Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Kaylee Lacey, a senior from Medina High School, is among 25 in New York State to be nominated for the US Presidential Scholars Program.

Kaylee Lacey

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa made the announcement on Thursday.

The recognition is one of our nation’s most prestigious honors for high school students.

“We were extremely excited to find out that one of our 12th grade AVID students, Kaylee Lacey, was selected from our district,” said Medina High School Principal Michael Cavanagh. “We know Kaylee has worked extremely hard and definitely deserves this incredible honor. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Director of School Counseling Audralee Doll for nominating her to the state.”

“Kaylee is one of our most outstanding students at Medina High School,” Mrs. Doll said. “Going above and beyond in every way possible, Kaylee is not only salutatorian among her cohort, but she will also graduate with a New York State Honors Regents Diploma with an Advanced Designation in Science – a title so rare that only few have reached this distinction in previous years.”

Kaylee will also be presented with two District awards, the James Perry Craft, Jr. School of Mathematics and Science and the John Ryan School of Historical Excellence.  Her school activities include Drum Major of the Marching Band, Impact Club, Conservation Club, Swim Team and Softball Team.

After graduation, Kaylee plans to attend school to become a pharmacist.

Scott Robinson says many services offered by Orleans Community Health

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson stands next the plaque in Medina Memorial Hospital which pays tribute to his great-great-grandfather, George A. Bowen, who founded the hospital in 1925. Robinson just accepted the position as director of marketing, communications and outreach at Community Partners.

MEDINA – Working at the hospital his great-great-grandfather founded is something Scott Robinson never thought he’d be doing.

Robinson is the great-great-grandson of George A. Bowen, who in 1910 decided there should be a local hospital in the area. His son had been trampled by a horse and spent time in a Buffalo hospital, which prompted Bowen’s idea to have a hospital here.

Then employed by S.A. Cook in Medina, Bowen spent the next 15 years fundraising. He obtained a home at the corner of Prospect and Eagle streets, which was purchased and remodeled into a hospital. It opened in 1925.

Robinson, who with his wife Alix Gilman are two of the four owners of the Shirt Factory, had been working remotely in Washington, D.C. as director of public affairs for a non-profit in the construction industry.

“It was a fun job, but there was nothing personal about it,” Robinson said. “I left in September. I thought there were a couple of jobs in this area that would intrigue me. Then this job just appeared. I went downstairs, checked my computer and received an e-mail about this job.”

His family has a long history with Medina Memorial Hospital, other than his great-great-grandfather. He said he had multiple relatives throughout the last 100 years who had connections to this hospital. His About 30 years after his great-great-grandfather served as president, his grandfather Jack Zimmerman was president of the board. His grandmother was a nurse there for many years.

Robinson is excited about his new position. He takes over for Jessica Capurso, who is moving out of the area. Robinson said she has been extraordinarily helpful during the transition.

Robinson is determined to see that the public knows how much Medina Memorial Hospital has to offer.

“Even I didn’t know all we offered here,” he said. “It falls on me to reach out to those people who drive an hour for medical services rather than come here.”

He explained Orleans Community Health encompasses five locations, the hospital in Medina, dialysis centers in Medina and Batavia, a walk-in clinic in Albion and a lab at Dr. Stahl’s office in Middleport.

“This hospital is a cornerstone of Medina, like the Medina Railroad Museum and our vibrant downtown,” he said.

He explained the hospital employs more than 300 people, 100 of whom live in Medina. Sixty-one percent live in Orleans County and 18 percent come from Eastern Niagara County.

“This is very much a local community hospital,” Robinson said.

Robinson reiterated the state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment Medina Memorial Hospital has available. Their breast screening machine is one of the top in the industry and usually found in a much bigger hospital. They offer the best in CAT scans, cardiology and lab work.

“We are a critical access hospital,” he said. “How lucky to have this hospital in our back yard.”

As part of his new job Robinson is dedicated to showcasing the employees who work at the hospital.

“One thing I will definitely focus on is making sure people feel a part of the hospital,” he said. “Its employees and the community are personal to me. For every person who has one reason why they won’t go to Medina Memorial Hospital, I want to make sure they hear five reasons why they should. In many ways we are one-stop shop.”

He said you can’t view the hospital as a building. It is its people who make it what it is.

He praised CEO Marc Shurtz, who has said he plans to be there until he retires.

“He’s committed to the hospital,” Robinson said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heather Smith, left, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, and Jeanne Crane, president of the Twig Association, hang angel ornaments of the Christmas tree in the lobby of Medina Memorial Hospital. The ornaments are available as a fundraiser to support the hospital.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation is again offering the public a chance to remember loved ones by purchasing their 2021 memorial ornament.

The ornament this year is a pair of angel wings in bright blue with silver and white feathers on top.

“It is a beautiful ornament that sparkles with glitter and sequins,” said Heather Smith, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation.

The ornaments will be hung on the holiday tree in the lobby of Medina Memorial Hospital through Jan. 2. They will be ready for pickup or shipping after Jan. 3.

There was a delay in shipping the ornaments this year, however, the remainder of the order was due to arrive today.

Ornaments cost $10 each plus $5 to ship one or $8 to ship two. Click here for the web link to order ornaments. Checks should be made payable to OCH Foundation and mailed to 200 Ohio St., Medina, 14103.

When ordering, remember to include the name of the loved one in whose memory the ornament is being purchased.

To make arrangements for picking up the ornament or for more information, call (585) 798-8426.

No deficiencies found for skilled nursing facility

MEDINA – The North Wing, a skilled nursing facility with 30 beds at Medina Memorial Hospital, recently received a deficiency-free report – with no issues of concern, following an extensive review.

“This outcome is a direct result of the planning, implementation and monitoring of the unit and the extraordinary care provided by our dedicated and compassionate nursing and support staff,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach for Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital.

In March of 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began a new, targeted inspection plan designed to help keep nursing home residents safe in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plan called for focused inspections on urgent patient safety threats (called “immediate jeopardy”) and infection control, Robinson said.

This fall, Medina Memorial Hospital had an unannounced survey, conducted by a New York state surveyor which centered around standard and transmission-based precautions and regulations; quality of resident care practices, including those with Covid-19; the facility’s surveillance plan; visitor entry and facility screening practices; education, monitoring and screening practices of staff; and facility policies and procedures to address staffing issues during emergencies, such as transmission of Covid-19.

The full day audit included staff and resident interviews and the review of a wide array of documentation.

MEDINA — The Medina Police Department has charged a 15-year-old after a social media post on Dec. 3 referenced violence at the Medina and Lockport school districts.

The post was widely circulated in the Medina community.

“This action caused several individuals to fear for the safety of their loved ones,” stated Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward and District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski in a news release.

Added security measures were put in place at the school district and law enforcement investigated the social media post.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Medina police and school officials worked with the Lockport Police Department, Lockport school district, Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, Orleans County Probation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation revealed there was no specific or credible threat to the Medina school district, Kenward and Kruzynski said.

Law enforcement identified the source of the threat and person was charged with aggravated harassment in the second degree. The name is being withheld due to the person’s age, Kenward and Kruzynski said.

The school cannot comment on any possible disciplinary action but will follow the school district’s code of conduct.

“It is important to note that the creator of the post did not threaten violence to the school, nor was there any reason to believe he may commit any acts of violence,” Kenward said.

Kenward and Kruzynski said the school district and police department take very seriously any mention of violence or threats made against the school district. They encourage the public to report any threats of violence to law enforcement and school administration.

“I would like to personally thank school resource officer Dustin Meredith, the Medina Police Department and all the law enforcement agencies involved for their thorough and detailed investigation,” Kruzynski said.

Photos and information from Medina Central School

MEDINA – In the past, the Student Association at Medina High School has collected canned goods for those in need in the community and donated them to MAAC (Medina Area Association of Churches).

Teacher and Student Association Co-Advisor Sara Cinquino says last year, with the unknowns of Covid transmission, the students took part in a peanut butter and jelly drive instead.

“This year we decided we would collect essential items like paper products and hygiene products for MAAC to distribute,” she said. “We were thrilled to be able to donate 1,971 items through our school drive.”

Members of the Medina Fire Department on Wednesday stopped at the school, where the students helped them load the donations into their ambulances.

Sherry Tuohey, a volunteer with MAAC says she is very grateful for the outreach project from the High School.

“The students did an outstanding job!” she said. “I couldn’t believe all the personal care and paper products we received. These will be so beneficial to families we are helping this Christmas. I want to thank them for making it such a huge success!”

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Passengers on the Polar Express at Medina Railroad Museum got a ride to the North Pole Saturday and Sunday. Near record crowds filled all six excursions. The event will return this Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 18 and 19, with nearly all but a few single seats sold out.

MEDINA – The Polar Express may delight children of all ages, but a couple who rode the fairy tale train on Sunday got to experience a little magic of their own.

Grace Stewart, event and volunteer coordinator for the Museum, was helping with crowds on the platform of the train when she spotted a man down on his knees in front of the holiday display on the deck of the museum.

She immediately rushed up the steps to learn that Jared Finn had just proposed to his girlfriend Ally Kirkey. In front of the couple were his children holding a sign which read “Will you marry our dad?”

Of course, she said, “Yes.”

In all the excitement Stewart failed to ask where the couple were from.

Provided photo: Jared Finn proposed to Ally Kirkey on Sunday and she said yes.

Also on Sunday, another family was noticed on one of the first-class cars celebrating a surprise birthday for a relative.

More than 5,000 people rode the Polar Express on Saturday and Sunday, a scenario that is expected to be repeated the next two weekends at the Medina Railroad Museum.

While most of the seats for the next two weekends are sold out, visitors are encouraged to visit the museum and see the extensive decorations staff has spent several weeks putting up, in preparation for the Polar Express.

Riders on the train get to enjoy hot chocolate, singing and story telling from the famed Polar Express book. Each child gets a gift, meet Santa and the hobo who board at the North Pole.

Plenty of Polar Express toys and gifts are available in the gift tent and museum gift shop.

Provided photos: Cayden Manners, Madison Farley, Hagen Van Leuven, Allie Smith and Macenzie Sword are shown with a “Protect Our Planet it’s the only One We’ve Got” banner.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina High School teacher Krista Lindke was pleasantly surprised at the response from her 8th grade High School and Beyond students for a recent class activity.

“The activity that I assigned was a philanthropy project about kindness and the spirit of giving,” she said. “For six days, the class broke into three groups: People, Animals, and the Environment and they had to complete three tasks each and choose an organization to donate to.”

Robert Lechner, Dominic Waring and Milo Vidovich are shown with pet food that was donated to the Niagara County SPCA.

The People team collected numerous winter clothing items and delivered them to the Batavia Salvation Army. They made Thanksgiving cards for the residents at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and gifted candy to the nursing staff. They also made “Help a Teacher” tickets for the 8th grade teachers.

The Animal team collected and donated several cans/boxes of dog and cat food and delivered them to the Niagara County SPCA. They also crafted and delivered dog blankets to the Niagara County SPCA. In addition they constructed a couple feral cat boxes and placed them in the community and dog treats were distributed to the teachers for their pets or their neighbors’.

“Environmental Pledge” Picture: Trevon Shine and Tatianna Maxon were among 100 students who took the “No More Straws” pledge and picked up litter after school.

The Environment team collected over 1,000 can/bottle returns and donated the proceeds to the Nature Conservancy. Birdseed baggies were put together and distributed to the teachers. They had 100 people sign a “No More Straws” pledge sheet and they picked up litter after school.

“This was such an impactful activity for my class,” said Mrs. Lindke.  “The students really went above and beyond and their kindness was definitely abundant.  I am very proud of them!  We also could not have done it without the help of the wonderful teachers and staff at MHS!”

Milo Vidovich, Mackenzie Poynter and Alex Klinzing are shown with blankets that were given to the Salvation Army in Batavia.

Photos courtesy of Medina Central School – Pictured from left include Jesse Mankowski, Jeff Dole, Doug Boje, Evan Giacomini and Mike Gray.  Back row: Mark Fitzpatrick, Jody Sargent, Eric Gross, Joe Byrne, Jon Sherman and Ed Williams.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina High School Social Studies teacher Joe Byrne challenges his male counterparts in the school district to grow some facial hair every November.

“If you see some of the gentlemen on staff without their masks on, you will definitely notice an unusual amount of hair on their upper lip,” he jokes.  “We all look like a throwback to the ’70s.”

‘Movember’ brings attention to the growing number of men, around 10.8 million globally, that are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Globally testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. Mr. Byrne says this year the staff decided to bring attention to another health crisis that affects men.

“Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day,” he said. “Men account for 75 percent of all suicides. Frankly I was shocked and horrified by that number. I think as men, we have a tendency to not talk about mental health and live with the stigma that tending to our mental health is not manly or macho. This year we decided to make a long-term impact on our community with the endeavor to help change the face of men’s health. We encouraged our staff at Central Office, Transportation Department, Oak Orchard Elementary, Clifford Wise Intermediate and the High School to donate so we could present a check to Orleans County Mental Health to help with their mission.”

Pictured from left include Joe Byrne (Social Studies and Medina Teacher’s Association President), Nola Goodrich-Kresse (Orleans Mental Health), Danielle Figura (Orleans Mental Health) and Medina CSD Superintendent Mark Kruzynski.

On Nov. 30, Mr. Byrne and Superintendent Mark Kruzynski were honored to present a check for $750 to Danielle Figura, Director of Community Services/Clinic Coordinator and Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Orleans County Public Health Officer.

“We are very happy to be able to present this money to them,” says Mr. Byrne.  “Our goal was $500 and we more than exceeded that.  I am very proud of our staff for their contributions to this important cause.”  Ms. Figura and Ms. Goodrich-Karesse both said they are very grateful for the donation.  “This is the first time, to my knowledge, we have ever been approached by an outside source to be considered for a monetary donation,” says Ms. Figura.  “This is extremely generous and will benefit the community.”

The Orleans County Mental Health offers a full range of services designed to meet the mental health needs of area residents.  The state-licensed clinic offers comprehensive programs representing a broad range of disciplines including psychiatry, psychology, social work and nursing.  Their number is (585) 283-5200.

Goodrich-Kresse says the money will be used towards Good Neighbor kits which contains information about mental health resources, coffee, tea and hot cocoa packets.  Mr. Byrne is also hoping that the Suicide Prevention Coalition and Orleans Mental Health can partner to provide a workshop on suicide prevention in the community.

Superintendent Mr. Kruzynski says he thinks the donation and workshop is a fantastic idea.  “The fact that this was staff driven is just amazing,” he said. “I think we are all aware of the impact that the pandemic has made on mental health and anything we can do at a local level to help is fabulous.”

MEDINA — The school district stayed open today after the Medina Police Department investigated a social media post that told kids to stay home because of possible violence at the school, District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski wrote in a letter to the community.

The district was made aware of the social media post at about 6:45 this morning.

The distract has had enhanced security throughout the day “to ensure the continual safety of our students and staff,” Kruzynski said. “The safety and security of all our students and staff is our top priority.”

Batavia city schools closed today “out of an abundance of caution” following threats of violence that were made over social media.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina wasn’t picked by the state for one of two $10 million downtown revitalization grants for the Finger Lakes Region.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the $10 million grants will go to the City of Rochester in Monroe County and the Village of Newark in Wayne County.

Medina was one of five finalists for the grant, just like in 2019, the last time the funding was available.

Medina has a committee that identified residential, commercial and tourism projects that would build on recent successes and investments in the downtown and canal area.

Mayor Mike Sidari is hopeful the state will offer the $10 million again. He said it would have a major impact in the village of about 6,000 people.

Sidari posted this comment to the Orleans Hub Facebook page: “First thing, I would like to thank Chris Busch and Kathy Blackburn for working with me to put this application together with the assistance from the Bergmann Group. Also, thanks to Scott Robinson and Andrew Meier for joining us to present our application to the committee. Yes, this is disappointing for the village. However, we need to look at where we were 10 years ago and where we are now. Our village has been transformed, from our downtown to our recreation areas. We have a lot of hard-working dedicated residents and business owners working to continue to improve our village. Let’s be proud of what we have and continue to make Medina one of the most outstanding communities in WNY and the Finger Lakes.”

The state chose Newark which has a population of about 9,000 people and Rochester, which has about 210,000 residents.

Previous $10 million grant winners in the Finger Lakes region include the City of Geneva in 2016, the City of Batavia in 2017, the Village of Penn Yan in 2018 and Seneca Falls in 2019.

Medina’s application sought funding for streetscape Improvements, multi-use trail along the Medina Railroad from the museum to Main Street, upgrades to Canal Village Farmer’s Market, improved waterfront access and amenities at the Canal Basin Park, enhanced programming at State Street Park (ice skating rink, enhanced lighting, boat tie-ups, benches and bicycle racks, and a construction of a nature trail), boat tie-ups and docking facilities at the Lions Park, viewing platform and at Medina waterfalls, wayfinding signage, small grant fund for local businesses, adaptive reuse of the old Medina High School to turn into apartments, and redeveloping the Snappy facility on Commercial Street by the Erie Canal into a mixed-use commercial and residential space.

“Investing in our downtowns is vital to reigniting New York’s recovery,” Governor Hochul said in announcing the DRI winners. “These awards will enhance Rochester and Newark so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy all these areas have to offer. The Finger Lakes is a region brimming with history and attractions and I look forward to seeing how these winners will use their funds to bring their communities to the next level.”

Here is what Hochul’s Office said about Rochester and Newark in announcing the awards:

Rochester – Rochester’s DRI will focus on the transformation of the long-blighted area in the center of downtown along the north side of Main Street from Clinton Avenue down to the Genesee River.

With a 17% population increase since 2010 and 50% of the population being aged 20-34 years old, Rochester’s downtown has seen significant private and public investment in the last 15 years, including new housing, hotels, updates to the convention center, multiple high-tech business and incubators to boost a burgeoning Downtown Innovation Zone, and a resurgence of the city’s waterfront thanks to dozens of projects that are part of the state supported ROC The Riverway initiative.

However, the Main and Clinton block is in desperate need of redevelopment while progress continues all around it. The winning plan will help to improve streetscapes and public spaces, upgrade the built environment, and increase pedestrian access/connections in order to catalyze further investment in the area, putting the finishing touches on the city’s downtown revitalization, creating a resurgent Rochester where more people will want to live, work and play.

Newark – Downtown Newark is a compact, walkable, well-defined, and concentrated area that the village aims to make the heartbeat of a lively, world-class village and the cultural and commercial center of the Finger Lakes region with the Erie Canal serving as the village’s center of commerce.

With multiple, large anchor institutions and ongoing job growth, Newark has seen nearly $220 million invested in the village in the last 10 years. A robust public engagement process led the village to identify needs for infill mixed-use development, more housing for workforce and seniors, and new space for indoor recreation and wellness with a focus on utilizing space along the Erie Canal.

The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all seven criteria below before recommending Rochester and Newark as the nominees:

• The downtown should be compact, with well-defined boundaries;
• The downtown is able to capitalize on prior or catalyze future private and public investment in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas;
• There should be recent or impending job growth within, or in close proximity to the downtown that can attract workers to the downtown, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;
• The downtown must be an attractive and livable community for diverse populations of all ages, income, gender, identity, ability, mobility and cultural background;
• The municipality should already embrace or have the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life, including the use of local land banks, modern zoning codes and parking standards, complete streets plans, energy efficient projects, green jobs, and transit-oriented development;
• The municipality should have conducted an open and robust community engagement process resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives that may be included in a DRI strategic investment plan;
• The municipality has the local capacity to manage the DRI process; and
• The municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of DRI funds.

Photo by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – WKBW news reporter Mike Randall interviews Brody George Thursday morning at the Medina Railroad Museum for a segment on the upcoming Polar Express trains.

Brody is a conductor on the trains which are expected to bring nearly 20,000 passengers to Medina. The segment on the ABC affiliate will air on the 6 a.m. news Friday morning.

Provided photo

MEDINA – The 5th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive resulted in eight big bags filled with donated toys and $1,852 in donations. Canalside Tattoo was the collection point for the donations this past Saturday.

Pictured from left include Shawn Ramsey, owner Canalside Tattoo; Andrew Szatkowski, organizer of the effort; Ronnie Barhite, representing Medina Area Association of Churches; Michelle Figueroa of Community Action; Sherry Touhey of MAAC; and Melinda Daniels of Community Action.

The toys and money were given to MAAC and Community Action, which then distribute the toys to many local children and families for Christmas.

“We are grateful to the community for stepping up and making sure there are more kids that will experience a better Christmas this year,” Szatkowski said. “I would also remind people of the very simple and true fact: a kid will be unwrapping your gift, and in that moment they will smile, feel the magic of Christmas, and that’s something they will have forever. No matter how many toys we get, when you look at it like that, one is enough.”