By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2019 at 12:19 pm
ALBION – The family of a mother and son killed in a Feb. 2 accident on Route 98 in Elba will celebrate their lives at two upcoming events.
Theresa Norton, 53, and her son, Thomas, 22, died in a car accident on a snow-covered section Route 98 between Edgerton Road and Batavia Elba Townline Road.
July 29 would have been Theresa’s 54th birthday. The family will be releasing balloons at 6 p.m. on July 29 at her house, 4779 Cushing Rd. in Barre. The balloons will be released in honor of the mother and son, said Kim Albanese, Theresa’s daughter.
Earlier that day, Kim will also be laying flowers at the crash site in honor of her mother and brother.
The family will have a celebration of life for Theresa and Thomas Norton at 1 p.m. on Aug. 3. That celebration will be at 317 West Academy St., Albion, at a relative’s home.
Albanese said family and friends are welcome to attend and are encouraged to bring a dish to pass.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2019 at 11:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – There were 25 acts in Monday’s Talent Show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair, including this group from Dance Theater in Medina.
Elaina Bruce, center, was among the dancers who performed “Pretty Girls” in the Mini Division, ages 12 and under. They won second place in the category. A duo from Dance Theater including Elaina Bruce and Natalie Rath won first place in the Mini Division for “High Top Shoes.”
Olivia Amoroso and other dancers at Lisa’s Dance Boutique in Holley won first place in the Maxi Division (ages 13 and up) for their performance of “Tribe.”
The first place winners all received a trophy and $100. The top 25 participants all qualify for the State Fair in Syracuse in late August.
The group from Lisa’s Dance Boutique is happy when they were announced as the winners of the Talent Show on Monday.
Gwynivere Fuller and a group from the Dance Theater in Medina perform “Ain’t Going Down.”
Allie Amoroso of Lisa’s Dance Boutique performs “Brave.” She won second place in the Maxi Division.
Alexis Jones and other dancers from Dance Theater perform “Sister Act” in the Maxi Division.
The group did a costume change during the number for “Sister Act.” They came in fifth place.
Governor Cuomo today signed into law S.1719C/ A.5981, criminalizing the publication of “revenge porn,” or the non-consensual sharing or publication of an intimate image. This new law subjects abusers to criminal penalties of up to a year in jail, plus civil damages, and empowers victims to seek a court order to remove these images online.
“Our laws have not kept pace with technology and how abusers can use it to harass, intimidate and humiliate intimate partners,” Governor Cuomo said. “By criminalizing the publication of revenge porn, we are empowering victims of this heinous act to take action against their abusers and showing them a path to justice.”
Specifically, this legislation defines “revenge porn” as the criminal act of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image when done with the intent to cause harm to the emotional, financial, or physical welfare of another person and when the image was taken with a reasonable expectation that the image would remain private.
The legislation establishes the act of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image as a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also amends the Civil Rights Law to allow victims of “revenge porn” to seek civil recourse for the damages.
“As part of our Women’s Justice Agenda, we are focused on changing a culture that enables sexism and violence against women,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “This legislation ensures New Yorkers are not victims of nonconsensual release of intimate images, empowering them to take action to remove images from the Internet and subject abusers to jail time. This is another important step in our overall goals to achieve true social, economic, racial, and gender justice once and for all.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: This kangaroo from Spirit Wind Farms in Sanborn is greeted by fair-goers near the cattle barn. Spirit Wind Farms will be at the fair all week with the kangaroos, a macaw, a tortoise and other creatures.
Visit the new Ag Education and Activities Areas in the Lartz Commercial Exhibit Building.
8 a.m. – Senior Council Stand Opens
8 a.m. – English Horse Show. Carlos Marcello Arena
10 a.m. – $7 Admission per Car Starts
10 a.m. – All Buildings Open
Carter Kuipers, 11, of Byron and Jack Cecchini of Medina show pigs during the Pig Show on Monday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Carter won the junior showmanship award. Alicia Keller at right judged the competition.
10 a.m. – Horticulture I.D. Contest. Center Stage
10 a.m. – Little Britches Cattle Show. Show Arena
12 p.m. – Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Showmanship. Wachob Pavilion
1 to 3 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Knowledge Contest. Wachob Pavilion
3 to 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $20 Unlimited Ride Wristbands. Midway
4:30 p.m. – Lew-E the Clown. Clown Stage
Cullen Bannister, 2, of Carlton sits on a John Deere tractor and pretends to be driving. There is a big tractor display at the fair and kids are welcome to sit in the driver’s seats.
5 p.m. – Beef Showmanship and Show. Show Arena
5 to 7 p.m. – Orleans County MOPS with hands-on kid’s activities. Trolley Building
5 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Show Costume, Pet and Cloverbud Classes. Wachob Pavilion
9 p.m. – Circus Incredible. Lawn South of the Knights Building
10 p.m. – Buildings close
Qasim Huzair, 15, of Lyndonville performs “Moving Out” by Billy Joel during karaoke on Monday. Qasim qualified for Saturday’s finals. His 12-year-old brother, Amir, also qualified after singing “House of Gold” by 21 Pilots.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 July 2019 at 8:13 am
KNOWLESVILLE – While maintaining the traditions which bring visitors back to the fair year after year, it is also important to introduce new ideas and be willing to change, said Robert Batt, director of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
This year’s fair, which opened Monday, is a perfect example of old and new.
Lyric Wallenda Arestov performs aerial acrobatics with Circus Incredible, one of the new acts at the fair this week in Knowlesville.
One new thing was restructuring the food court to make room for an eating tent.
“We have moved the food booths in order to have a tent with picnic tables to make it easier for families to eat,” Batt said.
New entertainment this year includes Circus Incredible, featuring Simon Arestov and Lyric Wallenda of the famed Wallenda family.
Entertaining for the first time is Lew-E the Clown, a clown with world-class credentials.
Nick Kagels introduced fair-goers to a macaw from Spirit Wind Farms in Sanborn. Kagels and his wife Laura also brought along two kangaroos and a very mobile tortoise.
A kangaroo and exotic animal exhibit are also new, as is ball bowling in the Lartz Building. A businessman in the Western New York area, who makes miniature bowling alleys, has brought one to the fair.
An old favorite, karaoke, has a new spin this year – it takes place every night, with contestants vying for a $1,000 prize in the finals on Saturday.
Batt just learned on Monday that yet another new act called “Little John” would be at the fair, beginning Wednesday. Little John demonstrates how to make brooms using natural materials.
Nikiesha Renko of Kendall sings “Traveling Soldier” by the Dixie Chicks during karaoke on Monday. This fair karaoke has been expanded to every night at the fair. The qualifying rounds used to be Monday through Wednesday with the finals on Thursday. This week there will be qualifying rounds Monday through Friday, with the top three each night advancing to the finals on Saturday with $1,000 up for grabs.
With all the new features, there are still plenty of old favorites to delight fair goers – the animal exhibits, 4-H entries in the Trolley Building, amusement rides on the midway, small fry tractor pulls, featured meals in the pavilion Wednesday through Saturday (including the very popular Cornell Cooperative Extension chicken barbecue on Thursday), Friday night fireworks and nightly greased pole competitions, concluding with the championships on Saturday.
While Batt admitted opening day is always hectic, he said it was wonderful to be in charge.
“I hope there are at least three 4-H youth here today who will grow up and come back to do what I’m doing,” he said.
Annalise Steier of Albion records her brother Evan Steier singing “Tequila” at karaoke. Evan advanced to the finals on Saturday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 July 2019 at 11:11 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The 2019 Orleans County 4-H Fair officially got underway with a flag-raising ceremony on Monday evening. Veterans from throughout Orleans County participated in the ceremony, as been the custom for many years.
The crowd then moved to the Orleans Hub stage, where opening remarks were shared by Hector Gonzalez with New York State Agriculture and Markets; Robert Batt, director of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension; and Fair Board chairman Marty Zwifka.
“Things are changing at the fair,” Zwifka said. “There is new stuff for the kids, and when you see them out and about, tell them how good they are doing.”
Veterans from throughout Orleans County salute as the flag is raised signifying the start of the 2019 Orleans County 4-H Fair on Monday evening.
State Sen. Rob Ortt said the opening ceremonies at the Orleans County 4-H Fair are the best he has ever seen, praising the many veterans who annually take part in the flag raising.
He went on to say the fair celebrates farms, farmers and farm workers, and the recent bill signed by the governor is a death blow to our farmers.
“Steve and I have traveled all over to talk to farmers, and this bill is going to add significant costs to our farmers,” he said. “We have lost 90 percent of our family farms and because of this bill we are going to lose even more.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who comes from a farming family, said he echoed Ortt’s words.
“The farm death bill was signed in Manhattan, and that says it all,” he said. “This is not Florida, it’s not California. We don’t have 12 months a year to harvest our crops. With our weather, we sometimes have to work 16 to 18 hours a day. We sometimes have to work seven days a week. Shame on our governor.”
John Gabalski, 2018 Fair King, adds his remarks to the opening ceremony Monday night on the Orleans Hub stage.
Orleans County Legislature chairman Lynne Johnson added her remarks, thanking everyone who worked to make the fair successful.
“4-H isn’t just about blue ribbons,” she said. “It’s about working hard, working together and having fun.”
The 2018 Fair King John Gabalski said the fair is not just enjoying the rides and food.
“It’s here to remind you what Orleans County 4-H’ers do all year long,” he said.
YATES – Beth Carpenter of Lyndonville was at a friend’s property this morning by Lake Ontario in Yates when she saw a bald eagle swoop out of a dead tree and go after an osprey that had just caught a fish.
“For me wildlife photos is all about being at the right place at the right time,” she said. “I don’t consider myself a professional. Today was one of those moments.”
She clicked away while the eagle chased the osprey, which then dropped the fish in the lake. The bald eagle then went for the fish and got it.
“I am so happy to see more eagles in our area!” Carpenter said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2019 at 2:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A fruit farm that started in 1919 in Lyndonville celebrated 100 years in business on Sunday with a party at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, 10609 Ridge Rd.
Leonard Oakes began LynOaken Farms. The Oakes family started the winery 11 years ago and named it in honor of the farm’s founder.
Members and some employees of the Oakes family gathered for a photo under the pavilion at the winery, which also includes a retail store and U-pick operation.
From left include: Dan Thurber, Diane Thurber, Jerod Thurber, Jonathan Oakes, Chris Oakes, Steve Songer, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Darelyn Songer, Linda Oakes, Darrel Oakes, Wendy Oakes Wilson, Wanda Oakes, Jeff Oakes, Dawn Oakes and Katie Oakes.
Hawley presented the family with a proclamation in recognition of a century in business.
Wendy Oakes Wilson, general manager of LynOaken and the winery, thanks the farming community, LynOaken employees and industry specialists for helping the farm to succeed the past century. About 150 people attended the celebration.
There will be a party open to the community on Aug. 7 at the winery, featuring a large birthday cake and musician Dave Viterna.
The Who Dats performed at Sunday’s party. Pictured include drummer Aaron Robinson and guitarist John Borrello.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.5532B/A.1303) banning the performance of declawing procedures on cats, making New York the first state to prohibit the practice. The bill takes effect immediately.
“Declawing is a cruel and painful procedure that can create physical and behavioral problems for helpless animals, and today it stops,” Governor Cuomo said. “By banning this archaic practice, we will ensure that animals are no longer subjected to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures.”
Declawing, also known as onychectomy, involves the removal of all or most of the last bone of each of the toes of the front feet, and tendons, nerves and ligaments that allow for normal function of the paw are severed, resulting in intense and chronic pain and other serious medical or behavioral issues.
After the claws are removed, cats often shift their gait and where it places most of its weight, causing strain on its leg joints and spine, which can lead to early onset arthritis and prolonged back and joint pain. Cats’ claws play an important role in various aspects of their lives, including to assist in climbing and maintaining balance and to escape danger.
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, “Cat declawing is a brutal procedure similar to severing a human finger at the first knuckle and has lifelong ramifications for cats. I am proud of the new Senate majority’s emphasis on animal welfare and am glad the Governor enacted this legislation.”
Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal said, “Today, New York becomes the first state in the nation to ban cat declawing. Declawing is cruelty, plain and simple, and with so many low-cost and pain-free alternatives available, there is no reason to allow this barbaric practice to continue, not here in New York or anywhere. It’s a wonderful day for the cats of the state and the people who love them. Now that my bill has become law, New York has been catapulted onto the leaderboard of humane states, and we expect other states to quickly follow in out footsteps.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2019 at 1:02 pm
Madison Muckle shares stage with singer, and gets a selfie
Madison Muckle created a poster, hoping to get Thomas Rhett’s attention during Friday’s concert.
DARIEN – Madison Muckle, 11, of Albion had a mission when she went to a concert Friday night to see her favorite singer, Thomas Rhett. Madison wanted to get on stage with Rhett and have a selfie taken.
Madison created a poster to let Rhett know she had checked two out of three boxes of some life goals. First off, beat cancer. Check. Secondly, go to Thomas Rhett concert. Check.
Third goal: Selfie with Thomas. That one wasn’t checked before the concert.
Thomas Rhett saw the poster during Friday’s sellout concert at Six Flags Darien Lake. He brought Madison on stage, hugged her and took the selfie.
“Oh my gosh, hold on two seconds,” Rhett said when he took a close look at Madison with her poster. “Get up here. Come here. We’re gonna check all these off.”
Photos and a video of Madison on stage with Rhett have been shared by the famous singer on social media. He has 2.4 million followers on Twitter and 3.7 million followers on Instagram.
“She is my new favorite human being on the planet,” Rhett told the cheering crowd.
Madison on April 10 marked 6 years of being cancer free.
Madison was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was 3 years old. The family received the diagnosis on Dec. 27, 2010. She endured 2 ½ years of chemo and treatment, including nine blood transfusions.
She just finished fifth grade and is active in dance classes and plays point guard in basketball.
Her mother, Jaime Allport, said Madison has been a big fan of Rhett for more than a year. When she made the poster, Madison put the title of one of Rhett’s most popular songs on top: “Look What God Gave Her.”
Thomas Rhett stopped his show on Friday to bring Madison Muckle up on stage.
Allport said several people helped Madison’s dream come true on Friday. People at the concert cleared the way so she could get in the front pit, where Rhett was more likely to see her. A tall fan named Connor then put her on his shoulders. That’s when Rhett saw Madison, read the poster and insisted she join him on stage.
Thomas Rhett gives Madison a hug.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we think he would pull her up on stage,” Allport said today. “And he made such a big deal out of it.”
Rhett posted photos and message on his social media on Saturday, a day after the concert: “Madison, it was such a pleasure meeting you!” he posted. “May God continue to bless you and your sweet family??hope you had a great time at the show.”
Allport said the family is gearing up for the ninth annual Madisonation golf tournament on Aug. 25 at Hickory Ridge Golf Resort in Holley. The tournament started in honor of Madison. Her father, Kevin Muckle, organizes the annual event, which goes to organizations and families fighting cancer.
This year proceeds will go to the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, which was established in 2007 in memory of Michael C. Napoleone, the 8 year-old son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone from Batavia. He died from Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. The not-for-profit Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation was created to help people in need while fighting cancer and to support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Central School District is joining 50 rural schools as a part of the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN), an initiative of the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University.
Funded by the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education, the district will have the opportunity to apply the Proving Ground model of evidence-based improvement to address chronic absenteeism, college readiness, and college enrollment.
“We are proud that Lyndonville has long been recognized as a leader in finding new ways to support our students,” says Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School District Superintendent. “This new partnership with the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks is yet another valuable resource for our educational community can tap. We will also be able to learn from successes in other rural districts and share with them the extraordinary efforts our students and staff put forth every day.”
NCRERN will produce tools for identifying students most at risk for absenteeism and being unprepared for college as well as change management resources designed to guide rural schools in addressing chronic absenteeism, college readiness, and college enrollment. Throughout the five years, the Center’s member districts will collaborate on shared challenges, learning from each other to guide future work on school improvement.
“The network brings together our expertise in strategic management and analytics and our partners’ expertise in supporting rural students,” says Bi Vuong, Proving Ground director and NCRERN interim director. “We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with districts committed to learning with us and sharing their expertise with each other.”
Applicants were chosen based on alignment between the district’s strategic goals and the work of the Center, capacity to utilize data for decision making, commitment to continuous improvement practices, and geographic distribution. The following districts from New York will join the rural education center: Andover, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Broadalbin-Perth, Canastota, Cato- Meridian, Crown Point, Fallsburg, Fredonia, Gouverneur, Gowanda, Greenville, Hammondsport, Harpursville, LaFayette, Lyndonville, Mexico, Monticello, Pulaski, Randolph, Salmon River, Sandy Creek, Sharon Springs, Sherman, Susquehanna Valley, Taconic Hills, Thousand Islands, Unadilla Valley, Webutuck, Wells, and Windsor.
“The districts selected to be part of the National Center for Rural Education Research Network deserve congratulations,” said Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent Anita Murphy. “Their selection represents a uniquely valuable opportunity for them to bring the power of evidence and the Proving Ground improvement model to bear on some of the most pressing issues facing rural districts including chronic absenteeism and college readiness and enrollment. I look forward to learning alongside our districts as they work to improve student outcomes together.”
Funding: The Institute of Education Sciences is awarding $10 million to support the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN); it is being cost shared by IES (91%) and the Center of Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and its partners, New York and Ohio (9%).
About NCRERN leadership: Thomas J. Kane is an economist and Walter H. Gale Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as well as faculty director of the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR). Douglas O. Staiger is the John French Professor in Economics at Dartmouth College. Christopher Avery is the Roy E. Larsen Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Bi Vuong, Proving Ground Director (CEPR), will act as interim director of the Center.
About the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University: The Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University seeks to transform education through quality research and evidence. CEPR and its partners believe all students will learn and thrive when education leaders make decisions using facts and findings, rather than untested assumptions. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.
About Proving Ground: Proving Ground, a CEPR initiative, works to make evidence-gathering and evidence-use an intuitive part of how education agencies conduct their daily work. Proving Ground utilizes a continuous improvement framework to help agencies rapidly identify and test solutions to specific challenges. Learn more at provingground.cepr.harvard.edu.
About the Institute of Education Sciences: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the independent and non-partisan statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Their mission is to provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public. Learn more at https://ies.ed.gov.
Opening Day: Gates open at 2 p.m. Midway will not be open. Special gate price $2.
Visit our new Ag Education and Activities areas in the Lartz Commercial Exhibit Building.
By 12 p.m. – Dairy Cattle received, must be in by noon. Dairy Cattle Barn
8 a.m. – Senior Council Stand opens
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Commercial Exhibits in place
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Orleans County Open Flower Show entries accepted. Lartz Building
9 a.m. – Dog Show (Classes 6-25). Show Arena
9 a.m. – Cloverbud Horse Show followed by Walk/Trot Horse Show. Carlos Marcello Arena
Kaitlin Bennett, 10, of Barre gives her Jersey cow a cleaning this morning. Anna Grillo, 10, of Albion is at left. She also will be in the Dairy Show on Wednesday.
10 a.m. – Market Auction Weigh-In
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Common Garden Vegetables, Market Packages, Cut Flowers, Indoor Gardening, Fruits and Nuts, Plant Collection (Preserved and Scrapbook), Landscape Pictures and Plants, Experiments, Horticulture Methods judged. Trolley Building
11 a.m. – Field Crops judged. Trolley Building
1 to 3 p.m. – Group Exhibits, Food Preservation, Baked Goods and Visual Arts judged. Trolley Building
3 p.m. – Fair Official Meeting. Fair Office
4 p.m. – Paid per car admission begins: Special Opening Day $2
6 p.m. – Opening Ceremony, Presentation of Colors by Orleans County Veterans. OrleansHub.com Stage
Jacques Gregoire, 16, of Murray and his twin brother Will cook in the Senior Council Stand this morning. Jacques is making scrambled eggs while Will is whipping up some pancakes.
6 to 7 p.m. – Ag stories with Orleans County Libraries (Hoag Library). Lartz Building
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2019 at 10:33 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – A barbershop choir that includes Sara Dorpfeld of Medina, center, and Patricia Fox of Medina sing during today’s Old Tyme Day celebration at the East Shelby Community Bible Church.
The ladies in the choir were The Honey Bee Flats while the men were The Hound Dog Harmonics. The crowd was asked to vote for which of the two groups they preferred. The vote ended in a tie.
Evan Allen of Albion dressed as a chicken while the choir sang the popular children’s song, “Alouette,” which is about plucking feathers from a lark.
Lynnea Mayne and Will Trembley are in center while a group of youth dance to the reel.
Denise Jaczynski of Basom and Tony Dispenza of Akron get more pies ready for a crowd that was estimated at more than 2,000 people. The church served slices of pie for a penny, and went through 340 pies for the annual event.
Ken Baker of Medina cooks hot dogs. The East Shelby Community Bible Church served 2,750 hot dogs during the popular event at 5278 East Shelby Road. The hot dogs and everything else were available for a penny.
Paula Nesbitt fills cups of iced tea. The church went through 150 gallons of lemonade, ice tea and loganberry.
Randy Pearl, a blacksmith, led members of the community in making metal hooks. Carl Quackenbush, right, of Medina appreciated the chance to give it a try.
John Bentley of the Collins Draft Horse Ox and Pony Club leads a group on a ride around West Jackson Corners.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 July 2019 at 12:30 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Evan Allen of Albion explains his fair entry to evaluator Sharon Smith of Middleport, while his club leaders Jon and Brie Trembly look on. Allen wrote an arrangement of Hooked on a Feeling for four trombones.
Ella Wilson, 8, of Holley got a blue ribbon and designation for State Fair for her model of an air vehicle. Youth exhibits will be on display in the Trolley Building during the Orleans County 4-H Fair this week.
KNOWLESVILLE – Among the highlights of the Orleans County 4-H Fair are the youth exhibits in Trolley Building. The exhibits represent the year-long accomplishments of youth in the many 4-H clubs affiliated with Orleans County Cooperative Extension.
On Saturday morning, more than a dozen evaluators took their places to examine and evaluate the entries submitted by dozens of youth. By noon, all entries had been submitted and judged, with those deemed extra special marked for State Fair.
One of those was a piece of sheet music submitted by Evan Allen of Albion. Evan is a trombone player and wrote an arrangement of “Hooked on a Feeling” for four trombones. With the help of his 4-H leaders Jon and Brie Trembly, Jon put his arrangement on a thumb drive to submit with his entry. Evaluator Sharon Smith of Middleport, an elementary school principal at Kendall, also has knowledge of music and was very impressed with Evan’s creativity.
Jon plans to enter Alfred University to study animation, but for sure he is going to join their jazz band, he said.
Many children submitted several entries, such as Shania Mathes, 11, of Albion, whose entries included a tennis ball puppet, a canning jar ring pumpkin and Clara Barton poster, all testaments to the variety of topics a youth can learn about in 4-H.
The Orleans County 4-H Fair opens Monday and runs through Saturday.
Youth line up early in the Trolley Building Saturday morning to have their entries judged for the Orleans County 4-H Fair, which opens Monday.
Shania Mathes, 11, of Barre hands her exhibits for the Orleans County 4-H Fair to Sharon Smith for evaluation. Shania submitted a puppet, canning jar ring pumpkin and Clara Barton poster. Looking on is Kristina Gabalski with Orleans County Cooperative Extension, who was in charge of evaluators who judged entries.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by former Vice President Al Gore, on Thursday executed the nation’s largest offshore wind agreement and the single largest renewable energy procurement by any state in U.S. history – nearly 1,700 megawatts – with the selection of two offshore wind projects, that will create enough energy to power over 1 million homes, create more than 1,600 jobs, and result in $3.2 billion in economic activity.
Governor Cuomo also signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA, which adopts the most ambitious and comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation in the country. The announcement underscores New York’s undisputed position as a global leader in climate and clean energy, and advances Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading mandate of 9,000 megawatts by 2035. Additionally, the offshore wind announcement is expected to catalyze the first generation of major United States supply chain investments by the fast-growing offshore wind sector, positioning New York to be the hub of the nation’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.
“The environment and climate change are the most critically important policy priorities we face,” Governor Cuomo said. “They literally will determine the future – or the lack thereof. Even in today’s chaos of political pandering and hyperbole there are still facts, data and evidence – and climate change is an undeniable scientific fact. But cries for a new green movement are hollow political rhetoric if not combined with aggressive goals and a realistic plan on how to achieve them. With this agreement, New York will lead the way in developing the largest source of offshore wind power in the nation, and today I will sign the most aggressive climate law in the United States of America.”
Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Agreement
To jump-start progress towards New York’s unprecedented clean energy goals, which includes 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035, Cuomo announced the winners of New York’s first comprehensive offshore wind solicitation: the Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind development projects of Equinor US Holdings, Inc. and Bay State Wind LLC, a joint venture of Ørsted A/S and Eversource Energy, respectively.
Combined, both projects will total 1,700 megawatts, enough to power more than one million New York homes and support more than 1,600 jobs with a combined economy activity of $3.2 billion statewide. As of today, New York has awarded a total of approximately 4,700 megawatts of new large-scale renewable energy contracts since March 2018 through three separate solicitations, a globally significant advancement in renewable energy in just two years. Collectively, these projects will provide enough renewable energy to power up to two million households and meet nearly 10% of New York’s electricity needs by 2025.
The project developers have committed to make additional investments in manufacturing and port infrastructure, on top of the commitments in Governor Cuomo’s 2019 State of the State address. A total of $287 million will be invested in cutting-edge infrastructure in multiple regions of the state, including the Capital Region, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island. These financial commitments will unlock private supply chain capital and maximize the long-term economic benefits to the state from the regional development of offshore wind.
Reaching 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs. The state is also taking new steps to support workforce development in partnership with the private sector, including establishing a New York State Advisory Council on Offshore Wind Economic and Workforce Development, a new $20 million Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI) and a $3 million Community and Workforce Benefits Fund (CWB Fund) to establish the institutional infrastructure to educate, train and employ New Yorkers. Offshore wind will utilize many of the same labor trades that have driven New York’s infrastructure and economy for the past several decades. These investments will particularly benefit New York’s low-income and environmental justice communities, critical outcomes of the CLCPA and Governor Cuomo’s commitment to a just transition to clean power.
Historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
The CLCPA requires the State to achieve a carbon free electricity system by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% below 1990 levels by 2050, setting a new standard for states and the nation to expedite the transition to a clean energy economy. The new law will drive investment in clean energy solutions such as wind, solar, energy efficiency and energy storage. Importantly, implementation of the CLCPA will target investments to benefit disadvantaged communities, create tens of thousands of new jobs, improve public health and quality of life and provide all New Yorkers with more robust clean energy choices.
Highlights of the new law include:
• Putting New York on Road to Economy-Wide Carbon Neutrality: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will, through the adoption of regulations, drive an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim mandate of 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 (both relative to 1990 levels). The Climate Action Council will develop a plan to offset remaining emissions through carbon capture or other technologies, resulting in a carbon-neutral economy.
• 70% Renewable Energy by 2030 and Zero-Carbon Emission Electric Sector by 2040: The CLCPA codifies Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading goals as called for under his Green New Deal, mandating that at least 70% of New York’s electricity come from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2030, and that the state’s power system is 100% carbon neutral by 2040.
• Nation-Leading Clean Energy Investments: The CLCPA also codifies Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading commitments to install 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035; 6,000 megawatts of distributed solar by 2025; and 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030.
• Climate Action Council and Policy Roadmap: Expert heads of relevant state agencies and legislative appointees will craft the roadmap of policies needed to achieve the law’s mandates. The Council, co-chaired by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and DEC, will establish sector specific working groups to make sure experts and stakeholders inform all policies developed under the CLCPA. Planned working groups include a just transition working group, as well as working groups on transportation, agriculture, energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries, land use and energy efficiency.
• Landmark Investments in Environmental Justice and Just Transition: Relevant state agencies will invest 35% of clean energy program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities, and will aim to invest 40%. Additionally, the just transition working group will work to ensure that individuals working in conventional energy industries are provided with training and opportunities in the growing clean energy economy.
