Provided photo: Medina native Colin Huwyler stands by a truck that uses his technology to burn used vegetable oil and restaurant grease.

BINGHAMTON – A Medina native’s company, which turns used vegetable oil and restaurant grease into fuel for trucks, is the $1 million winner of a renewable energy contest.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Optimus Technologies, based in Pittsburgh, PA, won the grand prize in the annual 76West Clean Energy Competition, one of the largest contests in the country that supports growing clean energy businesses to foster economic development.

Optimus Technologies was created by Colin Huwyler, a 2002 Medina graduate. The company designs and manufactures biodiesel fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks to operate on up to 100 percent biodiesel, thereby reducing fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 percent.

Huwyler, 34, a son of Bobbi Huwyler of Medina and Monte Huwyler, is founder of Optimus Technologies in Pittsburgh, the market leader in development of biodiesel conversion systems for medium and heavy duty trucks. Huwyler has four patents on his technology, with several more pending. (Click here to see a previous Orleans Hub article on Huwyler.)

A total of $2.5 million was competitively awarded to six innovative companies at today’s awards ceremony at Binghamton University where Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winners. Besides the $1 million for Optimus Technologies, the state recognized a $500,000 winner and four $250,000 winners. The competition is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

In this year’s 76West competition, NYSERDA received 169 applications representing 14 countries and 21 states. Of these, 18 semifinalists were chosen and participated in a two-day pitch session this summer at Binghamton University. Judges then recommended the top six winners.

As a condition of the award, companies must either move to the Southern Tier or establish a direct connection with the Southern Tier economy, such as a supply chain partnership, job development with Southern Tier companies or other strategic relationships with Southern Tier entities that help spur economic development and create jobs. For companies already located in the Southern Tier, they must commit to substantially growing their business and employment in the region.

The 2019 76West winners are:

• $1 million grand prize – Optimus Technologies from Pittsburgh, PA: Designs and manufactures biodiesel fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks to operate on up to 100 percent biodiesel, thereby reducing fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 percent.

• $500,000 award – Radical Plastics of Marblehead, MA: Develops a biodegradable replacement for agricultural plastic mulch, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality by reducing fertilizer and avoiding plastic incineration.

• $250,000 award (4) –

Cambridge Crops of Somerville, MA: Produces an edible bio-based protein coating that reduces food spoilage and waste as well as associated carbon dioxide emissions from food production and transport.

Carbon Upcycling Technologies of Calgary, Canada: Transforms carbon dioxide emissions into nanoparticles that can be used to produce coatings and additives to extend the life of concrete, thereby helping to avoid greenhouse gas emissions associated with concrete manufacturing.

CleanFiber of Buffalo, NY: Manufactures low-dust high-performance cellulose building insulation from recycled carboard that increases energy efficiency and reduces energy costs.

ProsumerGrid of Atlanta, GA: Produces integrated planning software enabling electric utilities and energy service companies to optimize deployment of distributed energy resources such as solar and energy storage.

76West began in 2016 as a four-year $20 million competition and support program. Empire State Development has committed $20 million to extend the competition through 2023 as part of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, offering $10 million in awards and $10 million in business support.

Applicants will again compete for $2.5 million in total prizes each year, with a $1 million grand prize and other awards. NYSERDA will continue to administer 76West, working closely with the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) and local partners in the region.

Provided photo: Medina police officer Stephen Gross talks with social studies students. Gross is the new school resource officer for the district this year.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – There is a new school resource officer in the Medina Central School District and he is already making an impact on the students. Police Officer Stephen Gross has been busy acquainting himself with staff and students.

“I am really excited about being here,” Gross said. “I love getting out and being in the community and working with the kids has been very rewarding and I am enjoying getting to know them all. As far as the school district is concerned, safety is their priority and I felt ready to step into that role and I am excited about that.”

Joe Byrne, a social studies teacher, asked Officer Gross to come to Byrne’s 8th grade classes and talk to the students.

“I wanted to give him a chance for the students to become more familiar with him and show off his impressive knowledge of school district law,” Byrne said. “Today we are talking about how we balance civil rights in our society with school safety. I think it is very important that they know their civil rights as students, but also the concerns that we, the government, have for school safety.”

The students talked about such cases as Tinker v. Des Moines that cemented students’ rights to free speech in public schools. New Jersey v. T.L.O concerns 4th Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. In Ingraham v. Wright, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporal punishment in public schools did not violate constitutional rights. In Kent v. United States, it was determined that juvenile offenders are entitled to the same amount of due process of law as adults while under the jurisdiction of a juvenile court.

The class had some interesting opinions on the various cases as Officer Gross talked about them and discussed how they would relate to what happens in their school. There was also time for students to get a little more personal and ask him about his gear, role in the school and the community.

“My number one goal is to help students to be less afraid of police and to make sure that you get home safe every day,” he told them.

Byrne said he is very grateful for the time that Officer Gross spent in his class.

“He had a training in New Jersey the day before and made sure to get back here to talk to my students,” Byrne said. “I think it was a great way for them to feel more comfortable with him and incorporate some of the lessons we are learning in class.”

Photo by Mike Wertman – Looking to help lead Holley into Friday’s season opening Homecoming game are these Hawk veterans. In front are Nick Kinmond, David Farruggia, Tony Farruggia and Jakob Silpoh. In back are Cody Tanis, Triston McFadden, Jacob Affronti, Richard Webster, Jayden Gibalid-Mastowski and Logan Pryor.

Boasting a good returning nucleus, Holley will open its second season of eight man football competition in a special way on Friday.

Holley will celebrate Homecoming by hosting Dundee at 7 p.m. in the Hawks first ever night football game under portable lights.

Dundee dropped a 42-34 decision to CG Finney last weekend in the Scotsmen’s opener.

Senior Jacob Norman, who was injured last year, takes over the key quarterback position for the Hawks backed up by senior Tony Farruggia.

The Hawks have returning regulars senior Jamel Hildreth and junior Jacob Affronti at running back as seniors David Farruggia, Cody Tanis and Nick Kinmond provide experience at the receiver spots.

Senior Richard Webster and junior Triston McFadden help to anchor the line.

The Hawks lineup also includes seniors Nicholas Ballard, Logan Pryor and Travis Mounts along with freshman Frank Golisano on the line and juniors Jakob Silpoch and Jayden Gibaud-Mastowski at running back.

Defensively  the Hawks will work with Golisano, McFadden, Pryor, Mounts and Webster on the line with Affronti, Norman, Ballard, Silposh and Gibaud-Mastowski at linebacker and David Farruggia, Tony Farruggia, Hildreth, Kinmond and Tannis in the secondary.

“We’ve got some good experience and they are great kids,” said Coach Wil Prince. “Our goal is to finish in the top four and gain one of the playoff spots. We have a JV team this year which is big. It shows the interest is there. We just want to continue to grow and improve. Hopefully we are headed in the right direction.”

The Hawks will play a six game regular season in the Section V/Section VI 8 man division. The division has Holley, Pembroke, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, Dundee and CG Finney from Section V along with Frewsburg and Maple Grove from Section VI.

Schedule
September: 27 – Dundee, 7 p.m.
October: 5 – at Finney, 1:30 p.m.; 11 – at Frewsburg, 7 p.m.; 19 – Pembroke, 1:30 p.m.; 26 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 1:30 p.m.
November: 2 – Maple Grove, 1:30 p.m.

Photos courtesy of Heidi Truschel: An enthusiastic crowd wants to buy a chance to win during a meat raffle on Jan. 26 to benefit the Lancaster/Depew youth baseball program. The $1 bills buy spins in the wheel and a chance to win meat products.

ALBION – The Arc of Genesee Orleans is holding its first meat raffle fundraiser on Oct. 4, and organizers say it will be a fun evening that benefits the agency that serves people with developmental disabilities.

The meat raffle will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at Albion Elks Lodge, 428 West State St. The $8 presale tickets include access to canned beer, pop and coffee. The tickets are $10 at the door.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snacks and food, and plenty of $1 bills.

“If you go as a group you can treat it like a party within a party,” said Heidi Truschel, community relations manager for The Arc.

Mark Demmin of WNY Meat Raffles will run the event on Oct. 4 and will bring a big wheel that he spins. People pay $1 per spin. They receive a ticket with a number. If the wheel stops on the number, that ticket holder wins meat.

Mark Demmin of WNY Meat Raffles led the Lancaster/Depew meat raffle and will be in Albion on Oct. 4. for the event benefitting The Arc of Genesee Orleans.

Latina Foods provides the meat for the raffle that include strip steaks, prime rib, roasts, bacon, chicken nuggets, turkey, hot dogs, egg rolls and other products.

Truschel attended a meat raffle in January to benefit the youth baseball program for Lancaster-Depew. She said Demmin has a following, and makes the raffles exciting.

“He keeps the event going so there is never a dull moment,” she said.

The Oct. 4 event also includes 10 door prizes, and a chance to win a girl’s bicycle, a 9-cubic foot freezer and meat voucher, and a GLOW YMCA family membership.

For more information about tickets and the event, contact Truschel at 585-589-5516 or htruschellight@arcgo.org.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Photo by Tom Rivers – A fisherman is pictured at Point Breeze in this photo from May 3, 2015.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York residents can fish for free without a license in any of the 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams across the state on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Several events across the state are being hosted on National Hunting and Fishing Day to encourage more people, whether skilled or new to these sports, to get outdoors and enjoy the abundant hunting and fishing opportunities available across the State.

“Fishing and hunting are longstanding traditions in New York, with some of the best opportunities anywhere, and our state’s active sporting community is a very important partner in ongoing conservation efforts,” Governor Cuomo said. “This Saturday, I encourage new and experienced anglers and hunters to get out and enjoy nature with family and friends by partaking in some of the events being held or enjoying time afield.”

National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September each year to promote outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and target shooting.

Hunting and fishing build a sense of stewardship of fish and wildlife resources and habitats, provide an opportunity for experienced hunters and anglers to share their knowledge with others, and promote participation in hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting through the mentoring of young hunters and anglers. New York’s hunters and anglers contribute an estimated $4.9 billion to the economy in spending, which supports more than 56,000 jobs and $623 million in state and local taxes.

Through the purchase of New York sporting licenses, hunters and anglers also help generate an estimated $75 million to help conserve fish and wildlife, enhance habitat, and protect natural resources.

“Hunting and fishing are cherished outdoor pursuits in New York,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Governor Cuomo officially proclaimed September 28, 2019, as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state, recognizing our rich heritage of hunting and fishing, and DEC is proud to work with our partners to offer exciting opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages to get outside this weekend.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

BATAVIA – Tyler Schmeer of Kendall runs a Kubota tractor with a backhoe during a career exploration event today in Batavia at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport let high school students try to operate the backhoe.

Bentley Brothers was one of 58 businesses at the event. The first-time “GLOW With Your Hands” career exploration included about 50 interactive sessions.

There were students from 24 schools from the four rural GLOW counties, as well as Roy-Hart in Niagara County.

Lyndonville and Kendall in Orleans County both took students for hands-on activities with trades such as welding, bricklaying, electrical wiring, heavy equipment operation, advanced manufacturing and other jobs.

“The skilled trades is something we’re always looking for,” said Laura Olinger, president and co-owner of Bentley Brothers.

She told students today’s construction and farm equipment is heavily computerized with lots of electronics. Although the equipment is more technical, Bentley said the construction and agriculture jobs are still positions that require workers to get dirty.

Joe Lang, line supervisor for National Grid, shows Pavilion students how to set a switch with a pole. National Grid representatives said the company offers many career opportunities as a line man, or jobs in administrative, metering and the service department.

Dr. Sheila Eigenbrod, Pavilion High School principal, served on the committee that helped plan the event. She wanted students to see the many job opportunities in the local rural counties.

“We wanted exposure to the amazing job opportunities in the GLOW region,” she said. “They are seeing the importance of the trades and some of the soft skills in our community.”

Jack Lora and Tyeisha Wright, brick-laying students at the Iroquois Job Corps Center in Shelby, encouraged the local high schoolers to learn a trade.

“If you know a trade you’ll always have a job,” Tyeisha said.

Jack said it isn’t grunt work. “It’s an art.”

Ashton Sommerton of Pavilion tries operating an excavator under guidance from Jared Swift, an operator with LG Evans Construction in Avon.

Jay Helker, vice president of operations for Swan Equipment & Trucking in Avon, discusses some of the tools used to fix big trucks and other equipment. Helker told students he enjoys his job.

“There is a lot of hands-on work,” he said. “The days go by fast.”

Swan Equipment & Trucking in Avon let students sit in a dump truck.

Culinary Arts students from Alfred State College made sandwiches and cookies for students to try.

Kendra Lamb of Lamb Farms in Oakfield introduced students to a calf. The farm has many job opportunities working with young dairy animals, milking cows, breeding animals and working at growing the crops for the animals.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center helped organize the event. The agency wants to help businesses fill positions, and match local residents with career opportunities.

GCEDC is developing a 1,250-acre STAMP site for advanced manufacturing. The site, at full buildout, is projected to have 9,300 workers with another 20,000 jobs supported in the region from the site.

“We have careers right here in their backyard,” said  Chris Suozzi, vice president of business development for the GCEDC. “The companies want to train them right out of high school. They will train you and you don’t have to have any student debt.”

Suozzi said the GCEDC wants “GLOW With Your Hands” to be an annual event for at least the next 10 years.

Students line up to see the display by Craigs Station Creamery in Pavilion, which produces “standardized” milk and cream for yogurt, cheese and other perishable dairy products. The facility is powered by renewable energy which includes a nearby anaerobic manure digester, plus solar panels on its roof.

Dr. Aaron Slack, Lyndonville High School principal, joined 18 students from Lyndonville at the event. Slack appreciated the businesses offering hands-on activities to help students understand the careers.

Next year Slack said Lyndonville would bring more students.

“I’m extremely impressed and grateful for all of the representatives from the various industries,” he said.

BYRON – Law enforcement officers are investigating who may have dumped animal remains in several garbage bags in a cornfield at the intersection of Merriman and Cook roads.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office received a call on Friday about the animal remains, which included pigs, two small calves and other animals.

Deputies along with animal control officers, are working with investigators from the Lollypop Farm Humane Society and officers from Orleans County Animal Control.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Militello Concrete in Buffalo has been at Bullard Park today pouring concrete for the splash pad. This employee is sealing the concrete this afternoon.

Construction on the Bullard Park improvements started in May. The $800,000 project includes a splash park, amphitheater, utility building with bathrooms and a pavilion.

The village is doing about $800,000 worth of upgrades at the park. The village in December 2016 was awarded a $499,605 state grant for Bullard projects.

The village also received $97,500 from the county and $45,000 from the town of Albion, money that was through a revolving-loan fund that needed to be spent for handicapped accessibility at the park. Those funds will be used for sidewalks to the amphitheater and splash pad, to make them accessible to people in a wheelchair.

The new splash pad is next to the amphitheater. The new facilities will open to the community next year.

The Albion DPW is providing $166,370 of in-kind services as part of Albion’s local share for the state grant. The DPW took down a pavilion and storage building last fall to make way for the new utility building. The DPW also ran a new sewer line across Route 31 near the Bullard entrance. That sewer line will service the park.

The DPW also ran 600 feet of waterline for the splash pad and utility building, several feet of sewer line, and will be doing the electric service for the amphitheater.

Village crews also hauled stone from Barre Stone Products and moved the concrete sections of the retaining wall for the amphitheater.

Titan, a construction company from Gasport, is the general contractor on the project and is expected to soon build the utility building, which will include bathrooms, controls for the splash pad and the pavilion.

Next year, a walking trail that is about ¾-mile will be constructed by the perimeter of the park. The new path will be trail base, similar to the canal towpath, said Gary Katsanis, Albion’s deputy mayor.

“All the pieces are coming together,” Katsanis said today.

Slide and swings, however, will be out to make way for new equipment at Pine Street Park

MEDINA – The snail and merry-go-round at Pine Street Park were given new life by the Village Board.

The two pieces of playground equipment are popular at the park, and some community members have told village officials they don’t won’t to see the snail and merry-go-round to go as part of an upgrade at the park.

Donations are paying for a new splash pad, playground equipment and pathway that would include flowers and butterfly gardens. Construction has started on the $150,000 project.

That work has sparked some concern about the merry-go-round and the big snail. The Village Board discussed keeping those pieces of equipment. They will check with the Pine Street Park Committee to make sure the merry-go-round and snail fit with the plan for the park.

If not, the equipment will be moved to State Street Park.

Some of the existing equipment will be gone, however. The board voted to declare a slide and swing set as surplus equipment and they will be sold to the highest bidder.

HARTLAND – A fire last at 2961 Johnson Creek Rd. destroyed a classic car and damaged other vehicles inside a garage, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting this morning.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 1:13 a.m., after a call that the detached garage was on fire.

Upon arrival of sheriff deputies and fire personnel, a 30-by-40-foot pole barn-style structure was found with fire and smoke showing from inside. Inside the building where several classic cars and motorcycles, as well as utility vehicles.

Once inside, Hartland Volunteer Fire Co. was able to quickly extinguish the fire. At this time the cause of the fire is undetermined, as is the amount of damage sustained. One classic car was a total loss and other vehicles inside were damaged.

The Niagara County Fire Investigation Unit responded and the cause is under investigation at this time. There were no injuries reported.

Fire departments from Hartland, Gasport, Middleport and Barker responded to the scene.

Daniel Hurley took this photo of a rainbow over a field on Lattin Road in Gaines this evening at about 7, following a thunderstorm.

Jason Smith, superintendent of the Lyndonville Central School, took this photo of a rainbow over Vets Park in Medina. Smith was there to see the combined Lyndonville/Medina girls soccer team. Their game was cancelled due to the storm.

Jared Ostrander, 12, of Kendall took this photo after the storm of a cabbage field on Route 104 in Gaines.

Jared Ostrander, 12, also took a photo of the rainbow on Keitel Road. He was on his way home from practice with Albion’s AYSAP youth football team.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

Today, New York State Senator, Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) joined sportsmen and non-profits to oppose Democrat efforts to eliminate charitable organizations’ gun raffles.

Ortt began collecting signatures of individuals and groups opposed to the ban and plans to visit raffles and organizations that will be affected. He will present signatures to the Senate and Assembly sponsors of the bill, whom he has already written to on this issue. He pointed out how important these raffles are for non-profits across the state and blasted the misnomer surrounding the raffles.

“The sponsors of this bill don’t understand two things,” said Ortt. “First, nobody walks into a raffle and leaves with a gun – that’s either willful deceit by individuals who know better or embarrassing ignorance by those who do not. Second, maybe downstate non-profits are overflowing with cash, but Upstate and Western New York charities rely on these types of raffles to support critical operations – from Boy Scouts to sportsmen clubs.”

Ed Pettitt of SAfE and Frank J. Panasuk of The1791 Society noted the amount of misinformation that surrounded games of chance gun raffles.

Ed Pettitt, President of Second Amendment for EVER, Inc (SAfE) in Niagara County said, “Guns won in a raffle are dispensed by a licensed FFL and winners must meet the same requirements necessary for the purchase of a gun including age and passing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. As such, any law banning gun raffles is purely for the purpose of infringing on the rights of citizens to lawfully acquire firearms in the practice of their rights protected by the Second Amendment. SAfE opposes the proposed ban of gun raffles.”

Frank J. Panasuk, President of The 1791 Society said, “We support Senator Rob Ortt in opposing a proposed law in the New York legislature that would wrongfully ban charitable organizations from holding gun raffles to raise money. Gun raffles are proven revenue generators for charitable organizations. Importantly, gun raffles are covered by the same background checks as sales through a federally licensed firearms dealer (“FFL”). Senate Democrats fraudulent moral panic surrounding gun raffles are disingenuous and nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt at reducing the Second Amendment to a second-class right.”

Assemblyman Mike Norris (R-Lockport) said, “This legislative proposal has only highlighted even further the stark contrast between the downstate liberal agenda and Western New York values. A proposal to ban gun raffles demonstrates not only a lack of understanding but also a lack of effort to even consider the financial impact on local volunteer and charitable organizations outside of New York City. I am proud to stand up for sportsmen, charitable and volunteer organizations and join my colleagues in opposition to this ridiculous proposal.”

Photos courtesy of Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library announced today that is has the pen used in 1867 to sign the bail bond for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy.

The pen was given to Rufus Bullock, the governor of Georgia and an Albion native. Davis was captured in Georgia on May 10, 1865. He was taken to Fort Monroe, Virginia. Although he was accused of treason and plotting in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, he was never brought to trial.

After two years in prison, he was released and lived out the rest of his life in relative peace in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the Beauvoir plantation. He died in 1889.

The clerk of a U.S. Circuit Court in Virginia gave the pen to Bullock.

Dee Robinson, a reference librarian Hoag Library, will discuss the pen and how it can into the library’s possession during her monthly “Tea with Dee” historical talk. That will be next Tuesday, Oct. 1., at noon.

Robinson said today the quill still has some ink on the tip.

The pen has been in the library’s possession, likely for over a century. It was listed in an inventory of items, but Robinson said she didn’t see it until April. She wanted to research the history behind the pen before going public about it.

The pen was among many items in the library’s archive that were moved from the former Swan Library to the new Hoag Library in 2012.

Robinson has been going through the archives – many boxes and file folders.

Hoag Library also has the box for the pen used to sign Jefferson Davis’s bail bond.

Impeachment parchment

The pen was donated to the library by Bullock, who died in 1907. He gave the library another prized artifact from the post-Civil War.

When Bullock was governor, he was given an impeachment notice signed by the 126 members of House of Representatives who voted Feb. 24, 1868, to impeach Andrew Johnson for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Bullock moved back to Albion in his later years and gave the impeachment notice to Swan Library in 1903. The library had only been open for three years at that point. Bullock died at age 73 on April 27, 1907, and is buried near the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.

For a century that document sat in the attic at Swan Library. Librarians were aware of that piece of history and kept it safe.

But when the community was looking to build a library, Swan leaders thought the impeachment notice might fetch a big dollar and could help get the new building built. Some speculated the document might be worth a million dollars or more.

Library leaders at the time sent a photo of the impeachment parchment and a description to Sotheby’s, the famous international auction house. Its assessment of the document: about $15,000 to $25,000 – a nice sum but library leaders decided it wasn’t a difference maker for the library.

George Washington letter

The pen joins other interesting artifacts in the library’s archives. That includes a letter from George Washington written in May 1784, about five years before he started serving as the first president of the United States. Robinson found the letter in April when she was looking through the archives.

The letter from Washington was written to Jacob Morris, thanking him for taking care of a gift package sent to Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He led American troops in several battles, including Yorktown.

The letter acknowledges correspondence from Morris in regard to the package of Lafayette, and Washington offers to pay the cost of the delivery, and also extends his compliments to Mrs. Morris. Jacob Morris was the son of Lewis Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence.

The Journal-Register in Medina on April 19, 1967 wrote about the letter from Washington, which was being put on display briefly at Swan Library. The Journal-Register reported then that a family in Westchester County owned the letter for about 90 years. Thomas Bell then owned it and presented it to Noah Davis, a justice for the State Supreme Court who was from Albion. (Davis was the judge in the trial that brought down New York City Tammany Hall ringmaster William M. “Boss” Tweed. Judge Davis presided over Tweed’s trials on charges of conspiracy, perjury and larceny.)

After his death, Davis’s wife sent the letter to Emma Swan, the founder of the library with her husband William. Mrs. Swan gave the letter to the library. According the JR article, the letter’s authenticity was established by the Historical Society of New York City and by the Astor Library.

The article from 1967 reports the Washington letter is ordinarily kept in bank vault and only seen by a few people.

While The Journal-Register wrote about the Washington letter, Robinson said today she hasn’t found any previous coverage of the pen used to sign Davis’s bail bond.

Susan B. Anthony letter

Robinson was searching through library files in March and found a 1903 letter from Susan B. Anthony, written to the then Swan Library. (The new Hoag Library opened in July 2012.)

Anthony, the women’s rights activist, was a pivotal leader for women’s suffrage. She wrote to the library to encourage Swan to buy four volumes of the History of Woman Suffrage and also two volumes about the life and work of Susan B. Anthony.

Photos courtesy of Steve Hawley

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is pictured with veterans at the US Marine Corps War Memorial as part of the 12^thPatriot Trip organized by the assemblyman.

Hawley his 12^thPatriot Trip from Thursday morning until Sunday night. There were 94 veterans and their families on the trip. More than 1,000 people have attended the trips since Hawley started leading them in 2008.

The Marine Corps War Memorial is located just outside of Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial is based on the iconic photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. It depicts the six soldiers who raised of the American flag at Iwo Jima in the Japanese Volcano Islands on February 23, 1945. It marked the conclusion of the American campaign in the Pacific during World War II. The memorial is dedicated to “the Marine dead of all wars and their comrades of other services who fell fighting beside them.”

Assemblyman Hawley is pictured with veterans who served during the Vietnam War.

The trip costs each participant about $450 per person, which covers the cost of staying in a hotel, riding the bus, and the meals over the four days.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a 2-acre U.S. national memorial in Washington, D.C.

Hawley, veterans and the veterans’ family members  left from Batavia Downs at 7 a.m. last Thursday. They spent four days visiting historical sites such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Capitol and the Vietnam War Memorial. The group made a stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to visit the battlefield, and then headed to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia.

“This trip is consistently one of the highlights of my year,” Hawley said. “I’m grateful to spend time with our heroes and visit some of the most important sites in our nation’s history.”

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a special weather statement, saying a line of strong thunderstorms will affect Orleans, Genesee, central Niagara and northeastern Erie counties until 1:45 p.m. today.

Winds in excess of 40 miles per hour are possible with these storms, with torrential rainfall that may cause localized flooding.