By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 January 2024 at 4:42 pm
MEDINA – The Medina School District is warning of scam where people are asked to give their credit cards for gift cards for staff members.
“We want to make you aware of a scam that is currently happening in many neighboring districts,” the Medina district said in a message to the community this afternoon. “Parents and community members are receiving text messages from a 212 area code claiming to be someone from the schools.
“These text messages ask people to purchase gift cards for other staff members, and they try to obtain credit card information. Please know that nobody from the Medina CSD will ever solicit money from families to purchase gifts for staff members.
“If you see a message like this come to your phone, please treat the message as spam and do not click on any links in those emails.”
Photo courtesy of Medina Central School: Daniel Doctor, director of Community Partnership, and Julie Webber, director of Curriculum and Instruction, promote Saturday’s Tri-County College and Career Day Conference in Medina.
MEDINA – Medina Central School District is hosting a Tri-County College and Career Day Conference on Jan. 20.
This annual celebration of educational opportunity is a major event for talented, first-generation college-bound students, parents and community members in Orleans, Niagara and Genesee counties. Students, parents, community members from neighboring counties, and other educational opportunity programs are expected to be in attendance.
The purpose of College and Career Day conference is to expose anyone planning their future to a variety of careers in order to jumpstart their thinking about career paths. By preparing early, students will more likely be college and career ready after high school graduation. Students in middle, high school and adulthood may participate in the conference.
On hand there will be representatives from multiple organizations to discuss potential job opportunities and college representatives to discuss their programs. There will be opportunities to discuss over 1,300 career opportunities.
“As educators, our goal is to let students know that there is a magnificent world of possibilities out there,” says Daniel Doctor, director of Community Partnership for the school district. “Having a job, most kids can understand; but building a career is a far more elusive idea. No teenager can fully comprehend yet what it means to have a career, or professional life-path. College is just one of those possibilities that often our students don’t quite really know enough about. In a nutshell, this event is to get students jumpstarted into thinking about the future.”
The event will be held at the Medina Junior-Senior High School at 1 Mustang Drive and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2024 at 6:38 pm
Orleans Community Health says it values employees but can’t jeopardize long-term financial viability
MEDINA – The leaders of Orleans Community Health say the organization cares deeply about its employees and finalizing a contract is a top priority with 189 employees in the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East..
The organization, which has about 300 employees altogether, is currently proposing approximate average increases of 12 to 15 percent over the next three years, which far surpasses the across the board 2 percent increases in 2021, 2022 and 2023, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications, and Outreach for OCH.
Union members at Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital, Lake Plains Batavia Dialysis Clinic, and Albion Healthcare Center have voted to authorize an informational picket if no labor agreement can be reached soon.
“Services at Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital have expanded and the increase in patients leaves workers without enough staff to provide the quality care patients in the rural community rely upon,” the union stated in a news release. “Downsizing and service line closures in nearby counties have contributed to staffing issues at the hospital and clinics.”
OCH currently holds a 2.6% vacancy rate (down 8 positions out of 304) and is actively recruiting for those positions, Robinson said.
Orleans Community Health is utilizing temporary workers until permanent placements are found. Robinson said OCH’s nursing home staffing levels are among the best according to the latest CMS report.
OCH leaders have met with union reps for 13 sessions since commencing negotiations on December 8, 2023, Robinson said.
“During the entire process the OCH Negotiating Team has negotiated transparently and in good faith with 1199SEIU,” he said. “This includes sharing a significant amount of financial details and information with the Union throughout the course of negotiations. This was done to establish transparency from the start so the bargaining committee could see the full picture and challenges facing OCH as an organization.”
Extensive market research on current wages and benefits was conducted and that information was shared with the entire bargaining committee at the table. Some of the wage proposals are at the top-end of the competition, Robinson said, including:
A proposed CNA base wage of $18.38 to $21.49 per hour with the average wage for like positions ranging from $15.00/hr. up to $21.00/hr.
A proposed housekeeping base wage of $16.70 to $19.48/hr. with the average wage for like positions ranging from $15 to $16.95/hr.
A proposed registered nurse base wage of $35.55 to $43.57/hr. with the average wage for like positions ranging from $33.00 to $49.35/hr.
“These past few years presented challenges for all of us, and we survived,” Robinson said. “We are optimistic about our future! Now more than ever, we must balance making sound financial decisions so that we do not jeopardize the long term financial stability of the hospital while also compensating our employees fairly and competitively.
“OCH employs over 300 individuals and serves tens of thousands of community members, and we take this negotiation process very seriously. Making these important financial decisions can either set us up for future success or failure. It is our obligation to be good stewards of the hospital’s resources and it would be extremely irresponsible for us to commit to all the Union’s proposals knowing that we would not be able to meet our financial obligations.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2024 at 8:51 am
MEDINA – Village residents interested in running for a spot on the Village Board can start the petition process.
Candidates need at least 100 registered voters in the village to sign an independent nominating petition that must be turned in to the village office by Feb. 13.
The mayor’s position and two trustees will be up for election on March 19. Mayor Mike Sidari announced he won’t be seeking re-election after eight years as mayor. The trustee positions up for election are currently filled by Tim Elliot and Marguerite Sherman.
Medina doesn’t have major party caucuses. The candidates all run as independents.
Provided photo: Medina Mayor Mike Sidari joins Nicole Tuohey and her Mary Lou Tuohey in cutting symbolic elephant links to start the Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 9 at State Street Park in Medina. Nicole sold the elephant links for $1 and she raised about $2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter.
Posted 2 January 2024 at 8:28 am
Press Release, Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter
MEDINA – The Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s exceeded its goal for 2023, raising $32,485 to date, a 22% increase over 2022.
The walk was held on Sept. 9 at State Street Park in Medina and donations were accepted until the end of the year.
“As a co-chair and a longtime committee member of the Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, I am thrilled with the success we’ve seen this year,” said Medina resident Mary Lou Tuohey. “More than 200 people attended our very fun and meaningful event in September, and we raised an unprecedented amount thanks to our hardworking committee members and very generous Orleans County community! It was a beautiful day all around.”
Lynn Westcott, senior director of development for the Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter, acknowledged the increase in support.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for the dedication and hard work of the Orleans County committee and the continued, generous support from the community,” she said.
Westcott added that the funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s ensure that the many programs and services the Alzheimer’s Association provides in Orleans County remain free to those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, along with their caregivers. In addition, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s funds critical research and advocacy efforts which have resulted in new treatments for people living in the early stage.
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 410,000 in New York State, with 546,000 individuals in New York serving as unpaid caregivers for those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
This year’s WNY Walk to End Alzheimer’s was presented by Uniland. Local Orleans County sponsors included UnitedHealthcare, FMC Middleport and Talis Equity.
The six Walks to End Alzheimer’s held throughout Western New York raised nearly $850,000 in 2023. To get involved with the 2024 Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, contact Westcott at lwestcott@alz.org or 716.440.4251.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2023 at 9:35 am
Provided photo
MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club recently presented its $2,500 scholarship, which is based on academic achievement and community service.
Rotary Club President Peter Bartula presents the check to scholarship winner Abbie Goodrich, who just finished her first semester at Niagara Community College and is working towards her degree in Animal Management. This is an annual scholarship that goes to a student from Medina.
The Medina Rotary Club also is gearing up for a Cornhole Tournament with $5,000 in prizes at Dubby’s Tailgate on Jan. 6. There will be 80 teams of two players in three brackets with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes in each bracket.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 December 2023 at 4:16 pm
Provided photo: Santa Claus is wheeled into Medina Memorial Hospital for his annual physical, before beginning is long journey Christmas Eve.
MEDINA – Staff at Medina Memorial Hospital have announced the successful yearly physical of Santa Claus on Thursday. The physical was completed by members of the Ambulatory Services team.
“Santa is ready to go,” said Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services at Orleans Community Health. “Our team ran several routine tests and there is no reason for concern. We’re excited for him and his big day.”
For those who are wondering why Santa Claus selects Medina Memorial Hospital as the location of his yearly physical, there are several reasons, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Medina Memorial. Most importantly is the little-known reason that Santa Claus used to help in Medina’s Imaging/Radiology Department during his off season.
“While we don’t typically release the information on patients, Santa Claus signs a waver with us every year because of the importance of this visit,” Robinson said. “It is again our honor to announce he is ready for the big day. The flight should be a little easier than the one he faced in 2022.”
NORAD (click here) will begin tracking Santa and his sleigh just after midnight on Christmas Eve. It is estimated that he needs 36 hours to complete his journey.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2023 at 10:03 am
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch
MEDINA – The Medina A’Cappella Choir Community Christmas Concert was held Sunday evening at St. mary’s Catholic Church and a capacity crowd was in attendance.
Rachel Trillizio directs the high school choir.
The A’Cappella Christmas concert is an annual tradition going back many years in Medina. Members of the Oak Orchard Elementary Glee Club also sang in the concert.
Andrea Busch, left, directs the Oak Orchard Elementary Glee Club.
The high school brass ensemble also performed with teachers Matt Jaeger and Kyla Leno.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Veterans’ graves in Boxwood Cemetery were decorated today in the 10th local Wreaths Across America ceremony. Volunteers placed 1,008 wreaths this year, including 200 in St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart cemeteries.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 December 2023 at 8:09 pm
Provided photo: Medina businessman Tom Snyder is one of several volunteers who participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday at Boxwood Cemetery.
MEDINA – The 10th annual Wreaths Across America ceremony in Medina is one for the record books.
Organizer Kathy Blackburn reported 1,008 wreaths were placed this year by a local Boy Scout troop under the leadership of John Dieter and volunteers from the American Legion and VFW posts.
“We also had a new volunteer group this year – Boy Scout 86 from Brockport, who heard about our project and wanted to help,” Blackburn said. “The Carpenter Union workers were also out in full force and we thank them all, because we couldn’t do it without them.”
There were enough wreaths purchased to place 200 in St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart cemeteries. Blackburn encourages members of St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart to purchase wreaths for next year, so they can cover all the veterans’ graves in those cemeteries.
Again this year, the national Wreaths Across America organization will donate one wreath for every wreath purchased from now until Jan. 16. Checks should be made out to the village clerk for $17 and marked for Wreaths Across America, 119 Park Ave., Medina.
Blackburn also thanked local businessman Tom Snyder for his continued support of the Wreaths Across America project. Snyder not only makes an annual donation, but volunteers his time to lay a wreath during the ceremony.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sherry Tuohey (left), head of MAAC’s Christmas Barrel program, and Norma Jean Foster make a last-minute check of boxes that will be delivered today to families in need in the Medina area. Families served are one-third higher than last year.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2023 at 8:36 pm
MEDINA – MAAC’s Christmas Barrel program came to a conclusion for another year on Saturday, with the delivery of gift boxes to more than 300 individuals, more than 170 of them children.
Sherry Tuohey, who heads the annual Christmas project, said MAAC provided Christmas gifts and dinner to one-third more people than last year. The packed boxes filled the dining room and the entryway of the church.
She said there was such a need in the community, especially since year they had homeless families to provide for this year.
“We live in a wonderful community,” Tuohey told the dozens of firefighters who came to breakfast at the Grove United Methodist Church before setting out to deliver all the boxes. “People are so giving.”
East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor and her husband Jeff, along with Josh Fuller, load Christmas boxes in their truck for delivery.
Tuohey thanked all the people who helped her – Kathie McMoil who takes charge of personal care items, most of which are donated by Medina High School students and staff; Norma Jean Foster, who does all the food shopping; Barb Vreeland, president of MAAC, who coordinates the drive for hats, mittens and socks; the Boy Scouts who helped carry items up from the basement; and importantly, Medina firefighters who distribute the barrels in November and pick them up in early December; and the firefighters from Medina, East Shelby, Ridgeway and Shelby who volunteer to deliver the filled boxes to families in the Medina area.
Tuohey said she has a wonderful group who work with her. The MAAC Christmas Barrel program is really a year-long project.
“All year long, I’m shopping for deals,” she said.
Chief Matt Jackson and Captain Jon Higgins from Medina Fire Department, standing at left, and firefighter/paramedic Steve Miller load a pickup with Christmas boxes for delivery on Saturday.
Medina fire chief Matt Jackson said the firefighters look forward to the project every year.
“We’ve done it so many years, it goes pretty smooth now,” he said.
Gordie and Sandy Smith of Medina are relatively new volunteers, this being the second year they have helped. When Tuohey announced how tired they were after sorting all the gifts and packing the boxes, Sandy said, “But it’s so rewarding.”
Sherry Tuohey, head of MAAC’s Christmas Barrel program, welcomes firefighters from Medina, East Shelby, Ridgeway and Shelby to breakfast Saturday morning at The Grove United Methodist Church. Firefighters delivered Christmas boxes to more than 300 individuals who applied for assistance.
When the firefighters picked up the filled barrels and returned them to the church, volunteers then spent several days sorting the donations into categories of ages, and boys and girls. Then on Monday and Tuesday, they started to pack the boxes. Each family got a ham, canned fruit and vegetables and multiple gifts for each child in the family.
This year, MAAC provided Christmas boxes to 28 seniors, all of whom received food, personal care items and a crocheted lap robe, made and donated by Jane Wharram of Medina.
In concluding, Tuohey told the room full of MAAC volunteers and firefighters, “We really appreciate you.”
Don Marchner, a volunteer with Ridgeway Fire Department, carries out a Christmas box to his truck. In back, Lt. Steve Cooley with Medina Fire Department talks to fellow firefighters before beginning to load their vehicles.
