MURRAY – A problem with a high-tension power line in Monroe County in the Brockport area is the cause for the power outage in Murray, not a car accident, as was earlier reported by the Orleans Hub.
There was a car accident this morning at North Main Street near Telegraph Road. That happened at about the same time as the outage from Monroe County which also affected part of Murray.
The power has been restored to Murray, according to National Grid.
Photo from Woody Candy, a new Buffalo-based 1950’s rock and roll/rockabilly band.
MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will kick off its winter concert series – Finally Fridays – this Friday at 7 p.m. The 10-week concert series continues until March 8.
The series doesn’t charge for admission. Lee-Whedon started Finally Fridays in January 2002 and is very popular with Medina residents as well as residents in neighboring communities, said Catherine Cooper, the library director.
“We look forward to greeting all of our music-loving friends on January 4th,” she said. “This will be our eighteenth year, believe it or not. We provide a unique opportunity for people to sit and enjoy live music and for musicians to play to an attentive and focused audience.”
Wood Candy, a new Buffalo-based 1950’s rock and roll/rockabilly band fronted by Buffalo singer-songwriter Rob Falgiano, will start the series on Friday. The 5-piece group (guitar/bass/drums/piano/sax) performs a fun, up tempo mix of Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Ray Charles, and Jerry Lee Lewis, among other era luminaries.
The full schedule includes:
• January 4 – Wood Candy
• January 11 – Creek Bend Bluegrass
• January 18 – The Red Blazer Men’s Chorus
• January 25 – Tom Stahl & the Dangerfields
• February 1 – Dave North & Marc Loan
• February 8 – “A” Blues Band
• February 15 – Corfu Community Band
• February 22 – Paul Zittle & Pure Country
• March 1 – Crash Cadillac
• March 8 – Ron & Nancy One Song
Finally Fridays! is made possible by funding from the New York State Council on the Arts. The musical series is also co-sponsored by The Friends of the Library.
The Albion and Holley police departments both have signs letting the public know the sites are Safe haven sites. The Albion PD is located at 106 North Platt St. and the Holley PD is at 8 Thomas St.
Press Release, Roland Nenni, Police Chief for Albion and Holley police departments
The Albion and Holley police departments in conjunction with Project Stork Inc. are proud to announce the recent designation and training for both agencies as Safe Haven locations.
New York State Law provides that a distressed parent who is unable or unwilling to care for his or her infant can give up custody of a baby that is 30 days old or less – no questions asked.
The parent must simply bring the infant to a safe haven location and make sure a person is located to give the child. As long as the child shows no signs of intentional abuse, no name or other information is required.
The officers and staff of both the Albion and Holley police departments were given training on the law and the procedure on how to handle an infant being turned over.
Signs have also been placed outside of both police stations indicating that the stations are Safe Haven locations. Each station also has a complete kit of supplies needed to care for an infant until other trained personnel arrive. These kits include items such as diapers, formula, clothing and other essential items.
I would like to thank the founder of Project Stork Inc., Jenny Staebell, for providing the signs and infant kits to the two police departments for this potentially lifesaving option to a distressed parent.
Thanks to the Safe Haven Law no one ever has to abandon a child again. For more information on the Safe Haven law in New York, click here.
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The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind watch from Monday evening through Tuesday morning for Orleans County and most of Western New York.
Southwest winds will be from 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 60 to 65 mph, the Weather Service said.
Strong wind gusts may bring down trees and power lines and result in numerous power outages on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Minor property damage is also possible, especially to roofs and siding. Travel in high-profile vehicles will be very difficult at times, the Weather Service said.
BARRE – The State Police dive team found a missing Barre man this morning. Robert Arnett, 71, was found deceased in a pond behind his home on Quaker Hill Road.
That area near the pond had been searched on Saturday. The dive team was brought in today to check nearby ponds.
Arnett was found at about 10 a.m. He had been missing since Friday at about 7 p.m. A missing vulnerable adult alert was cancelled at 10:35 this morning.
Arnett suffered from Alzheimer’s.
About 150 people were out this morning on the search, including state forest rangers, conservation officers, state troopers, deputies, K9 teams and firefighters from 12 departments in Orleans and Genesee counties.
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – A bloodhound with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office tries to pick up the scent of a missing Barre man this morning on Maple Street near Route 98.
There are about 150 people out looking this morning for Robert Arnett, who was last seen at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Robert M. Arnett
State conservation officers, forest rangers, state troopers, Orleans County deputies and many volunteer firefighters from a dozen departments gathered at the Barre Fire Hall about 8 a.m. before breaking into groups to resume the search.
Arnett was first reported missing at 10 p.m. on Friday. At that point he had been gone for about three hours from his home on Quaker Hill Road (Route 98).
Arnett suffers from Alzheimer’s and requires medication. He has gone missing before. He went outside to look for the family’s cat on Friday evening. The cat came in but Arnett did not. He has been known to take long walks and return home.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office put out a missing person alert on Saturday morning for Arnett. He may be wearing a navy T-shirt, light jean jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. He is approximately 5’ 11’’ and 200 pounds with gray hair, gray facial hair and brown eyes.
State forest rangers today are assisting the Barre Volunteer Fire Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. The fire department already has created a grid, showing where people have looked.
Anyone who has seen or had contact with Arnett is urged to call the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at (585) 589-5527.
Volunteer firefighters assemble this morning at the Barre Fire Hall and prepare to search for a Barre man who has been missing since Friday night.
Oakfield firefighters brought all-terrain vehicles for the search. There are wetlands and wooded areas nearby.
Robert M. Arnett
BARRE – About 150 people spent many hours today in an unsuccessful search to find Robert M. Arnett, a Barre man with dementia who was last seen at 7 p.m. on Friday.
There were 132 volunteer firefighters who were part of the search today, a dozen DEC conservation officers, seven Orleans County deputies, two state troopers and several state forest rangers. There also were drones used by the State Police, DEC and Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.
The search will continue on Sunday morning at 8.
“We’ve done an exhaustive search in the immediate area,” said James Neal, chief of the Barre Volunteer Fire Company. “We’ll get some sleep and start over tomorrow.”
Arnett was first reported missing at 10 p.m. on Friday. At that point he had been gone for about three hours from his home on Quaker Hill Road (Route 98).
A Niagara County K9 may have detected Arnett’s scent near the Barre fire hall and Barre Presbyterian Church on Route 98, about ¾ mile north of Arnett’s residence. The dog followed the scent on Friday night to the firehall and church and then it seemed to vanish, Neal said.
Arnett suffers from Alzheimer’s and requires medication. He has gone missing before, Neal said, but was having a good day on Friday. He went outside to look for the family’s cat. The cat came in but Arnett did not.
Arnett’s family doesn’t think he would have got in a car with someone because he is leery of strangers and other people, Neal said.
Clarendon firefighters put an off-road vehicle back in a trailer after they were out trying to locate a Barre man who has dementia.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office put out a missing person alert this morning for Arnett. He may be wearing a navy T-shirt, light jean jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. He is approximately 5’ 11’’ and 200 pounds with gray hair, gray facial hair and brown eyes.
About 30 first responders looked for Arnett last night from about 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. That number grew five-fold this morning and afternoon.
State forest rangers will assist the Barre Volunteer Fire Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday. The fire department already has created a grid, showing where people have looked.
Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management director, said he appreciates that so many volunteer firefighters were out trying to find Arnett today.
“I am totally impressed that we have 132 people here, especially these days when fire departments have a shortage of manpower,” Banker said.
Anyone who has seen or had contact with Arnett is urged to call the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at (585) 589-5527.
Robert M. Arnett
BARRE – There is a big search underway for a Barre man who went missing on Friday evening.
Robert M. Arnett, 71, was last seen at his home on Quaker Hill Road at about 7 p.m. He suffers from Alzheimer’s and requires medication. He may be wearing a navy T-shirt, light jean jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. He is approximately 5’ 11’’ and 200 pounds with gray hair, gray facial hair and brown eyes.
There were about 30 first responders looking for Arnett last night from about 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Firefighters and law enforcement have reassembled this morning at the Barre fire hall and are out looking for Arnett. The fire departments have off-road vehicles while law enforcement agencies have K9 units.
Michael Mele, chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, said the State Police will have a drone out and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department will also provide air support with the search when the weather improves.
Anyone who may have seen Arnett or had contact with him is urged to call the Orleans County sheriff’s Office at (585) 589-5527.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Each year I pick some of my favorite “people pictures” during the past year. This one of a girl plugging her ears on June 9 is at the top of the list for 2018. She is pictured during the 32nd annual Strawberry Festival Parade in Albion while fire trucks head down Main Street with their sirens going. The parade included many marching bands, drum corps, community floats, classic cars and other entertainers.
Here are some other Orleans County moments during 2018:
Darryl Szklany of the Albion Fire Department was among the firefighters who responded to a fire on Jan. 4 on Ridge Road in Gaines. Several fire departments responded to the scene and had to contend with snow and temperatures in the teens.
Nate Grammatico and his grandfather Mike Grammatico, a retired Albion music teacher, play their saxophones during a benefit for Matt Grammatico, who is Nate’s dad and Mike’s son. Matt, 45, is awaiting a heart and liver transplant. The community had a benefit for the Grammatico family on Jan. 27 at the Carlton Recreation Hall. There was enough food for 1,000 dinners and more than 100 gift baskets were raffled off.
A young spectator watches a bonfire start at a pile of Christmas trees at Bullard Park in Albion on Feb. 10. The snow-covered trees were slow to become engulfed in flames. The bonfire capped a series of snow competitions and games at Bullard Park. There was sledding, snowboarding and a snowman competition, as well as food and other games.
Father Dan Fawls, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Medina and Middleport, led an Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina. For the first time since 1945, Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine’s Day. Fawls, with ashes on his forehead, also served communion during the service at St. Mary’s. He said the ashes are a reminder that “you are dust and from dust you will return.” However, faith in Jesus Christ offers the hope of eternal life, Fawls said.
Albion girl varsity basketball players celebrate on Feb. 20 after a 50-38 victory over Olean in the Section VI Class B1 playoff opener. Elisabeth Baker jumped into the arms of Cassidy Wolcott when the final buzzer rang.
Feb. 28 was the last day of business for Alicia Hogan as owner of O’Brien’s Tavern on Main Street in Medina. Hogan, left, is pictured with her daughter Allie Hogan at O’Brien’s just before an open mic night. The Irish pub has a long tradition in Medina, with Hogan saying the site has been a bar for more than a century.
Students at Holley Junior-Senior High School held a 17-minute memorial observance on March 14 in the auditorium. The Humanities class in the high school created 17 posters of the victims from the shooting a month earlier at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Members of the class made the posters, and included the victims’ photographs, age, and information about their hobbies and activities at school. “They’re not just names,” said Matt DeSimone, a member of the Humanities class and also the senior class president.
Qasim Huzair starred as Uncle Fester in the Medina-Lyndonville’s production of The Addams Family. Huzair, shown on March 25, is performing with the Ancestors. He sings about his love for the Moon. Huzair won a “best supporting actor” award from the Stars of Tomorrow and the show won an “outstanding musical” award at the Stars of Tomorrow competition in Rochester.
There was a morning blast of snow on April 10, which annoyed many people after a long, hard winter. This photo shows a kid getting on an Albion school bus on East Park Street.
Makayla Heideman, a freshman, brought her hedgehog, Sonic, to the Medina FFA’s Animal Appreciation Day on April 26. The hedgehog is about 2 months old. This was the first time a hedgehog was part of the Medina FFA animal showcase. About 1,000 students stopped by the FFA to see the animals, which in size from a small mouse to as big as a Morgan horse.
Stacey Kirby Steward works on a large mural of Santa Claus in a sleigh flying over the Courthouse Square and downtown Albion. She is pictured on April 26 inside the Albion fire hall. The 24-foot-long mural was installed in downtown Albion in June.
Gangrel, a former WWF wrestler, raises his arms after defeating Gregory Iron in the main event on April 28 at the “Fairgrounds Fallout” at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. There were about 10 matches in the three-hour show, which featured independent professional wrestlers. About 350 people attended the wrestling matches, which was a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Jeremiah Knight joins his daughter McKinley, 9, for a dance on May 5 at the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy recital at the Albion Middle School Auditorium.
A member of the NYS Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band plays on May 31 during a dedication for a new memorial at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion. The memorial is in honor of 13 employees who died while they were active employees at the medium-security men’s prison.
Al Capurso portrays a pioneer on this float by the Orleans County Historical Association on June 9 during the Strawberry Festival Parade in Albion. Capurso and the Historical Society won a special recognition award for community service by judges of the parade.
Dan Doctor, director of community outreach for Medina Central School, was keynote speaker at a “moving forward” service on June 10 evening for Medina’s Class of 2018. The service was like a baccalaureate with a religious message and blessing. Doctor wore his collar as an ordained elder for Ephesus Ministries in Buffalo. He praised his mother, now 92, for being so devoted in her prayer life, lifting up her nine children. Doctor urged students to have a prayer life, even if it is a whisper.
Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 in Lyndonville, led a flag retirement ceremony on June 14 at Lynhaven Cemetery. Three veterans from the American Legion – Joe Hausler, Carl Boyle and Goodrich – burned 2,300 of the American flags. Goodrich is shown holding a flag he has kept for 23 years. It was flown in South Carolina at the Naval Hospital Beaufort. He was given the flag on his last day of active duty. He served in the Navy for 10 years. Goodrich said the flag became faded in the center and the seams ripped. He said the flag should have been retired a few years ago but he couldn’t bear to part with it. “There is a time to let go,” he said. “Now is the time.”
Hayley Farewell gets a hug from teacher David Stacey during a graduation and achievement night on June 14 for the Orleans County Christian School. Farewell delivered the graduate address on Thursday. She has been a student at the school for eight years, and praised the staff for their support, especially since her mother, Christina Ashton, died on June 27, 2016.
The school celebrated the graduation of three students, bringing the number to 32 who have graduated from the school since it started in 1996. OCCS used the former Medina High School, which was purchased by the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, for the past 17 years. The former high school building was purchased to become apartments. The Christian school in September went to a new home, the Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship on South Gravel Road in Shelby.
Cheryl Mowatt smiles on her last day as a reference librarian at Hoag Library in Albion on June 18. She was a steady presence at Albion’s public library for 33 years. She is wearing a card that says, “Keep calm and ask someone else I’m retiring.” Mowatt typically worked at the front desk, ready to answer a question or help people track down answers. “I’ve met many interesting people in the 33 years. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s kind of like being a detective. I like the challenge.”
Salvador Solis is hugged by Holley Board of Education member Melissa Ierlan during commencement on June 23, when 89 students graduated from Holley. The school usually holds commencement outside at the Holley Hawks Stadium but the event was moved inside to the auditorium due to rain.
Janeen Denero and her children – Colton Ferris and Aubree Flanagan – of Kendall were among about 100 people who made birdhouses on July 2 at Hoag Library in Albion. Jim Babcock Construction helped make birdhouses for 63 children and 43 adults. Most of the crowd had cleared out when Denero and her kids painted their birdhouses. The activity was part of the summer reading program at the library.
Leah Pawlak, a member of the Rotary Lions team in the Albion Midget League, takes a practice swing before it was her turn to bat on July 20. The Rotary Lions defeated Sandstone Park to advance to the championship game.
Jack Cecchini of Medina is in the show ring with his pig on July 28 during the 4-H Animal Meat Auction at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Zack Welker lets the auctioneer know a bidder has the price going up. The auction included winning bids totaling $17,096.
Damian Alexin, center, and Jesse Seeler are ready to serve customers at the new Holley Falls Bar & Grill. They are shown on Aug. 4. The business started serving some customers on Aug. 2 with a “soft opening.” Dan and Monica Seeler, owners of the restaurant, opened the business to the community on Aug. 6 after a major transformation of a historic downtown building. The Seelers worked on the project for five years. “No one can believe it’s the same place,” Mr. Seeler said.
Robert Wagner, an Albion police officer, did a demonstration with Rex, the department’s K9 on Aug 7 during the fourth annual National Night Out in Orleans County. Wagner had Rex sit and show obedience. Rex also found a ball that one of the children hid in the field as part of the demonstration. About 1,000 people attended National Night Out, which provided a chance to meet local law enforcement agencies, fire departments and numerous agencies that provide services to people in need.
Anthony Chavers of Newfane plays Buddy, the lead role in Elf Jr. The Musical. He is shown on Aug. 10, opening night of the musical at Roy-Hart High Scholl Auditorium. There were 45 children in the cast for the Lake Plains Players, which put on the show for its five-week summer theater camp for children in Orleans and Niagara counties. This photo shows Buddy singing “Happy All The Time,” the opening number of the musical.
Nicole Boldt of the South Byron Fire Company uses a Hurst cutter to break apart the back end of a vehicle on Aug. 21. The South Byron firefighters practiced with the extrication tools alongside firefighters from Clarendon. About 200 firefighters from three counties practiced extrication drills at Lyons Collision. This was the sixth annual event at Lyons which included demonstrations and drills.
Terry Buchwald, an Elvis Presley impersonator for the past 28 years, sings “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” while dancing with Fonda Carr of Barre. Buchwald performed on Sept. 5 at Medina’s annual Super Cruise when a section of Main Street is closed to traffic and instead filled with classic cars.
Scott Caraboolad, leader of the Ride 4 Life stunt bike ministry, burns a tire that left red smoke in the air near the end of a stunt bike show on a closed off section of East State Street in front of the Orleans County Courthouse. Caraboolad and three other daring riders performed many tricks on their motorcycles in front of a crowd of about 400 people on Sept. 14 in Albion. Caraboolad said the show was “a celebration of life and a celebration of the future.” He urged people struggling with addiction or misery to find help.
Anna Halpa, the drum major for the Webster High School Marching Band, practices with the band at halftime during the fall Festival of Bands at Medina on Sept. 22. Webster was one of 10 bands that performed at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Medina. The bands performed for about three hours. Medina had the highest score on the night.
Judy Larkin of Ridgeway and Bill Ott of Lockport both portrayed Joe Vagg, a blacksmith, during the second annual Ghost Walk on Oct. 7 at the Cobblestone Museum. Larkin and Ott are both members of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths. A cast of about 40 people portrayed characters from the community’s past during the Ghost Walk.
Dave Skrip works with Albion lineman during a practice on Oct. 9. Skrip, a 2008 Albion graduate, returned to his alma mater to teach high school social studies. He was part of a coaching staff that led the team to an 8-1 record in 2018.
T. Jones, an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, works with Richie in a new canine training program at the prison. They are shown on Oct. 9 during a graduation program. The Orleans Correctional Facility celebrated the first class of a canine training program where inmates served as handlers for rescue dogs. The debut class lasted 13 weeks. The three dogs that were taught obedience and socialization are now available to be adopted to a “forever family.”
T. Jones said he lost 10 pounds through the program, by walking the dog and leading it through the obedience training. Jones said his blood pressure also went down. More importantly, he said, he welcomed the chance to be responsible and care for an animal. “I’ve learned to be patient and caring,” Jones said during the graduation ceremony. “I hope all of the dogs find their forever home.”
A fisherman tries to catch a salmon or trout on Oct. 11 at Johnson Creek near the Lyndonville Dam. The fall salmon and trout run attracts many out-of-state fishermen to the county. This angler is shown near the dam while the sun is setting just before 7 p.m.
Kyla Kegler of Buffalo created “Thin Space” for an art exhibit at the former Medina High School on Oct. 13. She welcomed people to get in the space with the balloons. The former school was transformed by 29 artists for a special three-day show. The “PLAY/GROUND” initiative gave artists free rein to create in old classrooms, stairwells, hallways and other space in the school.
Bruce Deyarmin of Medina and his son Austin, 2, get in line on Oct. 26 for the annual Beggar’s Night in Medina, when local business owners hand out candy on the Friday before Halloween. Austin wanted to be a firefighter for the event. Organizers said at least 800 kids were dressed up in costumes.
A throng of Kendall community members welcomed home the 2018 Class D state girls soccer champions on Nov. 11 at the Kendall Junior-Senior High School. The Kendall girls won the first team state title in the school’s history after defeating Fort Ann 1-0 in a game at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Their bus was escorted into Kendall by fire trucks.
Nelson Leehouts, chairman and CEO of Home Leasing, stands in front of the former Holley High School on Dec. 11 when the community, and local, state and federal officials gathered for a “preservation celebration” for the building. Home Leasing has started construction on a $17 million transformation of the former school, turning the building into 41 apartments for senior citizens and also the new village offices for Holley.
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 51
ALBION – This photograph, taken September 7, 1925, shows the Western New York Province 8 Klonverse held at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on the western end of the Village of Albion. The term klonverse is likely foreign to most readers, as it should be, since the term was used to describe a convention of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
Pulled from a collection of negatives within the Department of History, the photograph shows a number of robed men intermingled with common folk at the conclusion of a parade through Albion. Papers throughout Western New York published news of the impending gathering, the Buffalo Evening News noting that this particular meeting was the first of its kind in Orleans County.
Chester Harding, president of the Orleans County Agricultural Society, rented the fairgrounds to the Klan for $100 “…and considerable criticism [was] heard of the action,” and Hiram Wesley Evans, Imperial Wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan from Atlanta, Georgia, was scheduled to headline the festivities. Local members of the Klan applied for the parade permit and village officials barred any Klansmen from marching with their faces covered; state police and local officers were present to keep the peace.
The parade of approximately 900 members commenced at 5 o’clock in the afternoon and a modest crowd of 500 gathered to watch the procession. Three bands and two floats escorted Klan members, all adorned in their white robes, as they processed through the streets. Residents who lined the streets to observe the spectacle did so out of curiosity, either never seeing a Klan parade before or hoping to catch a glimpse of the unmasked participants. As the parade reached the fairgrounds, only members and those with cards given to them by members were permitted to enter the event; a $.25 entry fee was charged. National and state organization leaders spoke to members in the evening, preceded by the burning of a massive cross and induction of new members into the Klan.
Aside from the shocking nature of such a meeting, a Buffalo resident by the name of Julius Grass stirred up extra commotion at the conclusion of the parade. Losing control of his automobile, Grass struck Nelson Spears of Middleport and 68-year-old Melvin Waterbury of Lyndonville. Perhaps more interesting than the accident itself was the mention in the paper that both victims were Klansmen, the only mention of any local member of the organization by name. Waterbury suffered a concussion and Spears a broken leg.
Bill Lattin wrote an article about this same event in Bethinking of Old Orleans (v. 14, no. 35, 1992) and concluded his story by writing, “very little is known of the organization locally.” Such statement appears to be true, but a relatively limited history of the Ku Klux Klan is discernable from local papers despite the secret nature of the organization.
On May 15, 1924, the Medina Tribune noted the intent of men in Lyndonville to organize a Klan in that area (the word Klan was used to describe a local “chapter”). Nearly three months later, a large KKK float participated in a festival parade in Lyndonville organized by local Masons. Members mounted the float with placards on which the objectives of the organization were printed. The Medina Daily Journal noted that “this [was] the first public appearance of the Klan in connection with a community celebration in this section of the state.”
Early Klan activity was limited to residents traveling to Genesee County, where they participated with activities in those areas. Evidence does suggest that the Klan was active enough in certain townships to support political candidates. Several months after the Klonverse, local papers printed the results of local elections in which Ross Hollenbeck defeated Fred H. Rhodey for Sheriff of Orleans County. The Buffalo Evening News ran this story with the headline, “Klan Candidate for Sheriff Assured of Election by 3200 Votes.” Klansmen in several towns offered their support to Hollenbeck in the months leading up to the election, suggesting that this particular gathering in September may have increased local activity.
Many will be surprised to read that the Ku Klux Klan was active in Orleans County, although the exact extent of that activity is unknown. Focused on upholding Prohibition and fighting moral wrongs, a series of events impacting the Klan in other states contributed to a sharp decline in membership and thus local activity would die out by the 1930s.
Press Release, Roland Nenni, Police Chief for Albion and Holley police departments
Photo courtesy Albion Police Department: Albion Police Officer Daryl Robb trains with one of the new AEDs.
The Albion and Holley police departments are proud to announce the addition of Automatic External Defibrillators, commonly known as AEDs, to all police patrol vehicles in both departments as well as units in each police station.
All Albion and Holley police officers and civilian staff have also been certified by the American Heart Association by attending the Heart Saver AED/CPR course.
The AEDs and training were funded by a Community Health Grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. The total cost of the AEDs and training was $11,335. Without this funding the life-saving tools would not have been possible.
The Albion Police Department and Holley Police Department first respond to all emergency medical calls in their respective jurisdictions. Albion and Holley officers arrive on scene within minutes of a medical emergency, often well before EMS personnel arrive. Officers will now have the life-saving tools needed during these medical responses. The citizens of the communities we serve will have a greater chance of survival when a person goes into cardiac arrest because of our new capabilities.
The AHA Heart Saver AED/CPR course that was taught to all officers and staff also comes with a Basic First Aid component. With this added training means an added level of care that will be provided to patients of medical emergencies.
I am very happy that we now have this added lifesaving ability. I am so proud that our officers see themselves as true public servants and as life savers, not just as law enforcement officers.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion police and firefighters respond to an accident just before 1 this afternoon when an elderly driver drove over the curb and ran into Tease, a hair salon at 12 East Bank St.
The driver didn’t appear to have a medical issue. She apparently made a mistake and hit the gas pedal, an Albion police officer said. She was looked at by COVA personnel and she signed off without needing treatment.
Kylie Hughson is the owner of Tease. She was inside with three customers when the car hit near the front door, shifting the door frame.
“It was a big boom and the whole building shook,” she said.
Ron Vendetti, Albion’s code enforcement officer, is the owner of the building. He called Jim Babcock, a local contractor, to make the repairs to the door frame. It will need to be pushed back into place. Babcock said a cast iron post seemed to absorb the blow.
He will work on the building after Hughson takes care of her customers. Babcock said he expects to have the door frame back in place in time for Hughson to open the business on Saturday.
Firefighters and police officers push the car back onto East Bank Street.
Press Release, NYS Canal Corporation
ALBANY—The New York State Canal Corporation announced earlier this month it has made $1 million in grants throughout the state for projects that raise awareness about the Canal System’s rich heritage as well as initiatives to enhance canal trails on land and water.
The grants were made as part of $763 million awarded by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo following recommendations from the State’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils.
“This is an exceptional group of grantees whose enthusiasm for furthering the legacy of New York’s canals was immediately apparent in their applications,” said Brian U. Stratton, Canal Corporation director. “We look forward to working with them to fulfill their vision for how to make the canal experience more impactful and memorable.”
The grants will fund a portion of each project. Additional funds are expected to come from a mix of public and private sources. Some projects received additional grants from other state agencies. The projects include:
• Seneca Chief Replica ($150,000). The Buffalo Maritime Center seeks to create a historically accurate replica of the Seneca Chief, the packet boat that led the flotilla for the 1825 official opening of the Erie Canal and carried Governor DeWitt Clinton from Buffalo to New York Harbor. The boat will be built at the Inner Harbor in Buffalo in full public view
• Amsterdam Boardwalk ($150,000). This project is a key component of a $30 million brownfield revitalization development and part of the City of Amsterdam’s recent designation as a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative community. The project includes an elevated pedestrian boardwalk and community space adjacent to the Erie Canal and connect new neighborhoods and developments on Amsterdam’s historic south side to the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook
• Newark Trail Connector ($150,000). The Finger Lakes village of Newark in Wayne County will improve about 1.6 miles of Erie Canalway Trail that is currently too narrow, lacks wayfinding signage and is susceptible to erosion. The trail will be widened and outfitted with lighting between the Edgett Road Bridge to the Port of Newark and downtown business district
• Fairport Canalside Accessibility ($150,000). On the north bank in the Monroe County village of Fairport, new docks accessible to the disabled will be installed, along with an accessible kayak launch, regraded boat ramp, observation deck, wayfinding, an information kiosk and new lighting and landscaping. Enhancements along the south bank include a new park that will feature an interpretive heritage trail to celebrate the Erie Canal bicentennial.
• Fulton Canal Corridor ($150,000). This project will help construct two multi-use trails along the Oswego Canal, the Pathfinder Canal Towpath Trail and the Canalview Bridge Walk Trail. It will build upon work already completed in the village of Fulton, such as the Indian Point Landing gazebo as well as the downtown Canal Landing marina, gazebo and park.
Lockport Locks Heritage District: Lewiston artist Susan Geissler has been commissioned to create cast bronze life-sculptures of the 12 Lock tenders, plus a daughter of one of the lock tenders and the photographer taking the picture of the group. The completed sculptures will be installed on the very stairs in the Lockport Locks where the lock tenders were photographed over 150 years ago. The project will be phased in over several years and could cost $1.1 million altogether.
• Lockport Locks Sculptures ($125,000). This project seeks to honor an iconic 19th-century photograph of Erie Canal lock tenders on the steps of the old Flight of Five locks in Lockport, by creating 14 life-sized bronze sculptures of those same lock tenders. These sculptures will enhance the experience of visitors travelling to Lockport to see the restored famed “Flight of Five”, the double lock E-34/35 of the New York State Canal System and other attractions.
• New Trail Signage ($95,359). Signage throughout the canal corridor will identify water trail access points, historic sites and canal infrastructure that can be visited during a water trip. The project by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, will complement the release of a new guidebook, a navigational map set and website updates that will identify launch points and trail blazers.
• Ithaca Waterfront ($29,575). Ithaca will partner with a private developer, City Harbor LLC, to improve the Cayuga Lake waterfront. The project will include housing, seawall construction and new boat slips. Ithaca will also develop a public promenade, a connector path to the Ithaca Waterfront Trail and electric car charging. Ithaca is at the southern end of the Canal System, connected by the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and the navigation channel through Cayuga Lake.
Photos courtesy of Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition
MEDINA – The Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition held a free family roller skating event on Thursday afternoon at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina.
There were over 250 youth and parents who attended what has become an annual event just after Christmas.
This year a Hawaiian Luau theme was included in the event with prizes awarded to youth who dressed up Hawaiian. Youth could also have some fun at the free photo booth with Hawaiian props included.
Volunteers from Medina Area Association of Churches attended and helped collect a total of 225 non-perishable food items from attendees to donate to the two food pantries in Medina.
New this year, participants also had the opportunity to watch a showing of the Disney movie “Moana” during the event sponsored by Tobacco Free GLOW.
The Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition said the event would not be been possible without the support of Medina Area Association of Churches, Orleans YMCA and Tobacco Free GLOW.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved 2 percent raises for some elected and appointed officials following a public hearing last week.
Some of those employees also will be receiving longevity bonuses.
The Legislature every year needs to have a public hearing and vote if it will raise the salaries for some of the elected and appointed officials.
The positions affected in the resolution from the Legislature include the following:
• County attorney, $84,596
• County clerk $82,275, plus $1,750 longevity bonus for 25-29 years of service
• County treasurer, $71,593, plus $1,250 longevity bonus for 20-24 years of service
• Director of personnel, $89,431, plus $500 for 15-19 years of service
• Public defender, $84,596
• Real property tax director, $75,687, plus $200 for 10 years of service
• Sheriff, $82,275, plus $1,750 for 25-29 years of service
• Social services commissioner, $97,208
• Coroners, $2,008, plus $100 per case and $50 per Hospice case
