By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2025 at 2:27 pm
Diane Shiffer among ‘grandfluencers’ who are 60-plus with enormous followings
CBS Sunday Morning today featured Diane Shiffer of Albion who has about 1 million followers on both Instagram and TikTok. Shiffer’s uses the hashtag: “YourChubbyVintageNana.”
ALBION – CBS Sunday Morning today highlighted social media who are 60 and older with enormous followings. Diane Shiffer of Albion is among the “grandfluencers” with a massive following on both Instagram and TikTok.
Shiffer, 68, is a retired educator and social worker. She started to go viral on social media during the pandemic in 2020 when she posted short videos of her in daily life – baking, sewing, doing household chores, sharing words about kindness, and showcasing some of her vintage finds, such as potholders.
Shiffer told the story to CBS about how she first went viral. She accidently took a time lapse video of her doing her hair. She posted it on social media and amassed about 2 million views. She also suddenly had hundreds of thousands of followers.
Shiffer uses the hashtag: “YourChubbyVintageNana.” She speaks directly to her followers in her videos, calling them “my sweeties.”
Instagram: These screenshots from Diane Shiffer’s Instagram account show posts of her doing a household task of the laundry, left, and then her making an announcement she will be writing a book and welcomes title suggestions.
CBS correspondent Faith Salie said Shiffer’s “soothing voice and infectious laugh” are a big part of her appeal. Salie said about Shiffer, “spending time with her feels like a warm hug.”
Other “Grandfluencers” with a large social media following have used that to make big money by promoting products. Shiffer hasn’t done that. She announced she does have a book deal focusing on her messages of kindness to others and oneself.
Shiffer about a year ago did something out of the norm. She asked her social media followers to donate to a family in Medina that suffered a tragic loss. Those followers responded in a big way, donating $100,000 to a Medina family that suffered heartbreak with a miscarriage and then a hospitalization.
Click here to see the feature on CBS Sunday Morning.
ALBION – Listen for the peal of the Courthouse Bell in Albion at noon on Tuesday April 15, 2025!
The bell will ring for one minute on that date, in celebration of the Orleans County Bicentennial. Churches throughout the county are encouraged to ring their bells also.
Albion’s Courthouse bell was installed in the dome in 1860, two years after the construction of the building. The cost of hanging it was $24.06. At one time it was used regularly to indicate when the Court was called to session.
It was rung on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, by some boys who had gained access to the belfry, on January 19, 1959, to celebrate the Courthouse Centennial and again in 1976 for the country’s Bicentennial celebration.
According to a File Feature reference in the Journal-Register newspaper, the bell was next rung on August 20, 1985, by David Stevenson, an employee of the County’s Buildings and Grounds Dept. who had joked that he would ring the bell if his first grandchild was born on his birthday.
The ringing of the bell at noon on Tuesday, April 15 will mark the beginning of the Bicentennial event to mark the 200th anniversary of the formation of Orleans County on April 15, 1825.
The event will take place in the Courthouse, a fitting location, long recognized as “a central focus for the citizens of Orleans County,” to quote Irene Gibson, author of Historic Sites in Orleans County, New York. Hon. Sanford A. Church will launch the event which will feature Proclamations and remarks by legislators and historians, followed by cake, of course.
Seating is still available. Descendants of the early settlers are encouraged to attend. The event may be viewed remotely on the Orleans County Tourism Facebook page (click here).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2025 at 6:15 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: John LaFalce, a retired congressman, speaks on April 22, 2018 during a fundraiser for the Geneses-Orleans Ministry of Concern during the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration.
John LaFalce, a powerful former congressman whose district included Orleans County, has died at age 85.
LaFalce served in Congress for 28 years until the end of 2002. During his tenure, he helped many of the towns and villages in Orleans County secure federal Housing and Urban Development grants to expand public water, including in very rural areas.
LaFalce, a member of the House Banking Committee, was critical in getting Dime Bank to come and expand in Albion in the late 1990s.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer issued this statement about LaFalce this afternoon:
“Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come,” Schumer said. “He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved.
“His dedication to public service and passion for helping others knew no bounds. He loved Buffalo and always defended Western New York. He was a good and loyal friend, and I will deeply miss him. My prayers are with his loved ones and Western NY as they mourn this tremendous loss.”
LaFalce, a graduate of Canisius College, served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was a lawyer in private practice and then was a state senator and assemblyman before being elected to Congress at age 35 in 1975.
Gerrymandering pitted him against another long-time member of the House, Louise Slaughter of Rochester, in 2002. LaFalce opted to retire rather than face Slaughter in a what would have been a bitter primary of two Democrats.
LaFalce was in Orleans County for the 50th anniversary of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern in April 2018. During that celebration at Hickory Ridge in Holley, LaFalce praised the agency for serving residents in need for a half century. He was an honorary board member for GOMOC.
LaFalce said the Ministry of Concern followed one of the great commands of Jesus by loving their neighbor, by providing shelter, clothing and food.
“You are sharing love for your neighbors in Genesee and Orleans counties when you provide for those in need,” LaFalce said during the celebration.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2025 at 4:48 pm
MEDINA – A pedestrian was struck by a car and killed today in Medina at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
“Tragically the pedestrian involved in the accident was pronounced dead at the scene,” the Medina Police Department posted on its Facebook page. “We will release further information pending notification to family.”
The State Police accident reconstruction unit is assisting with the investigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2025 at 3:31 pm
Photo by Kyle Gill
ALBION – The Albion Rotary and Interact Clubs picked up trash along the railroad tracks in Albion this morning and filled 19 garbage bags with a total weight of 307 pounds. That topped the 291 pounds from a year ago.
Albion Rotary has done the cleanup the past five years with students from Albion Central School.
Pictured from left include Makenzie Cook, Lillian Fisher, Ayme Vallejo-Morales, Cordelia Rivers, Adam Burgio, Tom Rivers, Maddison Button, Tim Archer and Mike Schmackpheffer.
Photos by Tom Rivers
Adam Burgio, an Interact Club member, hunts down litter just east of Platt Street.
Mike Schmackpheffer, a prospective Rotarian, helped the garbage collection. He is getting trash near the wall by Dunkin’ Donuts.
Lillian Fisher, an Interact member, tosses a bag of litter into the dumpster at Ace Hardware. Rotary and Interact thank Ace Hardware for use of the dumpster.
Press Release, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Western District of New York
BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kyle Stack, 39, of Medina was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child sexual abuse material involving prepubescent minors, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in December 2019, Adobe Systems Inc. reported that four images containing child sexual abuse material were uploaded to Adobe’s servers from screen/username “Kyle Stack.”
Subsequent investigation traced the uploads to the defendant. In July 2020, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Stack’s Bates Road residence, seizing six electronic devices, two of which were later found to contain child sexual abuse material.
A forensic review of Stack’s cell phone recovered a total of 4,822 images and 32 videos of child sexual abuse material, as well as 2,319 images and four videos of child erotica, and 25 animated child sexual abuse material. A review of his laptop recovered 3,476 images, eight animated images, 16 images of child bestiality and bondage, 5,930 videos, three animated videos, and 43 child bestiality and bondage videos.
Stack made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES would like to issue a huge thank you to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee’s Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More for giving our students a “Cinderella” moment!
Store manager Cassie Healy brought in prom dresses for our students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center and the Orleans Learning Center so they would feel like the a million dollars at their proms.
“It looks like we had 29 girls get dresses, which would make it the most successful event we had to date,” Healy said. “We definitely hope to come back next year!”
Orleans Learning Center School Counselor Melissa Gailie said, “We can’t thank Cassie enough for the dresses. It was such a wonderful experience for all of the students!”
From left include Molly Wadhams (Trainer at Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More), Cassie Healy (Store Manager, Classroom Instructor and Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More) and Jackie Dunham (COO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 April 2025 at 8:44 am
Governor willing to delay state budget until changes with discovery requirements
Photo by Mike Groll/Office of Governor – Governor Kathy Hochul on March 24 convenes a domestic violence prevention roundtable with survivors, advocates and law enforcement. She said “technicalities” are causing too many cases to be dismissed due to the discovery laws where the prosecution has strict timelines to turn over evidence.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said too many cases in the court system are being dismissed due to “technicalities” on how quickly the prosecution has to turn over evidence to the defense.
She is demanding changes in the discovery laws that set strict timelines for handing over evidence to the defense. She is joined by the district attorneys around the state in seeking changes to the discovery laws.
Hochul is so adamant she is willing to hold off on approving the state budget.
“I’m really proud to be fighting on their behalf, and people all over this state who are denied the justice because of some technicality in the discovery laws that are written out,” Hochul said on Thursday in Albany after meeting with domestic violence survivors. “And they put their heart and soul into trying to get justice and it’s thrown out because something minor, irrelevant, is missing — I’m going to keep fighting until we fix this. I’m going to keep fighting to put this in the budget.”
The Orleans County Legislature on March 24 also passed a resolution seeking changes in the discovery laws.
The Legislature said early and thorough discovery of evidence is not only fair to defendants, “but also facilitates meaningful plea discussions and efficient resolution of cases.”
However, the state’s reformed discovery laws in 2019 have put an “unreasonable drain on resources and forces DA offices to make difficult decisions on which cases they can prosecute,” county legislators said.
The new laws force prosecutors to collect all material that “relates to” a case within short timeframes, and then to certify the entirety of evidence by filing a Certificate of Compliance.
“The breadth and scope of discoverable material under New York’s new discovery statute is unparalleled nationwide, and includes any material that merely ‘relates to’ an incident regardless of its utility, relevance, or admissibility,” according to the Legislature’s resolution.
New York is the only state that allows cases to be dismissed due to minor discovery violations. Since the new discovery laws were enacted, speedy trial dismissals in the state are up from 12,398 cases in 2019 to 42,212 cases in 2023, according to the Office of Court Administration.
The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York wants the discovery laws amended.
Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard is among the district attorneys seeking discovery law changes. Before 2020, it was a much simpler process of handing over the paper police reports to defendants, she said.
Now, there is a digital management system where a the initial discovery obligations must be submitted within 20 calendar days after arraignment if the defendant is in custody, and 35 calendar days if the defendant is not in custody.
“That’s not a lot of time,” Howard said. “Small departments don’t have the staff to download and get in the files. The discovery laws have made it very difficult for us.”
Hochul is seeking to not have cases be automatically dismissed if the all the evidence isn’t turned over in the time frames. The governor also wants to narrow the required materials to be those “relevant” to a case and not “related” – which would lower the workload on law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney offices.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2025 at 6:53 pm
An executive order from Gov. Kathy Hochul prevented fired corrections officers on strike from seeking jobs with local municipalities.
That order from March 10 sparked widespread opposition from counties around the state, including Orleans County, which wanted to interview the COs for vacancies in local government.
But the counties, towns, villages and school districts weren’t able to hire the fired COs, based on Hochul’s order. Orleans County officials passed a resolution on March 20, calling for Hochul to rescind her executive order.
County legislators said the terminated COs should be considered to help fill vacancies in the county government.
“The governor’s executive order does a disservice to the public by taking away a pool of highly qualified applicants from jobs we need filled,” Legislator John Fitzak, a retired CO at Orleans Correctional, said on March 20. “It is mean-spirited, revengeful, and immoral and, as such, should be immediately repealed.”
The governor has allowed that executive order to expire on Wednesday.
The ban on the 2,000 fired COs from jobs in state government remains in effect.
The state fired the officers after they refused to meet a deadline for reporting to work on March 10 after a strike at state prisons that lasted 22 days.
Press Release, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Western District of New York
BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Norman Kelly, 68, of Albion pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is handling the case, stated that between March 12 and Sept. 20, 2023, Kelly used his laptop computer to entice minors to engage in sexually explicit behavior for the purpose of producing images, which he would receive via the internet.
On March 12, 2023, Kelly received a sexually explicit image of a female child, approximately 10-12 years old. On July 20, 2023, he received a sexually explicit video file of an infant female, approximately 1.5 to three years old. Kelly possessed approximately 475 image files and 377 video files of child sexual abuse material. Some of the images included depictions of violence against children.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan. Additional assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, Michigan.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Raise the Wage Act alongside 32 of her colleagues in the Senate and 146 members of the House of Representatives.
This bicameral legislation would raise the minimum wage to $17 for all workers and gradually eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers.
Last year, nearly one in four workers in the U.S. made less than $17 per hour. In New York, the minimum wage is currently $15.50 in most parts of the state and $16.50 on Long Island and in New York City, and Westchester. According to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), passing the Raise the Wage Act would provide raises to 213,000 New Yorkers.
“A living wage is critical to make sure that Americans can pay their bills, feed their families, and put a roof over their heads,” Senator Gillibrand said. “No one working full-time in the United States should be living in poverty. This legislation will help lift workers out of poverty, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to get it passed.”
Today, the value of the current federal minimum wage – $7.25 per hour – is the lowest it has been since 1956 and has declined significantly since it was last increased in 2009. Black and Hispanic workers disproportionately feel the burden of these low wages as compared to their white counterparts, and that disparity is even worse for women of color. Nearly 40 percent of Hispanic women and 35 percent of Black women make less than $17 per hour.
Gillibrand is joined on the Raise the Wage Act by 32 senators: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Additionally, over 85 organizations endorsed the legislation, including Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Equal Pay Today, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Education Association (NEA), National Employment Law Project (NELP), The National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), One Fair Wage, Oxfam America, Patriotic Millionaires, UNITE HERE, United Autoworkers (UAW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United for Respect, and United Steelworkers (USW).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2025 at 11:13 am
Arthur Barnes receives Lifetime Achievement Award and Lyndonville Lions named ‘Supporter of the Year’
Photos courtesy of GO Art! – (Left) Arthur Barnes accepts a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) on March 29 during the annual Genean Awards celebration at Go Art!’s Seymore Place in Batavia. Gregory Hallock, Go Art! executive director, is at right. (Right) Bruce Schmidt from the Lyndonville Lions Club accepts the award for the Lions Club, which was named “Supporter if the Year.”
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) on March 29 honored important contributors to the local arts and culture scene.
The annual Genean Awards were presented at the Seymore Place in Batavia. The honorees include:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Arthur Barnes of Millville
A self-taught artist, Barnes’ work has defined the visual identity of Orleans County for nearly four decades, GO Art! said in presenting the award.
“Arthur’s murals, drawings, and paintings are not only beautiful—they are historic documentation,” said Gregory Hallock, Go Art! executive director. “Through his eyes, we see the Erie Canal, our rural landscapes, and our communities as they were, and sometimes as they still are.”
Barnes painted mural about the canal that are featured in Medina, Knowlesville, Albion and Holley.
“His commitment to preserving a historic cobblestone Quaker meeting house as his studio only deepens the story of his life and work,” Hallock said. “Arthur, you are truly one of a kind.”
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lorie Longhany of Le Roy
From Go Art!: “Lorie’s legacy as an artist is expansive—pointillistic drawings of historic places, murals, public commissions, and works featured in everything from t-shirts to museum displays.
“Her impact extends beyond her own artwork into her role as a mentor and educator—teaching seniors, students, and developmentally disabled adults with grace and passion. Lorie is proof that an artist’s reach goes far beyond the canvas. Thank you for a lifetime of creativity and generosity.”
Individual Artist of the Year: Bryan Wright of Batavia
GO Art!: “Bryan Wright, is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, who now calls Batavia home. Bryan draws inspiration from water and oceanic life, infusing his artwork with a sense of depth, fluidity, and emotion that reflects both his roots and his new surroundings.
“He is a multi-medium artist whose work offers quiet yet powerful reflections of the world around him. Nominated by Jim Burns, Andrew Fisher, Tina Burns, and Brianne Wright, Bryan’s passion and dedication shine through in every piece he creates.”
Supporter of the Year: Lyndonville Lions Club
GO Art!: “The Supporter of the Year award goes to the Lyndonville Lions Club, a cornerstone of community spirit and celebration.
“From organizing one of the most spectacular July 4th fireworks shows in Western New York, to their Street Dances, park concerts, and their newly launched Oktoberfest—this organization knows how to bring people together.
“For over 50 years, they’ve shown that arts and culture thrive when communities care. Nominated by Lynne Johnson, we are proud to recognize the Lions for their outstanding and ongoing contributions.”
Visionary Artist Award: Frank Corbiserie of Batavia
GO Art!: “When we think of vision, we think of someone who sees not just what is, but what could be. Frank Corbiserie, this year’s Visionary Artist Award recipient, has brought something entirely new to Batavia: a thriving stand-up comedy scene.
“Before Frank, you had to go to Buffalo or Rochester to find local comedy. Now, thanks to his passion and talent, we can laugh, connect, and discover local comedic voices right here in our own community. He’s not only hilarious himself, but he’s also a builder of spaces—literal and creative—where joy happens. Frank, thank you for making us laugh and believe in the power of the arts to transform community.”
Volunteers of the Year: Thea Anderson & Kyle Moore
GO Art!: “The Volunteers of the Year, Thea Anderson and Kyle Moore, represent the spirit of selfless dedication. Whether it’s helping set up events, managing behind-the-scenes logistics, or simply showing up again and again with a can-do attitude and a love for the arts—they make things happen. Volunteers are the heartbeat of nonprofit arts organizations, and Thea and Kyle beat strong and steady. We’re incredibly grateful for their contributions.”
ALBION – Listen for the peal of the Courthouse Bell in Albion at noon on Tuesday April 15, 2025!
