The following churches are closed on Sunday due to the severe weather forecast for Sunday morning:
Albion Free Methodist Church
Albion United Methodist Church
Barre Center Presbyterian Church
Carlton United Methodist Church
Christ Episcopal Church in Albion
Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church
First Baptist Church in Albion
First Presbyterian Church of Albion
Gaines Carlton Community Church
Light of Victory Church in Albion
Lyndonville United Methodist Church
Medina United Methodist Church
Next Steps Ministry in Albion
Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina
United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest in Knowlesville and Millville
In addition, Catholics in Western New York are urged to exercise caution when it comes to attending Mass on Sunday.
“People need to use their best judgment when it comes to venturing out into subzero temperatures, brutal wind chills and heavy snow,” Bishop Richard J. Malone said. “For those reasons, Catholics will not be held to the Sunday Mass obligation. It is also important that we comply with local travel restrictions and advisories that may be in place.”
Any churches that will be closed on Sunday are welcome to send notice to Orleans Hub by text or phone at (585) 590-2870 or by email at tom@orleanshub.com. Include a contact number for verification purposes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The cross at the Oak Orchard Assembly of God on Ridge Road in Medina stands tall by the church. This photo was taken on Thursday.
At least two churches in Orleans County have cancelled Sunday morning services due to the deep cold expected on Sunday.
Temperatures are forecast to be below 0 with wind chills at minus 35 degrees. That has prompted the First Baptist Church in Albion and Barre Center Presbyterian Church to cancel services on Sunday.
Aleka Schmidt, pastor at the First Baptist Church, said on Facebook that church will be closed on Sunday “due to unsafe weather conditions.”
The Barre Center church said “severe weather” prompted church leaders to cancel the service and postpone a Valentine’s brunch.
Catholics in Western New York are urged to exercise caution when it comes to attending Mass on Sunday.
“The safety and well-being of everyone is paramount,” Bishop Richard J. Malone said. “People need to use their best judgment when it comes to venturing out into subzero temperatures, brutal wind chills and heavy snow. For those reasons, Catholics will not be held to the Sunday Mass obligation. It is also important that we comply with local travel restrictions and advisories that may be in place.”
Any churches that will be closed on Sunday are welcome to send notice to Orleans Hub by text or phone at (585) 590-2870 or by email at tom@orleanshub.com. Include a contact number for verification purposes.
The cross stands out in the white snow by Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina.
Photo by Tom Rivers – This fire hydrant at the corner of East State and Platt streets in Albion is among the many that could use some shoveling to make it more accessible in case it was needed by firefighters.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office would like to caution residents and snow plow contractors that it is against the law to plow snow into public streets or roadways.
Section 1219 of the New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law specifically prohibits placing glass or other injurious substances on streets or roadways. Subdivision (a) of that same section includes SNOW as an “injurious substance.”
If you are pushing snow out of a driveway and across the public street or roadway – Subdivision (b) of that same section requires you to remove ALL the snow from the street or roadway IMMEDIATELY.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with all local fire departments, would like to encourage all residents to adopt a fire hydrant. Each time you’re removing snow from your driveway and/or sidewalk, take a few moments to also clear the snow away from the nearest fire hydrant.
When fire strikes, time is precious! By shoveling out that hydrant, you provide a valuable and necessary service to your fire department, your community, your neighborhood and yourself.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Russ Martino, chairman of the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation, speaks during this morning’s meeting to dissolve the corporation. Martino is pictured with the other two directors, Richard DeCarlo Sr., left, and Richard Moy.
ALBION – An organization that formed about two years ago to sell the Orleans County-owned nursing home voted to dissolve today.
The Orleans County Legislature formed the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation on March 7, 2013. The entity was tasked with selling the 120-bed Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility.
The Legislature transferred the nursing home to Health Facilities Corporation, which then sold it for $7.8 million to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. That entity became the owner on Jan. 1.
The county intends to use the sale proceeds to pay off the debt from a $10 million renovation and expansion of the nursing home in 2007. About $7 million remains in that debt. Paying it off will spare the county about $900,000 in annual debt service payments, Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer, said today.
County officials will discuss how to use the remaining funds from the sale. It may go to replenishing the county’s fund balance, which Nesbitt said has taken a hit with sales tax revenues off about $360,000 from budget in 2013, the expense with a recent murder trial, and some less-than-expected state reimbursements.
Russ Martino, a former Yates town supervisor and retired Lyndonville principal, served as the LDC’s chairman. He is pleased with the sale price and the transition to the new owner.
“It has really work out smooth,” he said. “Everything I’ve heard has been positive.”
He is pleased to see most of the employees have been retained and Comprehensive Healthcare Management has recognized seniority of the county employees, and hasn’t made the workers start all over based on work experience. Albion Central School also is continuing to operate an alternative high school program at the nursing home, where students do internships with nursing home staff.
Martino served on the LDC board with Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy, and Richard DeCarlo, the former Gaines town supervisor.
Martino said the group didn’t face the ire of the public as it worked on selling the nursing home.
“We didn’t get beat up,” Martino said.
For much of 2012 and ’13, many residents protested the sale of the nursing home. Many residents and nursing home employees picketed on Main Street during County Legislature meetings.
Legislature Chairman David Callard attended the meeting today to dissolve the LDC. He thanked the three-man volunteer board for overseeing the nursing home sale.
“You did a very professional job,” Callard said.
Nesbitt served as president and CEO of the LDC. He said the county continues to assist the new owners with minor transition issues at the nursing home.
“We’re helping them to understand the various nuances of the facilities,” Nesbitt said. “Things are going pretty well overall.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – With the sale of the county-owned nursing home complete, a three-person local development corporation will dissolve on Friday.
The Orleans County Legislature formed the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation on March 7, 2013. The entity was tasked with selling the 120-bed Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility.
Russ Martino, a former Yates town supervisor and retired Lyndonville principal, has served as the LDC’s chairman. The Legislature also appointed former Gaines Town Supervisor Richard DeCarlo Sr. and current Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy to the group.
It accepted a $7.8 million offer from Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. That entity became the owner on Jan. 1.
The Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Orleans County legislative chambers in the County Clerks’ Building, 3 South Main St., Suite 2.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
‘We Are Called To Rise’ gets strong reviews
Photos by Tom Rivers – Margaret French leads a book discussion on Monday evening at the Yates Community Library.
LYNDONVILLE – Each winter for the past 13 years book lovers in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties have read the same book and met to discuss issues raised in the novels.
“A Tale for Three Counties” culminates with a visit by the author in each of the three counties in late March. The book discussions have started, with Yates Community Free Library hosting the first one in Orleans County on Monday.
The readers gave a strong endorsement to “We Are Called To Rise,” a book by Laura McBride. She will be in the area from March 26-28 for book discussions, including March 27 at 7 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
McBride’s book focuses on an immigrant boy whose family struggles to assimilate. A woman wrestles with an imploding marriage and a troubled son. A wounded soldier also recovers from an injury.
These are some of the themes and characters in the book, which is available at local libraries and bookstores.
“We were amazed by the book,” said Emily Cebula, director at Yates Community Library.
Members of ‘The Renegade Readers’ meet on Monday to discuss the latest Tale for Three Counties. Yates Community Library Director Emily Cebula is at left and Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent, is in the back corner.
Despite the heavy themes and tragedies early in the book, Cebula said McBride has a hopeful message at the end.
Additonal book discussions in Orleans County are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Hoag Library in Albion; 1 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina; and 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Community Free Library
in Holley.
Cebula and other members of the Renegade Readers have been meeting monthly for 6 ½ years to discuss books. Usually the dozen members don’t pick the same book. They may pick an author or genre. When they meet they share in a potluck and may recommend books they’ve read.
“It keeps it lively,” Cebula said.
Jackie Reynolds enjoys the format, where the readers aren’t committed to the same book.
“I like the other people’s suggestions,” she said. “It might be for books I’d never read.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Orleans County’s unemployment rate rose from 6.8 percent in November to 7.1 percent in December, according to the State Labor Department. That 7.1 percent rate is actually 1.2 percent lower than the 8.3 percent rate for the county in December 2013.
The 1.2 percent difference is one of the bigger gains in the state among counties. However, Orleans is still much higher than the state unemployment rate of 5.7 percent and the national rate of 5.4 percent for December.
Orleans County had 17,000 people working in December and 1,300 unemployed. That compares to 17,400 in December 2013 and 1,600 who were unemployed.
In the four-county GLOW region, Orleans has the highest unemployment rate. Genesee was at 5.6 percent in December, followed by Livingston at 5.9 percent and Wyoming at 6.5 percent.
Tompkins County had the lowest rate in the state at 3.5 percent while the Bronx was the highest at 9.3 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Snow falls at the Main and State Street intersection in Albion at about 8 p.m. today with the First Presbyterian Church in the background.
Snow-weary Orleans County should brace for more of the white stuff. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Orleans from 10 a.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Orleans, Genesee and Livingston counties could see 9 to 13 inches in the storm, according to the Weather Service.
That breaks down to 2 to 3 inches Sunday, 3 to 5 inches on Sunday night, 2 to 4 inches on Monday and 1 to 2 inches on Monday night.
A winter storm warning is issued when severe winter weather is expected. Heavy snow and/or ice will cause hazardous driving conditions, the Weather Service said.
“If you will be traveling in the warning area you should choose an alternate route if possible, or you should use extreme caution if travel is unavoidable,” the Weather Service said. “If you lose power and plan on running a generator make sure that the generator is located outdoors and is properly ventilated.”
The Weather Service also said space heaters should be properly ventilated and used only if they are operating properly. Make sure snow does not block exhausts and fresh air intakes for high efficiency furnaces and water heaters.
Snow falls by a traffic light on Main Street with the Orleans County Courthouse in background in this photo from about 8 p.m. today.
Contributed Story Posted 5 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Employees at the Orleans Correctional Facility delivered food to Community Action on East State Street on Wednesday.
The following are pictured: Dan Passarell (kneeling), a teacher at the men’s prison. Back row, from left: Richard Lugo, corrections officer; Willie Thompson, corrections officer; Carol Cornacchilo, offender rehabilitation counselor; and Kelly Montes, offender rehabilitation counselor.
Employees held a competition at the facility among four unions in December and January to see which union could give the most. The management confidential union or administration led the way, with other donations from teachers, corrections officers, counselors and CSEA workers. Altogether there were 188 pounds donated.
The donations come a good time for Community Action, which sees giving drop off after the holidays, said Anni Skowneski, case manager for Community Action. She said the food would be given out at Community Action sites in Albion and Holley.
The Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Foundation has approved three mini grants to local organizations.
The GCASA Foundation was established in 1992 to support the work of GCASA, a substance abuse treatment, prevention and residential services provider in Genesee and Orleans counties.
“GCASA Foundation is committed to supporting the work of GCASA and other grass roots organizations in our community,” said Foundation Board President Kathleen Maerten. “Annually, GCASA Foundation sets aside money to provide agencies with needed funding to further their efforts in making our community a safer, healthier place to live and work.”
This year’s three recipients provide crucial services to individuals and families in the two-county area. The Mental Health Association in Genesee County, Crossroads House in Batavia and Christ Church Community Kitchen in Albion each received $200 mini-grants.
“We receive many requests for funding and find it challenging to limit our mini-grant program,” said John Bennett, GCASA executive director. “The work done by this year’s grantees impacts many of the people we serve at GCASA.”
