LOCKPORT – Computer technology students were able to get an up close look at the Yahoo! facility in Lockport. The customer care and data center helps to take care of the over 1 billion consumers around the world with their hundreds of thousands of servers. Yahoo! also employs almost 200 people at the site.
Morgan Hahn, a senior in the program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center in Medina, was impressed with the Yahoo! site.
“I think it was a good opportunity for the class to see what kind of jobs are available,” she said.
Josh Magrum added, “I loved it. It is one of the places that I dreamed of working at. The server room was really huge and awesome. I was looking at all the hard drives in the server and they were four terabits a line. It was crazy!”
Joe Meaney said they got to see things they weren’t expecting to.
“We got to see a bunch of stuff that we didn’t know that they had, like where they worked and the server room,” Meaney said. “The crazy amount of heat coming off the servers and how they cool them. They use the cold air from outside, which in Buffalo we have a lot of.”
Justin Corser added, “I really liked it. It was awesome to see a huge data center and our tour guide told us some awesome stories like how one time the entire thing crashed and how he fixed it. It was really cool, especially because I want to go into cybersecurity and that was really applicable.”
Teacher Mr. Herrmann explained, “They lost 500 million records from Yahoo!, but had it all backed up on tapes, compressed data that took five days to get.”
Corser continued, “I would be very interested in working there. They have free breakfast and lunches. They had Macs and Linux operating systems. It was awesome!”
Mr. Herrmann said it was a great opportunity for his students and he is very grateful to Yahoo! for opening their doors to them.
“What a way to see how a data center works from the inside,” he said. “It was awesome to see a major corporation like Yahoo!”
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The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County Health Departments are challenging county residents to choose “Healthy Behaviors” during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Dec. 2-8. ’Tis the season of influenza (flu), where keeping hands clean and covering up coughs/sneezes are friendly ways of not spreading the flu to others.
We are encouraging everyone who can to get the flu shot this year as a good way to be safe from the flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that a flu vaccination has many benefits, which can prevent you from getting sick with the flu.
CDC also states that during the 2017-2018 flu season the flu vaccine prevented 49 million flu illnesses, 79,000 deaths and 960,000 flu-related hospitalizations. For anyone over 6 months old, please get the flu shot as a healthy and safe gift to yourself and your family this holiday season. Being vaccinated will help to protect babies (less than 6 months old) and individuals with medical conditions who cannot receive the flu vaccine.
It takes about two weeks after getting the flu vaccine for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so making plans now is a wise choice. Per the CDC, children aged 6 months to 8 years old require 2 doses of flu vaccine (administered ≥ 4 weeks apart) if they have never been vaccinated against flu before, their vaccination history is unknown, or they haven’t received 2 doses before July 1, 2016.
“Influenza activity is increasing each week throughout New York State,” stated Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans. “Laboratory cases so far this season have been confirmed in Genesee and Wyoming counties.”
Tips to stay healthy during the flu season:
• Wash your hands throughout the day with soap and water, or sanitizer when you’re not by a sink.
• Cover up coughs and sneezes with your arm or tissue. Be sure to wash your hands after a cough or sneeze.
• Limit handshaking and hugs during the flu season.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched items, including but not limited to, phones, computers, other electronic items, countertops/surfaces, door knobs and toys.
To learn more about the flu visit the New York State Department of Health web site, click here.
For information about the Orleans County Health Department services, call (585) 589-3278 or check out the website. Visit Facebook at: Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments and Twitter: @GoHealthNY.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) released the following statement:
“On December 7, we pause and reflect on the courageous lives that were lost 77 years ago in the attack on the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; a day that changed American foreign policy forever.
“Although the U.S. had been actively supplying some allied combatants at the time, we sought to remain neutral and were successful until December 7, 1941, when Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack against our naval base at Pearl Harbor just after dawn, claiming thousands of American lives and propelling the U.S. into another international conflict, World War II.
“We shall never forget the thousands of brave Americans who lost their lives defending our values, our freedom and our sovereignty on that fateful morning, and their memory stands as a testament and unfortunate reality that although we may seek peace and cooperation on the world stage, the forces of evil will stop at nothing to end the American dream.
“Pearl Harbor stands as a stark reminder that our nation’s freedom wasn’t given to us, it was earned through the bloodshed, courage and sacrifice of patriots and ordinary citizens willing to fight for an ideal bigger than themselves.
“We must remain vigilant and strong in the face of evil, and honoring Pearl Harbor Day each year reminds us why it is important to do so.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2018 at 8:52 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mary Anne Braunbach, president of the Friends of Hoag Library, serves chips in a spinach artichoke dip on Thursday evening during the Tasty Treats event at Hoag Library.
The popular fundraiser supports the library, including a new sign and flagpole that will be installed over the winter. That sign will have electronic messages to promote programs at the library. A state library construction grant for $47,000 will cover half of the cost.
Corinne Johnson, assistant manager at 39 Problems in Albion, serves some of the tasty treats prepared by the Albion restaurant, which is owned by her parents, Adam and Tina Johnson. 39 Problems prepared the spinach artichoke dip, sliders with smoked prime rib, and peanut butter pie.
Johnson, left, is joined by Gloria Nauden, Eileen Allen and Mary Anne Braunbach in serving the food.
The event included several raffles with many of the items and gift certificates donated by local businesses.
Gloria Nauden and Mary Anne Braunbach get the chips and dip ready for the crowd.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2018 at 7:50 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The New York State Capitol Building is shown in September 2013.
ALBANY – New York state legislators, the governor and other state-wide elected officials could get big pay raises.
The legislative pay commission recommended on Thursday that the 213 state legislators have their base salaries boosted from $79,500 to $110,000 in 2019, $120,000 in 2020 and to $130,000 in 2021. It would make the state legislators the highest paid in the nation.
This is the first pay hike for state legislators in 20 years unless legislators vote to reject the increase.
“I have never advocated for a pay increase, especially with so many hard-working New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet,” State Se. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, said in a statement. “I ran for office knowing the salary of my position and I accepted that. This past year, I voted against the budget bill that created the pay commission, and I already abide by the reforms recommended by the commission. Regardless of the salary, I will continue to dedicate my full attention to representing the people of my district in the same manner as I always have.”
The commission also voted to limit legislators’ outside income to 15 percent of the legislator salary or $19,500.
More details from the commission will be released on Monday. The commission includes current Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and three former comptrollers.
The governor, the lieutenant governor, attorney general and state comptroller also should get raises, according to the commission.
The New York governor will become the highest paid in the country, going from the current $178,000 to $250,000 in 2022. The salary would be phased in to $200,000 in 2019, $225,000 in 2020 and $250,000 in 2021.
The lieutenant governor’s salary would reach $220,000 in 2021, up from $151,500 now to $190,000 in 2019, $210,000 in 2020.
The salaries for the state comptroller and attorney general will increase from $151,500 in 2018 to $220,000 by 2021.
The Orleans County Farm Bureau was presented with four County Activity of Excellence awards at the New York Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, held December 4-5 in Syracuse.
The County Activity of Excellence awards are presented to county Farm Bureaus that have exhibited excellence in a variety of categories relating to effectiveness in agriculture promotion and outreach, leadership and county Farm Bureau management, legislative advocacy, and membership.
While at the State Annual Meeting, farmer members also took part in the grassroots process of laying the groundwork for the year ahead. More than 150 delegates from across New York proposed, discussed and voted on resolutions that will guide NYFB’s public policy agenda for 2019.
Orleans County Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community. The county is part of New York Farm Bureau, the largest agricultural advocacy group in New York State, known to members and the public as “The Voice of New York Agriculture.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 December 2018 at 8:43 pm
The second annual Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by the Cobblestone Society Museum last Saturday was again a huge success, said Cobblestone director Doug Farley.
“Attendance again this year was about 200 guests,” Farley said. “We added a bus tour option this year for those who don’t like to drive at night, and it was a big hit. Diane Palmer did a great job lining up homes for this year’s tour.”
Joe and Debbie Martillotta set their holiday table with place settings to look like snowmen. Their home was one of eight on the Cobblestone Society’s annual Christmas Tour of Homes.
Sherry Tuohey of Medina was one of those who opted to take the bus.
“That is definitely the way to go,” Tuohey said. “The tour was wonderful and the homes were absolutely beautiful.”
This is the first year Fair Haven Treasures has joined with the Cobblestone Society to participate in the tour. The Christmas, art, gift and antique shop is located across from the Cobblestone Museum in an 1834 home, built the same year as the cobblestone church. The name for the shop dates back to an earlier era when Childs was known as “Fair Haven.”
Farley said they already have commitments from home owners who want to be included in the tour of homes for 2019.
The Christmas Express was right on track at the DAR House in Albion, one of the stops on the Cobblestone Society’s Christmas Tour of Homes Saturday. Each car was named for a reindeer.
The Christmas tree in the home of Mary Anne Braunbach is decorated with sentimental ornaments related to her teaching career and dogs collected over the years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2018 at 8:32 pm
ALBION – A Medina man was arraigned in Orleans County Court this morning for criminally negligent homicide.
Kevin Lupiani, 40, allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign on July 24. He was driving a 1994 Ford flatbed truck at 10:30 p.m. that day when he allegedly caused the accident that resulted in the death of Matthew Gardner, 25, of Hamlin.
Lupiani pleaded not guilty to the charge, an E felony which carries a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.
In other arraignments before Judge Sanford Church this morning:
• An Albion man who allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s residence was arraigned on several charges for crimes on Oct. 24-26.
Brian Beach, 47, was to stay away from the woman, who had an order of protection against Beach.
Albion police sent their K-9 to the residence and Beach allegedly tried to punch the dog.
Beach is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, third-degree assault and petit larceny.
There will be a bail hearing on Tuesday morning, when the judge will also hear an argument from Beach’s attorney, Brian Degnan, that some of the charges should be dismissed because Beach already pleaded guilty in the Town Court and the latest charges represent “double jeopardy.”
Church set bail at $20,000 until Tuesday, when he said he would consider changing the amount. The judge also continued the order of protection for Beach’s ex-girlfriend.
• Andrew Walch, 33, of Holley was arraigned on two counts of driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and unlawful possession of marijuana.
He was charged on Sept. 21 when he was allegedly driving after using alcohol, cocaine and marijuana. He registered a Blood Alcohol Content of .10 percent.
The judge set bail at $2,500.
• Robin Miller, an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, was arraigned for aggravated harassment of an employee for allegedly throwing urine at a corrections officer. The E felony has a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.
The judge set bail for Miller at $20,000. She isn’t scheduled to be released until 2020.
• Angela Fields of Syracuse was arraigned for promoting prison contraband in the first degree and second degree for allegedly bringing Suboxone and other pills to the Albion Correctional Facility. She also was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Judge Church set bail at $20,000 for Miller, who has a previous felony and failure to appear in court.
• Najah Fields, an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, was arraigned for promoting prison contraband in the first and second degree. She allegedly had Angela Fields bring the Suboxone and pills to the prison.
Najah Fields is due to be released on Dec. 28. The judge set bail at $20,000.
In his continued effort to alleviate the stark difference in gasoline prices from county to county, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has called for action from current New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood and incoming Attorney General Letitia James in a letter sent last week.
Hawley is supporting several pieces of bi-partisan legislation aimed at reforming the General Business Law regulating zone pricing to protect consumers against unfair gasoline pricing practices. He plans to make such initiatives a priority come the start of the 2019 Session.
“I am fully aware that zone pricing is prohibited by General Business Law 399-ee but I also know that there are several flaws in the statute that precludes effective enforcement,” Hawley says in the letter. “In most instances Genesee and Orleans County gas prices range much higher than the surrounding counties. I have seen first-hand the pricing at gas stations in these counties priced $.15-$.25 more per gallon than the various stations located in the surrounding contiguous counties: Erie and Monroe.”
Gasoline retailers locally remain $0.10 – $0.20 per gallon higher than their counterparts in the Rochester area with many stations in Genesee and Orleans counties, which Hawley represents, averaging around $3 per gallon compared to the statewide average of $2.76 as pointed out by the Batavia Daily News.
Hawley finished the letter by requesting an investigation by the Attorney General, “I would appreciate your timely review and full investigation of this matter as well as any action that may be taken to bring this issue to a resolution.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2018 at 2:51 pm
ALBION – A Rochester man was sentenced to five years in state prison today for his role in selling an extremely lethal fentanyl that resulted many overdoses in Orleans County.
Giovanni M. Serrano, 19, previously pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. As part of a plea agreement, he faced a maximum of six years in prison.
Serrano apologized for selling the drug.
“I’m sorry for my actions,” he told Sanford Church, the County Court judge. “I have a bad drug problem and I was trying to support my habit.”
Serrano also needs to pay $1,400 in restitution to the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, as well as a $300 court surcharge, $25 crime victims fee and $50 DNA sampling fee.
He also will be on post-release supervision for two years.
A codefendant in the case was given a youthful offender adjudication and his record will be sealed. The man, who just turned 19, was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison, plus a one of post-release supervision.
That person, whose name shouldn’t be publicized for being a youthful offender, admitted he had been selling drugs for two years. He didn’t know he had sold fentanyl. He said he thought it was heroin.
His attorney, Joseph Damelio, said the young man was influenced by older people close to him that were selling drugs.
“He was a product of what was going on around him,” Damelio told the judge.
The defendant has already served seven months in the county jail. He recently passed his GED and “has a willingness to change.”
In other sentencings in court today:
• An Albion man was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison for driving while intoxicated. He was charged on July 26 in the Village of Albion with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.19 percent after getting into an accident with another vehicle.
Jason Perry, 36, has prior DWIs in 2014 and 2015, as well as driving while ability impaired in 2010.
“He has certainly at this point graduated himself to state prison,” said Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney.
He said Perry has arrests in Washington state and Pennsylvania.
Joanne Best, the public defender, said Perry is very remorseful. She asked for weekends in jail and probation for Perry so he could continue working.
He was also fined $1,000, and must pay a $250 assessment annually for three years, do 60 days of community service, pay a $300 court surcharge, $195 DWI surcharge and $25 crime victims fee.
• An inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison after pleading guilty to attempted prison contraband in the first degree. Shannon Wilson had her husband bring a controlled substance to the prison on May 5.
• Ridge A. Forrest, 27, of Harford in Cortland County was sentenced to five years of probation for trying to bring Suboxone into the Albion Correctional Facility in March 5.
He pleaded guilty to attempted promoting prison contraband in the fifth degree, a charge that carries a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.
Forrest brought the suboxone to the prison after his wife complained she needed the painkiller. Forrest isn’t allowed to visit her for two years, the Department of Corrections said.
Judge Church allowed Forrest to avoid jail so he could keep his job and continue supporting his son and also Forrest’s mother.
Forrest also needs to perform 40 hours of community service, and $375 for a court surcharge, crime victims fee and DNA fee.
• Jazmond Brady, 29, of Albion was sentenced to five years of probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He was charged in May for allegedly selling crack cocaine in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2018 at 11:49 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The reindeer in front of the Orleans County Clerks’ Building in Albion stands in the snow this morning with Main Street in the background.
The National Weather Service in buffalo has issued a winter weather advisory for Orleans County with 3 to 6 inches of snow expected to fall by 4 p.m.
“Winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour will create areas of blowing snow and greatly reduced visibilities at times,” the Weather Service said. “Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 December 2018 at 8:32 am
Contributed Photo – Lyndonville wrestling program founder Coach Fred Large is shown here with two of his sons, Bob, left, and Ron in this 1985 photo. The Tigers tournament on Saturday will honor his memory.
The Lyndonville High wrestling team will honor the memory of the program’s founder in a very special way Saturday as the Tigers host the inaugural Fred Large Memorial Invitational Tournament.
The JV and Varsity tournament will get underway at 9 a.m. with three mats being used in each of the two gyms. The Middle School gym in fact is named in honor of Large.
A total of 10 teams are entered in the Varsity Division including Holley, Medina, Akron, Livonia, Pavilion, Byron-Bergen, CSAT, Gow, Gilead and the host Tigers. In addition, the JV Division will also have wrestlers from St. Joe’s, Geneva and Greece.
Large came to Lyndonville in 1963 to teach science and in short order got the Tigers wrestling program going. He guided the Tigers for 15 years during which time they captured no less than nine Genesee Region League titles and one Section V title while compiling an impressive 226-60-4 record. That record included 47 match win streak at one point.
Large returned to mat side after a brief two year retirement and coached the Tigers for five more years and another Section V title. He finished his 20 years of coaching with over 250 career victories.
Large, who was inducted into the Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005, coached, and coached with, two of his sons, Bob and Ron.
On the occasion of his Hall of Fame induction Large’s long-time teaching and coaching partner Mark Hughes paid tribute to him when he said, “Fred is one of the most enthusiastic men I’ve ever met and not only for wrestling but for teaching. He just loves working with kids. He was a great coach. He really knew his stuff and he was a tremendous motivator. The kids really gravitated to him and he had the ability to get the best out of the kids. He was a real difference maker in a lot of kids lives.”
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a special weather statement saying that a band of moderate to heavy lake effect snow will affect the Buffalo metro area and the Northtowns, and then Orleans County, until 9:15 this morning.
The snow could fall at a rate of an inch an hour.
“Visibilities will drop quickly to a quarter of a mile or less in this band of lake effect snow,” the Weather Service said. “Anticipate roads to be snow covered, very slick and hazardous through the morning commute. Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Slow down and allow plenty of extra time to reach your destination.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 December 2018 at 8:07 am
A seamstress works on her handicraft last year at the Old Fashioned Christmas sponsored by East Shelby Community Bible Church. This year’s event on Sunday will follow an old-fashioned church service at 10:30 a.m.
EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Community Bible Church will sponsor its annual Old Fashioned Christmas from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The festive day will have a very special feature this year. The celebration is designed to give visitors the true meaning of Christmas and will follow an old-fashioned Christmas service at 10:30 a.m. in the historic church, with a giant Christmas tree donated by Stephen and Patricia Morse of Medina.
In 1992, the Morse’s daughter got a sapling with a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Her folks planted it in the garden at the front corner of their house, where it has been growing all these years.
The Morse’s have become dedicated followers of the East Shelby Church, where they sit in the front pew every Sunday. They decided to donate the 35-foot tree for the church’s Christmas celebration, where it sits proudly, all covered with festive lights and ornaments.
The day will feature a Christmas concert by the church’s band, known as the Band of Renown, followed by swag and garland making, demonstrations of old-time handicrafts, Dickens-style Christmas caroling in the miniature village of West Jackson Corners, horse and buggy rides, sampling of foods cooked over an open fire, kids’ crafts and hot chocolate and other Christmas treats.
A visit from Santa at 4 p.m. will conclude the day.
Pastor Erik Olsen leads the signing of Christmas carols during last year’s Old Fashioned Christmas celebration in West Jackson Corners, the miniature village built by the East Shelby Community Bible Church. This year’s celebration will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the church at 5278 East Shelby Rd.
This aerial map shows the former Bernzomatic facility on the east side of Medina.
MEDINA – A report about contamination at the former Bernzomatic site in Medina recommends cleanup of the property.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reviewing the Remedial Investigation Report for the former Bernzomatic. The report was submitted by Irwin Industrial Tool Company, c/o Newell Brands Inc., which used to operate a manufacturing plant at the site.
The report lists the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soils; metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater; Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in sub-slab vapor; and metals in sediment.
The DEC said the data indicates that past manufacturing operations at the site appear to have resulted in the release of VOCs, metals, and PAHs. All impacts are contained on-site with the greatest concentrations found in the former machining area, according to the DEC.
The DEC will complete its review, make any necessary revisions and, if appropriate, approve the investigation report, the agency said.
Irwin Industrial Tool may then develop a cleanup plan, called a “Remedial Work Plan.” This plan describes how contamination will be addressed, with the DEC and the state Department of Health overseeing the work. The DEC will present the draft cleanup plan to the public for its review and comment during a 45-day comment period.
The DEC will keep the public informed throughout the investigation and cleanup of the site, the agency said.
The site is located at 1 Bernzomatic Drive in the Village of Medina. The property includes two connected buildings, approximately 160,000 square feet in size, paved parking lots, and a man-made pond on the southwest corner of the site.
The western building consisted of assembly, packaging, and warehouse/storage. The eastern building was used for machining, parts washing, and materials storage. Industrial use at the site began in approximately 1915 and included canneries, food processing, machining and manufacturing. The site was recently purchased and the proposed reuse is for warehousing and manufacturing.
