Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Gracie Johnson slides into third base as Katie Razlario awaits the throw for Oakfield-Alabama. The action took place during the host Lady Tigers sectional win this afternoon.

A huge late inning scoring explosion keyed top seeded Lyndonville to a 16-7 victory over visiting No. 8 Oakfield-Alabama  this afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class C3 softball playoffs.

Trailing 7-6, Lyndonville regained the lead for good by erupting for nine runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-run double by Stacy Buckland, a two-run single by Chloe Stinson, RBI singles by Gracie Johnson, Anna Lewis and Alecia Hinkson and two errors.

Stinson finished with 3 hits as Lewis, Johnson, Buckland, Hinkson and Natalie Ostrowski each had 2.

Brianna Smith had 3 hits for the Lady Hornets as Kelsey Schlagenhauf and Julia Uhrinek both had 2.

Lyndonville had jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI triple by Lewis and a two-run single by Stinson but Oakfield-Alabama answer back with four runs in the top of the second on a combination of four singles and two errors.

The Lady Tigers regained a 6-4 lead with three tallies in the fourth featuring triple by Ostrowski and Johnson and an RBI single by Megan Krisher.

The sea-saw battle continued as the Lady Hornets moved back on top at 7-6 with three runs in the fifth highlighted by an RBI triple by Katie Razliano.

However, that lead was short-lived as the Lady Tigers countered with the decisive nine run barrage in the sixth inning on a combination of eight hits and two errors to move back on top to stay.

Improving to 16-1, Lyndonville will next face No. 4 Bolivar-Richburg in the Class C3 semifinals on Wednesday. Bolivar-Richburg blanked No. 5 Dundee 11-0 in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Section V Baseball

Top seeded East Rochester defeated No. 17 Holley 7-2 in a Section V Class C1 quarterfinal baseball playoff game.

Lyndonville’s Chloe Stinson bangs out a hit during for the Lady Tigers.

Photo courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – Students at Oak Orchard Elementary recently participated in a poster design contest.

The theme was bus safety and students were asked to create something that represents what being safe and making smart choices on the bus means to them.

Medina Central School’s Transportation Department judged to entries and a winner was chosen at each grade level.

Front row, from left: Elizabeth Dresser, Sophie Kroening, Annaliese Lindsey and McKenna Gamet. Back wow: Oak Orchard Principal Julie Webber, Transportation Department representatives Debbie Faltyn and Kim Heschke, and Director of Transportation Rob Dennis.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans public health departments

Springtime in New York is a much welcomed season. The trees are blooming, colorful flowers are sprouting up, and the days are getting longer. This is also a time when animals and insects make their return from the cold winter months. As many of us will be outdoors enjoying the warm months to come, it is important to be educated on ticks and Lyme disease to protect you, your family, and your pets from this harmful illness.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. In the United States, infected ticks can be found in the Northeast, including New York State; in the upper Midwest; and along the Northwest coast. Deer ticks live in shady, moist areas at ground level. They will cling to tall grass, brush and shrubs; but cannot jump or fly.

They also live in lawns and gardens, especially at the edges of woods and around old stone walls. Young deer ticks, called nymphs, are active from mid-May to mid-August and are about the size of poppy seeds. Adult ticks, which are approximately the size of sesame seeds, are most active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. Both nymphs and adults can transmit Lyme disease.

Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but prefer hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. If you find a tick on yourself or your pet it is important to remove it promptly. Although not all ticks are infected, your risk of acquiring Lyme disease is greatly reduced if the tick is removed within the first 36 hours after attachment. Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans Counties, provides instructions on how to properly remove a tick.

“It is important to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.”

Early diagnosis (within 3 to 30 days) and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease can help to prevent late Lyme disease. Although Lyme disease is rarely life-threatening, delayed treatment can result in more severe disease. People who notice a characteristic rash or other possible symptoms, should consult their healthcare provider.

Signs and symptoms of early Lyme disease include: Red bullseye skin rash, called erythema migrans, facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy), fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

As Lyme disease progresses more severe symptoms like arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling may develop months-to-years post tick bite in 60 percent of persons who are not given antibiotic treatment. It is important to keep in mind that getting Lyme disease once does not provide protection against getting Lyme in the future, if you are bitten again at a different time you can get Lyme disease again. If you develop any of these symptoms you should call your doctor right away to inquire about getting tested and treated.

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid areas where deer ticks live, especially wooded, bushy areas with long grass. You can decrease your risk of getting Lyme disease with some simple precautions:

Cover up. When in wooded or grassy areas, wear shoes, long pants tucked into your socks, a long- sleeved shirt, a hat and gloves. Try to stick to trails and avoid walking through low bushes and long grass. Keep your dog on a leash.

Use insect repellents. Apply insect repellent with a 20 percent or higher concentration of DEET to your skin. Parents should apply repellant to their children, avoiding their hands, eyes and mouth. Keep in mind that chemical repellents can be toxic, so follow directions carefully. Wear clothing treated with 0.5% permethrin. Re-treat clothing annually according to label instructions.

Do your best to tick-proof your yard. Clear brush and leaves where ticks live. Mow your lawn regularly. Stack wood neatly in dry, sunny areas to discourage rodents that carry ticks.

Check your clothing, yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Be especially watchful after spending time in wooded or grassy areas. It is helpful to shower as soon as you come indoors. Ticks often remain on your skin for hours before attaching themselves. Showering and using a washcloth might remove unattached ticks. Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, dry them completely and then dry for 10 minutes on high heat.

Bedard also mentions the importance of taking this education with you when you travel.

“When people are on vacation, they may not realize the area they are traveling to could have a high prevalence of deer ticks, which may lead to Lyme disease,” he said. “Make sure you are well prepared by researching the area ahead of time and bringing a tick removal kit with you.”

For more information on Lyme disease, please click here.

Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller

ROCHESTER – The Albion marching band played the national anthem before this evening’s game at Frontier Field in Rochester between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings.

The Red Wings wore the uniforms of the Rochester Hustlers for the game. The Hustlers were Rochester’s professional baseball team from 1909 to 1918. They became the Red Wings in 1929.

Tonight’s game was suspended due to rain with Rochester ahead in the second inning, 6 to 1. The game will be made up on Sunday as a doubleheader starting at 5:05 p.m.

Arella Ives, center, is one the marching band’s drum majors. She is pictured with the banner carriers, Olivia Andrews, left, and Phoebe Allen. Behind them is a horse statue made of baseball gloves.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, shakes hands with Chuck Nesbitt while presenting him with a “Special Recognition Award.”

Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer since 2005, was acknowledged on Wednesday, two days after he won the Public Service Excellence Award from the State Academy for Public Administration. Nesbitt is president of the New York State Association of Counties and served as president of the NYS Association of County Administrators and Managers from 2008 to 2018.

The State Academy for Public Administration cited Nesbitt’s efforts to streamline county government, reducing costs while maintaining services to residents, in particular with public health services with Genesee County. The two counties share a public health director, Paul Pettit, and other staff and a board.

“The Orleans County Legislature does hereby commend you, and wishes to share our appreciation, for your commitment to continuously improve the operations of Orleans County and your dedication to lead a great team in delivering the best public services in Orleans County,” states the award, which was signed by all seven members of the Legislature.

Luci Welch also was presented with a Special Recognition Award. She is shown accepting the award from County Legislator Don Allport.

She was congratulated by the Legislature for receiving the 2019 Outstanding Women in the Law Award on May 8. That honor was presented by the New York State Judicial Commission on Women in Courts, Gender & Racial Fairness Committee of the 8th Judicial District. Welch has been the county’s probation director for abut 20 years.

“The Orleans County Legislature wishes to share our appreciation for your passion and dedication to the Orleans County Probation Department as our Director and does hereby commend you and your team in the services you provide Orleans County and beyond,” the award states.

Press Release, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the 28th annual youth fishing derby on June 1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The derby is held during National Fishing and Boating Week at Ringneck Marsh on Iroquois NWR.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Rods and reels will be available for children to borrow if needed and worms will be provided as bait. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. who will be providing door prizes and trophies for the anglers with the three biggest fish in each age group (under 7, 8-12, and 13-17).

New this year will be trophies and prizes for the most persistent angler (total length of all fishes caught in any age group) and the angler who catches the most species (any age group).

The fishing derby and all activities are free to the public. For more information, please contact refuge staff at 585.948.5445 ext. 7037 or visit the web site at www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois.

RIDGEWAY – Marshall Road has been reopened to traffic after being closed for about five weeks.

The road is still in need of repairs, but some patchwork has been done by the Ridgeway Highway Department and State Canal Corp.

The town and state agency are discussing how additional repairs will be done, town officials said.

Photos courtesy of Rebecca DeBoard Lake

BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is exhibiting about 50 pieces of artwork from children in foster care, children who have been adopted, and kids in families who adopt and foster other children.

Rebecca DeBoard Lake of Albion coordinated the second annual “This is Me!” art exhibit. It is sponsored by Hillside Foster Care. The show opened on May 9 and continues until July 6 in the Batavia Rotary Room Gallery at GO Art!, 201 East Main St., Batavia.

The first show last year was focused on art work by children in foster care. DeBoard Lake wanted to expand the show to include adopted children and kids in families that foster or adopt.

“They’re all in it together and on the journey,” she said.

About 35 to 40 children contributed artwork for the show. Those children are from Orleans, Genesee and Monroe counties. The artists range from age 3 to 18.

DeBoard Lake wanted to highlight the skills of the artists and bring awareness to foster care and adoption.

“People don’t know a lot about foster care in general, especially in Orleans County,” she said. “These kids have talents and dreams.”

DeBoard Lake and her husband Kevin have 10 children in their Albion home – 4 of their own biological children, 2 kids they have adopted and four in foster care.

The exhibit includes information about becoming a foster parent, through either Hillside or a local county Department of Social Services.

File photo by Tom Rivers: A grain facility is pictured in Shelby. Orleans County is a big corn-grower with a lot of the crop going to the ethanol plant in Medina.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend up to $16 billion to assist farmers hurt in a trade dispute with China, President Trump announced on Thursday.

This follows the $9,567,400 approved in 2018, soybean growers getting $7,259,400 or 76 percent of that total.

“China hasn’t played by the rules for a long time and President Trump is standing up to them, sending the clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate their unfair trade practices, which include non-tariff trade barriers and the theft of intellectual property,” said Sonny Perdue, secretary of the USDA. “President Trump has great affection for America’s farmers and ranchers, and he knows they are bearing the brunt of these trade disputes.”

American farmers have faced “unjustified retaliatory tariffs and years of non-tariff trade disruptions,” the USDA said. That has curtailed U.S. exports to China.

Trade damages from such retaliation and market distortions have impacted a host of U.S. commodities, including crops like soybeans, corn, wheat, cotton, rice, and sorghum; livestock products like milk and pork; and many fruits, nuts, and other crops.

High tariffs disrupt normal marketing patterns, raising costs by forcing commodities to find new markets. Additionally, American goods shipped to China have been slowed from reaching market by unusually strict or cumbersome entry procedures, which affect the quality and marketability of perishable crops. These boost marketing costs and unfairly affect our producers.

“Our team at USDA reflected on what worked well and gathered feedback on last year’s program to make this one even stronger and more effective for farmers,” Perdue said. “Our farmers work hard, are the most productive in the world, and we aim to match their enthusiasm and patriotism as we support them.”

USDA will use the following programs to assist farmers:

• Market Facilitation Program for 2019, authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and administered by the Farm Service Agency, will provide $14.5 billion in direct payments to producers.

Producers of alfalfa hay, barley, canola, corn, crambe, dry peas, extra-long staple cotton, flaxseed, lentils, long grain and medium grain rice, mustard seed, dried beans, oats, peanuts, rapeseed, safflower, sesame seed, small and large chickpeas, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, temperate japonica rice, upland cotton, and wheat will receive a payment based on a single county rate multiplied by a farm’s total plantings to those crops in aggregate in 2019. Those per acre payments are not dependent on which of those crops are planted in 2019, and therefore will not distort planting decisions. Moreover, total payment-eligible plantings cannot exceed total 2018 plantings.

• Dairy producers will receive a per hundredweight payment on production history and hog producers will receive a payment based on hog and pig inventory for a later-specified time frame.

• Tree nut producers, fresh sweet cherry producers, cranberry producers, and fresh grape producers will receive a payment based on 2019 acres of production.

These payments will help farmers to absorb some of the additional costs of managing disrupted markets, to deal with surplus commodities, and to expand and develop new markets at home and abroad.

Payments will be made in up to three tranches, with the second and third tranches evaluated as market conditions and trade opportunities dictate. The first tranche will begin in late July/early August as soon as practical after Farm Service Agency crop reporting is completed by July 15th. If conditions warrant, the second and third tranches will be made in November and early January.

• Additionally, CCC Charter Act authority will be used to implement a $1.4 billion Food Purchase and Distribution Program through the Agricultural Marketing Service to purchase surplus commodities affected by trade retaliation such as fruits, vegetables, some processed foods, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and milk for distribution by the Food and Nutrition Service to food banks, schools, and other outlets serving low-income individuals.

Finally, the CCC will use its Charter Act authority for $100 million to be issued through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program administered by the Foreign Agriculture Service to assist in developing new export markets on behalf of producers.

Further details regarding eligibility and payment rates will be released at a later date.

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, issued this statement:

“The Trump Administration’s agricultural assistance package is welcome relief to an economic sector that has been battered by foreign competitors and retaliatory tariffs. We thank the President for living up to his commitment to stand by our farmers and ranchers. While farmers and ranchers would rather earn their income from the marketplace, they have been suffering during the agricultural downturn and trade war. This aid package will help us weather the storm as the Administration works to correct unfair trade practices that have hurt the U.S. economy for too long.

“We are grateful for the work that President Trump and Secretary Perdue have devoted to this issue. However, the real, long-term solution to our challenges in agriculture is good outcomes to current negotiations with China, Japan and the European Union, as well as congressional approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. America’s farmers and ranchers need fair and open access to markets.”

MEDINA – Weekend with Thomas is all over but the shouting.

And it was something to shout about for the Medina Railroad Museum.

After a drop in attendance last year, the Medina Railroad Museum decided to scale down to one three-day visit this year, which proved to be very successful, said Museum director Janien Klotzbach.

This was the 15th year the storybook train, owned by Mattel/Fisher Price, has made tracks to Medina. Over the three-day visit May 17, 18 and 19, 7,000 people rode the train.

“It takes a lot of work and expense to put on an event like Thomas, and we had to condense our efforts,” Klotzbach said. “But it was extremely successful.”

Klotzbach also said the success assures them that Thomas will be returning next year, which is a special anniversary for Fisher Price.

With this year’s Day Out with Thomas came other changes, including not letting anyone on the grounds unless they had a ticket to ride the train. In other years, numerous events on the grounds were open to the public at no charge, but that was not cost effective to the Museum or Fisher Price, said a representative from Fisher Price.

The museum grounds had many inflatables, bounce houses and fun activities for children and families.

In addition to the usual storytelling, Imagination Station activities (face painting, temporary Thomas tattoos, Legos, coloring station, train play tables and bean bag toss), there was a caricature artist and very popular balloon artist and miniature train ride next to the Sodor maze. Also, there was entertainment, such as a musician and magician in the tent next to the Senior Center, and an additional bounce house.

It takes many volunteers to pull off an event like Thomas, and Klotzbach said they recruited volunteers from local non-profit groups, such as churches and Scout groups. The organizations will then be paid for the hours their volunteer worked at Thomas.

“Thomas has always been a very exciting experience, not only for the children, but for the museum and its staff,” Klotzbach said. “It’s so rewarding to see the children and their parents and grandparents when they get so excited about Thomas. There are still many adults who come without children, because they love the event.”

Klotzbach said the same is true of Polar Express, which annually sells out at Christmas time. While they are still wrapping up from Thomas’ visit, they are already planning future train events, including the annual fall foliage and wine trains and Santa train. A new event this year will be a Blues Festival Oct. 19, with a blues band, winery and brewery on the grounds and wine tasting on the train.

The Museum has also scheduled another Memorial Train to pay tribute to Klotzbach’s father and Museum founder Martin Phelps, who died two years ago. Funds from the ride on Oct. 12 will be donated to a veterans’ organization in his memory.

Tickets are already on sale for these events and information is available on the Museum’s website or by calling 798-6106.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Trevor Luthart and Albion’s Thomas Furmanski both pitched complete games in hurling the Mustangs and Purple Eagles to sectional quarterfinal wins this afternoon.

No. 9 Albion upended top seeded host Springville 6-4 and No. 3 Medina downed No. 11 Newfane 6-0 at Vets Park this afternoon in Section VI Class B1 quarterfinal baseball games.

In advancing to the semifinals on Tuesday, Albion will visit  No. 5 Depew which blanked No. 4 Fredonia 6-0 while Medina will host No. 7  Olean which downed No. 2 City Honors 14-6..

Albion 6, Springville 4
Thomas Furmanski hurled Albion past Springville 6-4 allowing only 3 hits and striking out 6 over the seven innings.

Albion moved on top to stay with two quick runs in the first inning on an RBI single by Michael DiCureia and an error.

An RBI sacrifice bunt by Alex Gibson on a squeeze play made it 3-0 in the third inning.

The Purple Eagles then scored what proved to be the margin of victory with three tallies in the fifth frame on an fielders choice play off the bat of Patrick Ricker and a two-run double by Liam Ward.

Rickie Pitts bangs out a two-run double for the Mustangs.

The victory boosts Albion’s record to 13-5.

Medina 6, Newfane 0
Trevor Luthart likewise went the distance on the mound for Medina hurling a one hitter with 8 strikeouts. He retired the first 19 batters he faced before Newfane got a baserunner with one out in the seventh inning.

The Mustangs scored the only run they needed as it turned out in the first inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by Joe Cecchini. Brian Fry leadoff the inning with a double to set up the threat.

Cecchini doubled the Medina lead to 2-0 with an RBI triple in the third inning.

The Mustangs made it 4-0 in the fourth on a two-run double by Rickie Pitts as two errors to open the frame set up the opportunity.

Medina’s final two runs came in the fifth on an RBI double by Zach Fike and an error.

The Mustangs improve to 17-2.

Class B2
Roy-Hart 5, Wilson 4
Top seeded Roy-Hart edged past visiting Niagara-Orleans League foe No. 8 Wilson 5-4 this afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class B2 playoffs.

Breaking away from a 4-4 deadlock, Roy-Hart scored the game winner in the sixth inning on a walk, a sacrifice bunt by Thomas Russo III, a stolen base and an error.

Earlier, the Rams scored three times in the first inning on a fielders choice play, an error and a single by Hunter Bablel and once in the second on a single by Charlie Bruning.

Wilson tied the game at 4-4 with a run in the fifth inning on a single by Jacob Miller.

The Rams will next host another N-O foe in  in the semifinals on Tuesday in Akron which downed Eden 1-0.

Class C
In Class C No. 4 Falconer allowed only one hit in downing No. 13 Barker 6-1.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board voted again to not support a local law from Murray to regulate special events at farms and wineries.

The town presented the local law to the Orleans County Planning Board in March, and the county didn’t back it.

The town revised the law, and the Planning Board, in a 10-5 vote on Thursday evening, didn’t support approval for the Murray law.

The board said it was concerned that feedback from the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, sent on Thursday morning, wasn’t reflected in the regulations.

The town is trying to allow more farm operations to host special events, operations that currently don’t fall within protections from Ag & Markets and the Right to Farm law. Those regulations allow farm practices and sales if the events directly promote products from the farm.

Murray wants to allow Kateland Farms to legally be able to host weddings and special events. The miniature horse farm on Lake Road has hosted weddings in recent years, but the use doesn’t meet the current zoning for a residential-agriculture district.

Hosting weddings also may not promote miniature horse “products.” Murray is trying to give Kateland an option in the local law for hosting the events, while also including language for restrictions and controls to protect neighbors from noise after-hours and other impacts from the operation.

“We believe we are expanding the opportunities in the Town of Murray to host events,” Paul Hendel, a member of the Planning Board, told the other board members on Thursday.

Hendel also is a member of the Murray Town Board. The town had a public hearing on the proposed law on April 9 and received lots of pushback from other farms, who are concerned they will need a special use permit from the town for their events.

Amy Machamer, co-owner of Hurd Orchards, said that permit, requiring approval every year (now every two years with the revised proposed law), creates uncertainty for farms and leaves the approval to a code enforcement officer who might not fully understand the businesses or may not grant approval for political reasons.

Hendel said the town’s proposal wouldn’t affect farms that currently meet Ag and Markets’ standards for special events.

“This will open the door of opportunity that is currently closed,” he said about operations like Kateland.

But Machamer said the proposed law needs to clearly say the farms that meet Ag & Markets’ standards are exempt and won’t need a special use permit.

The staff at the County Planning Department recommended the Murray law be approved. County staff said it provides a way for the town to address neighbor concerns about noise, traffic by the side of roads and other issues.

Kevin Johnson of Clarendon, a member of the Planning Board, said he worries the town law would have a negative effect of farm markets and wineries, especially through the uncertainty of needing a special use permit.

The Murray Town Board can still approve the local law, without the county’s backing.

(Editor’s note: This article was updated to reflect that the County Planning Board didn’t have enough votes to support Murray’s proposed law, which differs from the first version of the article which said the board recommended denial for the referral.)

Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer plants seeds on Wednesday in Carlton on Waterport-Carlton Road. That sunny day gave farmers a chance to get their big equipment out in the fields.

Farmers have been kept out of their fields for much of the spring due to frequent rain.

This week there have been some sunny days without rain and that has allowed farmers to get seed in the ground.

They are still way behind schedule.

“If the rain continues it’s going to be tough,” said Jim Panek of Panek Farms, which grows corn, soybeans and peas on about 10,000 acres.

The farm has planted about 3,000 acres so far. Panek had a big day on Wednesday, planting 1,150 acres.

Jim Panek said farmers could use several dry days in a row to make lots of headway in planting.

A string of dry days has been hard to come by this spring.

“We’re running out of time,” said Larry Meyer, director of the Farm Service Agency in Orleans and Monroe counties.

Farmers are pushing to get their crops planted by June 10. After that day, the yields begin to diminish.

Meyer said the amount of rainfall this spring is about the normal amount. What has been difficult for farmers is the number of days with rain.

“You never get enough days to dry out,” Meyer said. “We get one day where it looks good and then we get more rain. I’m sure there will be a lot of stuff that doesn’t get planted.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Shoppers check out the newly renovated and expanded ALDI in Medina. The store was closed for seven weeks for the construction and remodeling project. ALDI reopened today at about 8:30 in the morning, with customers getting free tote bags and a chance to win $500 in produce throughout the year.

The ALDI store on Maple Ridge Road in Medina reopened after a 2,062-square-foot expansion on the front side of the building. The building was 16,567 square feet before the expansion.

The addition gives ALDI more space for about 150 to 200 products, including cooler and freezer items, and more produce.

Dan Leverenz (third from left), the ALDI store manager in Medina, cuts the ribbon this morning. ALDI didn’t lay off any employees during the store shutdown. The staff of about a dozen employees took vacation time or had a chance to work at ALDI stores nearby in Lockport, Brockport or Batavia, with the company paying their mileage.

The store upgrade also includes new shelves, freezers, coolers, and a resurfaced parking lot.

Ian Harrington, the ALDI district manager, thanked customers for their patience. He said the crowd of about 50 people, waiting to get inside the store, was the biggest he’d seen at a store reopening.

These Medina residents were at the store about a half hour before it opened today. They include, from left: Sheila Doty, Janice Dunn and Peg Sullinger.

They said they missed ALDI while the store was closed.

“I came here all the time,” Doty said. “They have quality products and the prices are good.”

The Medina store is part of the $1.9 billion ALDI investment to remodel and expand more than 1,300 stores nationwide by the end of 2020.

The U.S. Marshall’s Office says a man who is accused of running over his ex-wife multiple times on May 17 with his truck, seriously injuring her, could be in the Albion or Batavia area, according to The Batavian.

Crime Stoppers Buffalo is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Shane Hescox, a 5-foot, 11-inch, 190-pound white male.

His last known address is in Wheatfield, Niagara County. Hescox has known ties to Batavia and Albion. He also has a violent criminal history and citizens should not try to apprehend him.

Hescox has several tattoos, including the ones seen on his neck as well as tattoos on his fingers.

He is wanted by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and the Mashall’s Service and is facing a charge of assault in the second degree.

People with information that could lead authorities to locate him should call Crime Stoppers at (716) 867-6161 or call 9-1-1.