By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2019 at 8:16 am
File photo by Cheryl Wertman: A participant splashes through the last mud pit to complete the Mud Run on Sept. 28, 2013. The Orleans County YMCA is bringing back the event on Sept. 28.
MEDINA — The Orleans County YMCA is bringing back a Mud Run, a 5k with more than 15 obstacles on the course.
The Sept. 28 event starts and finishes at the Sacred Heart Club. The course includes Gallagher’s Farm and the Erie Canalway.
The Y first organized a Mud Run six years ago and had 75 people run and crawl through mud pits, climb over fallen trees, navigate through a field of tires and conquer a host of other obstacles.
“We are teaming up with the Medina Business Association’s Ale in Autumn event to ‘Make it a Day in Medina,’” said Greg Reed, Y director.
Registration for the Mud Run starts at 9:30 a.m. with the races beginning at 10 a.m. The first race will be a “Mini-Mudder” for ages 5-12. At 10:45, individuals, couples, families and teams of 5 will be released in waves to tackle the course.
Press Release, New York State Association of Counties
The NYS Division of Budget announced on Thursday that it is approving the State Board of Elections’ plan to distribute $10 million to county governments to support early voting implementation.
The SFY 2019-20 Budget allocated a total of $24.7 million for assistance with implementing a series of election law reforms, including early voting and authorization for counties to use e-poll book technology in the upcoming 2019 elections.
This funding was split between two pots of money: $14.7 million for capital equipment purchases, including e-poll books and specialized printers, and $10 million that was appropriated to reimburse local boards of elections for costs related to the implementation of early voting.
The State Board of Elections submitted a reimbursement plan allocating the $10 million to counties across the state. The funding includes $27,251 for Orleans County, which has 24,590 registered voters.
“There was never any question that the full $10 million to support early voting would be made available, and the full amount has been approved,” said New York State Budget Director Robert F. Mujica, Jr. “We look forward to the expanded access to the polls that early voting will provide voters this fall.”
“The election reforms passed by state lawmakers this year, including early voting, will provide greater access for New Yorkers as they head to the polls,” said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. “As counties gear up to open early voting sites in just under 60 days, we are grateful to New York State and Budget Director Mujica for committing vital funding for early voting implementation costs. These state resources are necessary to ensure smooth and accessible elections in communities across the state.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2019 at 7:36 am
There will be sunshine and some rain over the holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo also has issued a beach hazards statement for Orleans and Monroe counties for today until 2 p.m., warning that strong currents make for dangerous swimming conditions. The Weather Service urges people to stay out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls.
Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 75. That is followed by a sunny Saturday with a high near 72, according to the Weather Service.
Sunday there will be showers likely after 8 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy with a high near 73. Showers also are likely on Sunday night with a thunderstorm possible.
Labor Day will be partly sunny, with a high near 76, and a chance of showers.
The boater and his dog head out of the Oak Orchard Harbor to Lake Ontario on Thursday evening.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.4070-B/A.2577-B) – known as Erin’s Law – that requires public schools to teach child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention classes to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Erin’s Law is named for Erin Merryn, an abuse survivor and activist against child sexual abuse who has advocated for similar laws nationwide for over a decade. This legislation mandates that these prevention classes include practical and age-appropriate instruction on how to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and exploitation and resources on how to find help. The law will take effect on July 1, 2020.
“Sexual abuse is a nationwide epidemic that has inflicted unimaginable pain on countless children, and we must use every lever at our disposal to stop it,” Governor Cuomo said. “Many children who have been a victim of these horrific crimes or who are still suffering from abuse don’t have the information or emotional tools they need to fight back. By requiring schools to teach kids how to recognize and ultimately thwart this heinous behavior, we are giving our most vulnerable New Yorkers a voice and empowering them to protect themselves.”
“No child should have to go through the lifetime of pain and suffering caused by sexual abuse and exploitation,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “This legislation will help to ensure young people have the knowledge and resources to help them recognize and prevent abusive behavior. Erin’s Law builds on our continuing efforts to protect children and combat all forms of abuse across the state.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S3281A /A 5059-A) authorizing the sale of wine, cider and mead at organizations hosting games of chance, such as bingo.
Previously, organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and Elks Clubs were only allowed to serve beer. This bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law.
“This measure is a win-win, providing new revenue sources for organizations like VFWs who host community game nights and boosting business for local craft beverage manufacturers,” Governor Cuomo said. “By signing this legislation into law we are removing unnecessary regulatory barriers that have impeded economic growth and hampered local community organizations for no good reason.”
Senator Anna Kaplan said, “Sometimes the best economic development policy is the one that gets the government out of the way of what’s in the best interest of an organization or business. This simple legislation will provide organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars with more options to raise money to support operations, and I applaud Governor Cuomo for signing it into law.”
Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “I was proud to sponsor this legislation, which will help New York’s craft beverage industry grow and reach more consumers, at the same time benefiting community organizations, including those serving veterans, so they can remain dynamic and vibrant. Thank you to Senator Kaplan and Governor Cuomo for their support of this legislation.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2019 at 3:19 pm
ALBION – A former inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility was arraigned for second-degree assault in Orleans County Court today.
Aniah Ferguson, 21, was taken to the emergency room at Medina Memorial Hospital on Feb. 15. While in the bathroom, her mechanical restraints were removed from one wrist. When a female correction officer tried to put the restraint back on, Ferguson allegedly punched her several times with her free hand, causing injuries to the CO’s head, including a bloody nose, and contusions to her eye, face and head.
Ferguson has since been transferred to Bedford Hills.
Judge Sanford Church set bail at $50,000 for Ferguson, who has two years left on a sentence for second-degree assault.
Ferguson in 2015 led an attack on a 16-year-old girl at a McDonald’s in Brooklyn. When she was at Rikers Island, Ferguson assaulted a captain at the New York City jail.
In other cases in County Court today:
• Two men from Niagara Falls were arraigned in Orleans County Court this morning for allegedly stealing three dirt bikes from a Ridgeway garage on Oct. 16, 2018.
Michael Dubuc, 41, and Carlton Cook-Mckee, 26, both face charges of third-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Dubuc has a more serious previous criminal record with two prior felonies. That’s why Judge Sanford Church set bail for Dubuc at $20,000 and $10,000 for Cook-Mckee
• A Depew woman admitted to violating terms of her probation and could be sentenced to up to nine months in jail when she is sentenced on Oct. 3.
Jenna Zagara, 28, formerly of Lockport has been on probation for petit larceny, after allegedly racking up $1,905 in unauthorized spending on someone else’s credit card.
In September 2018, she was sentenced to three years probation. Zagara today in court admitted to using cocaine, alcohol and opiates. She also admitted to using profanity with her probation officer, and hasn’t completed a substance abuse treatment program, which was a condition of her probation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2019 at 11:43 am
Albion man created Santa Claus School and Christmas Park
This photo shows Charles W. Howard with a Santa at Christmas Park in Albion. Howard operated the Park and a school for Santa Claus in Albion until his death on May 1, 1966.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature wants to dedicate Route 31 in the Town of Albion in memory of Charles W. Howard, an Albion native who ran a Santa School from 1937 until his death in 1966.
The Legislature on Wednesday passed a formal resolution in support of naming a section of the road in honor of Howard. The matter requires the support of the State Legislature and the signature of the governor.
“Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School,” according to the County Legislature’s resolution.
Howard also established Christmas Park in Albion on Phipps Road near Route 31. He portrayed Santa in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City for 18 years.
He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.
Howard remains a revered figure among the Santa portrayers world-wide. They have an annual conference, which twice in the past decade has been in Albion.
The Santa school is now in Midland, Mich., and it continues in Howard’s name.
The Legislature was going to vote on the resolution for Howard last month but tabled the vote until it had a response from Howard’s family, on whether they approved of honoring Howard with the signage and dedication.
Jane Holland, Charles Howard’s granddaughter, sent an email on July 31 to Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee. The Betterment Committee has stepped up efforts to recognize Howard’s role in the community. The Betterment Committee has put up a gateway sign on Route 98, declaring Albion as Howard’s hometown. The group also has “BELIEVE” signs in the community and is working on a memorial bronze statue of Howard in downtown Albion.
Holland said the family endorses having Route 31 be dedicated for Howard, who was a farmer and active in the community as a volunteer, in addition to running Christmas Park and training Santas at the school.
“Grampa was a humble man of little means but a big heart and a giving, caring soul,” she said in her email. “To see him honored on his beloved trail to and from the town – the family still today cherishes and welcomes its comfort when we visit – would be a great privilege.”
She thanked the Betterment Committee and other community for their interest in preserving Albion’s heritage.
Albion students in 2015 unveiled an interpretive panel about Charles Howard near his grave at Mount Albion Cemetery. The panel shares lots of information about Howard, who was also a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and a create a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.
The full resolution from the Legislature states:
“SUPPORTING DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF NYS ROUTE 31 WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE TOWN OF ALBION IN MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD
WHEREAS, Mr. Charles W. Howard was a resident of the Town of Albion for his entire life; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was proud of his home town, county and country; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard portrayed Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 18 years;
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard passed away in 1966 without receiving from his local neighbors the proper recognition he deserved; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Albion and the Village of Albion have both adopted similar resolutions in support of this request; and
WHEREAS, Jane Holland (granddaughter of Charles W. Howard) on behalf of the Howard family, has sent an e-mail message approving of and thanking us for so honoring Mr. Howard in this fashion; and
WHEREAS, the ALBION BETTERMENT COMMITTEE (a not-for-profit charitable organization which was formed in 2003 with the intent to promote the area’s natural assets and to set the area apart from every other community in the country) is asking support to dedicate a portion of the NYS Route 31 in Memory of Charles W. Howard; now be it
RESOLVED, that the Orleans County Legislature supports the Albion Betterment Committee in their request to the State of New York to have a portion of State Route 31 – when entering the Town of Albion (Northwest corner of Transit Road from the east to Southeast corner of Wood Road from the west) to be dedicated in Charles W. Howard’s name, subject to permission from the Howard Family; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Legislature supports signage to be placed along that portion of Route 31 to read:
THIS SECTION OF NEW YORK STATE ROUTE 31 (PASSING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ALBION) IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD, A LOCAL FARMER WHO FOUNDED THE WORLD’S FIRST SANTA CLAUS SCHOOL.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2019 at 8:01 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Richard Cichocki of Medina looks over some of the classic cars and trucks on display in downtown Medina on Wednesday evening during the annual Super Cruise.
A section of Main Street, north of Center Street, was blocked off in the annual event, which usually draws about 250 to 300 cars for the show.
Terry Buchwald, an Elvis Presley impersonator for about 30 years, arrives in downtown Medina on a motorcycle (with a license plate, “ELVIS”). Buchwald performed for two hours on a stage.
A Corvette joins many other snazzy cars on Main Street on a sunny evening.
Terry Buchwald has been performing at the Super Cruise in Medina for about 20 years. The Super Cruise is a fundraiser for the Orleans County United Way.
There were many classic cars and trucks on display on Main Street, including this 1950 Ford.
The “Canadian 1940 Chevrolet” is a special deluxe 2-door Town Sedan. There were 27,270 built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada with many exported to England and Australia.
The Medina Rotary Club served up hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages. Bill Bixler, left, and Gary Lawton are working the grill for the Rotary Club.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald performs with children from the audience during Super Cruise on Main Street.
Elvis fan Lee Smith of Lyndonville gets a hug from Terry Buchwald during Medina’s Super Cruise Wednesday night. The event marked the end of weekly summer cruise-ins in Medina.
Tinker Young of Lyndonville poses with his 1932 Ford Deuce coupe he restored. He said it is a replica graffiti car. Behind him is a 1957 Buick Super convertible owned by Carmen and Janice Strianese of Medina. He bought the car six years ago from a fairgrounds in Illinois, where it was used as a pace car on their race track. These vehicles were among more than 200 which filled Medina’s Main Street for the Super Cruise.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 9:02 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nancy Traxler is introduced during today’s Orleans County Legislature meeting. She is the new director of veterans’ services in Orleans County. John Pera, left, is commander of the American Legion in Orleans County and also the post commander in Holley.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature this afternoon voted unanimously to appoint Nancy Traxler as the director of veterans’ service for the county. She has worked the past two years as a veterans’ service officer in the county.
She takes over for Earl Schmidt, who is taking a job in Buffalo as Department Service Officer at American Legion of New York State. Schmidt led the county’s Veterans’ Service Agency since Dec. 7, 2015.
Traxler of Waterport served 27 years in the Air Force, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. She is a combat veteran and a Blue Star mother and wife.
She said she is determined to help veterans and their families receive benefits they have earned through their service.
Traxler and the office will pursue claims for veterans through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including compensation and pension, medical care, rehabilitation and vocational services, and insurance and indemnities.
Traxler said her position as veterans’ service officer will also be filled.
Once the office is at full staff, they will work to reorganize the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program, which provides social opportunities for veterans and their families.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 7:35 pm
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand, a senator from New York, ended her presidential campaign today after failing to qualify with enough donors for the third presidential debate.
The Democratic field is crowded with about 20 candidates.
“Today, I am ending my campaign for president,” Gillibrand announced on Twitter. “I am so proud of this team and all we’ve accomplished. But I think it’s important to know how you can best serve.
“To our supporters: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Now, let’s go beat Donald Trump and win back the Senate.”
Gillibrand touted herself as a champion for women and families.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement: “Senator Gillibrand is a great talent, a rising star in the Democratic Party and a good friend. The people of New York are fortunate to have her back full time.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 3:14 pm
1,500 expected Saturday for ‘Festival of Bizarre Proportions’
Photos by Tom Rivers: Arlowe Price, a self-described fourth-generation “circus freak performer” from Buffalo, blows into a flame held by Riley Schilacci in this photo from the Steampunk Festival on Aug. 31, 2013 at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery. Price will be back on Saturday for the festival. Price chews broken glass, sets a mouse trap on his ear and tongue, and performs other outrageous stunts.
KNOWLESVILLE – A “festival of bizarre proportions” has become so big it is moving to the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Saturday.
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery hosted the event since 2011 at its Ridge Road location in Medina, and would accommodate 1,000 to 1,200 people annually at recent Steampunk Festivals.
“We were at capacity,” said Jerod Thurber, sales manager at Leonard Oakes and SteamPunk Cider. “There is a huge amount of growth that can happen.”
Thurber is the manager of the Steampunk Festival, which on Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. will have many attractions, including three bands, hot-air balloon rides, five food vendors, a steampunk clothing contest, fire artists, circus freaks, belly dancers, a mad science fair and Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber.
Most of the attendees at Steampunk wear futuristic costumes with a Victorian theme. They wear outlandish costumes, with top hats, goggles and robotic arms as accessories.
The event draws people from 10-15 states and Canada. Moving the event to the Fairgrounds provides an option to camp with tents or RVs.
Leonard Oakes wanted to put on a fun event at the end of summer, just before Labor Day, when it started the Steampunk Festival. It also wanted to showcase its SteamPunk Cider, which has become the winery’s top seller.
Jacob Verghese plays the banjo and sings for the band, Pine Fever from Buffalo, at the pavilion at Leonard Oakes in August 2014. Pine Fever will be back Saturday for the Steampunk Festival.
Thurber would like to expand the Steampunk Festival into a two-day event in the future, with one day devoted to promoting ciders and agriculture.
“Ciders are on a resurgence right now,” he said. “It’s pushing us forward.”
Leonard Oakes branded its cider at SteamPunk Cider, which taps into the steampunk movement – “a blend of the old and the new,” Thurber said.
The entertainment on Saturday is headlined by the band, Rasputina. The band is a pioneer in the use of cello as the sole instrument within a rock band. Rasputina uses elaborate costuming spanning a number of historical periods, and brings marginalized historical female figures and stories to light in the pop form.
Rasputina has performed and recorded with Marilyn Manson, Cheap Trick, and the Goo Goo Dolls.
The Buffalo-based band Pine Fever will also perform and so will the local group, The Capitals. (Ben Jones, assistant winemaker at Leonard Oakes, is a member of The Capitals.)
The Steampunk Festival will set up a stage near the Lartz Building for the musicians and also will utilize the stage at the Curtis Pavilion for some of the performers, including Arlowe Price, who does tricks with fire, chews glass, and does other outrageous stunts.
Many of the attendees wear Steampunk outfits for the festival, including this group in 2013, from left: Angela Loveland of Niagara Falls, and siblings Adam Cordell and Katie Cordell of Mercersburg, Pa.
Other attractions include: The Axe Wagon, Steam Driven Equipment Alley, Hot Air Balloon Rides by DejaVu Ballooning, Pyromancy, Buffalo Aerial Dance, Buffalo tribal Belly Dance, Relativity Belly Dance, Sweeny Todd the Demon Barber, Trouppe Nissa, Projex, and a SteamPunk Fashion Competition.
The hot air balloon rides via Deja Vu Ballooning in Middleport will be tethered rides, with the basket going up about 40 to 50 feet along Route 31.
Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber will be in the Trolley Building -and will offer an old-fashioned straight razor shave, chair cut, and will be available for photo ops.
The Mad Science Faire will highlight gadget and creations from the steampunk world.
Many people from the steampunk world will be in costume including Steam Nation, the Rochester SteamPunks, and the Buffalo SteamPunks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 11:17 am
ALBION – The popular Ghost Hunters television series tonight will feature The Pillars in Albion. The episode on the A & E network is called, “Lady in the Window.”
The paranormal detectors will focus on the estate on West Countyhouse Road in Albion, as they try to find evidence of “the lady in the window” who seems to appear in some photographs, looking out from the attic.
A crew of about 25 spent two weeks at The Pillars and in the Albion community in May.
Tony McMurtie, owner of The Pillars, said he had lots of questions for the Ghost Hunters. He was stunned by their discoveries, although he said he can’t discuss it publicly.
The Ghost Hunters initially ran for 11 seasons on SyFy from 2004 to 2016. It is now on A&E. Tonight’s show starts at 9 p.m.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is joining fellow legislators in co-sponsoring a bill that will protect New York state drivers from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed $25 mandated fee on new license plates.
The legislation, introduced last week by Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, would prohibit the state Department of Motor Vehicles from requiring a fee when the design of the state license plate is changed.
“This is yet another hidden ‘money grab’ coming from the governor’s office,” said Hawley. “Cuomo has no problem wasting taxpayer dollars on new signs for his father’s bridge and undocumented immigrants, but loves to shake down the taxpayers for every cent of their hard-earned paychecks.”
Last week, the governor announced that license plates older than 10 years old will be subjected to the new replacement requirement. The governor’s plan imposes a mandated $25 fee, which is the maximum allowed by law for new plates, on top of the already-burdensome registration renewal costs. Drivers who want to keep their license plate number will also be forced to pay an extra $20 under his proposal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 8:46 am
MEDINA – The Village Board has approved a two-year contract with the school district where the Medina Police Department will provide a resource officer.
The contract increases the amount paid to the village from $60,000 this past school year to $65,000 in 2019-20, and then $70,000 in 2020-21.
Medina police officer Corey Ambrose served as the school resource officer the past two years. This school year, Stephen Gross will be the resource officer.
The Medina contract is less than what other school districts pay for the service.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $100,000 to provide a school resource officer in Lyndonville and Kendall. In Albion, the school district is paying the village $81,250 annually for an officer.
In other action at Monday’s Village Board meeting:
• The board approved borrowing up to $50,000 for a computer overhaul for the Police Department. That includes a new server and laptops.
• The board also agreed to have Martin Busch continue in a part-time role as code enforcement officer. Busch has retired after 24 years in the job. He has agreed to work in a limited role helping to review building plans and do some inspections. Busch will be paid $30 an hour. He is expected to work about three hours a week.
• The village is giving about 20 water customers until the end of October to have new water meters in place. More than 2,000 meters have been replaced with a new software installed for reading the meters.
But about 20 water customers have the old meters. Most of them need to make plumbing upgrades for the new meters because their pipes are corroded or brittle.
The village has been working to replace meters the past three years. The village is paying extra expense keeping the old software system for the 20 meters.
The board voted to give those customers until the end of October to have the meters replaced or else their water will be shut off.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2019 at 10:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Lyons Collision in Medina this evening hosted about 200 firefighters from three counties so they could experiment with extrication tools and other equipment from multiple manufacturers.
The top photo shows Holley firefighters, including Chris Chilson (left) with a cutter. The firefighters used the tools to remove the tops of vehicles, as well as doors and other steel pieces.
Holmatro, Genesis and Hurst all had extrication tools – cutters and spreaders – for firefighters to use.
Marc Major of the Clarendon uses a spreader to pry off the roof of a vehicle. He is assisted by Eddie Sharp.
Bob Freida, the Clarendon assistant fire chief, said the opportunity at Lyons is very beneficial for the firefighters to try the tools, and also to work alongside firefighters from other departments.
“It’s an opportunity to use different brands side by side,” Freida said. “Each brand brings something different to the table.”
Firefighters from Orleans, Genesee and Niagara bring fire trucks to the event, and that is a chance for the firefighters to see how the trucks are set up and how departments mount their tools and equipment.
“Everybody has different ideas on how to do things,” Freida said.
Ryan Thompson of the Alabama Fire Department uses a spreader tool to pop open a door. The Alabama FD also has a rescue jack in place to help stabilize the vehicle.
Jeff Lyons of Lyons Collision organized the seventh annual event at Lyons which included demonstrations and drills. Lyons is now a dealer for Genesis Rescue Systems.
A Middleport firefighter uses a spreader to open a car door.
Albion and Barre firefighters worked together on drills with this car.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company had a crew of firefighters practicing with extrication equipment.
Rusiniak’s Service in Buffalo brought a machine with a 360-degree boom. The powerful “rotator” can grab vehicles that weigh up to 115,000 pounds and swing them out of the way so rescue personnel can work on patients or free trapped people in a vehicle. Rusiniak’s uses a mini crane to move a heavy high lift.
Lyndonville firefighters stabilize a truck on its side by using rescue jacks. The new jacks are quicker to get in place than wooden blocks, which were used for many years to stabilize vehicles at crash sites.
