ALBION – The Albion PTA has many activities planned this school year to raise money for field trips, books for students and other programs.

The PTA is bringing back the Harlem Wizards, which last played a game in Albion on Oct. 4, 2011. The Wizards have been performing since 1962. They showcase fancy dribbling, teamwork and wild dunks, as well as comedy.

Albion teachers will play the Wizards during the benefit game. The PTA will also be selling food and 50/50 tickets during the fundraiser.

Th PTA each year spends about $5,400 to cover the costs of on field trip for each classroom from pre-kindergarten through grade 5. Those trips this past school year included a walking trip for PreK to Cone Zone for ice cream, Strong Museum of Play in Rochester for kindergartners, Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester for first-graders, Genesee County Park for second-graders, the Brick Lab in Spencerport for third-graders, Erie Canal Cruise in Lockport for fourth-graders, and Rochester Museum of Science and Strasenburgh Planetarium for fifth-graders.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Some Albion PTA members include front row, from left: Kenny Haylett, Jennifer Haylett, Matt Hand and Megan Gotte (vice president). Back row: Dave Allen, Rose Allen (president), Stacey Andrews (treasurer), Crystal Hand, Susan Dick and Heidi Pask (secretary).

The PTA also puts on three dances in the elementary school, and organized a book fair where every student could receive a book paid for by the PTA.

The group also supports a spelling bee, providing awards and covering the cost for Albion students to compete in the regional competition.

The PTA will be at the elementary school open houses on Sept. 17 and Sept. 19 and welcomes new members to join the group. There is a $4 membership fee and that includes $2 each to the state and national PTA.

MEDINA – Snappy, a manufacturing company in Medina, will move to the former Bernzomatic, which has plenty of room to allow Snappy to expand.

Snappy currently manufactures galvanized pipe and fittings for the residential HVAC industry out of 214 Commercial St., near the lift bridge by the Erie Canal.

The former Bernzomatic site was bought last year by Kyle Brent through his B360 Holdings LLC. Brent announced plans to upgrade and rehab the former manufacturing site.

Neither Brent nor Snappy is seeking tax incentives as part of the relocation, Orleans Economic Development Agency officials said today.

The former Bernzomatic plant was closed by its last tenant, Worthington Cylinders. The manufacturing plant has 160,000 square feet and has been vacant since 2014. Worthington closed the Medina plant in mid-2014 and shifted those operations to a Worthington site in Wisconsin, ending 174 jobs in Medina.

Worthington bought Bernzomatic in 2011. Bernzomatic had operated in Medina since 1969, making torches.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boat is on Lake Ontario during sunset on Sunday evening near Barker.

Press Release, International Joint Commission

Water levels on Lake Ontario have begun to decline more rapidly in recent days due to a combination of continued record-high outflows, declining inflows from Lake Erie and generally drier weather across the basin.

Lake Ontario’s level remains at record-highs for this time of year, but it has declined about 29 cm (11.4 in) since June 13, when outflows were first increased to 10,400 cm3/s (367,270 cubic feet per second).

This record-high outflow has now been sustained for a record duration, with Aug. 7 marking the 56th consecutive day of flows at 10,400 m3/s (367,270 cfs), more than the 55 days that the same record-outflow was sustained during the summer of 2017, when it lasted from June 14 to Aug. 7.

However, Lake Erie’s level also remains at record-highs and its outflow, most of which passes through the Niagara River, continues to add water to Lake Ontario at a record-rate. Nonetheless, Lake Erie has also been declining recently, and this has allowed Lake Ontario’s rate of decline to increase slightly over the last several days. Lake Ontario has been dropping at a rate of about 1 cm (0.4 in) per day since August 2nd, and after some scattered rainfall the past day or so, drier weather is expected to return and continue through the end of the week allowing lake levels to continue to decline.

The Board is acutely aware and concerned for the welfare of the many affected shoreline property and business owners, as well as the shoreline environmental damage and other impacts of the continuing high water levels.

The Boards’ current regulation strategy includes deviations from the prescribed flows of Plan 2014 with the specific intention of maximizing the rate of relief that lower water levels will provide to those affected.

Provided photo

KENDALL – The Kendall War Memorial, which is under construction at the Town Park, was lighted up Thursday evening for the first time after electricity was installed.

The 36-foot-long brick wall for the memorial is done, and three flag poles are up. The wall includes granite rectangles that highlight wars including the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War 1, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and the War on Terror.

The project is a joint effort by four Boy Scouts – Ryan Barrett, Noah Rath, Jayden Pieniaszek and Brian Shaw – each working to become an Eagle Scout.

(CORRECTION: This story was updated with details about the charges against Joseph Newton. The original report said Newton attended a funeral and was able to get tobacco and pills under a family member’s coffin. The tobacco and pills were allegedly under a deceased family member’s body. Newton didn’t attend the funeral. He wasn’t allowed to leave the jail once the tobacco and pills were discovered.)

ALBION – Bail was set on Thursday for a Ridgeway man who has been charged with two counts criminal possession of stolen property.

Judge Sanford Church set bail at $5,000 cash and $10,000 bond for Anthony Allee, 28, of Ridge Road in Ridgway, who also is being monitored by federal authorities.

When the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and federal law enforcement executed a search warrant in a joint investigation at Allee’s, they found two four-wheelers that were allegedly stolen.

Allee also had “a multitude of stolen items,” including golf carts and trailers, said District Attorney Joe Cardone.

Allee also is likely to face federal charges for weapons discovered at the site, and Cardone said that could result in “upwards of 30 years” of incarceration.

Allee hasn’t been arraigned in County Court or Federal Court.

Church said he is open to reviewing the bail as the county and federal cases proceed against Allee.

• Three people also were arraigned in Orleans County Court on Thursday, including a Medina man facing charges of first-degree rape. Ean Hofmeister, 18, of Medina also is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful dealing with a child. He allegedly provided alcohol to a underage girl and raped her.

Judge Church set bail at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. The judge issued an order of protection for the child and her mother.

• A county jail inmate facing drug and grand larceny charges allegedly arranging to receive tobacco and a controlled substance when he was to attend a family funeral.

Joseph Newton, 33, of Medina now faces charges of attempted promoting prison contraband in the first degree for the controlled substances and attempted promoting prison contraband in the second degree for the tobacco.

Those items were allegedly placed under the body of a family member in her coffin. An investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office overheard Newton arranging for the items during a phone call from the jail. The day of the funeral an investigator checked to see if the tobacco and two pills were under the grandmother’s body, and they were under her shoulder, according to investigator Ken Strickland.

Newton’s visit to the funeral was canceled and he was charged with attempted promoting prison contraband in the first and second degree.

• An Albion man on probation for driving while intoxicated in Genesee County appeared in court for violating probation. Candido Candelaria III, 27, could face 1 to 3 years in prison for allegedly violating terms of his probation, said Joe Cardone, district attorney.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Downtown Medina hosted the fourth annual Farm to Table Dinner on Thursday evening with about 225 enjoying a six-course, gourmet meal prepared by local restaurants.

Organizers fretted earlier in the day when thunderstorms passed through, but made the decision to keep the dinner on a closed-off section of Main Street.

The event is hosted by the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc., as part of the annual activities of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, a Medina enterprise also sponsored by ORG.

Michael Zambito, owner of Zambistro, helps serve beef and lamb kefta prepared by Sourced Market & Eatery. Chefs from several restaurants work together on the meal, Besides Zambistro and Sourced, chefs and staff from Bent’s Opera House, Mile 303, Mariachi De Oro and the Shirt Factory worked on the dinner.

The dinner draws people from Western New York, and includes many business and community leaders from Medina who welcome the chance to connect at event.

Tickets for the dinner went on sale July 8 for $125 each and sold out within 15 minutes.

Sourced Market & Eatery prepared “Mesopotamia on Main Street” which featured beef and lamb kefta, garden smoked tabouli, red currant and sumac vinaigrette.

Medina held its first Farm to Table dinner event on Aug. 4, 2016. There were 137 people at that dinner, a fine dining experience featuring locally grown food and wine.

The event delivers an exquisite, six-course, gourmet meal in Medina’s historic downtown.

The dinner also provides an opportunity to experience how local chefs capitalize on Orleans County’s number one industry: agriculture.

Jonathan Oakes of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina serves a drink with smoked peaches created by 810 Meadworks and the Shirt Factory.

Ashley Adams, a waitress with Zambistro, is a blur trying to keep pace with serving the dishes and returning plates when people were finished.

The dinner includes a souvenir glass.

ORG’s next big event is an Oct. 5 concert at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina featuring tenor Ronan Tynan.

The concert scheduled for this evening by the canal in Albion has been cancelled due to the damp grounds following today’s thunderstorms.

Jonesie and the Cruisers will has been rescheduled to perform on Aug. 29, playing classic rock from 6 to 8 p.m.

Medina this evening hosts its fourth annual Farm to Table Dinner on a closed-off section of Main Street. The event is still planned for Main Street instead of the rain location, The Gallagher, a large barn and events center on North Gravel Road.

More than 200 people will attend the six-course, gourmet meal.

ALBION – Two people were sentenced to state prison this morning in Orleans County Court for felony drug crimes.

Dexter Turner, a former Albion and Medina resident, was sentenced to 3 ½ years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Turner was living in Brockport when he was charged on March 25 on eight counts of drug sale and possession charges for allegedly selling crack cocaine in Albion and Medina.

Turner admitted in court to having cocaine on Dec. 4 and trying to sell it in Orleans County. He is a second felony offender. Turner also faces two years of post-release supervision and must pay $100 in restitution to the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, which used the $100 for drug buy money.

Ronald Powell, 37, of Medina was sentenced to 3 years in state prison. Powell was on parole when he allegedly  sold drugs.

Powell has five prior felonies, said District Attorney Joe Cardone. During sentencing today,  Powell acknowledged he committed the crime but he said it was set up by the Task Force. Powell said “a friend of a friend” was sent by the Task Force to get drugs from Powell.

Powell said he was working full-time and supporting his family, and now he has lost his job, home and children.

“This won’t ever happen again,” Powell told Judge Sanford Church.

Th judge gave Powell the maximum in a plea agreement, and told Powell he was shifting blame to the Task Force instead of taking full responsibility.

“It is still illegal to sell or give drugs to a friend,” Judge Church said.

Powell needs to pay $60 in restitution to the Task Force for the drug buy money.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.3828/A.216) to increase health and safety standards in animal care for all pet dealers. The enhancements set clear guidelines for sanitary living enclosures and food receptacles, annual veterinary examinations, regular grooming, diurnal light cycles, and separate spaces for pregnant dogs which provide sufficient room to nurse and care for a litter.

“If pet dealers are going to profit from the sale of living animals, they should at the very least adhere to basic standards of decency and care,” Governor Cuomo said. “These new rules will create safer, more sanitary and more humane conditions for animals while they wait for a new permanent home.”

Under the new law, the minimum standards of care for all pets in the custody of pet dealers will be raised to require that primary enclosures for animals must be cleaned daily and sanitized every two weeks. Isolation areas for ill animals must meet the housing requirements for healthy animals.

“Starting today, New York State will ensure that pet dealers will be held to standards that will promote the safety, good health, and overall well-being of the animals in their care,” said Assembly Member Amy Paulin. “There have been too many instances when pet dealers have neglected to properly groom animals in their charge, and those animals have been found with overgrown nails, excessive matting of fur, and infestations of fleas and ticks. With this law, we will prevent this kind of negligent treatment.”

Photo courtesy of Vern Fonda, a DEC conservation officer who took this picture of the storm from West Scott Road in Ridgeway.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Orleans County from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. today. The warning also includes northeastern Niagara and Genesee County.

The thunderstorm could include 60 mile per hour winds, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MIDDLEPORT – Qasim Huzair of Lyndonville plays Simba and roars when he returns to Pride Rock and takes his rightful place as king in the Lake Plains Players’ production of The Lion King Jr.

The Players have run a  the summer theater camp with about 60 kids from second-graders to graduating seniors. They have met three times a week until going each day this week during showing week.

The performances are at the Roy-Hart High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The cast includes students from Medina, Lyndonville, Albion, Newfane, Roy-Hart, Barker and Lockport school districts. Lance Anderson, director of the show, said the Players run the summer theater camp to engage students during the summer and build friendships among the theater community.

“The fact they can put together this show getting together three nights a week for three hours a night is pretty amazing,” he said during rehearsal on Wednesday.

The performance is dedicated to the late Brennan Moody of Albion, who died in a car accident on June 18. Brennan performed in last summer’s show, Elf Jr.

For information about tickets to The Lion King Jr., click here.

Edward Murphy plays Mufasa, the Lion King and is frustrated by some of Simba’s recklessness as a lion cub. Mufasa tells Simba about the great kings of the past and how they watch over everything from the stars. Murphy is singing, “They Live in You.”

Brian Jackson portrays the young Simba who stands amidst a wildebeest stampede caused by hyenas.

Scar desperately wants to be king and lures Mufasa into the elephant graveyard. Mufasa saved Simba from the wildebeests but is clinging to the edge of a cliff. Scar throws him off the cliff back into the stampede.

Simba is grief-stricken after finding his father trampled to death.

Brian Cunningham of Lyndonville plays Pumbaa, a warthog, and Sophia Cardone of Medina is Timon, a meerkat. They save Simba after he escapes from the hyenas and runs out into the desert, where he collapses from exhaustion. Pumbaa and Timon show Simba their carefree way of life – “Hakuna Matata.” Simba grows to adulthood in the jungle.

There are many jungle creatures wearing colorful costumes including Annalise Steier, center, of Albion.

Madison Pratt of Roy-Hart is Nala performing “Shadowland” with the lionesses. They are about to embark on a journey to find food due to a famine under Scar’s rule.

Tamara Huzair of Lyndonville portrays Rafiki and holds a baby lion during the finale of “Circle of Life.” Rafiki is a wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands. Qasim Huzair of Lyndonville plays Simba and Madison Pratt is Nala.

BATAVIA – The four rural GLOW counties are promoting a Sept. 24 event at the Genesee County Fairgrounds where about 1,000 students in grades 8 to 12 will do hands-on activities with trades such as welding, bricklaying, electrical wiring, heavy equipment operation, advanced manufacturing and other jobs.

Jay Lazarony, executive director of the GLOW Workforce Development Board, urged businesses and schools in the four rural counties to sign up for the Sept. 24 event in Batavia. He said the Workforce Development Board also wants to help other adults with retraining to fill some of the local employment needs.

Many of the careers are high-paying and in demand for local businesses in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped by the Genesee County Fairgrounds today to promote the “GLOW With Your Hands” event, and to encourage businesses and schools to participate. So far 24 businesses have committed and 28 schools in the four counties, including companies and districts in Orleans County.

Hochul said for far too long guidance counselors and parents have emphasized college as the prime path to success for high schoolers. Hochul said that often leads to piles of debt for students and families, while not addressing workforce needs in their hometowns.

“I want to make sure these doors are open to lift young people out of poverty,” Hochul said about the careers in trades. “You don’t need a four-year degree for success.”

The Sept. 24 event is part of an effort to encourage careers in the trades and agriculture, which is increasing high-tech in utilizing software for running equipment, and tracking inputs and yields.

Hochul has visited BOCES sites where students are trained in welding and have jobs lined up after graduation, paying $60,000 to $70,000 to start.

“We also need a mindset change in the adults,” Hochul said. “These are jobs we can be proud of.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley greets Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul when she arrived at the fairgrounds today. Hawley said Hochul and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have supported efforts to grow the upstate economy and boost workforce development.

Unemployment rates are currently very low locally and nationally. There is a demand for workers across the country, said Jim Whipple, executive director of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. Many businesses will be reluctant to do an expansion or commit to a community if they don’t think there are enough skilled and dedicated workers.

Gov. Cuomo has pushed state resources into upstate communities, and that rebuilding depends on a strong building trades sector for the construction projects to get done, the lieutenant governor said. Hochul noted $10 million in state funds is coming to Batavia in a downtown revitalization initiative. Medina has applied the $10 million DRI this year.

Mary Ellyn Merle, project manager with Genesee Construction in Dansville, said there are many job opportunities available for people skilled in the trades. Filling that demand is critical for helping companies to grow and for the local communities’ future, she said.

Chris Suozzi, vice president of business development for the Genesee County Economic Development Center, is leading the “GLOW With Your Hands” event.

He praised the collaboration among the economic development agencies in the four counties, the business education alliances in three of the counties (Orleans doesn’t have a BEA) and the workforce development teams in the counties.

“We’re preparing students for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” Suozzi said.

For more information on the Sept. 24 event as a participating business or school, contact Suozzi by email at csuozzi@gcedc.com.

Chris Suozzi, vice president of business development for the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said many local businesses have openings for skilled workers in the trades.

Photo Contributed by USGA – Melanie Green hits a tee shot at the U.S. Women’s Amateur championship.

A late comeback bid fell just short as Medina’s Melanie Green was eliminated this afternoon in the first round of match play competition at the U.S. Women’s Amateur championship being held at the Old Waverly Golf Course at West Point, Miss.

Dylan Kim from Texas nipped Green 2 up in the round of 64 match play competition.

Trailing by three strokes after Kim birdied the 13th hole, Green came rallying back.

She first cut the deficit to two on the 15th hole as a bogey was enough to better Kim’s double bogey.

Then Green sliced the deficit to just one by posting a par on the 17th hole which Kim bogeyed.

Kim then locked up the victory by registering a birdie on 18 which Green parred.

“Mel has so much to be proud of. She played great!!”, said her mother Melissa Green.

At the outset, Green bogeyed the first hole and then fell behind by three strokes after just 8 holes. Kim birdied the 5th and 8th while Green bogeyed both holes.

Green pulled to within two with a birdie on 9 but Kim quickly upped the lead back to three with a birdie on 10.

Again at 11 Green cut the deficit to two as a par better Kim’s double bogey.

However, Kim again quickly got the advantage back to three with a birdie on 13 which Green parred.

That set the stage for Green’s late comeback bid which saw her close to within one with one hole to go.

It was a steady round for Green who had 12 pars, 3 birdies and 3 bogeys.

Green  advanced to the match play portion of the tournament by posting a one over par total after the first two days of stroke play competition.

Photo contributed by Ron Green – Melanie Green tees off during today’s match play round at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

ALBION – The Board of Education accepted a memorial bench from the Class of 2019 in honor of their classmate, Brennan Moody, who was killed in a car accident on June 18.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brennan Moody performed in many school musicals for Albion.

The Class of 2019 donated $1,367.73 to purchase the bench in memory of Brennan. The bench will be placed outside the chorus and band rooms at the high school. Brennan was heavily involved in the band, chorus and musical programs at the school.

The Board of Education on Monday also presented the class officers with leadership and character awards for helping their classmates and community after the loss of Brennan. Three other classmates were in the accident and one, Sean Weis, also sustained serious injuries.

Kathy Winans, the class advisor, nominated the officers for the award. She said they handled the tragedy “with amazing character, grace and sensitivity.”

The officers attended calling hours, the funeral service and reception for Brennan. They had magnets made and distributed at the funeral service with Brennan’s image performing in the role of John the Baptist from the musical, Godspell. “Brennan Moody – Always in our Hearts,” the magnets read. “Because I knew you I have been changed for good.”

The Class of 2019 officers for Albion were recognized with leadership and character awards on Monday by the Board of Education. Pictured from left include Kirk Allison, class treasurer; Harrison Brown, secretary; Kate Krieger, vice president; and McKenna Boyer, president. Kathy Harling is president of the Board of Education.

The officers had guitar picks made with Brennan’s name to be shared with his classmates for graduation. The officers also struck a balance with graduation, making that a celebration as well.

Margy Brown, a BOE member and Harrison’s mother, also praised Winans for guiding the class and the officers through the tragedy.

“The leadership you have shown these kids they will take through their lives with them,” Brown said.

There will be an “Albion Strong” benefit with a chicken barbecue beginning at 3 p.m. this Sunday at The Gallagher, a barn and event center at 244 North Gravel Rd. in Medina.

The event will support the Moody and Weis families.

ALBION – The Albion school district has followed the state’s lead in requiring all students to be immunized and to no longer allow religious exemptions for vaccines.

The Albion Board of Education approved the new policy during its meeting on Monday. The district last school year had seven students out of the total enrollment of about 1,800 students opt out of immunizations due to religious reasons, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.

Those students need to get their vaccines or they won’t be allowed at school, under the new policy.

The only option for not being immunized is proof from a physician that certifies the vaccine is detrimental to the student’s health.

“Except for this exemption, the District may not permit a student lacking evidence of immunization to remain in school for more than 14 days, or more than 30 days for an out-of-state or out-of-country transferee who can show a good faith effort to get the necessary certification or other evidence of immunization,” according to the policy.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 13 signed legislation to end religious exemptions for vaccines, after one of its worst outbreaks of measles in years.

“The science is crystal clear: Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to keep our children safe,” Cuomo said in a statement after signing the legislation. “This administration has taken aggressive action to contain the measles outbreak, but given its scale, additional steps are needed to end this public health crisis. While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health and by signing this measure into law, we will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks.”