By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2020 at 12:42 pm
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke took the oath of office on Monday afternoon, the start of what he said is a challenging new era for law enforcement.
Bourke is the county’s new sheriff following the retirement of Randy Bower and Bourke’s election in November. Bourke served as undersheriff the past four years. He has worked 35 years in the Sheriff’s Office, starting his career as a correction officer and then was a deputy sheriff before working 18 years as a lieutenant. He was supervisor of the Marine Patrol, and also was a K9 officer for 20 years.
Bourke took the oath with other key leaders of the Sheriff’s Office: Undersheriff Michael Mele, Chief Deputy Jeff Gifaldi and Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson.
“We’re excited to have all of our people in place,” Bourke said after the swearing in. “We have a great team of employees at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Sheriff Chris Bourke signs the oath of office, which was administered by County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard. Undersheriff Michael Mele is at back left.
Bourke takes the helm of the Sheriff’s Office during a time of new state laws for bail reform, discovery, speedy trial and centralized arraignment. Twice a day the county will need to be able to arraign defendants in a centralized location. The county has proposed using a larger room in the jail for the arraignments, with a judge, public defender, district attorney and staff available in the morning and evening.
Bourke said he is particularly concerned the local judges are unable to set bail for defendants facing serious charges.
“This is turning the criminal justice system upside down,” Bourke said. “And of course it was done without any funding from the state.”
The county’s jail population has fallen by nearly half since the bail reform provisions started a week ago. It’s gone from the 70s each day to the 40s, said Wilson, the jail superintendent.
Bourke said he looks to continue many of the programs that were started by Bower, including addiction and mental health services in the jail for inmates.
He also wants to continue to the strong community partnerships with local clergy, schools and other local agencies and organizations.
Michael Mele, the undersheriff, takes the oath of office while his mother Mary Jo Mele holds The Bible. Mele was the chief deputy the past four years. He has worked at the Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. He started his career with the Holley Police Department for four years.
Jeff Gifaldi is the new chief deputy. He was an investigator with the Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in law enforcement since 2001 with the Sheriff’s Office and Albion Police Department. His wife Kelly and daughter Anna, 4, joined him during the swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent, is at back left.
Scott Wilson takes the oath of office while Bourke holds The Bible. About 100 people attended the ceremony on Monday in the legislative chambers of the Orleans County Adminsitration Building. Wilson has been the jail superintendent since 2011.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 January 2020 at 11:53 am
Provided photo: Scott Robinson and Alix Gilman are the owners of the Shirt Factory in Medina. Mr. Robinson is the president of the newly formed Medina Area Partnership.
MEDINA – The Medina Business Association has been dissolved and a new organization, Medina Area Partnership, has been formed to help grow and promote the greater Medina area.
Scott Robinson, who owns Shirt Factory Café with his wife Alix, has been named acting president of Medina Area Partnership. He said MAP will be an official 501c6.
MAP will also include both members from within the 14103 zip code and several outside businesses which have a vested interest in the continual progress of the area, such as Takeform and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Robinson said.
Cindy Robinson (no relation to Scott) has served as president of Medina Business Association for the last 14 years. She said for more than a decade the MBA has represented the Medina business community through events, communications and marketing.
“The Medina Area Partnership will create new ways to promote our area, while continuing successful events like Ale in Autumn and Wine About Winter,” Cindy said.
Cindy said she is more than willing to take a step down and spend more time in her store, the English Rose Tea Shoppe.
She explained the MBA had always operated since its inception under the umbrella of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, and the membership decided it was time to be on their own.
“We have the funds and the manpower to stand on our own,” Cindy said. “This will allow us to apply for our own grants.”
“MAP aims to expand our focus while continuing to place an emphasis on the growth and success of our downtown business community,” Scott said. “The leadership, reputation and success of the MBA over several decades has allowed us to graduate into this new organization. There’s a reason the Buffalo News, Step Out Buffalo, Buffalo Spree and countless blogs have written about Medina in recent years. Our small community is a giant in the area, pulling together many voices with a common goal of being better tomorrow than we are today. What we’ve known about Medina for years is no longer a secret to those outside the area.”
The decision to end the Medina Business Association in favor of a new independent organization came after several informational presentations to the membership throughout the fall of 2019, leading to a vote by members to dissolve the MBA as an organization. This action will allow MAP to take over previous successful events, while continuing to add a focus on the greater Medina area.
Jim Hancock, head of Medina’s Tourism Committee, said he thinks this new direction will be very favorable for the village and the surrounding area. He has had conversations with MAP on how they and the Tourism Committee can work together more closely for the betterment of Medina. In the past, the MBA and Tourism Committee have worked together to sponsor events such as the annual day-long Christmas celebration and visits by the schooner Lois McClure to the Medina Canal Basin.
“We are all alike. We promote Medina,” Hancock said. “I think MAP may attract more companies located outside the village. It’s good to broaden our scope.”
MAP aims to provide a network for collaboration, education, growth and profitability, Scott said.
Cindy added the Chamber of Commerce was also all in favor of the dissolution.
“It’s a lot off my shoulders,” she said. “MAP is in good hands.”
Scott and his wife are both avid promoters of Medina. Cindy explained that Scott and Alex are both Medina natives who moved to Washington, D.C, where they met. After they married, they wanted to come back to their home town. Scott is also in marketing, which Cindy said will be a definite benefit for MAP.
As membership continues to grow, MAP is proud to announce the continuation of the successful Wine About Winter event, which is scheduled the first Saturday in February. Tickets can be purchased at www.medinaap.org/events.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2020 at 11:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ethan Kuhn of Kendall, winner of the 83rd annual oratorical contest through the American Legion in Orleans County, delivers a 10-minute speech on Monday before the Orleans County Legislature and a crowd of about 75 people in the legislative chambers of the County Administration Building.
Kuhn won the contest with a speech, “Keep Politics Out of Football.” He was critical of Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who chose to kneel during the national anthem as a protest against what they said is racial injustice.
Kuhn said “taking a knee” was a disrespectful approach by the NFL players. He said they could have pushed their cause through social media without offending so many in the country.
Lauren Miller of Kendall was second in the county contest. She and Kuhn both advanced to the District level contest on Sunday in Kenmore.
Kuhn runs cross country and track at Kendall, and is working to become an Eagle Scout.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2020 at 11:10 am
Jared Fearby
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature and Albion Board of Education both observed a moment of silence for Jared Fearby during their meetings on Monday.
The 2016 Albion graduate drowned on Friday when he went fly fishing on Johnson Creek near Alps Road in Yates.
Jared was a senior at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry School in Syracuse, studying conservation biology. He played on the varsity baseball and golf teams at Albion, and was active with the concert band as a trumpet player. He also played the piano and enjoyed classical music.
His mother, Lynn Fearby, is part of the management team for the Orleans County government as coordinator of administrative services for the County Mental Health Department.
The family will receive friends at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, 21 West Ave., Albion on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. His funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Thursday at Albion First Presbyterian Church, 29 E. State St. Memorials may be made to PAWS, 3371 Gaines Basin Road, Albion NY 14411.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2020 at 10:53 am
HOLLEY – Fire investigators have been sifting through the rubble from a massive fire Sunday night at a 4,000-square-foot house at 46 West Albion St.
The fire has been ruled accidental but investigators haven’t been able to determine the cause, said Justin Niederhofer, one of the county fire investigators.
Investigators say they believe the fire started in the kitchen at one of the four apartments. The fire caused extensive damage to the building.
“When the damage is that severe the cause of a fire is often undetermined because there is so much damage and you can’t rule things out,” Niederhofer said this morning.
The Orleans County Highway Department had an operator on site with an excavator on Monday, slowly lifting and moving debris to help investigators try to pinpoint a cause in the fire.
Niederhofer said the investigators have more interviews to do, and they will be looking at photos from early in the fire at the back side of the house to see if those images offer clues to what caused the big blaze.
Niederhofer and Cole Hardenbrook, two county fire investigators, were at the site on Monday with three fire investigators from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
The fire displaced 11 residents, including three elementary school children, a high school senior and a baby.
The house was built in 1880 and is owned by Stanley Passarell. Tax records show it is assessed for $105,800 and lists the address as 1 South Main St., which is the corner of routes 237 and 31.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 January 2020 at 9:03 am
Site by canal also created as a ‘spiritual space’
MEDINA – Patricia Greene has never wanted to be anything but an artist, but opening her own studio has been a long time coming.
On Friday, Greene celebrated the grand opening of The Quiet Eye at 121 East Center St., the building she and husband Alex have spent three years renovating.
Alex Greene, who did the work renovating his wife’s new studio, shows the antique door he acquired for the bathroom. He also made the floors from old pallets, which he cut and arranged in a herringbone pattern.
Darlene Hartway, director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed those in attendance and congratulated the Greenes on their new venture. Barry Flansburg, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley, presented Patricia with a certificate.
“You’ve done a beautiful job here restoring this place,” Flansburg said. “This is a wonderful addition to Medina.”
Sam Campanella with SCORE added his congratulations. He mentors members of Orleans Economic Development Agency’s Microenterprise Assistance Program, which Patricia took in the spring of 2017. Program leader Diane Blanchard said Patricia will do a wonderful job here.
Greene grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Buffalo State College with a bachelor of arts degree. She and Alex moved to Medina in 2001.
The first time Patricia saw the small building on East Center Street, she said it looked like a shack, but she wanted it. As far back as 60, 70 years ago, it was a monument store and a law office. Several other entities have operated there over the years, including a church.
Patricia was curious what the building originally looked like and went to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library to see if they had a picture. Library director Catherine Cooper went to her computer and brought up a picture which had recently been sent to her by a distant relative of a Medina resident who lived in Australia. The person said she thought the picture belonged in Medina. It was a picture of the building in the 1930s.
Patricia Green relaxes in the space she will use to do readings at her new business, The Quiet Eye.
Alex said remodeling the building was fun, and they used antique furnishings as much as possible. The floor is made from slats from old wood pallets, which Alex laid in a herringbone pattern. Patricia painted the walls with eight layers of alternating processes, including stencils, sponging, painting and washing.
The sign over the door identifies the studio as a “Fine Art, Creative & Spiritual Space.”
In addition to art classes, Patricia will also offer private spiritual readings, something in which she became interested many years ago. In fact, as a child she made her own set of tarot cards, before she even knew what tarot cards were.
Gina Miller of Carlton admires an hourglass her husband Terry made for Patricia Greene to use when she does readings.
“Although I had these abilities, I never considered myself a medium,” Patricia said. “After my father passed away seven years ago, I encouraged my sister to further her education. Then a voice in my head said, ‘What about you.’ I always thought I’d be a massage therapist and decided to go to massage school. Then the night before I was supposed to go sign the papers for school, my spiritual mentor called and told me not to do it. ‘You’re supposed to go to metaphysical school.’”
She followed that advice and spent two years studying prophecy and healing at the Fellowship of the Spirit at Lily Dale in Chautauqua County.
She almost went in business with someone in Buffalo, but she wanted to be in Medina.
“I had seen this building and I wanted it,” Patricia said. “One of my teachers had given me a reading and said one day I would own my own place. It will be 15 minutes from your house and when, at the end of the day, you put your feet up, you will be overlooking water.”
The Quiet Eye is located in front of the Canal Basin, overlooking the Erie Barge Canal.
“I am blessed,” Patricia said.
Patricia will offer morning classes and workshops in oil paint and mixed media. She will do readings by appointment on Mondays and Fridays.
She can be reached by calling (585) 798-5860, on Facebook at TheQuietEye or by e-mailing PatfGreene@gmail.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2020 at 7:59 am
Provided photos
BROCKPORT – Larry Swanger, in blue shirt, was given a surprise party on Saturday at the Tap Room in Brockport for his 30-year career as Clarendon highway superintendent. Swanger retired on Dec. 31.
His wife Brenda planned the party, which was attended by about 75 people. Swanger is pictured with Highway Department employees – Eric Collyer, Danny Scroger, Larry Swanger, Jamie Steffen and Pete Surowy.
The highway crew made Swanger this diorama, which includes the Clarendon water tank. That was built in 1998. The town did a major expansion of public water lines during Swanger’s tenure.
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 January 2020 at 6:10 pm
HOLLEY – The Holley community is rallying to assist the residents of a 4,000-square-foot building that was destroyed in a fire Sunday night.
The fire displaced 11 residents, including three elementary school children, a high school senior and a baby.
None of the residents were injured, but they lost their possessions in the blaze. Three cats and a dog also died in the fire, that broke out about 11 p.m. and quickly tore through the house owned by Stanley Passarell.
The Eastern Orleans Community Center and St. Mary’s Catholic Church are both accepting donations for the residents affected by the fire.
Four GoFundMe fundraising accounts also have been set up.
Allona Macey was one of the residents in the building. She lived there with her boyfriend and their 4-month-old daughter. Macey has created a GoFundMe (click here).
“Tonight we lost everything,” she wrote on GoFundMe. “Furniture… clothes. Many things that can never be replaced. A fire started in my neighbor’s apartment and spread to the whole building. Unfortunately we don’t have renter’s insurance. We left with the clothes on our back. I literally don’t even have shoes. A neighbor was kind and gave me some but they are too small. We are trying to raise money to replace our things and get a new home. Prayers are needed I’m just so overwhelmed I even left without my glasses. Any donations are very much appreciated.”
Linda Geer is organizing a GoFundMe for her high school classmate, Tina Cairns and Tina’s daughter Tori. (Click here for more information).
“Tina Cairns and her daughter Tori who lost everything – their home, vehicle, all belongings, and three beloved cats – to a horrible fire on Sunday. No one should ever have to go through this. Whether you know this family or not, imagine losing everything. Thankfully, they were able to get out without injury but let’s help this family get back on their feet. Any amount helps. I believe in love and giving when people need it most. And while in this world, it is hard to control the atrocities that go on, this is a chance to help a fellow sister in need.”
Desiray Appoloney is organizing a GoFundMe for her friend who was one of the residents in the Holley building, living there with her fiancé and their three children. (Click here for more information.)
“Last night my best friend her fiancé and their 3 children lost everything in a house fire,” Appoloney writes. “With it being so close Christmas and the New Year’s, you can imagine how devastating this would be. They are going to need help with not only finding a new home but refurnishing as well. She also lost her vehicle in the fire so that is one more giant loss. Any form of donation is so very appreciated!”
Heidi Causyn created this GoFundMe (click here) with the funds to be shared among the four families that are now trying to find another place to live.
“Looking to raise money, donations of clothing, house hold items and anything else to help 4 families who lost everything in a major house fire tonight in the village of Holley!!!!!” Causyn writes. “We will get sizes and genders of all members involved shortly. We know children were involved from the ages of 4 months and up. One family lost their dog!! As a community let’s help these families out. All money and donations will be split between each family. If you would like your donation to go to a certain family please say so in the comments of your donation!!!!”
Firefighters had a long night Sunday battling the fire.
“Reimagine Erie Canal’ would grow tourism, reduce flooding in canal towns, and improve irrigation for upstate farmers
Press Release, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled a $300 million plan to reimagine the Erie Canal by creating recreational activities on the Canal to boost tourism, mitigating flooding, enhancing irrigation and recreational fishing and restoring wetlands.
The governor is recommending the New York Power Authority Board, which now oversees the Canal Corporation as a subsidiary, approve the $300 million investment over the next five years at the board’s January meeting.
“When the Erie Canal was created in the 19th century it set the state and the nation on a path to prosperity, and this year we will repurpose the canal to fit our state’s 21st century needs,” Governor Cuomo said. “This bold and visionary plan to transform this historic waterway will build on the success of the Empire State Trail, grow tourism across Upstate New York, improve resilience of today’s Canal communities and ensure the economic sustainability of the waterway into the future.”
A first phase of funding will start this year that will have two parts: a $100 million economic development fund to invest in communities along the Canal and a separate $65 million investment in solutions that will help prevent ice jams and related flooding in the Schenectady area.
The remaining $135 million of the plan’s funding will subsequently be allocated to research recommended by the Reimagine Task Force, as well as to solutions related to flood mitigation, invasive species prevention and ecosystem restoration.
New Economic Development Fund for Canal Communities
In the first phase of the program, a $100 million economic development fund will support projects that adaptively reuse canal infrastructure to enhance water recreation, tie the Canal’s new recreational improvements to the Governor’s Empire State Trail, celebrate historic canal structures, and develop unique canalside attractions and activities. Roughly $25 million of that will be allocated immediately to a set of initial projects:
• Connecting Communities: The “Brockport Loop” project in Monroe County will connect SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State Trail and the village of Brockport through the transformation of a canal guard-gate into a pedestrian bridge and overlook, with a supporting grant of $2 million from the Ralph Wilson Foundation.
• Celebrating “Iconic Infrastructure”: Interactive, hydro-powered illumination of Canal “movable dams” – initially in Amsterdam and Canajoharie in the Mohawk River valley – will celebrate the Canal’s heritage and its history as an engineering marvel.
• Expanding Water Recreation: A new whitewater destination, at the north end of Cayuga Lake near Seneca Falls, will rely on existing water control infrastructure to construct an active water sports course adjacent to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, to increase eco-tourism and sport visitors to the region.
• Adapting Industrial Property for New Uses: Winner of the Reimagine the Canals competition, a canalside pocket neighborhood, will be developed by Madison County in Central New York at a former industrial property in Canastota along the Old Erie Canal – demonstrating a new model for 21st century canalside living.
• Developing Destination Accommodations: The historic Guy Park Manor, on the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, will be reborn as a hospitality destination and a pedestrian bridge constructed across the already-existing Canal lock will provide access to additional overnight accommodation along the Empire State Trail on the opposite side of the river.
To help mitigate chronic summer and winter flooding in the Mohawk River Valley, an initial allocation of approximately $65 million will be used for deploying an icebreaker and undertaking dredging and filling in certain portions of the Mohawk to prevent ice jam formation; developing an Ice Jam Monitoring and Early Warning System to better alert communities to potential flooding; and retrofitting the New York Power Authority’s Vischer Ferry power dam in Niskayuna to help mitigate summer flooding and ice jams around the Schenectady and Scotia areas, including the historic Stockade District.
At the recommendation of the Task Force further studies will be undertaken to better assess additional approaches to both reducing flood vulnerability in the Mohawk and tackling the rise of aquatic invasive species across the Canal.
Improved Irrigation for Farmers
The plan also includes establishment of an irrigation district in Western New York to enhance drought resiliency by ensuring that farmers in those counties have reliable access to water during the critical summer growing season. Guaranteed access to water is needed to expand the production of high-value fruits and vegetables, specifically in areas that today cannot access canal water.
To ensure water is available during periods of low rainfall, canal outflow infrastructure will be modernized as part of a “smart water management system” that can better respond to changing weather conditions. A new grant program operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will underpin additional private-sector investment in irrigation infrastructure.
World-Class Fishing and Restored Wetlands
To create world-class fishing in Western New York, the new plan recommends managing water releases from the Canal to enhance fish habitat, improve angling opportunities, and extend the fall fishing season in Lake Ontario tributaries. It also includes funding to expand public fishing access along key streams in Orleans, Monroe and Niagara counties.
In addition, it identifies a program to divert Canal water to restore and re-nourish wetlands in Central New York that were compromised a century ago by the Canal’s construction. This will allow areas in close proximity to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory stopover for more than 1 million birds each year, to be significantly enhanced to further attract naturalists, locals, and visitors from throughout the region and beyond.
Reimagine the Canals Task Force Shares Recommendations in Report
Ideas in this plan originated from the Reimagine the Canals Task Force recommendations. The Reimagine the Canals Task Force, launched by Governor Cuomo in May of 2019 to pursue a comprehensive investigation of how the 195-year-old Erie Canal could be reimagined for the 21st century, issued its full set of findings to the Governor today in an official report. The Task Force set out to:
• Identify potential new uses for the Erie Canal aimed at improving the quality of life for New Yorkers
• Evaluate how the Erie Canal can support and enhance economic development along the canal corridor
• Identify new opportunities to enhance recreation and tourism along the Erie Canal
• Assess how the Erie Canal can help mitigate impacts from flooding and ice jams to improve resiliency and restore ecosystems in canal communities, and
• Discover opportunities for using Erie Canal infrastructure to expand irrigation for Western New York farms.
The Task Force is chaired by Joanie Mahoney, New York State Thruway Authority chair and former Onondaga County Executive. Mahoney is overseeing Task Force work in Central New York. Former Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy serves as regional co-chair in Western New York, and Joseph Martens, former Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner, serves as regional co-chair in the Mohawk River valley.
In addition to economic development and operational recommendations, the findings, detailed in the Reimagine the Canals Task Force Report released today, include solutions for strengthening storm resiliency along the waterway, improving irrigation for farmlands, expanding fishing opportunities in Western New York and restoring wetlands in Central New York.
The Task Force engaged with municipal leaders, stakeholders, local business owners, scientists and other experts, along with community members, to identify opportunities and solutions that support a new vision for future investments in the waterway. Many of the ideas that the Task Force explored came from the completed Reimagine the Canals competition, held last year by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation. SUNY’s Rockefeller Institute of Government, on behalf of the Task Force, conducted a series of outreach sessions during the summer in five canal communities – Lockport, Brockport, Schenectady, Utica and Syracuse – to solicit new ideas from the public at large. Ideas were also solicited on a Reimagine the Canals website, offering more distant canal users an opportunity to provide their views to the Task Force.
The “Reimagine” initiative builds on successful efforts by Governor Cuomo to invest in the canal corridor, including the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative and successful Taste NY program, which have stoked new industries, businesses and housing in canal communities. Harnessing the Canal’s full potential to attract more tourism and recreation is a key focus of the Initiative. Governor Cuomo and state agency and authority staff will collaborate with Empire Line communities and continue to consult with Task Force members and other stakeholders to ensure the success of projects as they move forward.
There are 1.6 million trips taken annually on the Erie Canal Trailway, the former towpath used by mules and horses to pull barges in the canals’ early days. The Trailway is part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Trail, which at 750 miles will be the largest state multi-use trail network when completed in late 2020. Governor DeWitt Clinton began work on the original Erie Canal on July 4, 1817.
“As an upstate New Yorker who lives near the Erie Canal and is a frequent visitor to canal communities, I know how this plan to reimagine the canal can unlock even more potential to make it a major tourism magnet,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The canals have played a crucial role in New York’s history and growth, and with the implementation of these new exciting projects, the canals will remain a vital force and make a positive contribution to the economic well-being and quality of life in the 225 communities they travel through.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 January 2020 at 10:49 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Fire investigators are at the scene of a house that was reduced to rubble last night at 46 West Albion St.
The house at the corner of routes 237 and 31 had four apartments and 11 residents, including children. They all were able to safely get out of the house after a fire broke out in the back of the building before 11 p.m. The Red Cross is assisting the residents.
The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined yet. Three fire investigators from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control are on scene, along with two county fire investigators, Justin Niederhofer and Cole Hardenbrook. Leaders of the Holley and Clarendon fire departments also are at the site along with the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
The house was built in a balloon style without fire stops, which allowed the fire to quickly spread through the structure, said Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management director.
The house was a landmark building with a cupola at a prominent corner in Holley.
Tenants owned these vehicles which were ruined from the fire. A neighboring house was damaged with melted siding.
The Orleans County Highway Department brought an excavator to the site last night to push in some of the walls. The other walls will be knocked in after fire investigators complete their work.
Fire investigators look through the debris to try to determine the cause.
Holley Central School was opened as a shelter for residents of the building last night. The school also made a bus available to transport residents to the school.
While the residents are all OK, three cats and a dog perished in the fire.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist the families affected by the fire. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 January 2020 at 2:22 am
Building with cupola was a landmark at corner of Rts. 31 & 237
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A landmark building at the corner of routes 237 and 31 was destroyed in a fire that broke out just before 11 p.m. on Sunday.
The fire displaced about a dozen residents in four apartments, where the address is 46 West Albion St. Several of the residents are children, including a baby.
All the people and two dogs made it out safely, but one resident said he feared three cats and a dog were killed in the fire.
There were numerous fire departments at the scene, with many bringing tankers with water. A village water transmission line broke before the fire, which forced the Holley Fire Department to request as many tankers as possible. Those trucks were able to be refilled at a hydrant at Holley’s Business Park.
One of the tenants of the apartment building said the fire started in the back of the building and quickly spread. One of his neighbors pounded on the door, telling him to get out.
The resident said the building is owned by Stanley Passarell, who treated the residents well, giving them a nice place to live at an affordable price.
Earl Jenks of the Clarendon Fire Company operates the hose up high on Clarendon’s ladder truck.
Two vehicles owned by the residents were also badly damaged by the fire.
The Red Cross is expected to help the displaced residents find short-term shelter.
The cupola is engulfed in flames and would collapse within the building.
The building was breaking apart and collapsing not long after midnight.
These firefighters get water on the back of the building, where a tenant said the fire started.
Several fire departments brought tankers full of water near the scene and folding water tanks were set up so firefighters had water to direct at the building. This photo is on Route 31, just west of the fire. A watermain break in the village cut the water flow to hydrants.
Firefighters had several hoses on the fire before the watermain break reduced the water pressure.
A tire swing hangs by the side of the house next to Route 31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2020 at 7:23 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Brian Kolb speaks at the Orleans County Republican Rally on Oct. 19, 2017.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, announced today he won’t be pursing the vacant Assembly minority position.
Brian Kolb has been the Republican leader in the Assembly the past decade. He announced on Friday he is resigned from the leadership post after he was charged with driving while intoxicated on New Year’s Eve.
“After discussions with family, friends and colleagues, I have decided not to explore a potential run to become the next Assembly Minority Leader,” Hawley said in a statement this afternoon. “I sincerely appreciate all of the support and consideration I’ve received over the last few days.”
Hawley was elected to the Assembly in a special election to the 139th District on Feb. 28, 2006. He said he will support the current deputy minority leader, Will Barclay, to succeed Kolb. Barclay is from Pulaski, Oswego County.
“For our conference and constituents, it is important that Assembly Republicans begin the new year and new legislative session as a unified force,” Hawley said. “Even in the midst of change, our resolve and commitment must remain strong as we develop solutions for our constituents and fight back a liberal agenda that threatens our great state.”
Kolb issued this statement about his resignation:
“As Leader of the Assembly Minority Conference, I have always tried to put the needs and best interests of our Conference ahead of my own. That is why I have decided to step down as Minority Leader.
“I have a profound respect for each and every one of my colleagues, and sincerely admire their daily efforts on behalf of constituents and communities in every corner of the state. But I will not allow my own personal challenges to distract from the goals, message, and mission of the Assembly Minority Conference. With a new year and new legislative session ahead, the work of our Conference cannot be undermined or deterred in any way.
“I will be forever grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed in me for the past 10 years. But in my heart, I know that this is the right time for a new leader to step in and advance an agenda that benefits all New Yorkers.
“The events of December 31 are ones I will always deeply regret. On a personal level, I have begun the process of seeking professional help in order to heal, learn, and fully address the challenges that I, along with my family, currently face.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2020 at 3:04 pm
Photo courtesy of John Heise
HOLLEY – The Holley Rotary Club on Saturday honored two of its members as Paul Harris Fellows, the highest recognition given by a Rotary Club.
Josh Mitchell, left, is a past president of the Holley Rotary Club. He works as a funeral director at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes.
Brian McKeon is in his second term as the club’s president. He works at TI-BA Enterprises in Rochester.
The Holley club’s members decide who will be honored as Paul Harris Fellows. The club will make $1,000 contributions in each of their names to The Rotary Foundation.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 January 2020 at 2:42 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Prezli Silversmith and Casey Winiecki and their Tiger teammates will face Orleans County rivals Kendall and Holley this coming week.
Lyndonville will face Genesee Region League basketball rivals Holley and Kendall this coming week.
The Lyndonville boys squad will host Kendall on Tuesday and visit Holley on Thursday.
The Lady Tigers will visit Kendall on Wednesday and Holley on Friday.
An interesting non league boys basketball game on Saturday will have Niagara-Orleans League leading Albion (4-0, 6-1) at G-R Division 2 front-runner Elba (3-0, 6-1) at 2 p.m.
First place in the N-O wrestling standings will be on the line Wednesday as a clash of unbeatens will have Albion (3-0) at defending champion Newfane (3-0).
Weekly Schedule Monday Boys Basketball: Tapestry at Medina, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball: Northstar at Kendall, 6 p.m.; Albion at Alexander, Holley at Attica, Notre Dame at Lyndonville, Medina at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball: Newfane at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Lyndonville, Albion at Barker, Holley at Alexander, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Wilson at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Barker at Albion, Akron at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Swimming: Barker at Medina, Roy-Hart at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; Akron at Albion, 4:45 p.m. Wrestling: Byron-Bergen vs. Holley-Kendall at Holley, 6 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Basketball: Medina at CCA, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball: North Tonawanda at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Kendall, Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m. Wrestling: Albion at Newfane, Medina at Wilson, Roy-Hart/Barker at Akron, Lyndonville at Alexander, 6 p.m.
Thursday Boys Basketball: Lyndonville at Holley, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Roy-Hart at Wilson, Newfane at Barker, 6 p.m. Swimming: Medina at Albion, Roy-Hart at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball: Akron at Medina, Barker at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Wilson at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Medina at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Albion at Pembroke, Lyndonville at Holley, Byron-Bergen at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Saturday Boys Basketball: Albion at Elba, 2 p.m. Girls Basketball: Medina at Newfane, 12:30 p.m. Wrestling: Lyndonville at Lockport Tournament; Holley-Kendall at Eastridge Tournament
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2020 at 1:37 pm
Jules Hoepting’s cries for help were answered
MURRAY – Jules Hoepting likes to take her dog Lily for walks along the canal. Jules, 19, and her Doberman Pinscher typically get on the towpath near the Brown Street bridge in Albion.
Jules is home on college break from Fredonia State College. On Saturday she wanted to take Lily on a different part of the towpath just for a change of pace. She likes the spot near Fancher Road where there are old quarries filled with water. She drove Lily to Densmore Road and then they headed for a long walk east.
“I thought we’d try a different spot to explore,” Jules said this morning.
Three firefighters get close to where a dog was stranded in cold water. Jules Hoepting, top left, stayed close on the embankment to try to comfort her dog.
Lily after about 2 miles of walking got thirsty and wanted a drink. She normally gets a drink from the canal but the water is drained during the winter.
The dog instead wandered down a steep embankment to get a drink. It was very steep and she fell into the icy water.
Jules followed after Lily. There wasn’t any dry shore. Jules also got wet and realized just how cold the water was. She didn’t have a phone on her.
She could get herself up the steep embankment, but not with an 80-pound dog. She didn’t want to leave Lily alone and screamed for help for several minutes.
A man happened to be riding by on a bike. Chad Beach heard Jules and called 911.
Firefighters arrived and put a ropes ladder down the steep embankment for Jules, but she wouldn’t leave until her dog was rescued. Jules climbed partway up the embankment and hung on to a tree and kept talking to Lily.
“I just wanted to be near her because I thought she would die,” Jules said. “I was so worried for her. There was no way I could have gotten her out.”
A group of firefighters arrived on the towpath, and then put the ladder in place for Jules. Across from the quarry on Canal Road, firefighters from Carlton and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray set off in a rescue boat.
Jules stayed near her dog while three firefighters crossed the quarry in the boat. They needed to smash ice with paddles to get across.
The firefighters in the boat include Joe Morlino of FHM, and brothers Andrew and Justin Niederhofer of Carlton. There was a rope attached to the boat so it could be pulled back by firefighters on shore.
When the boat nearly crossed the old quarry, Justin Niederhofer went into the water to get Lily, who was standing in water on a ledge. Niederhofer held the dog as they boat was pulled back to shore.
Firefighters greet Lily after she was held by a firefighter and pulled across the water .
Lily was then carried to a rescue vehicle and covered in blankets to get warm. The dog suffered no ill effects. On the car ride home, she shook off the blankets. When she made it home, she ate a bowl of food and then took a long nap.
Jules thanked the firefighters for mobilizing such a big response.
Her mother, Christy Hoepting, is thankful so many people helped her daughter and their beloved dog.
She knows the outcome could have been different if the weather had been colder, if Chad Beach didn’t happen to go by and make a 911 call, if firefighters didn’t show up so fast after the call, and if the dog wasn’t so tough.
“We know we got lucky today,” Christy Hoepting posted on the Orleans Hub Facebook page. “Thank you to the entire rescue team and to Chad Beach for responding to Jules’s cries for help. We are blessed!”
