Police search meth labs in Shelby, Gaines

Provided photos – Law enforcement officers are at the scene of an alleged meth lab on East Shelby Road in the Town of Shelby on Thursday.

ALBION – Local law enforcement officers have arrested 17 people following a 7-month investigation into the sale and distribution of heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pills and marijuana in Orleans County, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported this afternoon.

The arrests were made in the past several weeks. The investigation included four search warrant executions, including at two meth labs on early Thursday morning, the Task Force reported.

Police seized quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, precursors and equipment for manufacturing methamphetamine, a loaded 45-caliber pistol, more than $14,000 in cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

The following were arrested:

Junior Mateo

Charles Santiago

Aimee Santiago

Philip Ayala

Brooke Wenner

Delmus Tanner

Kuyanna Kuyal

Brandon Honore

Diane Gallagher

Philip Riley

Jennifer McCarthy-Conklin

Joshua Lopez

Bennie Coger

Xavier Hand

Junior Mateo, 36, of 734 Arnette Blvd., Rochester. He was charged with 5 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment warrant.

Additionally a search warrant was executed and Mateo is charged in Monroe County with criminal possession of marijuana in the 2nd degree and criminal possession a weapon in the 2nd degree. He is being held in Monroe County Jail on $15,000 bail and was arraigned in Orleans County Court by Judge James Punch, who set additional bail of $50,000.

Charles A. Santiago, 27, 0f 214 North Main St., Albion. He was charged with 3 counts of criminal sale of marijuana in the third degree (Class E felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment warrant.

As a result of a search warrant, Santiago is also charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, 1 count of criminal possession of marijuana in the 4th degree, and 3 counts of unlawfully dealing with a child in the 1st degree.

He was arraigned in Orleans County Court by Judge Punch and comitted to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Aimee L. Santiago, 28, of 214 North Main St., Albion. She was charged with 1 count of criminal possession of marijuana in the 4th degree, 1 count of criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, and 3 counts of unlawfully dealing with a child in the 1st degree.

She was arraigned in the Albion Town Court byTown Justice Joseph Fuller and committed to the Orleans County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Philip R. Ayala, 30, of 136 Summit St., Batavia. He was charged with 6 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in 3rd degree, and 4 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County indictment warrant.

Ayala was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and was committed to the County Jail on $200,000 bail.

Ayala is currently awaiting sentencing in Genesee County for a felony drug charge and is facing more drug charges in Genesee County as a result of a search warrant execution.

Brooke M. Wenner, 30, 0f 136 Summit St., Batavia. She was charged with 4 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment.

She was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and committed to the County Jail on $25,000 bail.

Delmus R. Tanner, 35, of 6619 Lake Rd., Bergen. He was charged with 9 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, 9 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 4th degree, and 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree (Class B, C and D felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment.

Tanner was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and was committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Kuyanna G. Kuyal, 19, of 6619 North Lake Rd., Bergen. She was charged with 1 count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment.

She was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and committed to the County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Brandon A. Honore, 30, of 247 East Park St., Albion. He was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment.

Honore was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and comitted to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Diane M. Gallagher, 46, 5079 East Shelby Rd., Town of Shelby. She was charged with 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment warrant.

Gallagher was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Philip A. Riley, 32, of 110 West Bank St., Albion. He was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment.

Riley was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail. Riley is currently on state parole and a state parole warrant was filed with the Orleans County Jail.

Jennifer McCarthy-Conklin, age 39, of 1 Thomas St., Holley. She was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment.

McCarthy-Conklin was arragined in County Court by Judge Punch and was committed to the County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Joshua Lopez, 36, of 13 Adam St., Apt. B, Lockport. He was charged with 1 count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, and 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (Class B felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment warrant.

Lopez was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Bennie Coger, 63, of 525 West Ave,. Apt. 7, Medina. He was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degee, and 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in 3rd degree (Class B felonies).

Coger was arraigned in the Ridgeway Town Ccourt by Town Justice Joseph Kujawa. Coger was committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail. He is also currently on state parole and a state parole warrant was filed with the Orleans County Jail.

Xavier Hand, 18, of 329 South Ave., Medina. He was charged with 1 count of criminal sale of marijuana in the 4th degree, and 1 count of criminal sale of marijuana in the fifth degree.

Hand was arraigned in Ridgeway Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Kujawa and committed to County Jail on $5,000 bail. Hand is also currently on Probation with Orleans County Probation.

The following 3 arrests are the result of an investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine in Orleans County.

On Thursday the Major Felony Crime Task Force, the New York State PoliceS.O.R.T. (Special Operation Response Team) and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department executed two search warrants of suspected meth labs, 4706 East Shelby Rd. in Shelby and 12801 Ridge Rd., Apt. A, in Gaines, the Task Force reported.

Law enforcement determined that a camping trailer located at 4706 East Shelby Rd. did contain an active meth lab and was occupied by two individuals at the time, the Task Force said.

The East Shelby Fire Department also responded to the scene as a precaution while the lab was dismantled and processed by law enforcement.

Police seized more than 5 ounces of methamphetamine, numerous items used to produce and manufacture methamphetamine and numerous other items associated with the sale, distribution, and use of controlled substances.

The following were arrested:

Joshua Miller

Arika Grosskopf

Shane Maynard

Joshua L. Miller, 35, of 4706 East Shelby Rd., Medina. He was charged with 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (Class A II felony), 5 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 5th degree (Class D felonies), 5 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree (Class D felonies), 1 count of unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (Class D felony), and 1 count of criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (Class E felony).

Miller was arraigned in Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler and committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Arika Grosskopf, 34, of 20 State St., Middleport. She was charged with 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (Class A II felony), 1 count of unlawful manufacture of a methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (Class D felony), and 1 count of criminal possession of precursors of methampetamine (Class E felony).

Grosskopf was arraigned in Shelby Town Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler and committed to the County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Shane M. Maynard, 37, 0f 12801 Ridge Rd., Apt. B, in the Town of Gaines. He was charged with 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felonies), and 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (Class D felonies) as a result of an Orleans County sealed indictment warrant.

Maynard was arraigned in County Court by Judge Punch and committed to the County Jail on $100,000 bail.

The above arrests and search warrants were a culmination of several investigations by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force over the past 7 months. Several law enforcement agencies assisted the Task Force, including the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Albion Police Department, the Holley Police Department, the Medina Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Orleans County Jail, the Genesee County Drug Task Force, the Batavia Police Department, the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the City of Lockport Police Department.

This investigation is ongoing and further arrests are pending, the Task Force reported.

ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency is seeking a $200,000 grant that would provide business training for small business owners and also help pay their rent if they locate a new business in downtown Albion, Holley, Lyndonville or Medina.

The EDA would offer a 10-week business training program to small business owners, and a downtown rental subsidy as part of the Community Block Grant. The EDA is seeking the funding through the state.

The EDA has run a microenterprise assistance program for about 15 years. To date, 410 residents have completed the MAP training program which gives an overview on taxes, record keeping, marketing, organizational skills, accounting and insurance, leadership and developing a business plan.

Graduates in the program also are eligible to seek low-interest loans through the EDA’s revolving loan fund.

A new MAP class will be offered in the fall.

The spring graduates include Heather LaDue (esthetics and electrology business), Alicia Dingman (interested in a marina), Alex Fig (Orleans Radio), Jessica Reigle/Lorrie Reigle Gurslin (nail salon), Stephen Kruger (Superstruct Architect), Andrea Chilton (garden nursery), Doug Ashbery (Venison Specialty Meals) and Michael Donnelly (small vintage snowmobile engine repair).

In 2009, the EDA had the rental subsidy program and offered a maximum of $3,000 a year to help small business owners with their rent if they locate in the Albion, Medina, Holley or Lyndonville business districts.

The EDA gave $20,004 to help businesses with their rent, including seven in Medina, four in Albion and two in Holley. Businesses must be start-ups or doing expansions to be eligible for the program.

ALBION – For several years, Paul Lauricella has attended Orleans County Legislature meetings and often questioned legislators when they would vote to accept federal funds for Homeland Security, money for cameras by the shoreline, boats, and other equipment.

Last month Lauricella told legislators he thought Homeland Security was unconstitutional.

Bruce Schmidt attended that meeting. He was there with the Orleans County Historical Association, which is working to preserve a former cobblestone schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road.

Schmidt was surprised legislators didn’t refute Lauricella’s comments, offering him “the civility of silence.”

Schmidt and Lauricella were back at the Legislature’s meeting on Wednesday. Schmidt, a Gaines town justice, spoke about the Department of Homeland Security, and its formation soon after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The department, with Congress’s approval, combined many federal organizations. Schmidt said it wasn’t formed unconstitutionally. He called Lauricella’s comments, “flippant,” and “reckless.”

Schmidt noted that his son, Scott Schmidt, left Orleans County on Sept. 11 and responded to the terrorist attacks with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team. DMORT is a team of experts in the fields of victim identification and mortuary services. Schmidt spent 8 days at Ground Zero working to identify bodies.

Lauricella said the attacks, and the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, on that Sept. 11 weas “absolutely horrible.”

However, Lauricella said Homeland Security has grown far greater than its original purpose. He said children and senior citizens can’t go to the airport without being “fondled” by security personnel.

“I stand by my comments and I won’t retract it,” he said in response to Bruce Schmidt.

The Legislature on Wednesday voted to pursue another $50,000 federal grant through emergency management for “critical infrastructure.” Lauricella questioned if it was needed.

“With these types of grants it’s never enough,” he said. “How much security do we need?”

Lauricella was also critical of the Orleans Economic Development Agency on Wednesday, and asked the Legislature to “clean house” with staff and board members. Lauricella cited a state comptroller’s audit that said the agency needed more oversight with companies to make sure they were meeting employment and capital investment targets after receiving tax breaks.

The comptroller also said the EDA needed a recapture-of-benefits clause if companies left town without following through on their commitments to the community.

Lauricella said legislators need to “take a strap to them,” regarding the EDA board and staff.

Those comments prompted a rebuke from Legislator Lynne Johnson.

“I’m not going to allow you to disrespect us, these Chambers and our department heads,” Johnson told Lauricella.

Johnson also said Lauricella didn’t have his facts straight with his criticism of the EDA..

Lauricella is running for legislator against Johnson for a district that includes Yates, Ridgeway and a portion of Shelby. She has the Republican line and Lauricella has been endorsed by the Conservative Party.

She told Lauricella, who was wearing a campaign T-shirt for Gaines Town Supervisor Carol Culhane, that he needed to dress appropriately at the Legislature meetings.

That prompted Lauricella to say Johnson doesn’t dress appropriately.

Scott Schmidt, the county’s chief coroner and the DMORT member, then stood. He thanked his father for his comments. Schmidt said he was humbled to be in New York City at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks and to work in profession when many people are grieving losses of loved ones.

Schmidt thanked his father for teaching him to be respectful.

Regarding Homeland Security, Schmidt urged the community to ask law enforcement officers, including wounded deputy James DeFilipps, where to draw the line in protecting the community.

“How much is too much for the safety of you and our county?” Schmidt said.

ALBION – A series of glitches that on some days prevented Orleans County employees from receiving and placing phone calls appears to be fixed, county officials said.

The phone system for about 200 county employees has been hit with two major problems the past three weeks with issues from Verizon, Time Warner and Windstream. Friday was particularly bad, because county employees didn’t receive incoming calls and couldn’t place outgoing calls.

The county works with Windstream, a phone service provider, and uses Verizon. One problem occurred when county employees used the Verizon network to try to talk with someone on a Time Warner network. The calls weren’t going through and neither company wanted to work on it, said Kevin Doherty, who manages the county’s phone system.

That issue was worked out, and so where the other glitches. Doherty has worked on the county’s phone system for 30 years.

He said telecommunications are much more critical to county employees now than three decades ago.

Phone companies tend to put their resources and energy in more populous areas, and that can lead to service problems in rural areas, Doherty said.

“We’re at the edge of service coverage,” Doherty said. “There’s no incentive to invest in rural areas.”

The issues the past three weeks were particularly challenging because Doherty needed to work with more than one company to pinpoint the problems and get them resolved.

The issues did not affect the county’s 9-1-1 system, he said.

Provided photo

ALBION – The union representing corrections officers at the Orleans Correctional Facility recently donated $500 to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund, which assists cancer patients and their families in Orleans County. The fund helps families pay for nutritional supplements and prescriptions, as well as medical supplies and bills.

Corrections officers are pictured with Mary Zelazny, one of the leaders of the fund. The corrections officers include, from left: Kenny Gold, Matt Lamar and Craig Stalker.

For more on Knights-Kaderli, click here.

Provided photo – Students in the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’s 2015 Licensed Practical Nursing Class all passed. The group includes, from left, seated: Courtney Burdick, Melissa Olles, Raquel Golson and Marissa Catalano. Standing: Ashley Zuercher, Katelyn Fletcher, Nelly Galicia, Jonathon Furlong, Krystina Daniel, Alexander Gow, Amanda Frazier, Stephen O’Brien, Amanda Hyde and Mindy Barber.

Press Release
Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Orleans/Niagara BOCES’s 2015 Licensed Practical Nursing students have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.

The state average is 79 percent and traditionally the Orleans/Niagara BOCES LPN classes do pass the exam with above average scores.

“The success of our program is directly related to our teaching staff,” says Nursing Coordinator Karen Kwandrans. “They go above and beyond to make sure that our students are prepared for this test and learn all the skills they need to be successful in this career and anything they choose to pursue in the medical field after this program.”

The class takes 14 1/2 months to complete and is a combination of classroom instruction, lab work and clinical instruction at local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

“It is a wonderful gateway for students to go for their RN degree and beyond,” Kwandrans said. “We have been approached by several schools to observe this program and talk to our teachers. Everyone wants to know what a class that can pass at 100 percent looks like.”

Kwandrans says the demand for nurses is high and she is constantly approached by medical facilities and physician’s offices who want first crack at the school’s graduates.

“Let me put it this way,” she said. “Anyone who has graduated our LPN program, who wants a job, has a job.”

The latest LPN program is getting ready to start up around the end of August at the Medina site located at 4232 Shelby Basin Road and Kwandrans encourages anyone interested to contact her office at (716) 731-6800, extension: 4445.

“It’s not too late to be tested for entrance into our program,” she said. “We have testing dates on July 29, Aug. 6 and Aug. 10. Many of our students qualify for financial aid and loans and our financial aid officer is available to talk to as well.”

Photos and article by Kristina Gabalski

KNOWLESVILLE – The early morning weather was cloudy and muggy, but 33 participants made their way through the 2nd annual Orleans County 4-H Fair 5K Fun Run sponsored by the 4-H Fair Committee.

Participation was up exponentially from the first run in 2014, which had only two runners.

“This year is a much greater success than last year,” Fair Committee Chairman Mark Moore said following the run. “Thanks for supporting the fair.”

Grace Gregoire, left, and her mother Kellie Gregoire of Murray head for the finish line together at this morning’s 5K Fun Run.

Proceeds from the event benefit Orleans County 4-H programs.

The run looped around the fairgrounds – south along Wood Road; west on West Countyhouse Road; north on Taylor Hill Road; and back to the fairgrounds for the finish.

The Fun Run is not timed, but first place male and female runners, and first place male and female 4-H finishers were recognized.

Will Gregoire makes a sprint to the finish as the first male 4-H’er to cross the line at the 2015 Orleans County 4-H Fair 5K Fun Run. His twin brother, Jacques, is just behind on the left.

Evan Steier was the first male finisher. The first woman was Elizabeth Hawes. The first female 4-H’er was Emma Mathes and the first male 4-H’er was Will Gregoire.

The fun run kicked off a week of fair preparations. The Orleans County 4-H Fair runs the week of July 27-Aug. 1.

Evan Steier

Emma Mathes

ALBION – Sales tax revenues are down the first half of 2015 in Orleans County, compared to the first six months of 2014, according to data from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

The sales tax revenues for the county fell from $7,741,593 to $7,626,595. That is a 1.47 percent or $113,998 drop.

Of the 57 counties outside New York City, 33 have collected less in sales tax so far in 2015, compared to the first half of 2014, according to the New York State Association of Counties.

The sales tax dollars give a snapshot of the local economy, and the sales tax also is a source of revenue for local governments. The more sales tax, the less reliance on property taxes to fund local services.

The latest numbers show that much of the state is struggling to break out of the prolonged economic recession that started in 2008, NYSAC said.

The data shows that many counties have a drop in sales tax revenue in both the first and second quarters this year.

“The explanation for the first quarter’s numbers was pegged to bad winter weather, dropping fuel prices, a west coast port shutdown, negative US GDP for the first quarter and a strong dollar,” said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director for NYSAC. “There was no bounce back, but there was also no explanation for the continued lethargy.”

Orleans County officials budgeted for no increase in sales tax in 2015. The county has budgeted $13,785,000 in sales tax revenues this year. In addition, another $1,366,671 from the local share goes to towns and villages in the county.

The state sales tax collections are up 3.72 percent, from $5.94 billion to $6.16 billion, for the first half of 2015. New York City is seeing growth in sales tax, a 2.74 percent increase from $3.31 billion to $3.40 billion.

Steuben County has the biggest increase, 8.77 percent, while Schoharie is down the most at 6.11 percent.

BATAVIA – Host sites are sought for AmeriCorps workers in a program based in Batavia but available to the four GLOW counties, including Orleans.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau’s AmeriCorps application has been approved for another year of funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Youth Bureau is planning for the 12th year of the program, which will begin Oct. 1. As part of this process, non-profit and government agencies are invited to attend an information session to receive details about AmeriCorps. There will be a presentation on the program at 2 p.m. on July 27 at Hoag Library in Albion.

Organizations have utilized AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects. Assignments include activities that fall under one or more of these focus areas: healthy futures, fitness and nutrition education for youth, environmental stewardship education and agency capacity building. Host sites complete a proposal that outlines the duties for each position. Members can create new programs or enhance existing services, and their work can benefit different parts of your agency.

Proposals requesting members to begin serving this fall are due by Aug. 10. Member recruitment and selection will begin after that date. Please contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us for further details about the information sessions or to discuss options for your organization further.

National Grid customers who lost power on Wednesday night are all back in service this morning, the company said.

A farmer took down wires in Hamlin causing about 2,000 customers in Orleans County, mostly in the Kendall and Kent areas, to lose their electricity. Monroe County also had more than 5,000 without power.

ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce invites its members to nominate businesses, organizations and individuals who have helped the local business community.

The honorees will be recognized on Sept. 18 at Tillman’s Historic Village Inn to celebrate business in Orleans County.

The Chamber is seeking nominations for awards in the following categories:

Business of the Year: This award is presented to a business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year.

Businessperson of the Year: This award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements.

Phoenix Award: This award is presented to an organization or business that has successfully adapted or re-used an existing facility.

New Business of the Year: This award is presented to a business or organization that has opened in the past year.

Community Service Award: This award is presented to a business, organization or individual that has provided meaningful contributions to the community in either professional or non-professional spheres.

Agricultural Business of the Year: This award is presented to an agricultural business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year.

Small Business of the Year: This award is presented to a small business (50 employees or less) that has experienced significant achievements/success throughout the year.

Last year’s winners include: Business of the Year, Brunner International; New Business of the Year, BAD-AsH-BBQ; Entrepreneurial Excellence, Precision Packaging Products; Phoenix Award, Fair Haven Treasures; Community Service, Anni Skowneski and Kenneth DeRoller; Lifetime Achievement, Bruce Krenning and Marcia Tuohey; and Agricultural Business of the Year: Lake Ontario Fruit.

For more information, call the Chamber at (585) 589-7727 or click here.