Provided photos: Medina Lions Club member Ann McElwee, back left, and Lyndonville Lions Club members Lynne Johnson, center, and Bruce Schmidt, right, assisted with the vision screenings.
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville students recently had their vision screened by members of the Lions Club with assistance of the school’s LEO Club.
In one day, 103 students were screened. Parents of those needing additional follow up were notified via letter. The students screened received a sticker from the Lions Club and a pencil, much to their liking.
The LEO Club members were a great asset to this process. They were kind to the younger students, cooperative, polite to the guest screeners and hard working. They were neat and clean and looked very professional in their LEO Club shirts. Gratitude was expressed to the group for its help to make the process go smoothly.
If any of the families need assistance with eye exams or necessary eye glasses, the Lion’s Club would be happy to assist and those in need should contact Anne Marie Holland, the Lions Club president and the school district’s director of special programs, at 585-765-3107.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 November 2018 at 1:31 pm
MEDINA – For more than two decades, the community has thrown its support behind a signature fundraiser to benefit Medina Memorial Hospital’s (now Orleans Community Health’s) Foundation.
Saturday was no exception, when the 25th anniversary of Treasure Island was celebrated in style.
After having the event in different venues over the years, the Foundation decided to bring it back to Medina for the 25th anniversary, and held it at Sacred Heart Club.
Kathy Vicknair points out one of the high-profile items donated for Treasure Island’s silent auction Saturday night – an autographed picture of Thurman Thomas in his heyday with the Buffalo Bills. Seated is her husband, Vick Vicknair, who ran the sound system for the event.
“The event was incredibly successful,” said Angela DiRosa, director of the Foundation. “There were many comments that it was one of the best they’ve attended in several years.”
Hundreds of items were donated from jewelry and gift certificates to trips and special services. There were works of art, bottles of wine and lottery tickets, all part of a silent auction.
But a live auction also livened the evening, with such items as a premier parking spot at Medina Memorial Hospital, valued as “priceless.”
Also touted as priceless was a day at the fire station, donated by Medina Fire Department. The winner gets to tour the station, have lunch with the firemen, and on Nov. 24, ride on a fire truck in the 10th annual Parade of Lights.
Another one-of-a-kind prize was an autographed photograph of Thurman Thomas from his heyday with the Bills during the team’s unprecedented streak of four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s. David Cook of Lyndonville donated the photograph, which he obtained while in the locker room with an on-field pass.
DiRosa said she is always amazed at how giving the community is. She anticipates this year’s event to match the recent Treasure Island fundraisers.
“The event is on track to be as successful as previous years, which typically raise more than $30,000,” she said.
Money from Saturday’s event will supplement grants and aid the hospital with upgrades and improvements, she said.
Winners of the cash raffle during the evening were Eli Howard and Randal Sanderson, each $250; and Halli McPherson, the grand prize of $500.
DiRosa issued a thanks to major sponsors, who included Lawley, Talis Equity, Baxter Healthcare, Ridge Animal Hospital, TakeForm, Roland Howell, Jr. Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club, Lyndonville Lions Club, MS&L/Generations Bank, Orleans Community Health Medical Staff, Radiology Solutions Associates and Western New York Energy.
Cindy Incho of Medina, rear, and Tish McAdoo of Lyndonville make their bids in the silent auction at the 25th annual Treasure Island Saturday at Sacred Heart Club. The event, which benefits Orleans Community Health, attracted supporters who bid on hundreds of items and took chances to win dozens of other prizes through various raffles.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2018 at 10:12 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Skip Helfrich, program director for the new Leadership Orleans program, leads the opening retreat for the class on Jan. 18 at Tillman’s Village Inn. The retreat was for two days. The class of 25 has met monthly throughout the year.
A new leadership program that started in January with 25 people is nearing the conclusion for its first year, with a new class of about 25 to start in two months.
Leadership Orleans was years in the making. Orleans had been one of the few counties without a leadership program.
The debut class has 25 members and is led by director Skip Helfrich, a graduate of the program in Niagara County.
The class members come from a cross section of the community, including law enforcement, government department heads, farm owners, agency directors and other business leaders.
“In building a class we wanted to have a nice mix,” Helfrich told the County Legislature recently. “We are hoping the participants will volunteer, and step up and serve on boards or run for office – whatever it takes to make Orleans County better.”
The new Leadership Orleans became a reality in 2018 after the County Legislature set aside $33,000 in 2017 to get the program off the ground. The county contribution was reduced to $22,000 in 2018 and is slated for $16,000 in 2019.
Three county employees are also in the class: James DeFilipps, deputy for Orleans County Sheriff’s Office; Nadine Hanlon, clerk of Orleans County Legislature; and Eddie Moss, director of computer services for Orleans County.
Hanlon, a lifelong resident, said the program has proven to be an eye-opener about the resources and opportunities in the county.
“I think it’s been a wonderful thing,” she told county legislators on Oct. 24. “I grew up in this community and I’ve been involved, but I’m still learning the wonderful things this community has to offer.”
Charlie Nesbitt, a retired state assemblyman, has been instrumental in securing sponsors and support for the program.
He pushed for Leadership Orleans so key people in the community could better understand how local government, businesses and other sectors work. The class draws on a cross section of the community. The program picked residents who have demonstrated leadership abilities, interest in community affairs, and a commitment to Orleans County’s future.
‘We are hoping the participants will volunteer, and step up and serve on boards or run for office – whatever it takes to make Orleans County better.’ – Skip Helfrich, director of Leadership Orleans
The participants also pay $1,950 for tuition. The program requires enrolled individuals to commit to a two-day opening retreat, one full day per month of program participation over a ten-month period, and a two-day closing retreat/graduation ceremony.
Each month the group learned about a different sector of the community, including government, arts and culture, volunteerism and non-profit organizations, community health, tourism and recreation, agribusiness, economic & workforce development, and education.
Helfrich said 130 people have been impacted so far from the program and that includes 79 community presenters, 25 class participants, 11 people on the steering committee, 12 different design teams and 17 other community friends. The group has visited 56 sites in the county.
The participants already have forged a strong bond and network, he said. The graduates of the program will become a Leadership Orleans Alumni Association, who can continue to support each other and be a resource to the future program participants.
The new class will start in January. There was more interest than available spots so there is now a waiting list. Helfrich said that’s a good indication the community is finding value in the program.
Helfrich works part-time as the director out of an office at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee in Albion. Helfrich is the president/owner of Human Energies, a human resources and organizational development consulting firm. He leads many retreats for other leadership programs.
“My focus was to get this first year going and create something that will last,” he told the Legislature.
For more information on Leadership Orleans, click here.
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ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion will be closed beginning on Wednesday for emergency repairs. The bridge is expected to reopen at the close of business on Friday, said Dale Banker, director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
The State Department of Transportation is closing the bridge, which is more than a century old, for needed work.
Traffic will be routed to use the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2018 at 8:21 am
Provided photo: Patti Galleher is shown in Sunday’s New York City Marathon.
A Holley native won her age group on Sunday at the New York City Marathon. Patti Sue (DeFilipps) Galleher also raised $5,500 for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Galleher, a 1975 Holley graduate, was the fastest woman in the 60-64 age group. She ran the 26.2-mile course in 3:28:02, more than 11 minutes faster than the second-place woman in that age group.
Galleher, 61, ran the race with her daughter Sophie, who completed the race in 3:03:14.
Galleher lives in Denver, Colorado. She ran the race in honor of her daughter Lucy who was diagnosed with Lymphoma Leukemia while she was pregnant with her first child, Watson.
More than 52,000 runners finished the race on Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2018 at 7:20 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the Albion Elementary School PTA were presented a “Friend of Education” Award on Monday. Leaders of the PTA include, from left, Stacey Andrews, Crystal Hand, Heidi Pask and Rose Allen. They accepted the award from Margy Brown (right), the Board of Education president.
“This is a group that works tirelessly on behalf of students,” said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.
The PTA purchases books every year for all fifth-graders, puts on dances, provides gifts for teachers, and sponsors field trips for students to go to the zoo, Old Fort Niagara, to tour canal boats in Lockport, the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines, and the Genesee County Park and Forest in East Bethany.
The PTA also organizes a book fair in February.
“They have truly coalesced as a group of caring parents,” said Rachel Curtin, the elementary school principal.
The board on Monday also recognized two elementary school students. Braydon Blair was presented with a Leadership Award and Gabrielle Payne was recognized with the Character Award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2018 at 6:58 am
Election day has arrived with the polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, Murray casts ballots at the Holley Jr./Sr. High School and part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company.
Here is a list of the polling sites:
• Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 14341 Waterport-Carlton Rd.
• Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Holley Jr./Sr. High School, 16848 Lynch Rd.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2018 at 4:48 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: It was foggy on Friday morning on Route 63 in Shelby near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a wind advisory from 7 a.m. Tuesday until 4 p.m. Wednesday for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Genesee, Wyoming and northern Erie counties.
There will be southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph, the Weather Service said.
“Winds of this magnitude could lead to some downed tree limbs and isolated power outages, and will make the driving of high-profile vehicles more difficult,” the Weather Service said.
Strong wind gusts could make driving difficult and could result in minor property damage. Home owners should secure personal property, the Weather Service said.
A small tree stands out in the fog on Friday along Route 63 in Shelby.
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office on Friday arrested an Albion man on felony charges related to the unlawful videotaping of minor children.
Undersheriff Christopher M. Bourke reports that Andrew C. Campbell, 32, of Albion was charged with two counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree (felony) and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. This arrest is the result of a three-month investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the Albion Police Department.
The current charges allege that Campbell was secretly videotaping minors including children 13 and 14 years of age. Based on the evidence recovered at this point, Campbell has been allegedly performing this type of unlawful surveillance for many years, Bourke said.
The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and numerous electronic devices were recovered including phones, laptops, hard drives and external storage devices. The Western New York Computer Forensic Laboratory is currently conducting an analysis of the evidence and more charges are likely.
This investigation is being led by O.C.S.O. Investigator Jeff Gifaldi, assisted by Inv. Shannon Brett, Inv. Ken Strickland and the Albion Police Dept. Anyone with information regarding this case, may call 585-590-4125.
Campbell was arraigned by Justice Joseph Fuller in the Town of Albion Court. Bail was set at $10,000 cash and $20,000 Bond. Campbell is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 7 at 9 a.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2018 at 3:46 pm
ALBION – A Rochester man was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison last week in Orleans County Court for felony driving while intoxicated.
Thomas M. McGill Jr., 47, of Rochester was charged with felony DWI in Clarendon on Jan. 15. It was his third arrest for felony DWI.
“I’ve struggled with this for a long time,” McGill told Judge Charles Zambito. “Unfortunately I relapsed. When I come off of it, my mind and mood changes.”
Joanne Best, the public defender, asked that McGill not be sentenced to state prison.
“Mr. McGill has been struggling for many years with alcohol addiction,” she told the judge.
Zambito said he has “an obligation to protect the community” and sentenced McGill to state prison. When McGill is released, he will have to use an inter-lock ignition device that checks his Blood Alcohol Content.
In other cases in court on Nov. 1:
• A Corfu man was sentenced to six months in the county jail and five years probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Steven R. Kimmel, 47, was charged in December after being stopped in Albion and allegedly having cocaine packaged for sale in his vehicle.
• Jocelyn M. Munn, 23, of Medina was sentenced to a year in the county jail for fourth-degree grand larceny. She allegedly stole jewelry worth more than $8,500.
She needs to pay $8,587 in restitution, plus a 5 percent surcharge for $9,016.
Munn apologized to the victim and to her family. She said she has been battling drug addiction.
She twice need Narcan to reverse a potentially fatal overdose. In jail, she has completed her GED, and is in an addiction treatment program through GCASA.
“It is clear she has a lot of potential and ability,” District Attorney Joe Cardone said in court.
Judge Zambito urged her to continue taking programs in jail and when she is released.
“The problem you have is a deadly one,” he said. “If you don’t address it you will die.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2018 at 3:24 pm
ALBION – An Albion man who proclaimed his innocence in Orleans County Court about sexual crimes against two under-age girls pleaded guilty and could face up to two years in the Orleans County Jail.
Robert Tetrault, 37, was to be on trial last week on charges of predatory sexual assault against a child after he allegedly had sexual intercourse and committed another sex act against a child. He was indicted on May 3.
He pleaded guilty on Oct. 15 to two counts of sexual misconduct and faces up to a year for each charge, with a maximum of two years in jail. There are two victims in the case, said Susan Howard, the assistant district attorney.
Tetrault entered an Alford plea, which is a guilty plea without admitting to the criminal act.
He will be sentenced on Jan. 10.
He has been in the county jail since he was charged with bail set at $50,000 cash and $250,000 bond.
Tetrault has a lengthy criminal history and has served four state prison terms, most recently when he was convicted on charges of attempted second-degree assault and third-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison in October 2013 after fighting someone with a knife on May 23, 2013. Tetrault caused a severe laceration across another’s person hand who tried to intervene in the fight. He was released from prison in May 2017.
Provided photo from FMC: FMC Corporation’s Agricultural Solutions Plant in Middleport celebrates three consecutive years as an accident and injury-free workplace without an OSHA recordable incident. As acknowledgement of this safety milestone, Carolyn Joldos (left), plant Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) manager, and Dr. Roberta Kloda (right), plant manager, display a proclamation from New York State Sen. Robert G. Ortt and the New York State Senate recognizing the achievement.
Press Release, FMC
MIDDLEPORT – FMC Corporation’s Agricultural Solutions plant in Middleport recently celebrated three consecutive years as an accident and injury-free workplace without an OSHA recordable incident.
State Sen. Robert G. Ortt and the New York State Senate issued a proclamation recognizing this significant safety milestone and extending their sincere appreciation to FMC for its history of serving the community.
“As a core value of our operations, FMC is committed to safety in the workplace and this core value affects everything we do as a company,” said Dr. Roberta Kloda, FMC Middleport plant manager.
She said this safety achievement is the result of a work culture based on teamwork, strong management support and the commitment by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers that all fellow employees go home safe.
“Our safety record is something we can all be proud of,” Kloda said.
With operations dating back more than a century, the FMC Middleport plant formulates and packages a number of key product lines to protect over 100 crops in more than 75 countries around the globe.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2018 at 12:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Justin Niederhofer shows two of the mass casualty kits that are going to ambulances, fire departments, Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles and other first responders.
ALBION – New kits with tourniquets, gauze and other supplies will be available for each fire department, Sheriff’s Office road patrol vehicle and ambulance provider in the county, helping first responders to “stop the bleed.”
The Orleans County Emergency Management Office has received state funding to purchase the mass casualty kits. Right now there are 33 kits in the field with about 30 more coming. Those 63 kits have 400 tourniquets.
The smaller kits have four tourniquets and the larger ones have eight. The kits also have bandages, gauze and an instruction sheet.
The EMO pushed to have the kits after a mass casualty training exercise in September 2017. First responders realized the fire departments and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office road patrol vehicles weren’t equipped with tourniquets and other supplies to stop multiple people from bleeding out.
A person can bleed out with 3 to 10 minutes if the wound isn’t stopped, said Justin Niederhofer, assistant Carlton fire chief.
He also is an EMT for COVA ambulance, the lead medic for the county’s SWAT team and Carlton’s representative on the county’s EMS Council. He has been coordinating the effort to get the kits in the county
State funding for about $40,000 is paying for the kits and training.
“It was brought up at the County EMS Council that we weren’t that well prepared supply wise,” said Dale Banker, the county’s EMO coordinator. “Hopefully all those medical supplies never have to be used.”
If there was a mass shooting or an accident with multiple victims, the kits could be critical to stopping the bleed.
Each fire department is getting two of the kits. Medina Fire Department will get four of the bigger for each of its ambulances, and COVA will have three.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will have one in all 12 road vehicles, and the three investigators which each have one. The fire coordinators and lead medics also will carry the kits.
First responders are being trained on how to use the kits. Banker and Niederhofer want to expand the number of kits to local schools as well.
There will be training for using the kits for first responders in eastern, central and western Orleans, Banker said.
He urged everyone to familiarize themselves with how to use a tourniquet to help someone having a massive bleed.
“Just some basic training in using a tourniquet and you could save someone’s life,” he said.
The kits include gauze, tourniquets and other supplies to try to prevent a person from bleeding out.
Press Release and photo from Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Congratulations to the 45 students from the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES center, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character.
The students were honored at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ technical education center in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students had to maintain an 89.5 average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.
Congratulations go to:
From Barker: Noah Costich (Welding), Dasha Crenshaw (Early Childhood Education), Michael Dalton (Welding), Gary Gow III (Welding), Anthony Hanel (Security and Law Enforcement), Alexander Israel (Electricty/Electronics), Dale Jones (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering) and Noel Vasquez (Electricity/Electronics).
From Lockport: Samantha Chilcott (Cosmetology), Jared McFall (Security and Law Enforcement), Nathan Platte (Electricty/Electronics), Alyssa Scheib (Early Childhood Education) and Amanda Sprung (Health Occupations Technician). From Lyndonville: Stacy Buckland (Early Childhood Education) and Justin Corser (Computer Technology).
From Medina: Judiah Barnum (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering), Alissa Blount (Allied Health) and Alexis Greco (Allied Health).
From Newfane: Alexis Cevaer (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering), Ryan Hnat (Diesel Technology), Nathan Lee (Computer Technology), Jacob Meyers (Computer Technology), Matthew Miller (Diesel Technology), Madison Slattery (Health Occupations Technician) and Mark Zeitz (Building Trades).
From Royalton-Hartland: Blake Bartholomew (Graphic Communications), Taylor Bobzien (Cosmetology), Jamie Bower (Allied Health), Ella Brown (Cosmetology), Kristina Burdick (Cosmetology), Jeffrey Chapman (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering), Kelsey Ciemny (Cosmetology), Alexa Gilbert (Cosmetology), Raymond Gorski (Automotive Technology), Jenna Heiser (Allied Health), Jason Keleher (Computer Technology), Michael Kuchey (Building Trades), Jacob McKernan (Culinary Arts), Chloe Pilc (Security and Law Enforcement), Gillian Schyve (Graphic Communications), Haley Storms (Early Childhood Education), Miranda Vilardo (Cosmetology), Lexus Waite (Cosmetology), Abigail Wolf (Graphic Communications) and Cayla Yageric (Early Childhood Education).
Photo by Tom Rivers: Larry Sharpe (right), the Libertarian candidate for governor, was at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 25 to meet with the public. He has run an aggressive campaign as a third-party candidate. Jeremy McCauley holds his grandson, Nikolay Tkach. Nikolay’s mother is Chase Tkach, who has been helping to promote the Sharpe campaign locally.
Tuesday is election day with several races to be decided at the state, federal and local levels. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Click here to see a list of poll locations in Orleans County.
(Party abbreviations: D = Democratic, WF = Working Families, I = Independence, WE = Women’s Equality, R = Republican, C = Conservative, REF = Reform, G = Green, SAM = Serve America Movement, L = Libertarian)
Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo, D, WF, I, WE,
Marc Molinaro, R, C, REF
Howie Hawkins, G
Stephanie A. Miner, SAM
Larry Sharpe, L
(The governor’s ballot includes the lieutenant governor. Kathy Hochul is running with Cuomo; Julie Killian is running with Molinaro; Jia Lee is running with Hawkins; Michael Volpe is running with Miner; and Andrew Hollister is running with Sharpe.)
State Comptroller
Thomas P. DiNapoli, D, WF, I, WE, REF
Jonathan Trichter, R, C
Mark Dunlea, G
Cruger E. Gallaudet, L
Attorney General
Letitia A. James, D, WF, I
Keith Wofford, R, C
Michael Sussman, G
Nancy B. Sliwa, REF
Christopher B. Garvey, L
U.S. Senator
Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D, WF, I, WE
Chele Chiavacci Farley, R, C, REF
State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District (pick two)
Paula L. Feroleto, D, R, C
John M. Curran, D, R, C
U.S. Representative, 27th District
Nathan D. McMurray, D, WF, WE
Chris Collins, R, C, I
Larry Piegza, REF
State Senate, 62nd District
Robert Ortt, R, C, I, REF
Peter A. Diachun, G
State Assembly, 144th District (which includes the Town of Shelby in Orleans)
Joseph DiPasquale, D, WF, WE
Michael J. Norris, R, C, I, REF
State Assembly, 139th District (which includes 9 town sin Orleans, except Shelby)
Stephen Hawley, R, C, I, REF
Mark Glogowski, L
Albion Town Justice (pick two)
Joseph Fuller, R
Gary Moore, D, R
Gaines Councilperson (1-year term to fill vacancy)
Joyce Riley, D
Corey Black, R
Kendall Town Justice
David Gaudioso, R
Murray Councilperson (1-year term to fill vacancy)
Neil Valentine, R
Joseph Sidonio, C, I
Shelby Councilperson (1-year term to fill a vacancy)
