Courtesy of Orleans County Planning Department

Last week the state announced 154 addresses in Orleans County were approved for broadband access.

The state announced $225.5 million in broadband grants, including $36,699 to serve 154 addresses in Orleans County. The NY Broadband Program Round III grants will fund broadband infrastructure and support connections for nearly 129,000 locations statewide.

In Orleans, the grants include $12,758 for 51 addresses in Barre, $6,773 for 29 addresses in Yates, $5,670 for 21 addresses in Shelby, $4,568 for 15 addresses in the Town of Albion, $2,678 for 15 spots in Ridgeway, $2,363 for 15 addresses in Gaines, $12,600 for six sites in Clarendon, and $630 for two addresses in Carlton. Hughes Network Systems LLC will be the contractor for the work in Orleans.

Several Orleans Hub readers requested the specific addresses for the project. We were able to find the census tract numbers. The Orleans County Department of Planning created the map above, showing where the high-speed Internet will be going.

(Editor’s Note: The state announced that broadband would be going to some spots in Gaines, Ridgeway and the Town of Albion, but those locations weren’t reflected in the census data.)

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Russell Kingdollar, center, of Albion and other members of the junior high chorus perform today at Albion during the All County Music Festival today, featuring the top music students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

There were about 200 students in today’s concert. The students and their directors were challenged by Friday’s snow day, which denied them a day of rehearsals.

Elizabeth Banner, a Brockport music teacher, led the junior high chorus. She also tried to get the crowd to join in singing, “Give Us Hope.” The chorus also performed, “Sing Dem Herrn,” “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” and “(If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

Trenton Crews of Medina and Cassie Serafin of Albion were members of the senior high band.

Dr. Paul Shewan, professor of instrumental music and conducting at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, directed the senior high band, which performed, “First Suite in Eb,” “Mt. Everest,” and “Billboard March.”

Kevin McLaud, a retired music teacher and band director at Pavilion, led the elementary school band today, which performed, “”Engines of Resistance,” “Scarborough Fair,” Funkytown,” and “Sweet Caroline.”

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The state has announced $225.5 million in broadband grants today, including $36,699 to serve 154 addresses in Orleans County.

The NY Broadband Program Round III grants will fund broadband infrastructure and support connections for nearly 129,000 locations statewide, according to an announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

In Orleans, the grants include $12,758 for 51 addresses in Barre, $6,773 for 29 addresses in Yates, $5,670 for 21 addresses in Shelby, $4,568 for 15 addresses in the Town of Albion, $2,678 for 15 spots in Ridgeway, $2,363 for 15 addresses in Gaines, $12,600 for six sites in Clarendon, and $630 for two addresses in Carlton. Hughes Network Systems LLC will be the contractor for the work in Orleans.

The Orleans numbers pale compared to other rural GLOW counties.

In Genesee County, the state is providing $118,603 in grants for 519 addresses in Alabama, Alexander, Bethany, Elba and Le Roy.

In Livingston County, the state grants total $274,203 for 881 addresses in Groveland, Ossian, Portage, Springwater and York.

Wyoming County is the biggest recipient of the four rural counties for the grants with $727,528 for 1,031 addresses in Arcade, Castile, Eagle, Middlebury and Wethersfield.

Niagara County also was approved for $173,487 for 955 addresses in Niagara Falls, Wilson, Lockport, Somerset, Hartland and Royalton.

Niagara and Orleans officials have been working together for several years to extend rural broadband.

“Access to high-speed internet has never been more important for New York residents and businesses,” Governor Cuomo said. “By leveraging state investments with private and federal funding, we are building a stronger, smarter and more competitive New York poised to lead the nation as the first state to achieve total connectivity.”

When the New NY Broadband Program was launched in 2015, 30 percent of New Yorkers – approximately 2.42 million locations – lacked access to broadband, Cuomo said. This was most acute in the eight Upstate Regional Economic Development Council regions, where only 35 percent of New Yorkers had access.

As a result of the Program’s Round I awards and additional state-secured upgrades, broadband access was expanded by more than 2.2 million locations to 97 percent of New Yorkers. Round II awards then extended coverage to more than 80,000 locations to 98 percent of New Yorkers.

Today, with the announcement of Round III awards, the Program accomplishes its mission of statewide broadband availability, providing the last mile funding to ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-speed internet by the end of 2018, Cuomo said.

The program’s goal was to achieve statewide access to internet download speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second and 25 Megabits per second in the most rural and remote areas. After full implementation of the commitments announced, 99.9 percent of New Yorkers will have access to high-speed broadband – with almost 99 percent at speeds of 100 Megabits per second or greater. Consistent with the program’s prioritization of unserved areas, of the broadband funds deployed, nearly 90 percent of all funding was awarded to projects that will address unserved areas of the state, connecting these locations for the first time, Cuomo said in a news release.

(Editor’s note: This article was updated from an earlier version that said 131 addresses would receive broadband in Orleans County.)

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ALBION – Catholic Charities Finger Lakes is pleased to announce the availability of a Targeted Permanency Resource Center (TRPC) based in Albion that provides post adoption and post guardianship services for Orleans County.

The program goal is to improve safety, sustain permanency, and promote the wellbeing of the whole family.  The program is offered to any post adoptive or post guardian family, and there are no income restrictions. The TRPC is funded through a NYS Office of Children and Family Services grant.

“Parenting is difficult, add to that complexity the dynamics of adoption or guardianship, and there is increased possibility for challenges and an increased need for programs and services that support families,” said Ellen Wayne, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes. “This program helps us work directly with these families to navigate the bumpy roads, and to make sure that the family remains strong as the children grow.”

The TRPC offers: Home case management, assessments, monthly support groups, advocate, referrals, educational support and workshops, individualized support, linkages to services for treatment of trauma, assistance to local resources unique to client needs, parent training, peer support, mentoring, navigation for cross-system needs, counseling and respite care.

If you are interested in this service, please call Catholic Charities at (585) 737-0892 and ask for Emily Sorenson, or email her at emily.sorenson@dor.org.

Since 1982 Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes has served Ontario, Seneca, Yates, and Cayuga counties by providing quality human service programs and by advocating for social justice. The organization work with faith communities, government, elected officials, business leaders, and other human service organizations to meet human needs and effect public policy that addresses the needs of all people.

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Local party leaders will make endorsement after hearing from Nate McMurray, Nick Stankevich

Nate McMurray

ALBION – The Orleans County Democratic Party Committee will host a forum on March 6 with the final two candidates seeking the Democratic endorsement for the 27^th Congressional District.

The forum will be form 7 to 9 p.m. at the QWL Building on Washington Street in Albion. The event is open to the public, including people who aren’t Democrats.

After hearing from Nate McMurray and Nick Stankevich, Democratic Party leaders from Orleans expect to endorse one of the candidates, said Jeanne Crane, party chairwoman.

Nicholas Stankevich

There were five Democrats seeking to challenge incumbent Chris Collins, a Republican from Clarence. But the following have recently dropped out of the race: Joan Seamans, owner of a photography studio in Williamsville; former Erie County Assistant District Attorney Sean B. Bunny; and engineer Thomas P. Casey of Erie County.

“There is a lot of money involved and that discourages people,” Crane said today.

McMurray, the Grand Island town supervisor, has the backing of Turn 27 Blue, a coalition of left-learning grassroots groups as well as many Democratic Party leaders. McMurray currently lives just outside the 27^th District. He grew up in North Tonawanda which is in the district. McMurray’s campaign noted that Chris Collins lived outside the district when he challenged John LaFalce for Congress in 1998. LaFalce was re-elected.

Since the endorsement from Turn 27 Blue, the Democratic field has narrowed with only Nick Stankevich, a businessman from Mumford in Livingston County, remaining to challenge McMurray for the Democratic line.

Stankevich, in a statement on Sunday, said he will force a Democratic Party primary.

“You deserve the freedom of a primary, and you deserve a rural candidate who lives in the district,” Stankevich said in his statement to supporters. “I’ve shown you, my neighbors, that I have a plan to beat Chris Collins come November, and it starts with you.”

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Republicans also back Ortt, Hawley and Norris in State Legislature

ALBION – The executive committee of the Orleans County Republican Party was unanimous today in voting to endorse Chris Collins for a fourth term in Congress.

Congressman Collins

The 80-member committee also endorsed State Sen. Robert Ortt, and State Assembly members Steve Hawley and Michael Norris.

“We are very fortunate we have good representatives,” said Ed Morgan, the GOP chairman.  “They all work hard at what they do. They listen to their constituents on issues, whether lake levels, immigration or broadband.”

The committee met at Tillman’s Village Inn. The group isn’t voting to endorse yet on state-wide positions, including governor.

“It’s still wide open,” Morgan said about the governor’s race.

Collins, R-Clarence, represents the 27^th Congressional District with includes Orleans and seven other counties. He attended the session this morning and met with the local Republican leaders.

“Chairman Ed Morgan and the Orleans County Republican Committee have done a tremendous job electing Republican candidates who will fight for a smaller, more accountable government and I am truly humbled to have once again earned their endorsement,” Collins said in a statement. “Their unwavering support will allow me to continue working closely with President Trump to ensure protecting our shorelines, expanding rural broadband access, and strengthening Orleans County’s agriculture industry will remain a top priority for the Trump Administration.”

Ortt of North Tonawanda is seeking a third two-year term as state senator since he succeeded George Maziarz in a district that includes Orleans, Niagara and a portion of Monroe counties.

Hawley of Batavia was first elected assemblyman in 2006. The 139th District includes all of Genesee County, nine of the 10 towns in Orleans, and a portion of western Monroe County.

Norris of Lockport is seeking a second term for the 144th District which includes Shelby in Orleans, and portions of Niagara and Erie counties.

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ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has a resolution on its agenda next week to formally join State Assemblyman Steve Hawley in opposing a free tablet program for inmates.

There are about 2,000 inmates in state prisons in Orleans County with about 1,000 women at the Albion Correctional Facility and 1,000 men at the Orleans Correctional Facility.

“The Orleans County Legislature also demands that this program be shut down immediately and the laptops be used for law-abiding citizens, students in our schools, provided to our library systems, or veterans organizations,” according to a resolution to be voted on Wednesday during the Legislature’s 4:30 p.m. meeting at the County Clerks Building, 3 South Main St.

Hawley, R-Batavia, sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo asking the program not go forward for inmates.

“If it’s this easy to encourage vendors to provide free tablets to inmates, why aren’t they being provided to our students in disadvantaged school districts or to libraries across the state as a community resource?” Hawley said.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said the tablets will keep inmates better connected with their families, and also provide some educational and productive opportunities for inmates, which will reduce recidivism, ultimately making communities and the prisons safer.

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Sales tax revenues jumped by $1 million for Orleans County in 2017, up 6.45 percent from $15,287,529 to $16,273,192.

Statewide the year-over-year sales tax collection growth was up 3.9 percent, the biggest growth in the state since 2013, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

“This is welcome news for municipalities, as local revenues have been under significant pressure in recent years,” DiNapoli said. “As 2018 unfolds, local officials would be well advised to be cautious with respect to local budgets. As we know, collections are dependent on consumer spending, and the impact of new federal tax changes on this spending is the great unknown in this equation.”

The 57 counties outside New York City all experienced increases, except for Putnam County, but that was more due to a technical glitch adjustment, DiNapoli said.

The four GLOW counties all had sizable increases. Besides the additional $1 million and 6.45 percent for Orleans, Genesee up 4.44 percent from $37,040,250 to $38,683,226; Livingston, up 5.68 percent (from $30,167,806 to $31,880,449); and Wyoming, a big jump of 9.39 percent from $16,695,292 to $18,262,292.

DiNapoli said there was big growth statewide in the fourth quarter, mainly due to a significant upswing in retail sales during the holiday season.

He also said motor fuel prices have a directly measureable effect on local sales tax collections. In 2017, tax collections from the sale of motor fuel increased statewide for the first time since 2012.

In Orleans County, more than 90 percent of the local sales tax stays with the county government. The county shares $1,366,671 with the 10 towns and four villages. They have been frozen at that level since 2001.

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Photos by Tom Rivers: Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force, said heroin when mixed with fentanyl has proven deadly in Orleans County.

ALBION – So far in 2018, overdoses and deaths from drugs in Orleans County are outpacing the rate in 2017.

Last year there were 43 overdoses and 8 fatal drug overdoses, said Joe Sacco, the supervising investigator with the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force.

This year there have already been 8 overdoses and two fatalities. This time last year, there were two overdoses and one death from drugs, Sacco said.

“We’re off to a really bad start,” he told the Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition this morning during a meeting at the Hoag Library in Albion.

Sacco has worked 32 years as a law enforcement officers, including the past 28 years as a drug investigator.

The drugs have changed from cocaine and marijuana early in his career to prescription pills, heroin and fentanyl now.

Many of the drug users get hooked on pain pills. When the prescriptions expire, they turn to heroin to feed the opiate addiction.

The heroin is often laced with fentanyl and that has been deadly. Sacco said 95 percent of the heroin and fentanyl in Orleans County comes from Rochester. A lethal batch of drugs from Rochester is often purchased by an Orleans County resident and shared with friends, resulting in multiple deaths.

“We are actively pursuing the source and supply of the heroin and fentanyl mixture,” Sacco told the coalition members.

The Task Force and other law enforcement agencies in Orleans County work with Rochester police and other departments outside Orleans. There is a mapping system to track where drugs are purchased and where there are overdoses.

“This is everybody’s problem and we’re trying to curb the supply of heroin and fentanyl to this area,” Sacco said. “We have a real problem.”

Sacco said heroin has become a big problem in Orleans County the past two to three years. Of the 43 overdoses last year, Narcan was used 27 times to revive someone in an overdose.

Joe Sacco addresses members of the Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition this morning during a meeting at the Hoag Library in Albion.

When someone has an overdose, law enforcement will track recent numbers on cell phones to see where the drugs were likely purchased. The people who overdose often have needles hanging in their arms and bags of drugs right next to them.

Law enforcement will have those drugs analyzed at a lab, and typically it shows heroin and fentanyl.

“That’s what’s killing these folks, the mix,” Sacco said.

Some of the overdoses occur when someone gets out of jail. After being in jail and off drugs, a person’s tolerance is reduced. Sacco said some people will go back to using at levels they were before they went into jail and then they will often overdose.

Sheriff Randy Bower said he is pursuing having a portion of the jail be used as a detox center to help inmates better transition off drugs. He also wants a better system to hand off inmates to services and agencies that can help them from having a relapse.

Sacco said continued vigilance is needed by law enforcement and the community.

A new organization, Orleans Hope, is trying to break the stigma of drug addiction and urge users and their families to get help.

Orleans Hope will lead a program on March 15 at the Orleans County YMCA on Pearl Street in Medina. Orleans Hope will have professionals at the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. to discuss warning signs for drug addiction.

Orleans Hope also has trained recovery coaches to assist users.

“Everyone needs to do their part,” Sacco said. “This thing is horrible.”

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