By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 10:15 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Some crab apples by the western entrance of Mount Albion Cemetery are pictured today. The ice-coated landscape has proven popular in photos on social media in the local community.
Warming temperatures overnight should melt the ice. Here are some more ice photos. (I couldn’t resist.)
These branches at Mount Albion are hanging in there with the Ingersoll Fountain in the background.
Icicles hang off the Ingersoll Fountain.
The stone dog at Mount Albion has a coating of ice (and a nice collar).
These big trees have held their ground at Mount Albion, Albion’s historic cemetery on Route 31.
There were a lot of branches down at the cemetery.
The street signs at the cemetery have icicles hanging down.
Down the road from Mount Albion is St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. This bench was hit with freezing rain which turned into icicles and ice.
The statue of Jesus at St. Joseph’s also was covered in ice.
WASHINGTON, DC – By reintroducing the Second Amendment Guarantee Act, Congressman Chris Collins continues his effort to protect the Second Amendment rights of all New Yorkers by limiting a state’s authority when it comes to regulating rifles and shotguns.
The Collins’ bill would prevent states from implementing any regulations on weapons that are more restrictive than what is required by federal law. Passage of this bill would void most of the language included in New York’s Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act of 2013 signed into law by Governor Cuomo.
“Governor Cuomo unjustly took away the Second Amendment rights from law-abiding New Yorkers with his so-called SAFE Act,” said Collins. “ I have and always will be a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and my legislation will guarantee that New Yorkers have the rights guaranteed to them in the Constitution.”
The SAFE Act violates federal regulations because it imposed rifle and shotgun bans that possess certain features. It also banned the capacity of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and limiting magazines to 7 rounds at any time.
Any current or future laws enacted by a state that exceeds federal law for rifles and shotguns would be voided under the Collins’ legislation. Should a state violate this law and a plaintiff goes to court, the court will award the prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney’s fee in addition to any other damages.
Program will help address opioid crisis in community
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
BROCKPORT – Oak Orchard Health has been awarded $456,953 by the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System in response to a proposal submitted to the FLPPS System Transformation Fund.
The funding request was made to create a program that offers non-opioid pain therapy options for their patients. While patients will be educated on effective alternative pain treatments, this program will help address the opioid crisis in the community.
OOH provides a model of care that integrates patient-centered primary care, behavioral health, dental and vision services – treating the whole patient and focusing on wellness and prevention.
OOH believes that the alternative pain therapy program can help to prevent opioid addition that results from acute or chronic pain and they plan to provide convenient alternatives to treat and manage pain, some of which might include osteopathy, music therapy and massage therapy.
“The intent is to not only reduce hospitalizations and higher cost treatments for pain management and possible complications, but also to mitigate loss of life and mental wellness complications related to opioid addiction, an unintended consequence of opioid prescription,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, chief executive officer of Oak Orchard Health.
The organization has healthcare sites in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport, Warsaw and Hornell. Staff will begin planning for the program immediately.
“This program presents patients the opportunity to take advantage of wellness options and alternative methods to manage symptoms – working together with their health care providers and therapists as a team,” Pettibon said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 5:15 pm
ALBION – An Albion man who pleaded guilty to second-degree rape was sentenced today to 4 years in state prison.
Christopher Pressley, 35, admitted to having sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl last December. Pressley was 34 at the time.
He is a second felony offender with a previous assault conviction. He could have faced a maximum of 3 to 7 years in state prison. As part of the plea agreement, he faced a maximum of 4 years in prison, as well as 10 years of post-release supervision.
Judge Sanford Church gave Pressley the maximum sentence allowed through the plea agreement.
He also will be a registered sex offender.
In other cases in County Court:
• An Albion man who violated an order of protection against an ex-girlfriend when he broke into her residence, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt in the first degree and could be sentenced to 1 ½ to 4 years in state prison on April 4.
Brian Beach, 47, was to stay away from the woman. He admitted in court he was aware of the order of protection.
• Edwin King, 58, of the Bronx pleaded guilty to attempted promoting prison contraband, a class D felony.
He admitted to sending suboxone to an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison.
King, as a first-time felony offender, faces up to 1 to 3 years in prison, but could also get a lesser a sentence.
• Jeremy Hodge, 33, of Albion was arraigned for aggravated driving while intoxicated and two counts of DWI after he was arrested in Clarendon on Jan. 1 and allegedly registered a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.30 percent, nearly four times the legal limit.
• Marina Zeppetella, 18, of Albion was arraigned for third- and fourth-degree grand larceny for allegedly taking a credit card and buying about $3,500 worth of items.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 2:39 pm
High wind warning also in effect from midnight to 5 p.m. Friday
Orleans County now has a flood watch to contend with through 7 a.m. on Friday. Orleans joins several WNY counties in the flood watch.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo warns that ice jams will again be a concern as river ice starts to break up with notably higher temperatures today and tonight. That will result in additional runoff from melting ice combined with recent rainfall. In addition, rivers and creeks may reach minor flood stage.
Orleans County also has a high wind warning in effect from midnight to 5 p.m. Friday. The southwest winds will be from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
Ron Ricker of the Albion DPW moves a large branch that fell on McKinistry Street. Ricker said there were only a few spots around the village with large limbs down, including several at Mount Albion Cemetery. He hopes the warming temperatures melt the ice on the trees before the high winds hit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 2:04 pm
ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 60 days in the Orleans County Jail and 3 years of probation after he admitted to being involved in his wife’s fatal drug overdose on Dec. 18, 2017.
Kevin J. McMullen, 32, of West Lee Road pleaded guilty to attempted criminally neglect homicide. The crime is a level A misdemeanor.
McMullen said in court on Nov. 26 that he took his wife, Megan, to Rochester on Dec. 18 to purchase what they believed was heroin. When they brought the drug, the seller warned them it was a strong drug.
It was actually fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is often added to heroin to make it more potent.
Mrs. McMullen would overdose twice, on the way home and then at her home, and was revived by her husband.
The two took the drug again after the second overdose. Mr. McMullen fell asleep and woke up to find his wife was deceased and could not be revived.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said McMullen failed to get medical assistance for Megan and provided her with a drug despite the warning of its danger, especially after she overdosed the first time.
McMullen could have called for medical assistance without fear of arrest for an overdose because of the Good Samaritan Law, Cardone said in court.
McMullen acknowledged in court on Nov. 26, when he pleaded guilty, to being involved in the activities that led to his wife’s death.
McMullen was arrested on Sept. 3 following a nearly nine-month investigation by the Albion Police Department.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 1:57 pm
ALBION – The Albion teen-ager who broke into his grandmother’s home and stabbed her was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison today.
The teen has been granted youthful offender, meaning his record is sealed and his name shouldn’t be publicized.
The 17-year-old admitted in court on Nov. 26 to breaking into his grandmother’s home in Albion during the night on July 8. The teen pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and faced up to 4 years in state prison.
Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church gave the teen a minimum of 1 1/3 years in prison and a maximum of 4 years.
The 17-year-old admitted to entering his grandmother’s house through a window. He said he took money from her purse. He was in the kitchen when he heard her wake up. He then panicked and stabbed her with a knife at least twice, he told the judge in November.
The grandmother has recovered from her injuries. Her grandson won’t face the more serious charge for assault.
The 17-year-old said he was under the influence of alcohol that night. Orleans County Sheriff’s investigators said the 17-year-old stole $23 cash and the victim’s cell phone. He then climbed out a different window and fled the scene.
After a several hour search by law enforcement that night, the teen was found at 6 the following morning by the bushes at Burger King.
His grandmother, while bleeding profusely, was able to leave the residence and drive to Medina Memorial Hospital. She was then transported to the Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight.
The 17-year-old has no prior criminal record. He has been in the Orleans County Jail on $25,000 cash bail.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 12:01 pm
The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has been awarded a state grant for $4,672,255 to construct a new 25-bed intensive residential substance use disorder treatment program for women and their children.
The grant is among $204 million in state funding to support 95 projects that will protect and transform New York State’s health care system, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.
This funding from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the State.
“While the federal administration has spent two years working to roll back healthcare access, we are investing more than ever in programs and facilities to ensure New Yorkers get the high-quality services they need,” Governor Cuomo said. “These investments in cutting-edge infrastructure will expand 21st century healthcare options in every corner of the state and improve the health and wellbeing of families for decades to come.”
The funding was awarded under the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program, which was enacted as part of the FY 2018 Budget. These awards continue the state’s commitment to preserve and expand essential healthcare services in communities throughout New York State.
In addition, the Governor’s 2019-20 Executive Budget will authorize the Department of Health to allocate up to $300 million of the $525 million in Health Care Facility Transformation Funds authorized in the 2018-19 Enacted Budget to support project applications from health care providers that were not awarded grants during this round of funding.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 8:48 am
Winter weather advisory in effect until noon
There is a winter weather advisory until noon today for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Genesee, northern Erie and Lewis counties due to light freezing rain and freezing drizzle.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo urges people to use caution while driving and walking on sidewalks.
A high wind watch also is in effect this evening through Friday afternoon for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.
There will be southwest winds from 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, the National Weather Service said.
“Strong wind gusts will bring down trees and power lines and result in scattered power outages,” the Weather Service said. “Minor property damage is also possible, especially to roofs and siding. Travel in high profile vehicles will be very difficult at times.”
Today is forecast for a high of 42 followed by highs of 32 on Friday, 23 on Saturday and 29 on Sunday.
Here are some additional photos of the ice storm.
Ice coats the railing on the east side of the Main Street lift bridge in Albion.
Icicles hang on the bottom of the steps on the staircase of the Main Street lift bridge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2019 at 5:58 am
Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina school districts are all on a 2-hour delay this morning. The districts have cancelled morning prekindergarten and the a.m. BOCES.
Kendall said the delay is due to poor visibility and low-lying branches.
Those districts all cancelled after-school activities on Wednesday due to icy road conditions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2019 at 8:46 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This tree fell on a trailer on Bayberry Lane at Oak Orchard Estates in Albion at about 7:45 p.m.
The tree didn’t appear to cause much damage to the home of Tim and Linda Good. Mr. Good said there wasn’t any damage inside the trailer.
He said he expects they will stay there tonight with the tree being removed on Thursday.
“It sounded like it was raining and then there was a boom,” he said about the tree falling. “It sounded like a jet was flying over our house.”
Good went outside to see a tree had fallen.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t be this,” he said.
Harry Papponetti, Albion’s fire chief, said no other trees fell in Albion, although lots of branches and wires came down. Papponetti said he is concerned about more trees falling overnight due to the soft soil and ice-coated branches.
There were several trees that fell around Orleans County today including some that blocked roads in Clarendon on Orleans-Monroe Countyline Road and in Murray on the same road, as well as Horan Road in Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2019 at 7:44 pm
Apple exports were down 30% or about $300 million last year
Photo by Tom Rivers: SnapDragon apples are pictured on Tuesday at the Albion Tops.
Export sales of apples grown in the U.S. plunged 30 percent or about $300 million last year. The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is urging President Donald Trump to resolve trade disputes and promote the U.S. agricultural sector.
Orleans County is the second-leading apple growing county in the state, behind only Wayne County, and New York is the country’s second-leading apple producing state, behind Washington.
“The U.S. Apple Association welcomes President Trump’s State of the Union remarks on the importance of trade, especially as it pertains to the agriculture sector,” Jim Bair, president and CEO of USApple, said in a news release. “With more than 30 percent of fresh apples destined for overseas markets, trade policies play a critical role in the health of the apple industry.”
U.S. Apple said Mexico and Canada are leading export markets for apples, totaling nearly $500 million in sales. The association supports ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
“The agreement is good for apples as it maintains duty-free access and other important provisions from the North American Free Trade Agreement, including dispute resolution,” Blair said. “However, because of current trade disputes regarding U.S.-imposed section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, and resulting retaliatory tariffs by our major trading partners, apple exports are down 30 percent, or about $300 million. Exports to our number one market Mexico are down 23 percent, and down 70 percent and 40 percent respectively to growth markets India and China.”
USApple is asking Congress to ratify the USMCA and the Trump Administration to remove the steel and aluminum tariffs on important trading partners, particularly Mexico and Canada.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2019 at 5:22 pm
Joe Sidari is the son of Medina mayor
Michelle and Joe Sidari will be featured on House Hunters tonight at 10 as they look for their home in the Rochester area.
A Medina native and his wife will be featured on the “House Hunters” show tonight at 10. Joe and Michelle Sidari look at three houses before making their choice.
The couple shares their journey in whittling down debt to be in a position to buy a house.
The couple met at St. John Fisher College, where Joe played football. They both graduated in 2009. Joe is a business teacher at the Ganada school district. His wife sells Mary Kay cosmetic products.
They have been married since 2010.
Joe is the son of Medina Mayor Mike Sidari and his wife Brenda.
“They’re very busy and they have a lot of fun together,” Mike Sidari said. “I can’t wait to go to the viewing party to watch it.”
The mayor said he watched some of the taping of the show. He was told for every 500 minutes of footage, only 5 minutes will be aired. The TV crew was with Joe and Michelle for five days.
The HGTV show is on Spectrum Cable Channel 56 and Channel 44 in Medina.
House Hunters promotes the episode by saying: “First-time buyers are on the hunt for a home in Rochester, New York. She’s looking for a place with a home office near the city but he’s hoping for a big backyard and a little privacy farther out. Most of all, this young couple just needs more room to start their family.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2019 at 3:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s been a tough day to get around outside with roads, sidewalks and driveways covered in ice. Even the Ronald McDonald statue outside the Albion McDonald’s is coated in ice with some long icicles.
Here are some other photos around Albion.
A branch is pictured across from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion on West Park Street.
The neighborhood watch sign on West Park Street
A railing in front of the Post Office in Albion
The County Courthouse looms in the back of this photo of a tree on Main Street.
Icicles hang low on this vehicle at the Post Office.
Press Release, Orleans and Genesee County Public Health Departments
Paul Pettit
ALBANY – New York’s county health officials on Tuesday urged Legislative leaders to issue a “call to action” to counter elements of the Governor’s 2019-2020 Executive Budget proposal that significantly underfund local health departments which will be critical partners in implementing new health policies, including legalized recreational marijuana, “Tobacco 21” and an expanded child lead poisoning prevention plan.
The public health officials’ concerns were shared in formal testimony by the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO), presented at the joint Legislative hearing on the health sections of the Executive’s 2019- 2020 budget proposal.
While lauding policy elements of the Governor’s budget plan, including the expanded lead exposure prevention plan and raising the legal tobacco use age to 21, NYSACHO President Paul Pettit told members of the Legislature that the proposal cuts millions from public health, under what is known as Article 6 funding, while significantly increasing the obligations of local health departments. Pettit also is the public health director for Orleans and Genesee counties.
“We’re asking the Legislature to initiate a call to action for a reinvestment of resources into public health and safety infrastructure in New York State through bolstered funding of Article 6. By doing so, you will be demonstrating your commitment to public health preparedness and safety measures aimed to protect residents of New York State,” testified Pettit, who is also the Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans counties.
Pettit told legislators that local health departments (LHDs) have “reached a tipping point” and require additional resources to adequately maintain core public health services, address emerging threats, and respond to new policies. Specifically, NYSACHO highlighted the following priorities:
Restoration of the proposed cut to State Aid Reimbursement for NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which would reduce the percent of reimbursement above the base grant from 36% to 20%. This cut would strike a severe blow to the core public health services protecting 43% of our state’s citizens.
Allocation of additional resources to Article 6 base grants to ensure crucial public health services can be deployed and sustained.
Consideration of a slow and cautious approach to legalization of an adult-use marijuana program with the interest of public health and mental health at the forefront of decision making by:
Ensuring local health departments receive flexible funding to expand work-force capacity. Protecting public health must be the first major pillar of a regulated marijuana program and must be funded sufficiently to ensure harm reduction.
Guaranteeing local health departments, through NYSACHO, have a seat at the table as regulations and policies are developed.
Support for, and reinforcement of the Executive’s proposal to adopt Tobacco 21 policy statewide and all components of the tobacco control package which will protect millions of New Yorkers from exposure to dangerous tobacco products.
Recognition that unfunded public health policy results in poor policy. Local health departments are committed to supporting and carrying out effective public health policy, but the success of new or expanded policies can only be achieved with investments in Article 6 state aid, or within flexible grant programs to allow for effective implementation at the local level.
Early Intervention: NYSACHO supports the proposed 5% rate increase for targeted service providers. Though it remains to be proven whether or not this rate increase will improve provider capacity, we believe this increase may prevent further erosion of existing capacity. Furthermore, the proposed budget does not yet account for this rate increase in cost to localities.
Lead Poisoning Prevention: NYSACHO supports lead poisoning prevention efforts to lower the actionable blood lead level to 5 ug/dl. However, local health departments must be resourced with sufficient and flexible funding if we are to implement the expanded work this will require on the local level. NYSACHO conceptually supports primary lead poisoning prevention activities, including those such as the Governor’s lead safe housing policy. However, to adopt such a policy without providing the resources local health departments will need for effective implementation would doom the policy to certain failure.
