By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 May 2019 at 7:46 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Megan Krisher dives into third base after banging out an RBI triple ahead of a tag by Keshequa’s Payton Powers during the Lady Tigers sectional final loss to the Indians this evening at Batavia High School.
A last ditch rally fell just short as top seeded Lyndonville dropped a 10-8 decision to No. 3 Keshequa in the Section V Class C3 softball championship game this evening at Batavia High School.
Trailing 10-4, Lyndonville came battling back in the bottom of the seventh inning getting the bases loaded with just one out on a hit batter, and singles by Anna Lewis and Alecia Hinkson.
Lyndonville’s Cassie Boyce connects for a single driving in the Lady Tigers first run.
Megan Krisher then singled in two runs, and after a second out and a single by Jennalee Riemer, Cassie Boyce doubled in two more to cut the deficit to just two at 10-8 with two runners still aboard.
However, the Lady Tigers could get no closer as Keshequa finally got the final out on an infield popup to close out the win and claim the title.
Earlier, Lyndonville battled back from an early 4-1 deficit with two runs in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI double by Hinkson, her second in three innings, and an RBI triple by Krisher but the 4-3 margin was as close as the Lady Tigers would get.
Keshequa answered right back with three runs in the top of the fourth on a two-run double by Ashley Gillen and an RBI single by Payton Powers who also had a two-run single in the fifth to make it 9-3.
Lyndonville finishes the season at 17-2 and Keshequa advances with a 14-7 record.
Photo courtesy of Kristina Gabalski, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – Daena Ford of Braddock Bay Raptor Research returned this year with live raptors during the 51stannual Conservation Field Days at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. This phot shows students learning about a Merlin, a small falcon, which hunts small birds for food.
The Fairgrounds hosted the event on Tuesday and Wednesday with sixth-graders from all five districts in Orleans County.
They learn about conservation-related topics including the environment, wildlife, tick safety, wild edibles, raptors, bird migrations and other issues.
Mike Elam of the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen teaches students about Lake Sturgeon with the help of materials from NY Sturgeon for Tomorrow.
Rachael Kiefer, a leader of an Orleans County 4-H dog club and member of the Orleans County 4-H Dog Program Development Committee, teaches students about dog handling, training and agility skills.
Students closely examine “fake” bagels in search of ticks as they learn about tick safety and avoiding Lyme Disease.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service shared many examples of macroinvertebrates – organisms large enough to be seen by the naked eye and lacking a backbone, which inhabit all types of running waters.
LYNDONVILLE – Seventh-graders of Lyndonville, in classes taught by Joe Suhr, were able to get a close look at the local justice system. After studying government and the constitution, the students witnessed a mock field sobriety test and arrest by Deputy Jason Barnum, who works as Lyndonville’s school resource officer.
After the arrest, the students followed the defendant into the Town of Yates Court and heard from Kathy Bogan, a Medina attorney, and Town Justice Don Grabowski.
Students learned about trial procedures and career paths to becoming a police officer, lawyer and judge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2019 at 1:05 pm
ALBION – The Albion High School Clay Target Club just finished its spring season and finished third out of eight teams. Albion is in a conference with South Seneca High School, Midlakes, Marcus Whitman, Holley, Caledonia/Mumford, Iroquois and North Collins.
“In our inaugural season we did pretty well finishing third,” said Jeff Atwell, one of the coaches. “We had several standout student athletes in our conference.”
Alex Rustay, Patrick Brien, Nicholas Sacco, Sawyer Braley, Ryan Krenning, Shane Hastings and Lacey Standish all finished in the top 25 in the conference. Alex Rustay and Patrick Brien earned All-State Honors finishing in the top 100 out of approximately 1,700 student athletes from all across New York.
The next competition will be the State Championship in Cicero in June followed by the National Championship in Michigan in July.
The spring league officially started April 14 and continued for five weeks. All of the Albion team members participate at the Barre Sportsmen’s Club.
The Albion team competed against other schools that do their trap shooting on their home trap fields. They compare their scores online. Shooters try to hit 50 targets, which are sent out of a machine at 43 miles per hour.
A lakeshore flood watch is in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
The flood watch includes the counties of Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga and Oswego counties.
“The combination of very high lake levels and moderate to strong northwest winds will result in greater wave action and an increase in lakeshore flooding on the southern shoreline of Lake Ontario,” the Weather Service said.
Lakeshore flooding may increase, especially in bays, inlets, and other low-lying areas along the shoreline with wave action producing an increase in shoreline erosion, the Weather Service said.
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
ALBION – Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in certified agricultural districts during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law.
This annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property which is predominantly viable agricultural land. During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from an agricultural district. This opportunity does not replace enrollment in an existing agricultural district during the eight-year, formal review process, but allows a once-a-year opportunity for a property owner to request that the County Legislature add parcel(s) to Orleans County Consolidated Agricultural District No. 1 (District C-1).
At the conclusion of June, requests for inclusion in agricultural districts will be reviewed, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Enrollment forms are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development. Completed and signed forms should be sent by June 30th to:
Timothy German
Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
14016 Route 31 West
Albion, NY 14411
The agricultural districting program provides eligible operations right-to-farm protection, among other benefits. Last year, 116 acres were added to District No. 1 during the annual enrollment process. Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that your property will be added to an existing agricultural district. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify your property for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact your local assessor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2019 at 8:05 am
ALBION – Chris Bourke has secured the Independence Party line in his campaign to be Orleans County’s next sheriff. Bourke, the current undersheriff, is running for sheriff against Brett Sobieraski, a Rochester Police Department sergeant who lives in Kent. Randy Bower, the current sheriff, isn’t seeking re-election.
Bourke and Sobieraski will square off June 25 in a Republican Primary. Bourke also has the Conservative Party line in the Nov. 5 general election.
The Executive Committee of the Independence Party met April 6 in Albany and endorsed the following as Independence Party candidates, even though they are not enrolled members of the party:
• Chris Bourke of Waterport for sheriff, a county-wide election.
• In Murray, the Independence Party is backing Robert Miller for town supervisor, and Lloyd Christ and Neil Valentine for Town Board. There is also an opportunity to ballot on the June 25 primary for the town supervisor and a Town Council position.
Miller also faces a Republican Primary on June 25 against Joe Sidonio, while Christ and Valentine have been challenged in a Republican Primary by Dirk Lammes Jr. Sidonio and Lammes also are endorsed by the Conservative Party.
• In Barre, the Independence Party endorsed Sean Pogue for town supervisor, and Bradlee Diesel and Margaret Swan for Town Board.
Those three face a general election challenge from independent “Citizens for Change” party candidates, including Jerry Solazzo for town supervisor, and Kerri Richardson and Cindy Burnside for Town Council positions. Richardson also is endorsed by the Conservative Party. In addition, LuAnn Tierney is backed by the Democratic Party for a town council seat.
• There is also an Independence primary on June 25 in the town of Shelby which is part of the 144th Assembly District. Registered Independence Party members in Shelby can vote for a delegate to the Eighth Judicial District, either Darla Schultz Bubar or Ciara Haylett. Voters will also pick an alternate delegate, either Brian Michael or David Haylett Jr.
ROCHESTER – Today at approximately 11 a.m. the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and United States Marshal Service Violent Felony Task Force, under the direction of Charles Salina, United States Marshal, acted on numerous tips that were submitted to Crime Stoppers of Buffalo regarding a possible location of Shane Hescox.
Hescox was wanted by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office for assaulting his ex-wife with his pickup truck on May 17 in the Town of Wheatfield.
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division in addition to the United States Marshal Service and Rochester Police Department responded to an address on Bowman Street in the City of Rochester to check the location of the tip.
Hescox was found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.
“The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division, the United States Marshal Service Violent Felony Task Force and Crime Stoppers of Buffalo have worked diligently following up on all of the tips and information which have spanned all across Western New York” said Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour. “Their efforts are to be commended”.
Shane Hescox was has been charged with Reckless Endangerment in the first degree, Assault in the second degree, Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation.
He was arraigned in the Town of Cambria where he was remanded to the Niagara County Correctional Facility with no bail at direction of Niagara County District Attorney Caroline Wojtaszek. Hescox is due to appear in the Town of Wheatfield Court on June 4. Additional charges are pending out of the City of Niagara Falls.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2019 at 10:25 pm
Contributed Photo – Roy-Hart players and coaches celebrate capturing a section straight Class B2 championship with a 5-1 win over Gowanda at Depew this afternoon.
Making a successful title defense, top seeded Roy-Hart downed No. 2 Gowanda 5-1 in the Section VI Class B2 championship game this afternoon at Depew.
Roy-Hart jumped out to an early 2-0 lead by scoring twice in the second inning on a single by Gavyn Boyle and a triple by Walker Samanka.
The Rams later tacked on two runs in the fourth on a sacrifice bunt by Hunter Babel and a fielders choice play off the bat of Karl Darling and one in the fifth on a wild pitch.
Charlie Bruning pitched the first four innings for the Rams allowing 3 hits and striking out 4. Samanka came on to hurl the final three fames giving up 2 hits and striking out 4.
Roy-Hart, which edged past Medina 4-2 to win the Class B2 title last year, will now face the B1 champion Mustangs for the overall Section VI Class B title and a berth in the state playoffs at 3 p.m. Saturday at Canisius College. Medina downed rival Albion 10-6 to win the B1 title.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2019 at 10:18 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina players and coaches celebrate capturing the Section VI Class B1 championship this evening with a 10-6 win over rival Albion at Niagara Falls High School.
Ending a 16 year drought, Medina bested rival Albion 10-6 in the Section VI Class B1 baseball championship game this evening at Niagara Falls High School.
Brian Fry provided the power at the plate with a double and triple driving in a total of six runs and Trevor Luthart turned in a sparkling five inning two hit, nine strikeout relief pitching effort to spark the Mustangs to their first sectional championship since 2003.
“We’ve set this as a goal for a couple of years and the kids have worked very hard, both in season and in the off season, to achieve it,” said Medina Coach Jon Sherman.
Trevor Luthart picked up the win in relief for Medina allowing only one run over the final five innings.
However, it was Albion which grabbed the early advantage as Thomas Furmanski blasted a grand slam home run over the left field fence in the second inning to give the Purple Eagles a 5-1 lead. An error, a double by Vincent Zona and an intentional walk loaded the bases to set up the threat.
Medina answered with a run in the home half of the frame on a bases loaded walk before taking the lead for good at 6-5 with a four run scoring burst in the third inning. Three walks loaded the bases to set up the threat.
A big three-run triple by Fry, which tied the game at 5-5, keyed the uprising as Nate Sherman followed up with a clutch RBI double for the go ahead tally.
“Good teams have got to battle through adversity and we were able to battle back after a kind of a sloppy start,” said Sherman.
It remained a tight 6-5 game heading into the bottom of the sixth inning as Luthart set Albion down in order in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. He struck out the side in both the third and sixth frames, notched two strikeouts in the fourth and got two outs himself in the fifth on grounders back to the mound.
“He’s a little sore but he really battled. It was a gutsy performance,” said Sherman of Luthart’s strong effort on the mound.
The Mustangs finally broke the contest open with four runs in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI sacrifice fly by Matt Saj and a big three-run double by Fry. Three walks loaded the bases to set up the threat.
Albion finally ended its scoring drought with a run in the top of the seventh as Liam Ward lead off with a double and came home on a single by Furmanski. However, Luthart quickly locked up the Mustangs win by retiring the next three batters in a row on a fly out, a strikeout and an infield out.
Improving to 19-2, Medina will next face B2 champion Roy-Hart for the overall section VI Class B title and a berth in the state playoffs at 3 p.m. Saturday at Canisius College. Roy-Hart downed Gowanda 5-1 at Depew for the B2 title.
Medina’s Nate Sherman rounds third base heading for home in the sixth inning. The Albion third baseman is Tyler Gibson.
Albion’s Thomas Furmanski (5) gets congratulations from his teammates after hitting a second inning grand slam home run.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2019 at 10:06 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Rolland Balcerzak hurled Lyndonville to a semifinal win over Cal-Mum this afternoon.
Erupting for six quick runs in the first inning, top seeded Lyndonville went on to defeat visiting No. 12 Caledonia-Mumford 9-4 this afternoon in the semifinals of the Section V Class C2 baseball semifinals.
Devin Rounds had a run producing double and winning pitcher Rolland Balcerzak and Matt Hess both banged out RBI singles to highlight the decisive opening frame for the Tigers. A fielders choice play off the bat of Noah Heinsler and an error plated the other runs.
The Tigers later added two runs in the fifth on RBI singles by Casey Winiecki and Nathan Dillenbeck, which followed a walk and a single by Hess, and one in the sixth on an RBI single by Balcerzak which followed hits by Zach Johnson and Oskar Heinsler.
On the mound, Balcerzak scattered 4 hits and struck out 4.
Cal-Mum’s runs all came in the sixth inning.
Now at 17-1, the Tigers will next compete in the Class C2 championship game on Saturday.
Softball
The top seeded Lyndonville softball team will face Keshequa for the Section V Class C3 championship at 5 p.m. Friday at Batavia High School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2019 at 4:12 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Office for the Aging has started a new program matching volunteer drivers with homebound seniors who need transportation to medical appointments, the grocery store and social outings.
The OFA started the program on April 5 and now has 12 drivers and 20 riders. The agency wants to expand the program, said Susie Miller, assistant director. Drivers are entitled to mileage reimbursement and are under the county’s liability insurance.
Seniors often feel isolated and can become depressed and have their health deteriorate if they don’t get to appointments and connect with other people, Miller said.
The agency suggests riders make a $5 donation for trips within the county and $15 outside Orleans, but that isn’t required.
The Office for the Aging also is encouraging seniors to try the RTS public transportation.
For more information about the volunteer program, either as a driver or rider, contact the OFA at (585) 589-3191.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2019 at 3:16 pm
ALBION – Three people pleaded guilty to drug crimes in Orleans County today during County Court, while another man admitted to driving while intoxicated and without a license.
Dexter Turner, a former Albion and Medina resident, pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. He faces a maximum of 3 ½ years in prison and post-release supervision when he is sentenced on Aug. 1.
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 today to having cocaine on Dec. 4 and trying to sell it in Orleans County. He is a second felony offender.
He could also face a fine of up to $15,000.
He is in the Orleans County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
• A Rochester man admitted he was trying to sell fentanyl in Orleans County. Dante L. Thomas, 30, was charged in December with 14 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.
He pleaded guilty today to attempted criminal sale of controlled substance in the third degree and faces a maximum of 3 years in state prison and post-release supervision when he is sentenced on Aug. 1.
This is Thomas’s first criminal conviction. The judge agreed to reduce his bail by half to$25,000 cash and $50,000 bond.
• Dakota Hunt, 24, of Medina pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. She admitted she had cocaine on Oct. 31 with the intent to sell it.
This is her first conviction. As part of a plea deal today, her sentence will be capped at six months in jail and probation for up to five years. She will be sentenced on Aug. 1. She remains free after posting $5,000 bail.
• In another case, a Kendall man pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Gilberto Gonzales, 49, was stopped in Albion on April 14. He declined to have his attorney, Public Defender Joanne Best, argue motions and look at body cam evidence from the arresting officer.
“Your honor obviously I was guilty because I was intoxicated and I was driving without a license,” Gonzales told Judge Sanford Church today.
As part of the plea, he faces a maximum of 1 to 2 years in state prison. That is a break from what could have been a 4-year maximum. Gonzalez was convicted of driving under the influence in Oklahoma on Dec. 11, 2018, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.
Gonzalez will be sentenced on Aug. 1. He is in the county jail on $5,000 bail.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2019 at 2:40 pm
ALBION – Two people who admitted to crimes while they were inmates at Albion Correctional Facility will be spending more time in prison after they were sentenced today in Orleans County Court.
Robin Miller, an inmate at the women’s prison, was sentenced to an additional 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for aggravated harassment of an employee.
She admitted to throwing urine at a corrections officer. She was scheduled to be released next year.
Najah Fields, a former inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years for promoting prison contraband. She allegedly had a Syracuse woman bring Suboxone and pills to the prison.
Fields was released from Albion Correctional last Dec. 28. Her attorney, David Wade, said Fields has struggled with drug addiction “her entire life.”
Fields and the Syracuse woman both showed “poor judgement,” trying to bring the Suboxone and pills into the facility, Wade said.
Sanford Church, the County Court judge, said shock incarceration may be an option for Fields. That will be up to the state corrections system.
Press Release, US. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to stand ready to quickly approve any request from New York State for a major disaster declaration for communities affected by flooding along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
The senators explained that the communities surrounding Lake Ontario are now facing a repeat of 2017’s historic and devastating flooding, if not a worse situation, as indicated by the U.S.-Canada International Joint Commission, which warned on May 27 that water levels of Lake Ontario stood at 248.85 feet and would likely reach or exceed the 2017 record high within the next few days.
Therefore, in a letter to Acting FEMA Administrator Peter T. Gaynor, Schumer and Gillibrand requested that FEMA stand ready to approve any forthcoming requests from the state for a disaster declaration for municipalities affected by Lake Ontario’s flooding.
“As Lake Ontario’s water levels continue to climb and the associated damages get more and more severe, the feds must stand ready to immediately step in and do everything they can to help,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why I’m putting FEMA on notice now to be ready to support any requests for federal assistance from New York State so that Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River communities have the resources they need to confront any challenge. With the risk of further damages escalating by the day, we must have all hands on deck.”
If a disaster declaration is declared, grant assistance would be made available to state and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, to reimburse costs incurred for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. This funding is available on a cost-sharing basis; FEMA generally covers 75 percent of the eligible costs for permanent and emergency work. After any severe storm, the first step in the declaration process is for the state to request a Preliminary Damage Assessment, during which FEMA representatives join state, local, and other officials to survey damage across storm-impacted counties to help determine whether the cost of the disaster meets the criteria for a federal disaster declaration.
“Two years ago, we saw how severe flooding from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River destroyed homes, businesses, and infrastructure along the shorelines,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today, these communities are once again in danger from more extreme flooding, and we must do everything we can to protect these communities. I am calling on FEMA to quickly approve requests for federal assistance from these shoreline communities, and I will continue to do everything I can to help our communities get the urgent support they need.”
Schumer and Gillibrand explained that the flooding of Lake Ontario is already having a severe impact on the surrounding communities and that should it continue, it could become even worse. Currently, eight New York State counties – Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence – are currently under a state-imposed Declaration of Emergency.
The senators said the flooding is already forcing businesses to shut down, damaging property and public infrastructure, and has eroded away land and shoreline protections. Schumer and Gillibrand noted that even after Lake Ontario’s water level crests, it will take many weeks throughout the remaining summer months for the water to drop, which may likely make it difficult to get a full accounting of damage incurred. Therefore, the senators asked FEMA to prepare to work with New York State and be as flexible as possible should the state submit an expedited request for disaster assistance for the communities impacted by the Lake Ontario flooding.
Schumer and Gillibrand have been pushing emergency preparation measures along Lake Ontario for months this flooding season. In March of this year, Schumer voiced his support for the confirmation of Jane L. Corwin, Robert C. Sisson and Lance V. Yohe to the IJC, to ensure the Commission was appropriately staffed to address the rising Lake Ontario water levels, and earlier this month announced their successful confirmation.
Also this May, Schumer announced that following his push, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued an official Declaration of Emergency to activate its Emergency Operations Center to join with state and local efforts to assist Lake Ontario communities in the event of flooding. Additionally, Schumer and Gillibrand called on the IJC and International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board of Control to assess and take all actions possible to mitigate flood risks to surrounding communities, including the appropriate maximization of outflows at the Moses-Saunders Dam.
