Press Release, Police Benevolent Association of New York State

ALBANY – The Police Benevolent Association of New York State released the following statement today, attributable to its president Lt. James McCartney:

“The Police Benevolent Association of New York State appreciates the time and resources spent by the Office of the Attorney General to gather and analyze data on law officer pursuits of suspects. Our brother and sister officers have variously initiated pursuits by car, motorcycle, boat, ATV, snowmobile and other vehicles. The PBA of New York State agrees that police pursuits are dangerous: for the suspect, for the officers involved in the pursuit and for the general public.

However, we strongly disagree with the one-sided research in this report, which implies that officer decision-making is the sole cause of unsafe pursuits. Above all—and missing from the OAG’s announcement—is that it is never legally allowable for a civilian to decide they do not want to stop or yield to a police officer’s commands toward their vehicle. Likewise, it is never legally allowable for a civilian to decide to flee an initiated traffic stop.

The officers we represent make split-second, life or death decisions every single day. They do so by balancing many factors, including the seriousness of an offense, their own personal safety and the well-being of the general public. Rather than once again scrutinizing the decisions made by police officers, we urge the OAG and New York’s lawmakers to instead consider passing laws which increase criminal liability and penalties for those who flee from lawful traffic stops and investigations.”

In its 2007 ruling in the case of Scott v. Harris, the United States Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of a Georgia sheriff’s deputy who took action to terminate a police pursuit. The ensuing crash left the suspect in the case permanently paralyzed. Even so, the Supreme Court found that public policy which bans, limits or affects the in-chase mechanics of a high-speed police pursuit will only encourage suspects to flee more often. The court referred to such policy as an “invitation to impunity-earned-by-recklessness.”

Photo by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Jr.-Sr. High School counselor Audralee Doll shared her inspirational story at Medina High School’s baccalaureate service Sunday, telling how she grew up in a toxic household and forged her parents’ names to enter the Air Force at 17. (Center) MHS senior Mackenzie McGrath introduces keynote speaker, Jr.-Sr. High School counselor Audralee Doll at commencement ceremonies Sunday at the high school. (Right) A closing reflection and prayer for graduates was offered by Pastor Wes Cantrell at Medina High School’s baccalaureate service on Sunday.

MEDINA – Medina High School’s annual baccalaureate service sponsored by Medina Area Association of Churches took place Sunday afternoon at Medina High School.

The Rev. Vince Iorio, vice president of MAAC, welcomed graduates on behalf of president Sue Metzo.

“Baccalaureate is a tradition intended to lift your soul,” the pastor told graduates.

The program included reflective readings from the Bible by seniors Logan Trillizio and Sophia Goyette and a special offering by the A Capella Select Choir, under the direction of Rachel Trillizio.

Senior Mackenzie McGraph introduced keynote speaker Audralee Doll, director of counseling and a high school counselor at MHS. She is also a spin instructor and executive board member with the YMCA.

Medina High School’s A Capella Select Choir, under the direction of Rachel Trillizio,  sang a special offering at baccalaureate.

Doll stated she was taken aback when senior Ryder Jones asked her to be keynote speaker.

“Why would you want to hear your counselor speak?” she asked. “However, it reminded me of a few years ago when a former student, who happened to know a little about my background, suggested I share my story with students. It is because of that, every year before I begin our annual presentation where we give information on preparing for life after high school, I start off by giving my experience growing up in a tumultuous household.”

Due to such, at 17 she joined the Air Force, she said.

During the next seven years, four of which were served overseas, she rose to the rank of staff sergeant and earned more than 10 awards and commendations. Also during her enlistment, she earned her associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force and attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She later served with the 146th California Air National Guard, while completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu.

Returning to New York, Doll earned a master’s degree in human development and school counseling with a concentration in leadership from the University of Rochester. She has since added K-12 school building and district leadership certifications to her credentials.

Fast forward to today, Doll shared she has earned more than half a million dollars in education and is a few courses shy of her doctorate, all the while having zero debt.

“That is all from someone who believed college was not an option for herself,” she said. “The goal of why I share this with seniors is to emphasize that if there is a will, there is a way, but it’s up to you to achieve that.”

(Left) Logan Trillizio leaves the podium after presenting the first reflective reading at Sunday’s baccalaureate service at Medina High School. (Center) Senior Sophia Goyette shared a selection of readings from the Bible during baccalaureate on Sunday. (Right) The Rev. Vince Iorio, vice president of Medina Area Association of Churches, greeted graduates at Medina High School’s baccalaureate service Sunday, which MAAC sponsored.

What Doll wants to stress is how to navigate life when something gets in the way of that will – because it is inevitable and it will happen.

The secret is to be humble and be grateful, she said.

“Throughout all of my experiences in life, I have never felt sorry for myself,” Doll said. “What has helped me is the mindset that ‘someone else always has it worse.”

To her, that means one is looking at the glass half full.

“Taking life in a positive psychology mindset means you recognize others do have a struggle that is greater than yours, and most importantly, it’s appreciating and recognizing the things you do have,” she said. “You cannot choose what happens to you, what people think of you or what goes on in the world. You can choose what you do about it.”

Life right now couldn’t be better for Doll, a proud resident of Medina with her husband Maximillan and their dog Charlie. They are happily hoping to expand their family.

Final reading of the afternoon was William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus” by senior Garrett Koch.

Pastor Wes Cantrell of One Church Medina shared a final message to graduates and a closing prayer.

“In the wink of an eye, the last 12 years have become history,” he said. “The decisions you make now will shape your years ahead.”

Others who contributed to the program were Ryder Jones, who designed the invitations; Amanda Kroening, who designed the programs; pianist Diane Stephenson who accompanied guest in singing “Take my Life and Let it Be”; Karen Jones, who assisted in program planning; River Jones for lights and sound; and Robyn Watts for being the liaison between MAAC and the school.

Students and guests enjoyed punch and cookies, courtesy of MAAC.

Photos by Tom Rivers

POINT BREEZE – A new season of summer concerts has begun at the Orleans County Marine Park.

The band, Stone Age Romeos, performed on a hot Tuesday evening at the pavilion of the park on Route 98. The band plays classic ’70s vinyl and more.

Gene Romano of Stone Age Romeos sings “The One I Love” by REM.

The concerts are from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the park, 1110 Point Breeze Rd. in Kent.

The lineup for the other concerts includes:

• July 1 – The Who Dats
• July 8 – Feedback
• July 15 – Dave Viterna Group
• July 22 – No concert due to Orleans County 4-H Fair
• July 29 – Highway 31
• August 5 – Yacht Club
• Aug. 12 and Aug. 19 – rain dates

Frank Panczyszyn a member of the events committee for the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, calls out the winning 50/50 numbers. OONA and the Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park organize the concerts.

Jason Pilon works the grill for the Clarendon Lions Club. He was helping the club cook and serve food. His father-in-law, Tom Persia, is a member. Club member Kevin Johnson is at right. The Lions Club and several other food vendors will be at the concerts.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Bryan Hardenbrook, co-chairman of the Kendall Carnival, is shown Tuesday evening with some of the rides at this year’s Kendall Carnival which runs from Thursday through Saturday. A new ride company, Knox’s Great American Amusements, will have 12 rides.

KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department thought its annual carnival was over. The department was the last one in Orleans County to offer a carnival with amusement rides and other entertainment.

But it’s been increasingly difficult to find a ride company. Last year there was a carnival but there weren’t any rides, and it was reduced from three to two days.

The department’s leadership thought that was the last event, with no more carnival.

But then the department got a call in early May from Knox’s Great American Amusements, a new ride company out of Franklinville. Knox’s had an opening this week after a cancellation. Kendall called an emergency meeting and decided to continue the carnival.

The event is usually the second week in July, but the department will be running the three-day carnival this week from Thursday through Saturday. Knox’s will have 12 rides. That is up from the six in 2023 when there were last rides at the carnival.

“It’s a great community event,” said Bryan Hardenbrook, who is co-chairman of the carnival along with Phil D’Agostino.

The event is the department’s biggest fundraiser, usually generating about $20,000 to $25,000. It’s also a popular class reunion.

Due to the late start in planning the carnival, there won’t be fireworks but everything else is a go. The parade, which is usually on Friday, will be on Thursday at 7 p.m. so it doesnlt conflict with Kendall’s graduation ceremony.

 Some other highlights include:

• Knox’s Great American Amusements offering $20 ride specials for four hours, 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and Saturday, and also 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

• Bands will play in the beer tent and include Shotgun Pauly on Thursday, Highway 31 on Friday and Tryst on Saturday.

• The auction will start at 5 p.m. on Friday behind the Kendall fire hall.

• Cornhole tournament begins at noon on Saturday at $60 a team. Chicken barbecue that day.

Hardenbrook also thanked Wegmans for providing a refrigerated trailer for the week at no charge to the fire department.

He expects big crowds for the three days. He is hoping to secure a longer-term agreement with Knox’s to provide the amusement rides so the carnival continues for years to come.

“It’s a lot of work but the community likes it,” he said about the carnival.

Bent’s Opera House covering costs this season for free use for public

File photo by Tom Rivers: These three people enjoy hydro-bikes on the Erie Canal in Medina in July 2023 near the Horan Road bridge. The hydro-bikes were offered for free in an “On the Canals” program where hydro-bikes and kayaks can be rented for free through the Orleans County YMCA. Bent’s Opera House is covering the cost for the kayaks and hydro-bikes to be offered free to the community and visitors this season.

MEDINA – This summer the YMCA will again offer its Canal Club program for people to have fun while exercising on Erie Canal with kayaks and hydro-bikes.

Beginning this week the Y will be allowing people to go kayaking and to pedal the hydro-bikes from Thursdays to Saturdays, from noon to 9 p.m. The program ends on Aug. 9.

People can sign up on Event Brite and rent them for free. (Go to eventbrite.com and search for kayaks and hydro-bikes to make a reservation.) The Y has 10 kayaks and four hydro-bikes from prior years. Bent’s Opera House is covering the costs of the Y’s staff time to run the program.

“We want people to get out and enjoy the summer and the canal,” said Coby Albone, who helps run the program for the Y. “It’s here and it’s free for them to use.”

No experience is needed. Participants need to be at least 12 years old. The Y will have the kayaks and hydro-bikes behind Captain Kidz at 143 East Center St.

The Y received the kayaks and hydro-bikes in 2020 through grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and the Erie Canalway Corridor’s Consolidated Fund.

The state covered the Y’s staffing costs to run the program with the “On the Canals” initiative in 2021 and 2022. About 1,200 people signed up to use the kayaks and hydro-bikes those years. Albone said the Y would like to reach 2,000 users this summer.

He thanked Bent’s Opera House for its financial assistance this year.

Jim Heminway scored a decisive victory in the Republican primary today for Shelby town supervisor, topping incumbent Scott Wengewicz, 283 to 118.

Wengewicz was endorsed by the Shelby Republican Committee and so were Vassilios Bitsas and Michael Moriarty. But they also were defeated by Republican challengers Lawrence Waters Sr. and Edward Żelazny.

In Barre, Stephen Coville II topped Scott Burnside in a primary for town supervisor to replace Sean Pogue, who is retiring after this year. Coville won, 155 to 120.

Barre Republicans also picked David Allen and Wes Miller, the Republican-endorsed candidates, over George and Iva McKenna.

In Yates, Bill Jurinich was the top vote-getter among three candidates for two spots on the Town Board. Harold Suhr was the other candidate to win the primary.

Election results include:

Barre

Town Supervisor – Stephen Coville II, 155; Scott Burnside, 120.

Town Council (two positions) – David Allen, 150; Wesley Miller, 149; George McKenna, 127; and Iva McKenna, 124.

Shelby

Town Supervisor – James Heminway, 283; Scott Wengewicz, 118.

Town Council (two positions) – Edward Żelazny, 293; Lawrence Waters Sr., 245; Michael Moriarty, 122; and Vassilios Bitsas, 105

Yates

Town Council (two positions) – William Jurinich, 111; Harold Suhr, 87; and Terry Chaffee, Jr., 65.

Press Release, New York Attorney General Letitia James

Letitia James

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released a report on police vehicle pursuits and proposed reforms to help keep New Yorkers safe.

Police vehicle pursuits have been shown to increase danger and result in injury or fatalities to drivers, passengers, bystanders, and police. In the report titled “Improving Policing and Public Safety: Problems Presented by Police and Vehicle Pursuits,” the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) reviews and analyzes available data showing how police vehicle pursuits harm New Yorkers, what other jurisdictions are doing to address police pursuits, and makes recommendations for reform.

“Millions of New Yorkers take to the roads each day, and they deserve policing and traffic enforcement that is safe, fair, and effective,” said Attorney General James. “The evidence is clear: police vehicle pursuits and high-speed car chases can be dangerous and even fatal, and it is time for a change. We are proposing these reforms to improve public safety for everyone on the road – drivers, passengers, and law enforcement.”

The report (click here) finds that some of the most extreme harm to New Yorkers happens when routine traffic stops escalate into pursuits or high-speed police chases. Although there is no mandatory centralized database for high-speed pursuits by law enforcement agencies in New York or nationwide, data pulled from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) maintained by the Department of Transportation (DOT) found that from 1996 to 2015, an average of 355 people – nearly one person per day – were killed annually in pursuit-related crashes. The report also reviewed several examples of police vehicle pursuits in New York that put both drivers and police officers in danger and led to civilian fatalities.

States and localities that have made changes to traffic enforcement and police vehicle pursuit policies in order to minimize harm and improve public safety have already seen successes. The OAG recommends New York implement similar statewide reforms to keep New Yorkers safe, including:

• Pass legislation to increase transparency. New York law enforcement agencies should be required to track and publish data about traffic pursuits and high-speed chases to improve public accountability, evaluate agency performance, and help oversight agencies protect civil liberties and civil rights. This data collection should be facilitated by a centralized agency such as the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
• Ban high-speed police pursuits with narrow exceptions. Though high-speed chases can be deadly, OAG recognizes they may be necessary when a serious or violent felony has been or will be committed or when the driver’s conduct poses an imminent threat of death to themselves, bystanders, or police officers. Narrow exceptions for use of high-speed police pursuits would eliminate police chases that risk harming drivers, passengers, bystanders, and officers.

The clear danger of high-speed chases has led many jurisdictions across the country to take steps to update their enforcement practices. Some jurisdictions have banned pursuits and chases with limited exceptions, while others have implemented new policies that allow officers to use discretion within set guidelines when determining whether or not to initiate a chase. For example, Milwaukee changed its policy to require police officers to have probable cause for a violent felony before initiating a vehicle pursuit after a series of pursuit-related deaths in 2010.

In New York, laws and policies vary based on location. In New York City, a recent policy change limits officer discretion to initiate vehicle pursuit to only the most serious and violent crimes, not traffic infractions or low-level crimes.

In Buffalo, pursuits are banned if they are in response to a traffic violation, a misdemeanor, or another non-violent felony, and in Albany, officers are required to consider several factors before starting a chase, including the threat posed to the public, seriousness of the offense, and possibility of apprehending the individual at a later time.

BUFFALO – The following local students from Orleans County were named to the University at Buffalo’s spring 2025 Dean’s List:

• Daniel Barry of Lyndonville
• Jylees Bermudez of Albion
• Adriana Botello of Kendall
• Caiden Class of Medina
• Thomas Costello of Medina
• Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville
• Matthew Drum of Medina
• Anthony Gagliardo of Medina
• Kevin He of Albion
• Emma Jacobs of Medina
• Jonah Karnyski of Albion
• Jordan Marshall of Albion
• Elizabeth McCarthy of Medina
• Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville
• S’koi Sanders of Albion
• Hilda Santiago Bautista of Medina

UB is New York State’s flagship university and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system.

“Each semester brings new opportunities to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students,” said Ann Bisantz, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. “The scholars named to this semester’s undergraduate dean’s list exemplify what it means to pursue academic excellence with purpose, passion, and integrity. We are proud to honor their achievements and look forward to the impact they will continue to make.”

ALBION – Kendra Wilston has been safely located and is back home with her family, the Albion Police Department reported this afternoon.

Wilston, 14, ran away from home on Friday and hadn’t been seen from her family since around 6 p.m. that day.

BUFFALO – Buffalo State University is pleased to congratulate students from Orleans County who completed the requirements to earn their baccalaureate and graduate degrees in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

• Nicolina Creasey of Albion graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology.

• India Green of Albion graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Individualized Studies.

• Madison Williams of Medina graduated from Buffalo State with a BA in Media Production.

• Alexis Jones of Medina graduated from Buffalo State with a MSED in Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction.

Some residents don’t want to see more rental units in village

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator who is part of a housing task force in the county, urges the Medina Village Board to support a zoning change to allow mixed use housing on 46 vacant acres at 450 West Oak Orchard St.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board was told 46 vacant acres near the school district on West Oak Orchard Street represents a great opportunity for much-needed housing development in the community.

Sieck Wholesale Florist owns the land off West Oak Orchard Street. The land is zoned light industrial which doesn’t allow housing.

Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants to use 46 acres for housing and keep the other 8.8 acres of the property as light industrial. That land is next to the railroad and includes a cell tower, an old boiler and another older building.

The Village of Medina Planning Board has recommended the zoning be changed for 46 vacant acres to planned residential community. That allows for mixed use housing and also gives the village more oversight in how the property is developed.

During a public hearing on Monday, some residents said the village is saturated with rental properties and they don’t want more poorly kept rental units that could be a blight on the community. One resident said to keep the zoning as light industrial to allow for more business development in Medina.

Nyla Gaylord, the executive director of the United Way in Orleans County, said a housing shortage is threatening the community’s ability to grow. For businesses to come to Medina, there needs to be more housing for their workers, she said.

J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, said the owner of the acres wants to find out if the land will be rezoned before committing to a detailed plan for the property. Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants a mixed-use option for the property with single-family houses as well as multi-family town houses.

Orleans County overall needs more housing options from single family construction, to affordable rentals for young adults and senior citizens, Gaylord said.

“We have some scary data for our community if we don’t allow more property to be developed for housing,” Gaylord said.

A housing report shared last month by the United Way’s Housing Task Force included the following data:

• Orleans County population dipped from 44,178 in 2020 to 42,850 in 2010 to 39,124 in 2024.
• School enrollments at the five districts are down from 8,225 in 2010 to 5,505 in 2022. The enrollments for 2022 include 1,782 in Albion, 1,391 in Medina, 992 in Holley, 708 in Kendall and 632 in Lyndonville.
• The share of population ages 0 to 4 decreased from 5.3 percent in 2010 to 4.7 percent in 2022, while share of population 65 and older increased from 14.4 percent in 2010 to 20.2 percent in 2022.
• Building permits for new houses are trending down. The county had 83 permits for new houses in 2004 but that was down to 33 in 2020, 21 in 2021, 2 in 2022 and 16 in 2023.

Dean Bellack of the United Way said getting more units should be a high priority in the county so more workers can live locally.

“The big question is do you want to stay in a declining county?” Bellack said.

He said more workers in the county are coming from outside Orleans than those who live in the community.

“These are critical problems,” Gaylord said. “We need to make changes now.”

Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator who has been active with the housing task force, said the vacant acres within the village are a great opportunity for Medina to add housing to keep and attract residents.

Other residents said the developer should provide the detailed plans for the property before the zoning change is approved. Once the zoning is changed to housing, Medina will be limited in how it can influence what happens on the property, said Scott Carlton, a village resident.

“We’re getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the development would be subject to scrutiny and more public meetings if the zoning is changed to allow for housing. She said the zoning change is just step one in the process. A site plan would follow later.

J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, responded to concerns that the property may be contaminated. He said the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) shows there is no contamination on the vacant land. There was a spill from Fisher Price but a monitoring well hasn’t detected any contaminants in about 40 years, Swedrock said.

The developer will work on plans if the zoning change is approved, he said. There needs to be a mix of housing with some townhouses to allow more units so a project would be economically feasible, he said.

The board didn’t vote on the issue on Monday, opting to wait until Trustee Mark Prawel also can be at the meeting. The board may vote on the issue at its next meeting on July 14.

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department has charged James Moore, 63, with menacing a police officer, a class D felony; second-degree menacing and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, both class A misdemeanors.

Moore was charged after police were dispatched on June 19 at 9:18 p.m. to Catherine Street for a man with a knife who had allegedly threatened someone.

Upon arrival, Medina officers made contact with a person who assisted in locating the suspect in the area of the lift bridge, the Medina PD reported.

When officers made contact with Moore, he allegedly had a knife in hand and raised it towards the officers as they approached. A Taser was deployed and Moore was taken into custody without further incident, the police department reported.

Moore was transported to the Orleans County Jail for centralized arraignment.

Police Chief Todd Draper said officers Dustin Meredith and Tanner Ferris made the arrest. The chief said the Orleans County Sheriff’s road patrol and dispatch, the State Police and Medina Fire Department ambulance provided assistance with this incident.