Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature held its monthly meeting on Wednesday and for the first time met in the new chambers as part of the addition to the County Administration Building on Route 31. The new meeting room is part of a 23,000-square-foot addition to the building.

David Kusmierscak of Medina sat in the front row for the Legislature’s first session in the new space.

David Kusmierscak is a chaplain and gave the invocation at the meeting. He has been giving the prayer at each meeting for several years.

From left in back include county legislators Bill Eick, Skip Draper and Don Allport; County Attorney Kathy Bogan; Chuck Nesbitt, chief administrative officer; and Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the County Legislature.

County legisators stand for the pledge of allegiance, including from left: Bill Eick of Shelby, Skip Draper of Medina, and Don Allport of Gaines.

Niagara-Orleans Dairy Princess Hayley Roehling of Akron was the first person to speak before the Legislature. She spoke about the many nutritional benefits of milk. She urged people to try more dairy products. She said dairy farmers take care of their animals and the land.

County Legislator Bill Eick, a retired dairy farmer in Shelby, presents a proclamation to Hayley Roehling, the Niagara-Orleans dairy princess, that declares June as Dairy Month.

Jim Whipple, chief executive officer of the Orleans Economic Development Agency, speaks during a public hearing about a grant opportunity to continue the Microenterprise Assistance Program, which assists small businesses.

The new meeting room can accommodate about 60 people, which is about twice the seats as the former meeting room in the historic County Clerks’ Building at the Courthouse Square. Sheriff Randy Bower and Jeff Gifaldi, an investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, are in the front of this photo with their backs to the camera.

The Legislature met in the Clerks’ Building since 1982. Prior to that, the Legislature and the former Board of Supervisors, met in a first floor courtroom in the County Courthouse.

Besides a larger meeting room for the Legislature, the 23,000-square-foot addition also includes offices for the legislative staff, the Health Department, Board of Elections and information technology department.

The building is connected to the current County Administration Building with the addition on the south side. The current CAB includes the Department of Social Services, Job Development, Tourism, Planning and Development, Office for the Aging, Department of Motor Vehicles and Personnel.

The building at 14016 Route 31 West is located on a hill behind the nursing home.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: This team of Dan Maciejewski of Orchard Park, Jeff Lowry of Buffalo, Lidia Santos of East Amherst and Mike Hofer of Lancaster represented Western New York Blue Cross/Blue Shield at United Way of Orleans County’s golf tournament on June 21 at Shelridge Country Club. Because a number of their sales reps work in the Orleans County area, they wanted to show their support for United Way.

MEDINA – This year’s golf tournament to benefit the United Way in Orleans County saw an increase in golfers and more net revenue for the organization.

This year’s 80 golfers was up from the 56 in last year’s tournament, said Dean Bellack, United Way executive director.

The tournament is a significant fundraiser for United Way of Orleans County, and raised $9,537 after expenses for the United Way.

“Support for this year’s golf tournament to benefit United Way of Orleans County grew significantly, and the money raised grew as well,” Bellack said.

David Bilson of Amherst, an employee of Brunner in Medina, practices putting before the golf tournament at Shelridge Country Club.

Dave Cook of Lyndonville, an avid golfer and longtime board member of United Way of Orleans County, was chairman of the tournament at Shelridge Country Club. His team, which included Mike Bielak, Sharon Zacher and Jeanne Whipple were the mixed team winners.

Cook thanked the many sponsors and supporters who assisted to make the tournament and fundraiser a success.

“The money raised goes towards services for individuals of Orleans County, through our agency partners,” he said.

The winning men’s team was from Hartway Motors and was comprised of Lionel Rhim, Donnell Holloway, Josh Bennett and Dylan McEwan.

The United Way in Orleans County helps 14 agencies who assist people with emergency shelter and fuel, and provide meals for seniors, camps for the disabled, education for at-risk teens, exercise programs, hospice care and other services.

From left, Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County; Jodi Gaines, board member and official scorer for the annual United Way golf tournament; and Bill Hungerford, a board member whose father Van was instrumental in starting United Way in Western Orleans County back in the 1950s, helped to promote the golf tournament.

Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Students at Oak Orchard Elementary School in Medina celebrated Carnival Day last week with a bike rodeo. Third-grader Janelle Stalker negotiates a figure-eight during the bike rodeo for kindergarten through third-grade.

Its purpose, according to Patrolman Rick Messmer, is to teach children how to ride a bike safely.

Patrolman Rick Messmer marks out the course. Students, who brought their own bikes and helmets to school, had to weave in and out of cones and stop at a designated spot.

Vendors will be at Historical Society on Thursdays

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Suzanne Stymus shows of a quart of tomatoes in her booth at the Clarendon Farmers’ Market, which opened for the season on Thursday.

Nyla Gaylord, manager of the Clarendon Farmers’ Market, sits by her banty rooster, which she brought to opening day of the market on Thursday, along with frozen roasting chickens to sell.

CLARENDON – Clarendon Farmers’ Market opened for the season on Thursday afternoon, with a handful of vendors and music by the Fox Den Band from Brockport.

Nyla Gaylord is not only the market manager, but a vendor also. She brought frozen roasting chickens, which she raises.

Opening day saw a few vendors, but Gaylord said it will pick up as the season progresses.

In fact, she was excited about one local grower who said he will have fresh corn on the cob next week.

Big Dog BBQ from Holley was also a nice addition to market, Gaylord said. Owner Ed Rice said this was his first time at the market and he is looking forward to increased participation by vendors and customers.

Suzanne Stymus was doing business selling tomatoes, broccoli, beets and cucumbers. The Barre resident said her family farm, run by her husband Dennis and his father Edward, likes to sell locally.

Gary and Rita Casale of Clarendon had their homemade beef jerky. They heard about the market from the town historian, Melissa Ierlan.

“And we love Nyla and wanted to support the market,” Gary said.

Another vendor was set up with plants and handmade items.

The market will be open at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays throughout the summer at the Clarendon Historical Society at 16385 Church St. next to the Town Hall.

Rain stayed away for outdoor ceremony at Holley

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – After the graduation ceremony this morning at Holley Hawks Stadium, the 63 members of the Class of 2019 gathered near the scoreboard and tossed their caps high, an annual tradition after commencement.

The rain stayed away the ceremony was able to be outside.

Clarence Moyer, a member of the Class of 2016, was on stage for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. His brother Dalton is a 2019 Holley graduate. Abrianna Kruger (back left) is the class president who welcomed the crowd for commencement. Michaela Williams, right, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Moyer is shaking hands with Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, and Susan Cory, the high school principal.

William Lavender crosses the stage to accept his diploma today.

Holley administrators, teachers and Board of Education members (wearing the black robes) lead the Class of 2019 to the Holley Hawks Stadium this morning. The ceremony used to be held at the Woodlands soccer field, but is now at the Holley Hawks Stadium where there is more seating.

The students take their spots at the start of commencement. From left include Emily Bibby, Ethan Bibby, Jocelyn Cervone and Jocelyn Chilton.

Xi Lin stands to be recognized after winning the award for the graduate “who showed the biggest heart, enthusiasm for high school, and brought happiness and laughter to all those around them.”

Matt Skehan and Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, embrace after Skehan was presented his diploma. Skehan won several awards during graduation including one of the new $512 scholarships in memory of Floyd Hanes, a fiery Holley soccer player who wore No. 12. Haines passed away on May 24 at age 43.

Kory Puente is recognized with one of the awards. Holley presented about $25,000 in awards and scholarships today.

Anastasiya Yaroshchuk smiles after being presented her diploma by Susan Cory, the high school principal. Matt Hennard, middle-high school social studies teacher, is the announcer.

Aaron Strathearn, the class president, announces the class gift of $500 for flowers and trees in memory of Holley students and alumni who recently passed away.

Abrianna Kruger, the class salutatorian, gives her speech. She will be majoring in political science at Geneseo State College.

She congratulated her classmates on their achievement of finishing high school. They are all starting from the same position for the next stage of their lives, she said. They won’t be defined by their grades, or misses or “lates.”

She urged them to go out and gain new perspectives. She quoted from Dr. Seuss in, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

Shawna Lusk gives the valedictory address. She is headed to Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester this fall to major in nursing.

She thanked parents and teachers for helping the graduates attain success in high school.

“We should always embrace our Holley roots and the supportive community we have here,” she said.

Lusk urged her classmates to find contentment, even in difficult situations.

“Find joy in all circumstances,” she said. “If you focus on the positives nothing will get you down.”

Shawna Benzn, a special education teacher, was picked by the Class of 2019 to deliver the commencement address. Others on stage include from left: Suzanne Lepkowski, a high school English teacher, is the class advisor; Brenda Swanger, Board of Education president; Brian Bartalo, district superintendent; and Susan Cory, the high school principal.

Shawna Benzn gives the commencement message, and urges students to face their fears. Benzn said she is honored to give the commencement speech, but it also terrified her. She said she wanted to show the graduates they should put themselves out there, even when they are scared or nervous.

Shawna Benzn said she was honored to give the commencement address, but had to overcome some fears to give the speech.

They could be asking someone on a date, pursuing a promotion, or learning a new skill. That doesn’t mean they will always get what they want, she said.

She offered a four-step plan for overcoming fears:

• Evaluate your fear: “Does that thing you fear really have the power to hurt you?” she asked.

• Find your cheerleader: She said her husband told her she should accept the request to give the speech and that she would do great. The Holley students have supportive friends, staff and teachers they can always reach out to for a pep talk.

• Don’t think “What if?” but instead think, “What will I be missing out on?”: Don’t just imagine bad outcomes with something that makes you fearful, Benzn said. Consider a scary situation instead as an opportunity for personal growth, a chance to make new friends, or perhaps more money.

• Look backward to look forward: Holley students have already conquered many fears, from getting on a school bus when they were 4 or 5 years old, to learning to read and write, perform on stage or on the athletic field.

They came to school in prekindergarten or kindergarten knowing few people and were surrounded by hundreds of strangers. They would go on to make lots of friends.

Some of the students have been on school trips outside of the state and country. Three international students in the Class of 2019 came to Holley after leaving their families and familiar surroundings for nearly a year. Those students include Janne Grasshoff and Teresa Szcepanski of Germany, and Basile Guillo of France.

“Some of you have dealt with trauma and loss and you still got here every day and did what you needed to do,” Benzn said.

These three relax after receiving their diplomas. They include, from left, Damyan Famoly, Garrett Farrow and Braden Ferranti. Ferranti received one of the biggest scholarships today. He and Ethan Bibby each won the $5,000 “Make All The Difference” scholarship.

Cade Aina, left, and Erik Balys move over their tassels after the district superintendent said the class met the standards of graduation.

Matt Hennard, middle-high school social studies teacher, high-fives students as they make their way towards the scoreboard for a group photo.

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 25

The gravesite of Thomas W. Kates at Flushing Cemetery – Courtesy of Harvey Abbott (FindAGrave).

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, nearly 3,500 soldiers have received the Medal of Honor since its inception in 1862. Of those medals awarded, nearly half served with the Union Army during the Civil War.

Between the conclusion of the American Civil War and World War One, 765 men received the medal, the largest number serving during the Indian Campaigns (426) and the smallest number serving in the Dominican Campaign (3) during the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic from 1916 to 1924. Of those 756 medals, 33 were awarded to Marines serving during the Boxer Rebellion, a nearly two-year uprising led by the Yihetuan (or Boxers) against foreign imperialists in China. Thomas Wilbur Kates, a native of Orleans County, was one of those men who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during this uprising.

Born on May 7, 1865 at Shelby, Thomas was the son of English immigrants Charles and Mariah Caple Kates. Charles worked as a currier (tanner) at LeRoy in the 1850s and later relocated his family to Orleans County before the birth of their youngest son, Thomas. The family remained in the area for a short period of time before relocating to Buffalo sometime before 1870. At that time, the family was enumerated in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census in Buffalo’s Third Ward with his parents, his brothers Charles and Walter, and sister Lottie. Tom Taber’s “The Orleans Battery: A History of the 17th New York Light Artillery in the War of Rebellion” confirms that the elder Charles Kates enlisted with the Orleans Battery on August 22, 1862, at Medina, New York; he was 38 years old.

On July 21, 1899, Thomas Kates accepted enlistment with the U.S. Marine Corps at New York City. Nearly six feet tall with blue eyes, brown hair, and ruddy complexion, Pvt. Kates was stationed in the Philippine Islands from September 15, 1899 to June 17, 1900 for the initial part of his enlistment. As the result of the United States’ Open Door Policy in China combined with the ongoing influence of Christian missionaries in the region, the Boxers began to resist against imperialist and foreign influences, culminating in Empress Dowager Cixi’s declaration of war against all foreign influences.

Thomas Kates and other Marines were dispatched to China on June 18, 1900, where they remained through October 10, 1900. According to his citation, Kates was awarded the Medal of Honor “…for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), in action in the presence of the enemy during the advance on Tientsin, China, 21 June 1900. Private Kates distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.”

With a little digging, more information about Kates’ meritorious conduct came to light. The Boxers believed that they were invulnerable to foreign weapons and laid siege to the “Legation Quarter” where United States, British, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian troops were stationed at Tientsin (Tianjin). The location became a refuge for foreigners and Chinese Christians amidst the threat of violence. As legation forces defended the compound with small arms fire, three machine guns, and one muzzle-loaded cannon, a contingent of U.S. Marines under the command of Major Littleton Waller marched toward Tientsin as reinforcements. With eight officers and 132 men, accompanied by 400 Russians, the group marched unopposed until 7 o’clock in the morning when the unit was hit with small arms fire from the flank. U.S. sharpshooters quickly quelled the attack.

Within minutes, 1,500 to 2,000 entrenched Boxers commenced firing from the front and flanks. As fighting continued the Russians retreated and formed a line approximately ½ mile behind the Marines, exposing the men to fire from all sides. As the Russians continued to retreat, the Marines followed suit while suffering the continued onslaught of the Boxers; the entire retreat lasted four hours. By 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the Marines had returned to bivouac having marched a total of 30 miles and suffering thirteen casualties.

Maj. Waller wrote in a letter dated July 6, 1900, that “…of the men I wish to say, while all in the engagements we participated in, behaved in such a manner as to bring forth the highest praise from the foreign officers…Cpl. Thomas W. Kates.” He continued, “…the specifically distinguished of these being Corporal Kates and Privates Campbell and Francis, with the Colt gun.” According to the Report of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps dated September 29, 1900, these three men remained with Lt. Powell, holding a position with an M1895 Colt-Browning Machine Gun until all but Campbell and Powell were gunned down. They destroyed the gun to prevent it from entering enemy hands before they commenced their retreat. Although it does not show up on his service record, Maj. Waller noted that Kates was slightly wounded, and Pvt. Francis was wounded in the hand. All three were later awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during this advance.

Kates’ record does show that he was present for the Battle of Tientsin on July 13th and 14th of 1900, the Battle of Yangun on August 6, 1900, and the Battle of Peking on August 14th and 15th of 1900. This record indicates that Kates was wounded on July 13, 1900 but makes no mention of the slight wound received on June 21st. The record concludes with Kates’ desertion at New York City on May 19, 1903 after his return from the Philippine Islands in June of 1902. This desertion is likely why no newspaper articles mentioned this important award at the time of his death on May 6, 1931. Kates was buried at Flushing Cemetery in Queens County, New York.

Brennan Moody’s parents accept his diploma at graduation

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of Albion’s Class of 2019 toss their caps near the end of commencement on Friday in the high school gymnasium.

The students have been reeling from loss of their classmate Brennan Moody last week in a car accident.

Before the graduation ceremony, 85 teachers and staff surrounded the class in the LGI room and did the Albion cheer, urging them to celebrate the evening.

Nicholas Sacco waves while walking up to get his diploma. His mother, Chantelle Sacco, is a member of the Board of Education. She presented her son with his diploma.

There are 155 students in the graduating class. They were all given a guitar pick with Brennan Moody’s name. Brennan loved to play the guitar and performed in the school musicals, with the band and choruses. He died on June 18.

Many people who attended graduation wore “Albion Strong” T-shirts in support of the Moody family.

Rhiannon and Erin Moody accept the diploma on behalf of their son. Mrs. Moody is hugged by Michael Bonnewell, the Albion school district superintendent, while Mr. Moody is embraced by Kathy Winans, the senior class advisor.

The Moodys receive a standing ovation from Brennan’s classmates and the crowd. Erin and Rhiannon Moody both walked over and hugged two of Brennan’s classmates, Angel Colon and Isaac Coppini, who were in the car the night of the accident on Eagle Harbor Road.

Sean Weis also was seriously injured in the accident. A picture was shown on the monitor in the gym of him receiving his diploma on Thursday at the Erie County Medical Center. He is shown with Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent; Frank Movalli, high school interim principal; and Margy Brown, president of the Board of Education.

Avalina Hand is the valedictorian of the class of 2019. She is headed to Rochester Institute of Technology to study diagnostic medical sonography.

She praised her classmate, Brennan Moody, for using his talents with music to bring joy to other people.

“Above all else he was a friend,” she said.

She encouraged her classmates to follow his example of accepting and loving other people.

Jessica Schleede, the class salutatorian, joins her classmates in the processional into the gym to start commencement. She is headed to St. Bonaventure in the fall with a dual major of elementary and special education.

The Class of 2019 is like a big family, she said.

They have grown close and been bounded through their sorrow. Not only did the class lose Brennan Moody last week, but their classmate Evan Ferchen passed away at age 8 on March 27, 2010, two days after heart surgery. Brandon Parker was 9 when he died on Feb. 23, 2011.

Brennan Moody sang many songs publicly at school, including, “This is the Moment” at the Senior Tea. Schleede said that song is a reminder “to live for today and not for tomorrow.”

She said the class will always be welcoming and students should turn to their friends for years to come.

“If at some point you find yourself lost always remember you are part of a very big family,” she said.

Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said he was particularly close with this year’s class. He served as interim high school principal for three months this school year and joined the students at numerous events, including a chorus trip to New York City.

He recalled being in the city when a woman asked him if a group of students were his kids. He answered affirmatively, which surprised the woman.

“Yes, these are all my kids,” Bonnewell shared in his speech. “You are all my kids.”

Bonewell said the class distinguished itself in many ways. The group performed 6,200 hours of community service. They were members of teams that won seven Niagara-Orleans championships and three Sectional crowns. They were all-state in music, and widely recognized for the musicals by the Stars of Tomorrow program in Rochester. The marching band played the national anthem at a major league field (Cleveland Indians) and for two minor league teams.

Students earned 700 college or Advanced Placement credits, while 42 percent have advanced Regents diplomas with distinction, well above the state average.

But not everything can measured. Bonnewell said the students have supported each other through heart-wrenching loss.

“This class has distinguished itself by its resiliency,” he said.

McKenna Boyer, the class president, gives the welcome message. She praised her classmates for their school spirit, their excellence in athletics and the arts, and for their commitment to each other.

“Our class has stuck together in the hardest of times,” she said.

Julie and Chris Keller, both Albion teachers, were among 85 staff that marched in the processional. Normally the staff and teachers were black robes. This time they all wore choir robes in honor of Brennan Moody and Sean Weis, who were both active in the chorus. The teachers and staff also wore Albion Purple Eagle buttons that said, “Together We Are Strong.”

Kirk Ellison, the class treasurer, leads his classmates into the gym. He is followed by twin sisters, Alexa and Malory Adams.

The Caledonia Pipe Band remains a commencement tradition at Albion. The pipe band leads the students into the gym and then for the recessional at the end of graduation.

Enoch Martin gives Mike Bonnewell, the district superintendent, a hug after Enoch received his diploma.

The graduates stand for the national anthem, which was sung by seniors in the chorus.

Evan Howard pauses to accommodate a group that wanted to take his photo.

Amanda Kuehne is joined by her family for a picture in front of “2019.”

MEDINA – An accomplished musician and educator with a particular interest in the Erie Canal will be at The Book Shoppe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday to sign copies of his new book.

William Hullfish, professor emeritus of music at Brockport State College, will take readers on a musical journey along New York’s historic Erie Canal in his 240-page book, The Erie Canal Sings: A Musical History of New York’s Grand Waterway.

Hullfish’s career began with six years with the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants. He has toured extensively in State Department tours to South and Central America, the Far East and Southeast Asia, as well as with various music groups in every state except Alaska. He has played at the White House, Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, Mormon Tabernacle and Carnegie Hall.

In Europe, he has played concerts in Germany and Austria, and has played summers in every Canadian Exhibition from the Pacific Northwest Exhibition in Vancouver to the Calgary Stampede, Red River Exhibition, Toronto and Ottawa Exhibitions and the Montreal Music Festival.

Founder and director of the nationally recognized Golden Eagle String Band, Hullfish is an expert in American music, especially Erie Canal songs. He was awarded a Gold Medal by the Smithsonian Institute as a Smithsonian/Folkways recording artist for his cultural contributions. He has several publications and recordings published by the American Canal Society, of which he is a member.

Hullfish performs in several orchestras, including the Brockport Symphony, Gateswingers Big Band, Greece Community Orchestra and Greece Summer Symphony. At a special concert appearance with the Albany Symphony, he was named a “National Treasure” by music director David Alan Miller.

Life working along the banks of the Erie Canal is preserved in the songs of America’s rich musical history, and while Thomas Allen’s, “Low Bridge, Everybody Down” has achieved iconic status in the American songbook, Hullfish writes that its true story has never been told until now.

Copies of his book will be available at The Book Shoppe, 519 Main St.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Ellen Tynan of Albion holds the plaque which Joe Mortellaro of Batavia received at the U.S. Bowling Conference in Las Vegas for 50 years of bowling. Tynan, the licensed master social worker at Lake Plains Dialysis in Medina and Batavia, arranged for Mortellaro to have dialysis in Las Vegas, so he could attend the event.

As the licensed master social worker at Lake Plains Dialysis in Medina and Batavia, Ellen Tynan of Albion knows it is very important that the need for chronic hemodialysis treatments does not cause a barrier to maintaining a quality of life.

“It is very important that my patients can attend graduations, family reunions, vacations and other events to stay connected with family and friends out of town,” Tynan said.

During her 25 years at the dialysis clinics, Tynan has arranged for hundreds of trips for individuals with chronic kidney failure who must have dialysis several times a week.

Most recently, Tynan learned that one of her patients, Joe Mortellaro of Batavia, wanted to attend the 2019 U.S. Bowling Conference in Las Vegas. Mortellaro, who is well-known in the Western New York area as owner of a trophy shop in Batavia, has been bowling since he was 17. The trip was very important to him, as he was going to be recognized for 50 years of bowling.

Mortellaro has been to nearly every U.S. Bowling Conference in the past 50 years and has 26 USBC championships to his credit. Tynan told Mortellaro nothing should stop him from going this time.

She contacted medical personnel in Las Vegas and arranged for Mortellaro to have a treatment early on Saturday morning, so he could bowl in the tournament with his team of his nephew Todd Mortellaro, Paul Spiotta, Greg Wolff, Joe Trigilio and Mark McVay.

“Doing all the referrals when people on dialysis want to travel is one of the positive things I do in my life,” Tynan said. “I have coordinated treatments for my patients all over the United States, Mexico, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. I also have patients who are snow birds and enjoy traveling to warmer climates every winter. Arranging visitor dialysis treatments is very rewarding for me and enables my patients to have a normal life.”

Orleans Community Health’s dialysis clinics in Medina and Batavia treat 111 patients at their sites, and that number is growing, Tynan said.

Photos courtesy of Mark Standish

ALBION – Contractors today are working on the Densmore Road canal bridge. The state Department of Transportation is spending $11 million project to rehabilitate seven canal bridges across Orleans County. Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is working on the bridge.

Densmore Road over the canal is the second in a series of seven bridges that are being repaired as part of this project. The bridge carrying Bennetts Corners Road over the Canal in Murray was the first to upgraded. The  seven single-lane truss bridges were constructed between 1909 and 1914.

The work on the bridges includes installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel floor systems, low chords, gusset plates, and truss elements. Bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches also will be improved and each bridge will be repainted. The alignments and profiles of the bridges will not change.

The Densmore Road bridge closed on April 15 with the construction expected to take about six months.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved spending more than $630,000 for four new radio towers, communication shelters and an emergency power source.

The projects are funded through a state grant for $5,897,141. That grant will also pay for technology to connect separate radio systems and new radio channels to strengthen communications between multiple jurisdictions and agencies.

The County Legislature on Wednesday approved a $452,019 bid from Patriot Towers in Scottsville to supply communication shelters and UPS (uninterruptible power source).

The Legislature also approved a $181,200 bid from Fred Nudd Construction in Ontario, NY for four communication towers. Three of the towers will be 180 feet high and they will be located by the Public Safety Building on Route 31 in Albion, Millers Road in Yates and near the Kendall Central School in Kendall at a site that is to be finalized, said Dale Banker, director of the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County.

The other tower will be 150 feet high and will be near the Holley water tank on Route 237.

The new towers should be up by late 2019 or in early 2020, Banker said.

The new towers and equipment are part of an upgrade to the emergency communications system, which serves firefighters, law enforcement, highway employees, probation and some other municipal workers in the county.

The system currently has poor coverage in the Holley area, along Lake Ontario and some other isolated locations in the county, especially in buildings with thick walls.

The county was successful with a grant application through the 2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Targeted Grant through the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office.

This piebald deer was spotted along Route 63 in Oakfield on Thursday by Jason Smith, the Lyndonville school district superintendent.

Today is forecast to reach 87 in Orleans County, with showers and thunderstorms tonight from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Saturday there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy, then becoming sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday will be sunny with a high near 75.

Photos courtesy of Libby Woodroe

MEDINA – Students are shown Thursday in a field on Blair Road, picking daisies for the daisy chain at this evening’s graduation ceremony at Medina High School.

The 16 top-ranked girls academically and top two boys in the Class of 2020 work on the 54-foot-long daisy chain.

They spent Thursday picking the flowers, and today they will assemble the chain in the school cafeteria.

Mackenzie Bropst, left, and Ashley Woodroe picked lots of daisies on Thursday.

The flowers are put in buckets. They are picked the day before graduation so they look fresh for commencement.

Photos courtesy of Lily Kiebala: Emma Baldwin picks daisies on Portage Road.

The daisy chain tradition goes back nearly a century in Medina.

Albion and Lyndonville also will celebrate high school graduation with commencement programs at 7 p.m. today. Holley students graduate at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Kendall held its commencement last Friday.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Trellis Pore of Albion and members the Trellis Cooper Band performed during Albion’s Canal Concert Series on Thursday.

The concert series is every Thursday, except for July 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gazebo behind the Albion fire hall. The series continues through Aug. 22.

Many of the concert goers set up chairs near the Albion fire hall where there was food and some shade from the bright sun.

This young member of the band plays the tambourine.

Doug Egling of Albion performs a solo on his saxophone.

Press Release, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., Western District of New York

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on Thursday that Eusebio Chavez-Islas, 58, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents. The defendant was then sentenced to time served and turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Murray, who is handling the case, stated that on March 26, 2019, ICE officers received a request for assistance from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at 3282 Transit Road in Albion. Once they arrived, ICE officers encountered Chavez-Islas, and determined through record checks that he was a citizen of Mexico, illegally present in the United States.

Subsequent investigation determined that the defendant was working at Nesbitt Brothers, LLC. On April 18, 2019, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents obtained a Form I-9 from Nesbitt Fruit Farms, the owner of Nesbitt Brothers, LLC. The Form I-9 had a photocopy of a fraudulent social security card which was provided by Chavez-Islas for purposes of his employment.

On April 30, 2019, the fraudulent social security card that the defendant used for his employment was seized by agents during the execution of a search warrant at 3282 Transit Road in Albion. The card depicted the name “Eusebio Chavez.”  A check of Social Security Administration records revealed that the social security card that Chavez-Islas possessed contained a valid social security number which was not assigned to the defendant.

The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Randy Bower; and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John F. Grasso.