Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Abby Allen plays RJ in a musical written and produced by students in a high school introduction to theater class. The play is based on a children’s book – “The worst day of my life ever!” – that was read by elementary students. She is making pancakes in the kitchen but they don’t turn out well because she didn’t follow the recipe.

The high school students performed a 20-minute musical, acting out scenes and dialogue from the book, for elementary students in the high school LGI.

RJ is the main character in the book by Julia Cook, an author who visited the school earlier this year. RJ is having a rough day. He wakes up with gum stuck in his hair, misses recess because he’s late to school, earns a zero on his math homework and messes up his mother’s kitchen.

Gary Simboli, the theater teacher, gives an overview of the musical based on the book he is holding. Simboli is addressing students on Jan. 18, when the class performed in front of 260 students.

The book teaches fundamental social skills of listening and following instructions. When RJ learns to use these skills the right way, he has a much better day.

The theater class created the musical after a suggestion from Jennifer Ashbery, vice principal in the elementary school.

Simboli is the bus driver as the school day starts for students, from left: April Henchen, Evelina Alexandris, Dyllan Beach, Colby Ferchen and Shamar Jakes.

The class has 10 students. They created the set for the musical. Abby Allen and Aubrey Boyer wrote the script for show.

The performance by the students was the final exam for the class.

Annabella Salisbury plays the teacher in the musical. She is frustrated with RJ for not listening to instructions. Salisbury also wrote the score, overture and lyrics for the music in the show.

The students created this large banner that includes principles in the book. The left side has the following tips for listening: Look right at the person talking to you. Please do not speak until she is through. Show that you’ve heard what she’s trying to say, by nodding your head and saying, “okay.”

The right side has advice for following instructions, including: Look right at the person who is talking to you. Say “okay” to the person as soon as he is through. Do what you have been asked, and do it right now! When you are finished, check back with them.

ALBANY – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is pushing to have a vote in the Assembly to allow a public referendum throughout the state, asking whether the state should be divided into two states.

Hawley has pushed for the vote for several years. He wrote the letter to Heastie on Tuesday, motivated to “as a result of the high flux of controversial legislation that has passed the Assembly in recent weeks including expanding abortion, free college for illegal aliens and stricter gun control.”

Hawley is asking Heastie to help bring the “Two New Yorks” legislation through committee and come to the house floor for a full vote.

“This is an idea that has been discussed for many years, and one which is especially popular throughout upstate New York,” Hawley said in a news release. “It has become abundantly clear in recent years that the New York City voting bloc has forgotten upstate and is imposing their radical left-wing agenda on all of us, whether we like it or not. And that is deeply troubling. This bill simply gives citizens a say on the direction of their state. If downstate politicians really don’t need upstate, as many of them claim, then there’s no harm in at least asking the question if we should be divided.”

In his letter to Heastie on Jan. 29, Hawley writes:

“ I am respectfully requesting you to help facilitate reporting my legislation, A. 1687, out of the Local Governments Committee on to the floor for a vote.

“A.1687 would provide for a non-binding referendum on the question ‘Should New York be divided into two States?’ to ascertain from our constituents their thoughts on the division of New York into two separate states. This bill would help us and our citizens to gauge the support, or lack of support, for this initiative. I have received a myriad of contacts on this issue — especially in light of the measures that have been jettisoned through the Legislature in the past two weeks. Many believe we already have ‘Two New Yorks.’”

ALBION – Orleans County government offices will be closed on Wednesday due to the inclement weather and extreme cold temperatures, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said.

Although the county buildings will be closed, some employees should report to work including county dispatchers, jail employees, deputies on the road patrol and highway department workers.

Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower has issued a travel advisory for all of Orleans County until further notice.

The National Weather Service also has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the county with bitterly cold wind chills from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday.

There could be 7 to 13 inches of snow during the storm and wind chills as low as minus 30. The heavy snow with gusty winds will create white-out conditions.

“Please use extreme caution if you must travel,” Bower said.

Travel advisory also issued for Niagara County

The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and the Niagara County Office of Emergency Management have issued a travel advisory for all of Niagara County, beginning at 9 p.m. Tuesday and effective until further notice. The National Weather Service is forecasting frigid temperatures and high winds causing reduced visibility.

A travel advisory is a strong suggestion but not a ban on travel. Drivers are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary travel due to the conditions with this winter storm.

Niagara County officials are asking residents to use caution if they must travel over the next two days. Residents should be ready to withstand power outages due to the potential for ice and wind damage.

Albion and Lyndonville both will close school on Wednesday

MEDINA – Medina Central School will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. The area could get a foot of snow and temperatures aren’t expected to get out of the single digits both days.

The Orleans County Christian School, which meets at the Alabama Full Gospel Church in Shelby, also will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

(UPDATED 8:05 p.m.) Albion and Lyndonville have both announced school will be closed on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Mary Woodruff: The late Willis Burr Woodruff, a former Medina resident, is honored on one of the banners in Alfred in Allegany County.

MEDINA – Portraits of Medina residents who served in the military will be displayed on utility poles in Medina by Memorial Day. The banners of “Hometown Heroes” are expected to be up until past Veterans Day in November.

The Medina Village Board approved the program on Monday. Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, is leading the effort. She pushed for it after her late father-in-law Willis Burr Woodruff was featured on a banner in his hometown of Alfred.

That banner was unveiled in the spring through a project that also including neighboring Almond in Allegany County. Woodruff served in World War II. He later ran the local Agway plants in Knowlesville and Batavia.

His daughter-in-law liked the patriotic display and wanted to see a similar effort in Medina. The towns of Ridgeway and Shelby also have endorsed the “Hometown Heroes” with their highway crews offering to help the Medina DPW put up the banners and the hardware to hold them in place.

Woodruff said the first group of 35-50 banners should be up by Memorial Day. The banners have red and blue borders with a portrait of the featured veteran, as well as the vet’s name, time of service, branch of military, and honors.

“Can you see the effect when the Medina Marching Band comes through on Memorial Day?” Woodruff told the Village Board. “There won’t be a dry eye.”

Anyone from Medina who served in the military, past or present, is eligible to be featured on a banner. There is a $200 charge to be honor someone with a banner. The vinyl banners are double-sided and 5 feet tall by 2 ½ feet wide.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mary Woodruff addresses the Medina Village Board on Monday. Jada Burgess, deputy village clerk, is in background.

Woodruff said she wants the program to be ongoing, with more veterans added each year.

“Let the world see we are proud of our men and women who have served and fought for our country’s freedoms,” she said.

There is a Feb. 15 deadline to order a banner to be up in time for this Memorial Day. The banners will go on Main Street including in the downtown, East Center Street, West Center Street, Pearl Street and Park Avenue.

The banners are expected to last about three years. Woodruff would like to see the banners moved around each year so the same veteran isn’t in the same spot.

She plans to keep the banner program going “for as long as people are interested in honoring their family or friend veterans.”

Application forms are available at the Medina Village Office, Ridgeway Town Hall, Shelby Town Hall and English Rose Tea Shoppe.

For more information, send Woodruff an email at mbwoodruff16@gmail.com.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina will add a pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on a busy and dangerous section of Maple Ridge Road.

The Village Board on Monday approved accepting funds from the Town of Shelby for the project. The money comes from a revolving loan fund from the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

The EDA is giving money to municipalities from a fund that needs to be discontinued. The state is requiring economic development agencies to shut down the revolving loans funds.

The state is allowing the funds to go back to the municipalities where there were projects that borrowed funds and then paid them back.

Shelby is due to receive $130,000 of the money from the revolving loan fund. The Town Board agreed to give those funds to village to go towards the bridge. Medina also will contribute some of its own money from a fund that has been dormant for several years.

The projects need to be considered by the state as a benefit to low-to-moderate income residents. Any project that improves handicapped accessibility automatically qualifies from the state, Whipple said.

The pedestrian bridge has been sought by the village for several years but Medina hasn’t received grants which would have also added sidewalks to Maple Ridge, which has become more popular for pedestrians with new businesses and also the presence of a GCC campus center.

Mayor Mike Sidari said area by the creek is narrow and seems to funnel pedestrians close to the road. It has been identified as a safety concern for several years.

The EDA has other money from the revolving loan fund to give to local municipalities. The towns or villages need to approve a project that meets state guidelines by March 31 or else the money goes back to the state Office of Community Renewal.

• Orleans County is due to receive about $200,000. The county has several projects it is considering but hasn’t settled on one yet, Whipple said.

• The Town of Yates will receive about $9,000 and will use that to improve handicapped accessibility at the town hall and parking lot.

• The Town of Albion has about $40,000 coming and has agreed to give the money to village to make Bullard Park more handicapped accessible.

• The Village of Holley is due about $115,000 and hasn’t determined how it use the funds yet, Whipple said.

MEDINA – Medina Central School is cancelling after-school activities today.

Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, said the community is contended with a “double whammy” of cold weather plus a snow band from Buffalo that is hitting Shelby.

ALBION – Dogs at the Orleans County Animal Shelter are now being trained by inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility in a partnership between the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The county has two dogs staying in a dorm at the women’s prison for 12 weeks. Inmates will teach the dogs obedience, socialization and help make the dogs house-broken for when they go to their “forever homes,” said Kathy Smith, the county’s animal control officer.

The program is similar to one at the Orleans Correctional Facility, which trains dogs from the Genesee County Animal Shelter in Batavia. That men’s prison graduated its first class of trained dogs in October.

Susan Squires, the Albion Correctional Facility superintendent, saw the success of that prison and welcomed the program at the women’s prison.

Kelly Kukucka will work with the inmates, helping them to train the dogs, which will stay in a dorm at the prison in crates.

“It’s wonderful program,” Smith said today. “It’s a win for everybody.”

There will be three inmates working closely with each of the dogs. There is a lead handler and then two backup handlers for each dog. That gives the dogs lots of attention.

Working with the dogs also is good for the inmates.

“It gives them a feeling of accomplishment,” Smith said. “It also helps them deal with things in real life. They might feel frustrated and get upset because the animals aren’t doing what they want. You’re going to run into that in real life.”

The County Legislature last week approved the program, saying it is “a mutually beneficial program designed to enhance vocational skills to inmates and to make possible the adoption of trained canines.”

Anonymous donor will lead fund-raising effort for $150,000 project

MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday approved a plan to upgrade Pine Street Park, adding a splash pad, new playground equipment and pathway that would include flowers and butterfly gardens.

An anonymous donor is leading the fund-raising effort for the improvements, which would be about $150,000. The Orleans Renaissance Group is helping to facilitate the fundraising.

Ben Frasier, a project manager for Parkitects in Buffalo, went over the proposal with the Village Board. The layout can be tweaked after consultation with Joe Perry, the DPW superintendent.

Pine Street Park is off Park Avenue across from the Olde Pickle Factory. The park currently doesn’t have too many amenities. Frasier said new playground equipment and the path with flowers and butterfly gardens could be the focus this year with the splash pad to follow, unless all of the fundraising comes together quickly. If the money is lined up soon, the park improvements could all happen this year.

The splash pad would be a smaller one, with a touch system to activate the water. Some of the water from the splash pad could be directed to water the flowers and the gardens.

Most of the park would remain open space to be used as a baseball field and for pickup soccer games.

There currently is a splash pad in Orleans County. Parkitects is also working with Albion to add a larger splash pad at Bullard Park this year. A state grant is covering most of the costs for that project.

A new playground and path are also planned for the park.

A winter weather advisory starts at 4 p.m. today and continues until 1 p.m. Wednesday for Orleans and Niagara counties, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

Lake effect snow is expected and dangerously cold wind chills are possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches is expected in the most persistent lake snows.

Winds could gust as high as 40 miles per hour and wind chills as low as 25 below zero also are possible.

The Weather Service says travel could be very difficult, and the hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes.

Press Release, U.S. Postal Service

The forecast calls for heavy snow, strong winds, and treacherous conditions. Yet, postal carriers will make every reasonable attempt to deliver letters and packages to western NY customers.

The U.S. Postal Service is once again asking customers for their assistance by clearing snow and ice from walkways, driveways, porches and areas around the mailbox.

“Slips, trips and falls continue to be the most frequent type of injury sustained by our carriers,” said Western NY District Manager Jean Lovejoy. “As winter conditions worsen, so do the number of accidents. By simply clearing the way, customers help reduce the risk.”

Please help mail carriers provide the best delivery service possible, as safely as possible. They will thank you, every step of the way!

The Western NY District covers ZIP Codes beginning with 140 through 149.

Steve Cooley shakes hands with Fire Chief Tom Lupo after the chief pinned the lieutenant’s badge on Cooley. Lupo will be retiring as fire chief on April 30.

MEDINA – The Village Board promoted to veteran firefighters to lieutenants during this evening’s Village Board meeting. Michael Young and Steve Cooley both are moving up in the ranks.

Young has worked for the Fire Department for 12 years while Cooley has been with Medina for nine years. They will work opposite shifts helping to lead the department.

Both were praised for their dedication and skills they bring to the department by Fire Chief Tom Lupo.

The fire chief also submitted a letter notifying the board of his intention to retire on April 30. Lupo has been working as fire chief since March 28, 2016. He stepped in the position in a part-time role for up to 30 hours a week while he was also the assistant chief at the Lockport Fire Department.

Lupo was brought in to provide leadership to the department on a short-term basis. The village will replace him with a full-time chief and Medina wants to have the successor ready before Lupo leaves on April 30, Mayor Michael Sidari said.

The position will be posted through Civil Service.

The mayor said Lupo has been a hard-worker who has made a big impact at the Fire Department.

“Thank you for what you’ve done for us, the department and the village,” Sidari told Lupo at the meeting, where the board accepted his resignation “with our sincere regrets.”

Lupo told the board he appreciated the chance to serve the department as fire chief.

“The opportunity that the Village Board gave me to lead the Medina Fire Department as Chief has been one of the best experiences of my professional career,” Lupo wrote in a Jan. 14 letter to Mayor Sidari. “The experience I have gained from working for the Village has been wonderful. I could not ask for a better place of employment. The village as a whole is absolutely beautiful. The whole area seems to be on an upward arc. I hope in some small way, I helped in the resurgence.”

“It is truly refreshing to see a governing body that cares about its workforce and places a high value on team work and respect,” Lupo continued in his letter. “The esprit de corps among the village workforce is great to see. I feel the fire department will function as well under the current cadre of officers as it has during my tenure.”

Harriet Petrie honored for 50 years in the Ladies Auxiliary

Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower and Harriet Petrie share a hug after she was recognized for 50 years of active membership.

RIDGEWAY – A woman who has been an active member of the Ridgeway Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary for 50 years was among those honored Saturday night at the annual installation banquet at Ridgeway Firemen’s Recreation Hall.

Harriet Petrie received a cake, flowers, kudos and hugs from fire company and auxiliary members, as well as a citation from Assemblyman Stephen Hawley on behalf of the New York State Assembly.

“Service like hers is rare,” said Auxiliary president Tracey Hendrick, who also named Petrie as the Auxiliary Member of the Year. “Any time anyone needs her, Harriet is there.”

Harriet’s late husband Larry would also have been a 50-year member of the fire company this year, and it has been a tradition since his death for his family to present a gift in his memory to the fire company.

This year, they gave a set of four bar stools, as well as money for memorial flowers for the newborn baby of Glen and Valerie Busch, who have been active volunteers with the fire company.

David Green of East Shelby acted as master of ceremonies for the evening and installed Executive Committee officers.

They are president, Chantelle Kidney; vice president, April Fearby; treasurer, Samantha Raduns; secretary, Charlie Smith; directors, Francis Woodward, Joe Forder and Kyle Morgan; and sergeant-at-arms, Zach Blackburn.

The 2019 Fire Company officers of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company are sworn in by Dale Banker, director of Orleans County Emergency Management, at their banquet Saturday night.

Orleans County Emergency management director Dale Banker installed fire company officers for 2019.

They are chief, Patrick Kelly; deputy chief, Jason Bessel; 1st assistant chief, Kristin McAdoo; 2nd asst. chief, Matt Natale; captain, Tyler Luckman; lieutenant, Kyle Morgan; and fire police captain, Rick Harmer.

Ladies Auxiliary officers installed by Karen Kaiser are president, Tracey Hendrick; vice president, Melissa Hansler; treasurer/secretary, Joelle Brown; and chaplain, Harriet Petrie.

Ridgeway Fire Chief Jason Bessel, center, chose Captain Tyler Luckman, left, and Lt. Kyle Morgan as Firefighters of the Year.

McAdoo became the first women in the history of the fire department to serve in a chief’s position, when she was named 2nd asst. chief two years ago. This year she rose to 1st asst. chief.

She really isn’t aspiring to become chief, as she still has children at home and teaches full time at Brockport State College. And she knows the amount of time and dedication is required as chief.

A memorial service honored two members lost during the past year – Carol Palmer and Shelly DeHollander, as well as Hudson Busch, the newborn son of Glen and Valerie Busch.

Samantha Raduns receives the President’s Award from Charlie Smith for joining the fire company and stepping into the role of treasurer.

Charlie Smith chose Samantha Raduns as recipient of his President’s Award. When he walked in the bank where she worked and mentioned he had no one take over as treasurer, she joined the fire company and accepted the position.

Jason Bessel named two members as “Firefighters of the Year.” They are Tyler Luckman and Kyle Morgan.

Henry Charache was recognized by Bessel for all he does behind the scenes to benefit the fire company.

Certificates were presented for years of membership, with Darwin Sills being the longest standing member at 55 years. Gary Blackburn has been a member for 45 years, followed by William Bale and Jim Marciszewski with 40 years.

McAdoo and Bessel passed out certificates for hours of training. Members amassed a total of 186 hours of training.

Chantelle Kidney and Zach Blackburn completed the required 190-hour EMT course.

Tommy Rushing is a new EMT who successfully treated a woman whose knee had been dislocated. That procedure has just recently been approved for EMTs to perform.

Tracey Hendrick and Melissa Harmer presented a monetary donation to the fire company. She thanked the entire auxiliary for their willingness to step up when needed.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Footprints are in a path linking the Erie Canal towpath and Brown Street in Albion in this photo from Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill watch from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon for Orleans County.

There could be wind chills as low as 25 below zero, the Weather Service said.

“The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes,” the Weather Service said. “This is a potentially dangerous situation to be outdoors. If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 25 below zero or colder.”

Tuesday is forecast to reach a high of 31 but the temperature will plunge to 5 overnight. Wednesday and Thursday the high will only get up to 7 degrees.

Friday is forecast for a high of 15 followed by a high of 24 on Saturday.