By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The first snowfall finally hit today, with harsh winds part of the onslaught. The weather turned nasty around 3:30 p.m. This cyclist is crossing Main Street in Albion at about 4 p.m.
At least three accidents were reported on Ridge Road in Ridgeway since 4 p.m. with a car into a tree between Marshall and North Gravel roads, a vehicle rollover between Knowlesville Road the Gaines-Ridgeway town line, and a rollover between Swett and Oregon roads.
The weather will get better after today with highs of 38 on Sunday, 48 on Monday, 50 on Tuesday, 55 on Wednesday, 59 on Thursday and 45 on Friday (Christmas), according to the National Weather Service.
Here is how Main Street leading to downtown Albion looked at about 4 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The price at the Kwik Fill in Albion is $2.27 for unleaded today. Gas is cheaper at many stations outside Orleans County.
ALBION – Orleans County legislators say gas prices can sometimes be 30 cents more per gallon in Orleans, compared to neighboring counties, hurting businesses and residents in the community.
County officials have railed against the high prices before, which are attributed to “zone pricing,” according to a report from the Attorney General’s Office. The AG said in 2011 that no laws are being broken due to higher prices in some counties.
The County Legislature is asking Gov. Cuomo and the State Legislature to pass a law making it illegal for zone pricing and other artificial changes in fuel prices.
The State Assembly has already passed a bill, A.00103, targeting zone pricing and the State Senate is considering the issue with bill, S00332.
“It’s imperative that we level the playing field for our businesses in Orleans County,” County Legislator Ken DeRoller, R-Kendall, said on Wednesday during the Legislature meeting.
The national average for gas prices today is $2.007, according to AAA. That is the lowest price since 2009.
In New York State, the average price is $2.272 per gallon, AAA reported today. In New York City, the average price per gallon is $2.37. in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls region it’s $2.24. Gas gets cheaper moving east with an average price of $2.20 in Rochester and $2.13 in Syracuse.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Mark O’Brien (right), director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department, presents the Stepping Up Initiative to Orleans County legislators on Wednesday. O’Brien is joined by Scott Wilson (center), the jail superintendent, and Randy Bower, who takes over as sheriff on Jan. 1.
ALBION – About 80 percent of the inmates in the Orleans County Jail have mental health disorders, and half of the inmates have drug and alcohol addictions, the jail superintendent told Orleans County legislators on Wednesday.
About 30 inmates each month take medication, paid for by taxpayers, to help fight their addictions and mental health issues, said Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent.
Many of the inmates fighting addictions and mental health disorders have high rates of recidivism, returning to the jail, Wilson said.
He thinks there is a better way to help inmates with their addictions and disorders, and also to break the cycle of crime.
Wilson was joined by Sheriff-elect Randy Bower and Mark O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department, in presenting the Stepping Up Initiative (click here) to county legislators. Many counties across the country are working to provide more mental health and drug addiction services to inmates.
“We want to keep them out of our jails and break the cycle of addiction,” Wilson told legislators.
Bower in his campaign for sheriff made treatment for inmates battling addictions one of his top priorities. He already has made connections with other sheriffs running the Stepping Up Initiative. Bower said he would like to have the program in place in early 2016.
“Other counties have taken up this initiative and we’re going to piggyback on their successes,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard.
Mark O’Brien, director of the Mental Health Department in Orleans County, said it will be a community effort to assist those with mental health disorders. His department will coordinate with Probation, the Department of Social Services and other agencies to reach people before they are in jail.
He noted Mental Health has agreement with four of the five school districts to have mental health counselors in the schools to work with children.
The county already has a drug court. It could look at other jail diversion programs with Mental Health and perhaps Veterans courts, O’Brien said.
Wilson cited statistics from the Stepping Up Initiative that estimate 2 million people in the United States are admitted to jails annually. Those people tend to be incarcerated longer than other inmates, and require more attention from staff and taxpayer resources, Wilson said.
“I really applaud you for this effort,” Callard told the trio leading the initiative in Orleans County. “It’s long overdue and it’s certainly welcome.”
The Legislature presented Wilson with a proclamation for leading the effort.
“We want to put it in writing to show just how fully we support this initiative,” Callard said.
MEDINA – A Rochester man face drug charges after being arrested Tuesday at the Rite Aid parking lot in Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting.
Maurice D. Jacobs, 37, of 24 Conkey Ave. was charged two counts of criminal sale and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are Class B felonies.
His arrest followed a three-month investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine from Rochester to Orleans County, the Task Force reported.
Jacobs was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Justice Joseph Fuller and committed to the county jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.
The Task Force made the arrest along with the Medina Police Department. Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Task Force, says the investigation continues and more arrests are pending.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Randy Bower will be about $11,000 less as sheriff in 2016 than his predecessor, retiring Scott Hess.Orleans County legislators on Wednesday voted to set Bower’s pay at $71,322, which is grade 11, step 3 in the pay scale. Hess is retiring after 12 years sheriff. He has been paid $82,621 in 2015 at grade 11, step 9.
County legislators met in executive session to discuss Bower’s pay on Wednesday. The group decided that Bower would make less than Hess based on Bower’s experience.
Bower was elected sheriff last month. He has worked nearly 30 years as a public safety dispatcher.
Hess became sheriff after working for the Albion Police Department for about 20 years, including several years as police chief.
“This is just a starting salary,” David Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, said about Bower’s pay level. “We have great expectations for the job he’ll do.”
Callard said the Legislature could have started Bower at either step 1 or step 2, but opted for step 3. Bower’s salary and pay steps should increase each year he’s on the job, Callard said.
Legislator Ken DeRoller also said Bower’s pay is just at the “starting level” and will go up in the future.
“We’re looking forward to working with the new sheriff,” DeRoller said.
Legislators had a public hearing setting the pay for some appointed and elected officials. Those positions will see 2 percent increases in 2016. That includes the seven legislator positions.
The chairman will be paid $17,087, the vice chairman $12,920 and the other five legislators, $11,390 each.
Some other positions and the pay for 2016 include: county clerk, $77,529; county treasurer, $77,529; director of personnel, $81,963; highway superintendent, $84,273; social services commissioner, $84,273; real property tax director, $71,322; director of computer services, $72,930; IT operations analyst I, $58,383; director of community health services, $68,372; secretary to highway superintendent, $49,410; director of emergency management, $30,588; and county historian, $8,160.
The 2 percent increases were opposed by Paul Lauricella, who ran for legislator this year with Conservative Party backing. He lost the election to Lynne Johnson. Lauricella, speaking during the public hearing, said the raises are too much for taxpayers.
“I have a hard time understanding that,” he said about the 2 percent increases.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2015 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – John Dady, part of the Dady Brothers with his brother Joe, performed along the Erie Canal in Albion on July 12, kicking off the concert series on Thursdays. The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council approved funding for the concerts in 2016.
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has announced $52,283 in funding for several cultural programs in Orleans and Genesee counties for 2015.
The funding in state decentralization grants is up from the $41,600 approved in 2015.
GO ART! also approved $5,000 total for two Ripple Grants to support local artists who wish to involve the community in their creative process.
One of those $2,500 goes to Bill McDonald of Batavia for the Travelling Towpath Troubadors, a concert series along the Erie Canal. The Troubadors performed several canal concerts from a boat this past summer. The group will be back for more music in 2016.
Members of the “Old Hippies” play as the Travelling Towpath Troubadors in a concert on July 12 in Medina’s Canal Basin. The group includes Vinny Pastore, Jim Catino, Kay McMahon and Bill McDonald.
The decentralization grants approved for projects in Orleans County include:
Lake Plains Players for its fall musical (to be announced), $1,819.73;
Lake Plains Players summer musical (to be announced), $638;
Lake Plains Players, Summer Youth Theatre Camp, $1,324.73;
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, “Finally Fridays!” – 15th annual series of free music programs during winter, $1,969.73;
Lyndonville Lions Club for Concert Fun in Lyndonville, $2,794.73;
Mental Health Association for pottery and print making, $835;
Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fair Flower Show, $585;
Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. for an evening with Irish Tenor, Ronan Tynan, $3,619.73;
Julie Patel portrays Olive Ostrovsky, one of six contestants in the The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was perfomed last summer at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery by the Lake Plains Players. Patel is singing, “My Friend, the Dictionary.”
Tale for Three Counties Council for three-county community reading effort “A Tale for Three Counties,” $2,094.73;
Village of Albion, Concerts on the Canal, $2,509.73;
World Life Institute in Waterport for “Voices from the Earth,” $4,875;
Yates Community Library for “More than Just Books,” $2,969.73
GO ART! welcomes artists and organizations to apply for funding again next year. Workshops for the 2017 grant cycle will be in the summer of 2016 at select local libraries and at the GO ART! building in Batavia.
Megan Brenner-Zwara plays Mary and Joseph Kusmierczak is George Bailey in the Lake Plains Players production of the It’s A Wonderful Life, which was performed last month. The Players were approved for funding in 2016 for three different theater projects.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Some of the members on the toy drive effort for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee include, from left: Kris Hartwig, administrative assistant at S.B. Whistler and Sons (Phinney Tool and Die); Annette Finch, community services director for Community Action; Marsha Rivers, executive director of the Orleans County United Way; Michelle Figueroa, case manager for emergency services at Community Action; and Megan Piccirilli, administrative assistant for Community Action. Some other committee members include Carolyn Wagner, human resource manager for BMP in Medina; and Wendy Hinkley. The toys in this picture were donated by Gary the Happy Pirate in Rochester.
ALBION – Businesses and residents accepted the challenge to play Santa Claus to nearly 400 children in the Albion area.
The community members bought toys for 377 children in a toy challenge. Donors were given gift tags for children, listing their first name, age and three desired gifts. The residents, business owners and employees then want out and shopped.
It was the first time Community Action of Orleans & Genesee tried the gift tags where donors knew the name of the child they were shopping for and their desired gifts.
“It became more personal,” said Kris Hartwig, an administrative assistant at S.B. Whistler and Sons in Medina, a regular participant in the Community Action toy drive. “You know you’re getting them something they like.”
There were 53 donors who gave gifts to 377 children and 54 adults. Donors also gave $2,500 to the effort and Community Action and volunteers will use the money for gifts and food for the families.
“I like the feeling of helping the family,” Hartwig said. “Everything that is given stays in our community.”
Each family will get a holiday basket with food, and much of that will come Saturday morning when the Albion FFA chapter delivers food collected from local farmers. Some of that bounty will be shared with food pantries around the county.
Michelle Figueroa works as case manager for emergency services for Community Action. She has helped organize all the toys and food. She is impressed by the community’s generosity.
“I think it’s awesome,” Figueroa said. “It’s showing the love. They have that holiday spirit.”
In addition to the effort in the Albion area, Community Action has organized a toy and holiday basket drive in Holley and Kendall for about 125 children and their families. The Lyndonville Lions are collecting toys for about 125 children. The Medina Area Association of Churches also runs a toy drive for children in the Medina area.
Altogether, the organizations will direct toys to 800 to 1,000 children in Orleans County, said Annette Finch, community services director for Community Action.
Photos by Raymond Coniglio – Kari Powers of Le Roy speaks during a legislative forum Tuesday hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans.
By Raymond Coniglio, Courtesy of The Batavian
BATAVIA – Kari Powers takes great pride in her daughter’s achievements.
Morgan, 8, was diagnosed with autism in 2009. She received early intervention through the Genesee ARC’s Rainbow Preschool, and is now enrolled in a “6:1:1” elementary school program six students, one teacher and one aide in Monroe County.
“I can’t speak enough about how much these services help my daughter,” Powers, who lives in Le Roy, said during a legislative forum Tuesday at the Genesee ARC Community Center in Batavia. “She is doing so well.”
Her pride is tempered by worry.
Worry, that state budget cuts threaten educational, housing and other services for children like Morgan, now and as they grow into adulthood.
“There are so many children diagnosed with autism or learning disabilities who are going to need services down the road,” Powers said. “It’s just so important that the funding continue.
“It matters to me,” she added. “It matters to Morgan and it matters to every single person in this room.”
Powers was one of 18 parents, caregivers and self-advocates who spoke for an hour-and-a-half at Tuesday’s forum. It was attended by state Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Jay Grasso on behalf of state Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer. Ortt is chairman of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
More than 100 people attended the forum, which was hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans, which are in the process of merging.
Powers’ words echoed “It Matters to Me,” the title of a grassroots advocacy campaign organized by the local agencies’ state affiliate, NYSARC Inc.
The campaign focuses on four issues:
Residential housing and other opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are living at home with aging parents or other caregivers.
The conversion of workshops into integrated businesses, to ensure employment for people with developmental disabilities.
Funding to boost wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) who serve people with developmental disabilities.
Increased state funding for preschools that serve special-needs children ages 3 to 5.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, speaks during Tuesday’s legislative forum hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans. Jay Grasso, left, attended on behalf of state Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer.
Tammy Caldwell has worked for the Arc of Orleans for more than two decades, including the past 15 years at Rainbow Preschool in Albion. She said low wages and poor benefits, make it difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees.
“We have very dedicated staff,” Caldwell said. “They don’t come here for the money; they’re in it because they are truly passionate about their job and the kids they see.
“But it’s getting harder and harder, because of the lack of funding, to find good staff who want to come to a rural community like Orleans County and Genesee County.”
Wendy Eden said the starting wage for a DSP $9.66 an hour is “shameful.”
“Recruiting has been the biggest struggle,” said Eden, a residential supervisor for the Arc of Orleans. “We deal with staffing shortages on a daily basis.”
Alexis Arthur, a DSP at the Genesee ARC Day Habilitation Center in Elba, said it is “outrageous” that fast-food workers in New York will be paid $15 an hour while many of her peers work second jobs to make ends meet.
“My job is very rewarding, and I have a deep sense of pride and gratitude that I get to work with the people I do,” Arthur said. “My only wish is for myself and my coworkers to be compensated for our hard work.”
Loretta Stratton of Elba said her life changed when her son Hank was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old.
She switched careers, and trained to work with children like her son. “I thought I would be able to reach him,” she said. “And I couldn’t. I wasn’t able to reach my own child.”
Fortunately, help was available. Hank received in-home care, and attended preschool. By the time he started kindergarten, Stratton was in a position to insist Hank attend “regular” class.
By 10th grade he was taking Regents courses, and is now ranked third in his class. Stratton said he is Elba’s first special-needs student “in full inclusion” from kindergarten through senior year.
“We don’t want our kids to be a burden on society,” Stratton said. “We want to empower our kids to be the best that they can be at whatever ability they have.”
Hank is also an advocate, and spoke in support of job opportunities.
“We need people with special needs in the work force,” he said. “They really want to be a part of it, and they deserve the (same) respect as any other citizen.”
Hawley and Grasso said issues raised Tuesday, will be part of negotiations when work on the 2016-17 state budget begins in January. (Ortt had to leave early to attend a public meeting in Barker.)
Hawley hoped advocates would take their case directly to Albany, and “hammer away” at Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders via letters, emails and YouTube videos.
Will their voices be heard?
Hawley pointed to the career of former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat who represented Long Beach until last year. He has an adult son with a mental disability.
In 2013, Weisenberg led a successful bipartisan effort to restore $90 million in funding that had been cut from the state Office of People With Developmental Disabilities.
Hawley was among the Assembly co-sponsors of the legislation. Ranzenhofer co-sponsored the Senate version.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A reindeer on the lawn at Orleans County Courthouse Square is pictured while the sun sets in background on Sunday.
There is still no sign of winter hitting Orleans County and Western New York. On Dec. 4, Buffalo set a new record for the latest measurable snow, breaking the 116-year-old mark of Dec. 3 set in 1899.
Today has a high in the mid-40s, followed by highs of 52 on Wednesday, 53 on Thursday, 56 on Friday, 56 on Saturday, 59 on Sunday, 50 on Monday and 44 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Provided photo – This photo was taken at Lyndonville’s High School Gymnasium with Lee Dillenbeck, Dean of Students; Sarah May, program assistant for Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition; Aaron Slack, Lyndonville High School principal; Candice Pretko, Lyndonville mental health counselor; and Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent.
Press Release Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition
LYNDONVILLE – Parents, adults, teachers and students have a number to call 24 hours a day to report underage drinking parties or other activities that may be harmful to the health, safety and welfare of young people.
The Underage Drinking Tipline is anonymous, confidential and free. By calling the Tipline at 1-800-851-1932 and providing basic information, a caller can potentially save a life and divert tragedy.
What happens when you call the Tipline? Call center staff are trained to notify the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. If the party location is in the jurisdiction of another police agency such as the Medina or Albion police departments, call information will be promptly routed to the appropriate responding agency.
Sarah May, Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition program assistant, is working with coalition members to promote Tipline throughout Orleans County. This month, Tipline is featured on a Rt. 31 Medina billboard and lawn signs are being distributed to businesses and agencies in Orleans County.
“Do your part, if you know of underage drinking, call 1-800-851-1932 and take action to prevent harm caused by underage drinking,” May said.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 6 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – Rudolph and his fellow reindeer are made from peanuts and pipe cleaners. They form a portion of an entry by 11-year old Brandi Stephens on display at the 2015 4-H Holiday Faire on Saturday at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Orleans County 4-H’ers, their families, friends and community members gathered at the Trolley Building for the annual Holiday Faire.
The event showcases 4-H projects with a holiday theme. Club tables featured activities of various 4-H clubs and offered craft projects for those attending.
This entry – a sock snowman – was made by 8-year old Layne Walker. The snowman will be used as a holiday centerpiece.
The annual 4-H Holiday Faire brought together community members on Saturday afternoon at the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds.
The “Jolly Ol’ Elf” – Santa Claus – made an appearance and checked out 4-H Club tables in addition to taking down holiday wishes from youngsters in attendance.
Five-year old Ella Wilson and her sister, two-year old Cora Wilson of Holley, check out a bunny at the Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers table.
Lily Brigham, age 6, and Sawyer Brigham, age 8, of Albion, show off the snowman hat ornaments they made at the Orleans County 4-H Paw Praisers Club table.
No, it’s not one of Santa’s Reindeer, it’s Domino the Llama, owned by Orleans County 4-H Leader Barb Kurzowski. Domino sports a festive holiday headband at the annual 4-H Holiday Faire.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – This photo shows the dam in Lyndonville at Johnson Creek near Main Street this evening with the Lyndonville Central School in back.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather statement for tonight, warning about black ice and patchy fog.
The conditions are expected in Orleans County and much of Western New York. The Weather Service says visibility could drop to a quarter mile or less in the dense fog. Patches of black ice are also possible late tonight and into Sunday morning.
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Brown Street bridge in Albion has been closed since 2012. It is one of several canal bridges in Orleans County that is either closed or has significant weight reductions.
A new federal transportation bill will provide more than $16.3 billion in direct infrastructure spending to New York State over the next 5 years, $1.5 billion more than New York would receive in a flat-funded bill, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said today.
The bill directs about $300 million more annually to NY help municipalities in the state repair and replace aging infrastructure, Schumer said.
“The regional economy is the very heart of our nation’s economy and our transportation systems are the lifeblood that make it all possible,” Schumer said in a statement. “Investing to maintain and improve those transportation systems boosts our economy in the near- and long-term and that’s exactly what government should be doing to keep our improving economy humming.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo thanked Schumer and the Congressional delegation for advocating for the state.
“The expected passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act is tremendous news for New York State,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “From helping to rebuild outdated bridges in Upstate New York to preventing massive funding cuts that would have hurt millions of public transit riders, this bill provides important support to our State’s infrastructure.”
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, also praised the new funding. She cited statistics from the State Department of Transportation, which considered more than one-third of New York State’s 17,000 bridges in need of repair, with 2,016 graded as structurally deficient and 4,735 graded as functionally obsolete.
In Western New York, there are a total of 2,743 bridges, and of these, 229 are structurally deficient bridges and 465 are functionally obsolete bridges.
In Orleans County, there are 138 bridges and 26 are structurally deficient with 28 functionally obsolete.
“With more stable and long term funding than New York has seen in previous years, it is an important investment in the Empire State’s future,” Cuomo said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This photo shows the shadow from the Orleans County Courthouse on the former United Methodist Church building in Albion. This picture was taken at about 3 p.m. on Monday on a bright, sunny afternoon. (The church building is for sale.)
Orleans County and Western New York have dodged snowfall so far, and it looks like the warmth will continue through late next week.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo is forecasting a high of 42 on Friday, followed by highs of 48 on Saturday, 52 on Sunday and highs in the upper 40s from Monday through Thursday next week.
ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse spearheaded a coat collection effort that resulted in 86 coats being donated to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
Kirsten O’Grady, right, has been interning with GCASA and she was a big help with the coat drive. She is pictured with Michelle Figueroa, a case manager for Community Action in Albion. Figueroa noted that “these coats will be put to good use in the cold weather months ahead of us.”
The coats were collected at GCASA, Lyndonville Central School and the GCC satellite campuses in Albion and Medina.
GCASA has done a coat drive before to benefit families served by the Medina Area Association of Churches.
The coats were dropped off at Community Action on Tuesday as part of “Giving Tuesday.” Patricia Crowley, the Orleans United Drug Free Communities project director for GCASA, said Giving Tuesday is a day to celebrate generosity.
“It’s a movement that started three years ago and Orleans United felt it only fitting to deliver coats to Community Action here in Orleans County as a way of giving back,” Crowley said.
