Eligible farmers can seek reimbursement for overtime paid since Jan. 1, 2025
File photo by Tom Rivers: These farmworkers pick cucumbers in August 2019 along Townline Road in Barre.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that eligible farm employers may now apply for the Farm Employer Overtime Credit Advance program and receive reimbursement for eligible overtime paid to employees since January 1, 2025.
Now in its second year, the Farm Employer Overtime Credit Advance program is a part of Governor Hochul’s plan to support New York’s farmers through a series of new and increased tax credits and other initiatives and helps to ensure that farm employers can continue to support their workers while reducing their tax burden.
“Our farmers and farm workers are the backbone of New York, and I’m doing everything in my power to ensure that they can thrive in their essential work of bringing fresh, local products to communities across New York,” Hochul said. “The Farm Employer Overtime Credit Advance is a big part of that, reducing the tax burden for our farm businesses while helping them to continue supporting their hardworking staff, caring for animals and harvesting perishable products. I encourage all eligible farmers to learn more about this program and submit their applications now for a certificate of advance payment.”
The Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a refundable tax credit available for farm employers who pay overtime wages, based on the phase-in of an overtime threshold in New York State. Beginning today, farm employers may submit an application to the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) for a certificate of advance payment of eligible overtime paid between January 1 and July 31, 2025 so they can receive reimbursement from the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF).
Farms that used a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) in 2024 may also apply for certification for eligible overtime paid between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Applications must be submitted to AGM by September 30.
After eligibility review, AGM will issue a certificate of payment to each approved farm employer. With a certificate of advance payment, the approved farmer or business owners (for example, partners or shareholders) can then request their share of the payment from the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF). This request must be made no later than November 1, using the online services account at DTF’s website.
Farmers can apply for this refundable credit if they or their business:
is/are an eligible farmer; and
directly employ eligible farm employees that were paid eligible overtime or indirectly pay eligible overtime via the services of a PEO.
AGM hosted a special webinar in July to help eligible farmers prepare for the launch of the program. A recording of the webinar is available on AGM’s YouTube page.
New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Farm labor is a critical issue, and we are working hard to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to support their workforce while meeting their food production goals. Last year, the Overtime Tax Credit initiative had a great start, and we are looking forward to continuing to grow the program and make sure that our farmers and farm workers have the support they need.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2025 at 5:13 pm
MEDINA – Baxter Healthcare will be hosting a community safety day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Baxter parking lot at 711 Park Ave.
There will be free food and beverages, as well as kid-friendly activities.
The Safety Committee at Baxter is an employee-led group who is hosting the event, and this week the facility is focused on both workplace and at home safety, with it all culminating with the community safety day.
The Medina Fire Department, Orleans County Sherif’s Department, and the K9 unit will be at the event doing demonstrations and talks about safety, as well as car seat safety checks.
Someone will be doing car care demonstrations and will be available to answer general car questions. There will be cornhole and water balloons set up, as well as face painting and temporary tattoos, balloon animals, and a coloring station.
There will also be a basket raffle to benefit the fire department.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2025 at 5:00 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Employees from Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati work at a household hazardous waste collection event in Albion on Aug. 12, 2023. EEI will be back on Aug. 16 to collect more household hazardous waste.
ALBION – There are still about 200 spots available for Orleans County residents to stop by a household hazardous waste collection event on Aug. 16.
The county has contracted with Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati for residents to safely dispose of leftover chemicals, batteries, tires, oil and solvents at no charge to residents. So far more than 300 spots have been taken.
Residents can register by calling (585) 589-3198 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Orleans County Department of Planning and Development may take registrations up until Aug. 15.
The event will be at the Orleans County Highway Garage on West Academy Street in Albion. The county will collect all acceptable items from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. is reserved for tire collection only.
Acceptable items include pesticides, motor oiler & filters, adhesives, antifreeze, solvents, tires (limit 10), batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosols, oil-based paints and empty propane tanks.
Items that cannot be accepted include explosives, pressurized tanks, ammunition, PCBs, radioactive waste, medical water, electronics, latex paint, tires on rims and commercial tires.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2025 at 3:35 pm
Andre Robinson of Hilton, left, and Alexander Inman of Albion both face charges.
ALBION – Two people are facing felony charges after a lengthy investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in the villages of Albion, Holley and Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.
Andre Robinson of Marple Lane in Hilton has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, an A1 felony.
Alexander C. Inman, 39, of Beechwood Boulevard in Albion has been charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are B felonies.
The Task Force along with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Orleans County Special Response Team executed a search warrant on July 29 at Robinson’s residence in Hilton, a 2018 Ford F 150 pickup truck and on the person of Robinson, who is also known as “Moola.”
From this search warrant police seized a quarter kilo of cocaine with a street value of over $50,000, $900 in cash and a 2018 Ford pickup truck, the Task Force reported.
Provided photos: A search warrant directed at Andre Robinson resulted in seizure of a quarter kilo of cocaine with a street value of over $50,000, $900 in cash and a 2018 Ford pickup truck.
Robinson was arraigned in Monroe County CAP Court and was committed to the Monroe County Jail without bail due to the A1 felony charge and his criminal history of three prior felony convictions, two being violent, the Task Force said.
Robinson today was sentenced in Orleans County Court for a drug charge stemming from an arrest by the Task Force on Aug. 20, 2024. Robinson was sentenced to 4 ½ years in state prison by County Court Judge Sanford Church, the maximum under a plea agreement.
The Albion Police Department on July 22 executed a search warrant regarding Alexander C. Inman. Police seized over two ounces of crack cocaine and numerous plastic vials used to package cocaine, the Task Force said.
The Task Force was assisted in the investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET), the Albion Police Department K9 and the Holley Police Department. The Task Force said further arrests and charges are pending in this case.
BATAVIA — What does a small-town person with autism and the nine Greek goddesses have in common?
Together they wrote a book, “The Nine Lives of Autism” by Daniel J. Crofts.
Join Crofts 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the Arc GLOW Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road in Batavia, as he shares his powerful memoir about life with Asperger’s Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder. From early sensory struggles and social anxiety to work as a support professional and battles with OCD, Crofts offers personal insight and broader reflections on autism’s history.
Structured around the nine Muses of classical mythology, his story bleeds imagination, memoir and meaning in a uniquely engaging way.
Book copies will be available for $13; cash or Venmo accepted.
Sign-ups open for Friends & Family 5K
Arc GLOW will be hosting its 21st annual Friends & Family 5K and Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 20.
It is an event which gives people of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to participate. It also welcomes and embraces the participation of the people Arc GLOW serves, aligning with their mission to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and community.
Returning will be Taste of Country, the signature event within the Friends and Family 5K, which features a wonderful display of fruits and vegetables donated by area farmers. Runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers can take the taste of the country home with them.
The Friends & Family 5K raises funds for Arc GLOW programs and services and the Mary Anne Graney Scholarship.
Registration can be done online at ArcGLOW.org. For questions or to register by phone, contact Sandy Konfederath, race director, at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1715 or PR@ArcGLOW.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2025 at 9:24 am
Money provides operational support for museum in Childs hamlet
Photos by Tom Rivers: Doug Farley, executive director for the Cobblestone Museum, speaks during a July 6 patriotic service at the Cobblestone Church. The church is in an 1834 building and hosts a church service every year near the July 4th holiday.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum has received a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and the $10,000 award will goes towards operating support.
The museum is one of 32 non-profit organizations in Western New York receiving a total of $630,000 in funding from the Community Foundation.
Doug Farley, the Cobblestone Museum executive director, said the museum is grateful for the funding.
“There are not a lot of grantors that provide operating support,” he said. “This type of grant covers a lot of overhead expenses.”
Farley said Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo recently expanded its reach to include Orleans County organizations.
The Community Foundation said the 32 grants were awarded after a competitive process. The organizations have to support at least one of the Community Foundation’s four community goals:
Achieve racial/ethnic equity
Promote economic mobility through educational achievement for residents living in low-income households
Steward significant environmental resources in the context of climate resilience
Promote regional vibrancy through architecture, arts and culture
Bill Lattin, retired director of the Cobblestone Museum, led a tour on May 17 of the outhouses on the museum’s campus, including the outhouse in this phot that is next to Farmers’ Hall. This outhouse is the fanciest of a collection at the museum. The outhouse is a five-seater in a Greek Revival architectural style.
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo 2025 Competitive Grants recipients include:
716 Squash – $15,000 for “Educational Achievement to Low-Income Students”
Advocacy Institute – $15,000 for “General Operations in WNY”
African American Cultural Center of Buffalo – $14,000 for “Long Layover, A New Theatrical Production”
Arts for Learning WNY – $20,000 for “Artworks: Hired to Create. Inspired to Succeed: Year 2 of 3”
Buffalo-Area Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) – $18,000 for “School Year and Summer Engineering Exploration Programs”
Buffalo Arts Studio – $15,000 for “General Operations”
Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology – $36,000 for “Expanded Arts and Career Readiness Programming”
Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy – $20,000 for “General Operations: Year 1 of 3”
Buffalo Prep – $38,000 for “General Operations”
Buffalo Urban League – $20,000 for “YOLO-Your Life Changing Opportunity”
Cobblestone Society – $10,000 for “General Operations”
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County – $22,650 for “4H Youth Community Action Network”
Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative – $10,500 for “Champion of Change Training”
Grassroots Gardens of WNY – $15,000 for “General Operations: Year 3 of 3”
Green Options Buffalo aka GObike Buffalo – $19,508 for “City-Wide Equitable Advocacy Committee Development”
Infinity Visual and Performing Arts – $20,000 for “Rooted in Creativity: Equitable Arts Access”
Just Buffalo Literary Center – $15,000 for “General Operations”
King Urban Life Center – $30,000 for “Parent Child PLUS Program”
Martin House Restoration Corporation – $15,000 for “General Operations”
MCC-DC dba West Side Community Services – $15,000 for “General Operations”
Mental Health Advocates of WNY – $30,000 for “Basic Emotional Skills Training (BEST)”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2025 at 6:53 pm
Event helped spearhead transformation of Albion’s main park
Photo by Tom Rivers: The band 7th Heaven capped a day of music at Bullard Park on Aug. 3, 2019 during the Albion Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park. The band will close out this year’s festival with a concert starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday. This time they will be performing on the outdoor amphitheater at Bullard, instead of the stage shown in this photo. Michael Giarrizzo, left, plays guitar and sings for the band, while Terry K. is the lead singer and Dave Quick is the bass player from Kendall.
ALBION – It was about a decade ago when a group of music lovers in Albion dreamed up a way to combine their passion of music with a desire to upgrade Bullard Park.
They started Rock the Park, a music festival. The bands first played at the Elks Lodge in Albion before shifting to Bullard the following year, performing at a dilapidated pavilion.
People showed up to hear a lineup of bands, and the profit from the festival was used to hire a grantwriter to go after big state grants to help with Bullard’s improvements.
It took a a few tries, but Albion got the grant – nearly $500,000. That dilapidated pavilion is long gone. The park now has a splash pad, new playground equipment, two new pavilions, new bathrooms, an amphitheater/performance stage, new basketball courts and other upgrades with more in the works.
Rock the Park returns for its 10th music festival on Friday and Saturday. Ron Albertson, chairman of the event, has been there since the first one.
He is grateful and very happy Rock the Park helped build momentum for the Bullard transformation, while providing a showcase for musicians and fun times for the community.
“We’re hoping for a big turnout,” Albertson said about Rock the Park. “We’re thrilled with the acceptance the community has given us.”
The 2-day performance schedule includes:
Friday
6 p.m. – Triple Play
7:30 p.m. – V3
9 p.m. – Bad Sign
Saturday
11 a.m. – Carson and Sam (acoustic stage)
1:30 p.m. – Shotgun Pauly
2:30 p.m. – Stanton
3:30 p.m. – Mixed Experience
4:30 p.m. – driVen
6:30 p.m. – BeatleMagic
9 p.m. – 7th Heaven
Albertson sees big crowds at Bullard for the Wednesday concert series throughout the summer. A July 3rd day-long celebration capped by fireworks attracted big crowds of people for several hours at the park.
Bullard also is being rented for weddings, birthday partis and other gatherings.
“We were able to get us started on grants for the park upgrades,” Albertson said. “It was a good idea with like-minded people. And then things started rolling.”
The Albion Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Village of Albion DPW and government have been partners in the improvements. Albertson is part of a non-profit, the Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc. that helps drive many of the projects at Bullard.
New pickleball courts went in next to the basketball courts at Bullard this week. A fundraiser for a beer and wine basket at Rock the Park will raise funds for the pickleball courts.
Albertson said G-ACRE also wants to have a new concessions stand at Bullard, and revamp the baseball field in the northwest corner.
G-ACRE also wants to help upgrade some of the neighborhood parks in the village.
Rock the Park will continue to direct its revenue to Bullard. The event raised about $4,000 last year. Admission is $5 for each day of music.
“We’re trying to keep it a community event, a family event,” Albertson said. “We want to keep it inexpensive for the people in our village.”
Photos courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: A helicopter was damaged in an open field in Kendall on Wednesday night. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bouke
Kendall, NY – At approximately 8:33 PM on July 30, 2025, deputies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a helicopter incident involving an experimental aircraft in an open field near Creek Road in the Town of Kendall.
The aircraft, a RotorWay EXEC 162F helicopter bearing tail number N843WB, sustained substantial damage after reportedly experiencing a rollover during a low-altitude hover maneuver.
The pilot, who is also the registered owner of the aircraft, was not present at the scene when deputies arrived. He later reported that while attempting a lateral hover, one of the helicopter’s skids contacted the ground, resulting in a dynamic rollover. The pilot sustained a minor injury and was treated at a local hospital.
Deputies secured the area and conducted an initial assessment, noting significant damage to the rotor system, airframe, and skids. No fire, fuel leak, or hazardous materials were observed at the site.
At this time, there is no indication of foul play or any threat to public safety. The incident has been referred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for further investigation. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to assist federal authorities as needed.
Investigator Kevin Colonna, a licensed helicopter pilot, led the investigation for Sheriff’s Office.
Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
BATAVIA – There are 241 students from Genesee Community College on the Provost’s List, including many from Orleans Copunty.
Students honored on the Provost’s List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2025 at 10:05 am
Owner of property says he wants townhouses at site on West Oak Orchard Street
Photos by Tom Rivers: James Nashwenter, left, and Dan Dunn, right, share their concerns about a housing development on West Oak Orchard Street that would be close to their homes at Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park. Nashwenter said he doesn’t want to see low-income housing at West Oak Orchard.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has approved a zoning change for 46 acres of property at 450 West Oak Orchard St., which will allow a mix of housing types through a “planned residential community.”
Several residents spoke out about the zoning change, saying they were concerned the zoning change could usher in low-income housing that could potentially reduce the values of other nearby properties.
The speakers want to know specifically what types of housing will be on the property. Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale owns the site. He said his plan is for townhouses.
But he has held off on incurring the expense for precise plans until the property was rezoned from light industrial, which doesn’t allow housing, to planned residential community.
Michel was advocated for R-3 zoning to allow more than single-family housing, but the Village Planning Board pushed for the “planned residential community” zoning which gives Medina more control on how the property is developed.
Local resident Scott Carlton said there has been too many unknowns with the potential development. He said the minutes from a County Planning Board meeting state the site could potentially have up to 400 units.
But Dan Gardner, the village code enforcement officer, said there haven’t been any numbers proposed for units at this time.
“We don’t know how many units of anything,” he said. “We’re not at the site plan stage.”
Jim Nashwenter, a resident of the nearby Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park, said there is too much “mystery” about what could be coming to the 46 acres. Nashwenter said the Lakewood Village community “vehemently opposes” lower-income housing. Lakewood Village ois for residents 55 and older.
“We worked our asses all our life to enjoy a quiet peaceful retirement,” Nashwenter told the board at Monday evening’s meeting. “This is a non-starter. It will destroy the park.”
Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants to use 46 acres for housing. He said the main goal is for townhouses on the property. Now that the property is rezoned, he will work with engineers are more precise details for the property.
J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, responded to concerns that the property may be contaminated. He said the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) shows there is no contamination on the vacant land. There was a spill from Fisher Price but a monitoring well hasn’t detected any contaminants in about 40 years, Swedrock said.
At a Village Board meeting last month, J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, said there needs to be a mix of housing with some townhouses to allow more units so a project would be economically feasible.
Swedrock works for Michel, the owner of the property. Michel wants a mixed-use option with single-family houses as well as multi-family town houses.
The Village Board approved the zoning change, and Mayor Marguerite Sherman said there would be public hearings in the future as plans are developed.
Village attorney Matt Brooks said the village can’t make decisions about housing and zoning based on the income, gender and ethnicity of residents.
“We can’t discriminate against this group,” said village trustee Scott Bieliski. “We can’t just shoot it down.”
The zoning change “just opens up the possibility” for the land to be developed for housing, he said.
“At the end of the day this is his property and it will give him some options,” Bieliski said.
Nashwenter asked the Village Board to keep the public apprised of any developments with the property.
“I’m not a meeting person but this thing has lit a fire under my butt,” he told the board in a packed meeting room.
Two representatives from the United Way, executive director Nyla Gaylord and board member Dean Bellack, attended last month’s board meeting and urged the board to make the zoning change. They said the area has a significant housing shortage that is a factor in the county’s decreasing population.
The housing shortage is threatening the community’s ability to grow. For businesses to come to Medina, there needs to be more housing for their workers, she said.
Orleans County overall needs more housing options from single family construction, to affordable rentals for young adults and senior citizens, Gaylord said.
“We have some scary data for our community if we don’t allow more property to be developed for housing,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2025 at 8:48 am
Municipalities used to each have equal vote, but weighted system diminishes clout of smaller members
ALBION – The first 50 years of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., each member county or city had the same vote per municipality, regardless of the population.
But about two years ago, the OTB board changed to a weighted-voting system with more populous areas getting more votes. Orleans, instead of an equal seat at the table, ended up with the least power.
Orleans and five other counties sued over the changes. The State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, on Wednesday dismissed the case.
Orleans was joined in the lawsuit by Genesee, Niagara, Livingston, Wyoming and Seneca counties. The case was initially filed and argued in Orleans County.
The State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul approved the weighted voting changes with the state budget in 2023-24, citing improprieties and mismanagement at the WROTB.
The six counties that sued said the change violated the “one county, one vote” model of WROTB with a population-based model that effectively consolidates the power to manage and operate the WROTB in Erie County, Monroe County, the City of Buffalo, and the city of Rochester. Those four members have 62 of 99 votes in the weighted system.
The weighted vote system includes the following votes: Erie County, 24; Monroe County, 20; City of Buffalo, 10; City of Rochester and Niagara County, 8; Chautauqua, 5; Oswego, 4; Steuben, Wayne, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, 3; Livingston and Genesee, 2; and Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, 1.
The Appellate Division sided with the State of New York, which asserted that the six counties lacked capacity to bring a suit to invalidate state legislation. The Appellate Court said the changes in the weighted voting doesn’t affect the revenue that will go to the smaller counties.
The court noted that WROTB’s funds vary by year, depending on the wagers placed and WROTB’s operating expenses. Those funds are not in immediate possession of the member municipalities, but are distributed regularly at intervals determined by the board.
Orleans and the other counties in the lawsuit were represented by former attorney general Dennis Vacco, now with Lippes Mathias LLP. In a March 27, 2024 court appearance in Orleans County before State Supreme Court Judge Frank Caruso, Vacco said the case is a very important challenge, showing smaller rural counties standing up to a “power grab” imposed by the state.
“I’m a little emotional about it because I think they receive these types of shenanigans from Albany all the time,” Vacco told the judge in court that day.
The municipalities in WROTB fronted the money to start WROTB in 1973, which has returned more than $250 million in profits to the municipalities.
Joe Terragnoli, representing the Attorney General’s Office, appeared in court on March 27, 2024.
“It’s been a very lucrative deal,” he told the judge. “They gave loans and they were paid in full.”
That contribution never guaranteed an equal vote for perpetuity. The money didn’t purchase voting rights, Terragnoli said.
The state has the right to restructure the board with a weighted vote, he said.
Vacco said the smaller counties never would have put up the money if they had such a small voice at the board table.
ALBION – UConnectCare Behavioral Health Services is pleased to invite the community to an Open House at its Women & Children’s Residence on Wednesday, August 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The new residence is at 3597 Butts Rd. in Albion.
This special event offers an opportunity for community members, partners, and supporters to learn more about the vital services offered to women and children in need of support for substance use disorder and behavioral health care. A
Attendees will have the chance to tour the residence, meet the dedicated team, and learn how UConnectCare is making a meaningful difference in the lives of families in our region.
An informational presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., providing insight into the program’s goals and future plans. Refreshments will be served.
“This open house is not only a chance to showcase our facility, but more importantly, to connect with the community we serve,” said Kathleen Hodgins, chief executive officer of UConnectCare. “We are proud to offer a safe, supportive environment where women and children can heal together and build stronger futures.”
Community members are encouraged to RSVP by August 6. Guests may click here to respond.
ALBION – The first 50 years of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., each member county or city had the same vote per municipality, regardless of the population.
