVD movies that were being sold from the store as well as numerous items of counterfeit clothing and merchandise, the Task Force reported.
The following were arrested:
Brenton Poole
Erika Poole
Norman Bloom
Brenton O. Poole, 28, of 746 Church St., Medina, who was charged with four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree.
Erika H. Poole, 34, of 746 Church St., who was charged with four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree.
Both Brenton and Erika Poole were arraigned in Town of Albion Court by Town Justice Gary Moore. They were jailed on $75,000 cash bail or bond. They are to appear in Shelby Town Court at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19.
Norman M. Bloom Jr., 26 of 704 Church St. who was charged with one count of reckless endangerment in the second degree, one count of obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, and one count of resisting arrest.
Bloom was arraigned in Albion by Town Justice Gary Moore. Bloom was committed to the county jail on $5,000 cash bail. Bloom is currently on parole with the state Department of Corrections and is being held on a parole detainer as well.
The Task Force worked with the Medina Police Department, Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to execute search warrants in Medina at 746 Church St., 751 Church St., 525 Main St., and also on a vehicle on West Avenue in the village of Albion.
This investigation is still ongoing and further charges and arrests are pending, the Task Force reported.
MEDINA – Orchard Manor employees, who voted to join the CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association) union last September, have seen several positive developments in recent weeks.
First, the local office of the National Labor Relations Board dismissed all objections to the election filed by management at the nursing home. Management had alleged an array of improper activities, which the Board determined to be unfounded.
Second, the local office of the NLRB rejected additional claims by management that CSEA and workers supporting the union had committed unfair labor practices. As a delaying tactic, Orchard Manor management has appealed both decisions.
The NLRB did, however, issue official complaints against Orchard Manor management for illegally harassing, terminating and suspending union supporters during the campaign. CSEA had filed charges with the Labor Board alleging gross violations of worker rights by Orchard Manor management. The NLRB issued formal complaints after investigating the charges and finding management misconduct.
Now, in the latest development, management at the nursing home has decided to pay thousands in back pay to workers illegally terminated or suspended during the union organizing campaign.
Workers reacted with optimism and a commitment to move forward and try to improve conditions.
“We started our union to have a voice on the job and to be partners in improving care for the residents,” said Pam Frasier, CNA.“Despite management’s decision to spend valuable resources to fight our union we have won every time.It is time for management to come to the table rather than waste more resources on intimidation and litigation.”
“Management could have avoided this expensive settlement by simply following the law and respecting our rights,” said Gloria Graham, CNA.
CSEA Western Region President Flo Tripi commented, “I congratulate the workers at Orchard Manor for sticking together, holding management accountable, and proving their case. Clearly, Orchard Manor management knew they were going to lose the trial. Now, we urge them to join these fine employees in forming a partnership to improve care by recognizing the union and bargaining a fair contract.”
Provided photo – Alaina Boyce is pictured with some of the baskets that will be raffled on Thursday night.
Press release, Medina FFA
MEDINA – The Medina FFA is getting ready for its annual Pancake Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 13 in the high school cafeteria. Proceeds from the event will help the FFA put on the state FFA convention from May 8-10.
The dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and all-you-can-eat tickets are $7. A special Valentine’s Day treat will be served as well. Students have collected baskets for a basket raffle during the dinner.
Tickets for baskets will be available all day Thursday with a drawing at 7 p.m. Winners do not have to be present to claim the prize.
For more information about the dinner, or to volunteer to help with the convention, contact the FFA advisor, Todd Eick, at 585.798.2700 x5116 or at teick@medinacsd.org.
