Photo by Tom Rivers: A giant American flag was displayed on Main Street in Albion on Sept. 11, 2017. The ladder trucks from Albion and Medina fire departments were used to hold the flag high.

ALBION – There will be an observance next Tuesday on the 17^th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people on American soil.

The American Legion in Albion is organizing the memorial at 6 p.m. outside the Orleans County Courthouse.

There has been two observances on Sept. 11, with a morning event at Elks Club in Albion and then the 6 p.m. observance at Courthouse Square. This year there won’t be the 10 a.m. service at the Elks.

Gary Befus, from the Legion in Albion, welcomes the community to attend the evening program. He would like to see a contingent of law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders so the community can express their appreciation for that service.

The terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people when four planes were hijacked and crashed into two World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon and a field in rural Pennsylvania.

The deaths included 343 firefighters in New York City, 60 police officers and eight other paramedics.

Kevin J. McMullen

ALBION – The Albion Police Department on Monday arrested Kevin J. McMullen, 32, for criminally negligent homicide following a nine-month investigation after his wife, Megan McMullen, died of a fatal overdose on Dec. 18, 2017.

Mr. McMullen was arrested at his residence, 12394 West Lee Road, in the Town of Albion. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Albion Police in taking McMullen into custody.

The arrest follows a joint investigation by the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Megan McMullen, 33, died on Dec. 18 at 346 West State St. in the Village of Albion as a result of an overdose of the opiate fentanyl, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said.

The investigation revealed that Kevin McMullen transported Megan to the City of Rochester where he provided fentanyl to her. Megan subsequently overdosed on the fentanyl causing her to go into respiratory arrest, Nenni said.

Kevin McMullen performed rescue breaths on Megan until she began breathing. Kevin McMullen then transported his wife back to their residence at 346 West State St., where she again overdosed on the fentanyl that Kevin had given her, the police chief said.

After the second overdose, Megan went into cardiac arrest with her husband administering CPR. Kevin McMullen, instead of calling 911 to get medical assistance for Megan, then injected the fentanyl into himself, Nenni said.

Kevin McMullen didn’t call 911 until several hours later. When the Albion Police and ambulance staff arrived, Megan McMullen was found to be deceased and beyond the time frame of lifesaving medical intervention, the police chief said.

Kevin McMullen is charged with criminally negligent homicide for allegedly providing the lethal fentanyl and for failing to get her medical assistance which could have saved Megan’s life. He also is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell because he allegedly provided Megan with the lethal fentanyl, Nenni said.

McMullen was arraigned in the Town of Albion Court and placed in the Orleans County Jail on $50,000 bail. He is to return to court on Sept. 7.

As a result of this investigation by the Albion Police and Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, several dealers of the lethal opiates, fentanyl and heroin, were identified in the City of Rochester.

“These dealers were supplying Orleans County and responsible for several overdoses and possibly other overdose related deaths,” Nenni said. “Several arrests have been made and quantities of the deadly opiates taken off the streets.”

Provided photo: State Sen. Robert Ortt, center, this morning presented ceremonial checks to the leaders of the four public libraries in Orleans County as well as the Cobblestone Museum and Medina Railroad Museum.

ALBION – The four public libraries and two museums in Orleans County will share $40,000 in state funding to boost their educational programming.

State Sen. Robert Ortt this morning met with the museum and library leaders at Hoag Library in Albion and presented them with ceremonial checks.

The four public libraries – Hoag in Albion, Community Free Library in Holley, Yates Community Library in Lyndonville and Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina – will each receive $5,000.

The Cobblestone Museum and Medina Railroad Museum will each get $10,000.

This funding will go toward the creation of educational programs within the various facilities, as well as the updating of technological resources, Ortt said.

“I am proud that I was able to secure this funding for some of the wonderful educational facilities we have located across Orleans County,” said Sen. Ortt. “These institutions play such an important role in preserving the history of Orleans County, and in educating our county’s future generations and I am thankful that we have such great leadership at each one of these entities to foster their continued successes.”

Press Release, Gov. Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State Police are stepping up patrols to crack down on dangerous drivers as students return to school.

The Governor urged motorists to watch for students as they walk or bike to school, follow posted speed limits, and stop and wait whenever a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and its “stop” sign extended. This is the latest step in a series of safety measures the Governor has recently taken to get the school year off to a safe start.

“I urge every driver to take extra precautions now that school is back in session and students are returning to class,” Governor Cuomo said. “The safety of New York’s children is our top priority, and these precautions will keep students safe from harm, prevent traffic violations and hold reckless motorists accountable.”

In addition to stepping up enforcement efforts, the State Police will also be partnering with AAA for their “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign. State Police will be displaying AAA’s “School’s Open” bumper stickers on all marked patrol cars. The purpose of the initiative is to raise driver awareness about pedestrian safety and to remind motorists to slow down and stop for school buses when their red lights are flashing.

Last month, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order to protect more than one million New York City school children from speeding vehicles. The Governor’s action paved the way for the City to reinstate its school zone speed camera program. Studies have shown that after installing the cameras in 2014, 10 fewer children have been killed by motor vehicles each year – from 18 to 8.

Earlier in August, Governor Cuomo signed a bill strengthening the state’s requirements for random drug and alcohol testing for all school bus drivers. The law also prohibits bus drivers from drinking alcohol at least eight hours prior to their shift, an increase from the previous six-hour limit.

Additionally, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee along with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Transportation and State Police joined the Governor in urging caution as the school year begins. In April, more than 850 drivers statewide were ticketed for illegally passing stopped school buses during “Operation Safe Stop,” a one-day enforcement effort. State Police and local law enforcement also issued 3,044 tickets for other traffic violations and made 89 arrests for offenses including drunk driving and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

“State Police will be vigilant in keeping our roadways safe as our children head back to school,” said State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. “Drivers can do their part by obeying the posted speed limits in school zones, stopping when they see the flashing red lights of a school bus, and being mindful of children who are walking to school. I encourage all motorists to make safety a top priority by remaining alert and focused when they are traveling through neighborhoods and school zones during the school year and beyond.”

FDR, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, General Grant and Abigail Adams impressionists will make appearances

Press Release, Orleans County Heritage Festival

Provided photos: Elizabeth Cady Stanton as portrayed by impressionist Dr. Melinda Grube, who makes three appearances during the festival.

Have you ever thought that it would be cool to meet President Abraham Lincoln, or maybe first lady Abigail Adams? Ever wondered about the history of barn quilts or the Erie Canal?

If you are a Civil War buff, maybe you have thought it would be fascinating to be a fly on the wall as you listen to General Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman plotting the demise of the Confederate armies. If so, the 3rd annual Orleans County Heritage Festival is just for you! All of your curiosities may be satisfied by taking advantage of 10 days of heritage events.

The 3rd annual Orleans County Heritage Festival runs Sept. 7 to Sept. 16 and features 10 days of fascinating, entertaining, and educational events – most of which are free. You don’t have to be a resident of Orleans County to appreciate, or enjoy, this year’s calendar of events.  Organizers chose to focus on four themes this year: the Erie Canal, historic women, barns/barn quilts, and nature/wildlife.

The festival kick-off event is on Sept. 7 at the Clarendon Historical Society from 6 to 9 p.m.  There will be live music featuring recording artist Sonny Mayo, food, local wines and more.

At the same location the following day, Saturday, there will be a Civil War encampment and at 2 p.m. the world premiere of the two-man show “Now we stand by each other always.”  The play features a conversation between Civil War commanders Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Major Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. Based on a March 1865 discussion between the men at City Point, Virginia, where Grant made his headquarters, the play will be performed by Genesee Community College professors Tracy Ford (as Sherman) and Derek Maxfield (as Grant).  This free event is outdoors, weather-permitting; lawn chairs are suggested.

On Sunday, Sept. 9th, the Cobblestone Museum in Albion will host Elizabeth Cady Stanton, portrayed by Dr. Melinda Grube, for a 1 p.m. presentation.  The Cobblestone complex will be open for tours as well. Later that day, the Hoag Library in Albion will host a genealogy workshop presentation by Dee Robinson, retired Town of Gaines historian, at 7 p.m.

GCC professors Derek Maxfield, left, portrays Ulysses S. Grant and Tracy Ford is William Tecumseh Sherman in a play that will be performed for the first time Saturday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m.

Dr. Grube will also appear at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, at the Hoag Library for a women’s history program entitled “Justifying Suffrage: From Mothers of the Republic to Angels of the Home.” Even before the patriots of 1776 first proclaimed that “all men are created equal,” Americans struggled to define women’s proper role. Are women included among the equal “men” of this nation? Are women citizens? Are they persons? Join Dr. Grube as she examines the issues.

Hurd Orchards in Holley hosts a unique presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 12, titled, “Song of an Orchardist” including lunch and lyric music in the Hurd Orchard barn. There will be poems from Monty Mason’s Song of an Orchardist book too (19th century fruit grower from Albion).  The 12:30 to 2 p.m. event requires reservations, so book early.

Two great events are slated for Friday, Sept. 14. The first will be hosted by the Lyndonville Central School and will feature a concert focusing on the songs of the Erie Canal by the Lyndonville 5th-6th grade Summer Music Camp students at 1 p.m. That evening, the Orleans County Daughters of the American Revolution in Albion will host Dr. Terrianne Schulte, of D’Youville College, for her presentation “We Have to Create a National Debate, Community by Community…”: Women Trailblazers in Environmental Reform. Throughout the 20th century, women have played important leadership roles in environmental preservation and restoration, often by educating the public regarding complex environmental issues to encourage grassroots activism.  The event is free and open to the public.

Come out on Saturday, Sept. 15, for the “Epochs in Orleans” Timeline Festival at the West Park in Mount Albion Cemetery, Albion, featuring a walk through history – from First Lady Abigail Adams and President James Polk to Civil War Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. The daylong event runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be cemetery tours with Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Stick around for special presentations at 11 a.m. with Derek Maxfield as Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant, 1 p.m. with Melinda Grube as First Lady Abigail Adams, and 3 p.m. Albert McFadyen as President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The event at Mt. Albion is free and open to the public.

Also on Saturday, at 7 p.m., Kendall Central School District will feature movie director Julianne Donofrio and her film, “Pieced Together” – a moving documentary about the Barn Quilt Trail which began in Ohio and influential in our own Barn Quilt Trail that was started in Kendall.

There are many other great events over the ten day festival.  For the full schedule of events, click here.

Folks with questions may contact Prof. Derek Maxfield, one of the festival organizers, at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A quilt pattern on a barn is pictured in Kendall in October 2017 on Route 237. The barn is part of the Country Barn Quilt Trail in Kendall. The barn quilts are highlighted in the upcoming Heritage Festival.

Photo by Tom Rivers: School busses are lined up in May 2017 at the middle school parking lot in Albion.

State Sen. Robert Ortt has issued a reminder for parents, children and motorists to be especially cautious near school buses and bus stops.

Ortt says to pay close attention and remember the following:

• Coming to a complete stop is required by law of drivers approaching a school bus with its red lights on. This is required when approaching from either direction and also on divided highways, multiple lane roadways, parking lots and on school grounds.

• The Sheriff’s Office has a strict zero-tolerance for those passing a stopped school bus, and those pulled over for it will be ticketed. Passing a stopped school bus is a serious offense in NYS, and the penalties are severe.

• When the lights on the bus are yellow, it means that the bus is about to stop. In this situation drivers are advised to slow down and prepare to stop for the bus; do not try to get past the bus before it stops.

• Be aware that in some cases children may be standing near the edge of the roadway waiting for the bus; drive slowly and use extra caution in these areas.

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or riding a bicycle to school.

• Be alert that children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

• Always avoid cell phone use while driving.

• Yield to students in crosswalks.

• Obey the speed limit, particularly near schools.

• Look for students walking when you are turning, backing up or driving at night for after-school activities.

• Students should pay special attention to school bus safety in and around school zones, and near bus stops.

Schoolchildren and parents should take notice of the following bus safety tips:

• Children should get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive, to avoid rushing.

• When waiting for the school bus, children should wait at the bus stop, and stand back five giant steps from the curb.

• Children need to avoid returning to the bus for any items left behind.

• Remind children to never bend down near the bus.

• If a child needs to cross the street in front of the bus, he/she should make eye contact with the driver and wait for the signal that it is safe to cross in front of the bus. Children should always look both ways before crossing the street.

• Behind the bus is the “danger zone.” Remind children to never go behind the bus where the driver can’t see.

• If walking to school, only cross the streets at marked crosswalks and intersections; use pedestrian pushbuttons; avoid cell phone use and be visible.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Students are quick to get off the bus on the first day of school at Albion in this photo from Sept. 7, 2016.

LYNDONVILLE – School starts this week for the school districts in Orleans County. Lyndonville gets a jump on the school year with the first day of classes on Tuesday. Albion, Holley, Kendall and Medina all start on Wednesday.

All of the districts will be busy on Tuesday. Lyndonville will welcome back the student body, teachers and staff.

Albion will have a staff development day on Tuesday.

Holley will have a back to school night on Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The elementary will kick off the event with a 20-minute pep rally at 5:30 before students can go meet their teachers and see their classrooms. The junior-senior high school will give out locker assignments. Students are urged to bring completed emergency forms to obtain their locker assignments. Students and parents are welcome to explore the school, meet their teachers and put their school supplies in their lockers.

Kendall will have a community open house with the Kendall Sports Boosters hosting a chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Kendall Band and Chorus students. From 6 to 7:30 pm., students and their families may set up student lockers and meet teachers and administrators.

Medina will have open houses Tuesday at Oak Orchard Elementary School from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and at Wise Middle School from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (The high school open house is Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.)

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Lexi Wolck and her Purple Eagles teammates will face the host Lady Eagles Thursday in the opening round of the Kendall Tournament.

The host Lady Eagles will take on Albion in the opening round of the Kendall soccer tournament on Thursday (7 p.m.) while the Albion boys will face the host Bees in the first round of the Byron-Bergen Tourney on Friday (6:30 p.m.). Both tournament finals are slated for Saturday.

Niagara-Orleans League volleyball action gets underway this week with Roy-Hart at Albion, Wilson at Medina and Newfane at defending champion Akron on Tuesday.

Boys volleyball action also gets going with Lyndonville/Medina hosting St. Francis on Thursday at Medina.

The second week of the football season will see Albion hosting Lackawanna and Medina/Lyndonville/Barker visiting Springville in B2 Division action and Roy-Hart traveling to Cattaraugus/Little Valley in Class C, all on Friday.

Weekly Schedule
Tuesday
Boys Soccer: Batavia at Holley, 6:30 p.m.
Field Hockey: Roy-Hart at Medina, Newfane at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Kenmore at Wilson, 5 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Roy-Hart at Lyndonville, Holley at Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Soccer: Byron-Bergen at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Kendall at Notre Dame, Holley at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; Lyndonville/Medina at Byron-Bergen, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Wilson at Medina, Roy-Hart at Albion, Newfane at Akron, 6:15 p.m.
Golf: Medina at Barker, Akron at Albion, Roy-Hart at Wilson, 4 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Soccer: CCA at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Albion vs. Kendall (Kendall Tournament), 7 p.m.
Field Hockey: Medina at Newfane, Wilson at Barker, Akron at Kenmore, Roy-Hart at Buffalo Seminary, 4:45 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Holley at Byron-Bergen, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville vs. Wheatland-Chili at Cal-Mum, 7:30 p.m.
Boys Volleyball: St. Francis vs. Lyndonville/Medina, 6:30 p.m. at Medina

Friday
Football: Lackawanna at Albion, Roy-Hart at Cattaraugus/Little Valley, 7 p.m.; Medina at Springville, 7:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Albion at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Attica at Lyndonville/Medina, Barker at Roy-Hart, Akron at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; Byron-Bergen at Holley, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Lyndonville at Albion, 5:15 p.m.
Golf: Albion at Medina, Wilson at Barker, Roy-Hart at Newfane, 4 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Soccer: Akron at Wilson, Medina/Lyndonville at Roy-Hart, 10 a.m., Perry at Holley, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Kendall Tournament
Girls Volleyball: Albion Tournament, 8 a.m.
Boys Volleyball: Pavilion and North Rose Wolcott vs. Lyndonville/Medina at Lyndonville 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A tender, a small tugboat on the Erie Canal, is tied up in Hulberton on Sunday.

It’s going to be a hot one today on Labor Day with the high temperature forecast to reach 89. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. for Orleans County and Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Oswego, Livingston and Ontario counties.

The heat index value will be the mid 90s. The hot and humid conditions will bring an increased risk of heat-related illness and dehydration, the Weather Service said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HULBERTON – Mike Bove of Clarendon throws the bocce ball during today’s tournament in Hulberton, which features 27 teams with some from southern Ontario and New Jersey. Most of the teams are local and they compete for $600 for first place, $400 for second, $300 for third and $200 for fourth.

This is the first time Bove has competed in the double elimination tournament. He was asked to play for “The Lowballers” who also include Tibor Dobri, Keith Neale and Scott Lang.

Tibor Dobri eyes the target during the bocce tournament.

Some of the bocce players get out the measuring tape to see which of the bigger balls is closer to the pallino, the small white ball.

Dan Mawn prepares sugar waffles “carnival style.” He used to make them at the Holley Firemen’s Carnival and has been doing it for about six years at St. Rocco’s. The annual Rocco’s Festival celebrates Italian culture and includes lots of Italian food. The event is a fundraiser for the St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s Parish in Holley and Kendall.

Kathy Smith gets slices of pizza ready. She has been volunteering at the festival for about 30 years. “Oh, it’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s nice to get together with all of the ladies.”

Other popular Italian foods were available including eggplant parmesan, meatball sandwiches, pasta fagioli, shells and spaghetti.

Lena Pellegrino and Brian Welch worked together making fried dough.

Scott Vogler, his wife Jennifer and their daughter Olivia are part of the team serving eggplant parmesan and shells. They are from Irondequoit. Scott’s mother-in-law Ellen Englert has been a long-time volunteer at St. Rocco’s.

People line up to get their tickets for some of the food.

Joe Chiappone of Lockport wears a T-shirt he bought in Cleveland. He said the shirt gets a lot of comments. “Everybody laughs,” he said. “It’s the truth though,” he said about the shirt’s message. Chiappone attended the festival to play in the bocce tournament. He has been coming every year for 20 years.

The unemployment rate for Orleans County in July was 4.9 percent, which is the lowest summer unemployment rate in the county since 4.8 percent in July 2001, according to the NYS Department of Labor. (Click here to see a spreadsheet of the county rates since 1990.)

In July 2017, the unemployment rate in the county was 6.0 percent. As recently as July 2012, the rate was 10.0 percent.

There were 17,100 people working in Orleans in July, with 900 on unemployment. That is up from the 16,800 working in July 2017. That month there were 1,100 unemployed, according to the DOL.

The county’s labor force has shrunk by about 2,000 since 2001, when there were  20,000 in the labor force, compared to 18,000 this past July, according to the Department of Labor. Just five years ago there were 19,100 in the labor force in Orleans.

Statewide and in the county the unemployment rate has been going down. The state’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.5 percent in June to 4.3 percent in July.

The county’s current unemployment rate is slightly higher than the regional average. The Buffalo-Niagara Falls region dropped from 5.4 percent in July 2017 to 4.5 percent in July 2018. In Rochester, the rate is down from 5.1 to 4.3 percent.

Orleans also is higher than other neighboring counties, where the rates for July include: Genesee, 3.7; Wyoming, 3.8; Niagara, 5.0; Monroe, 4.4; Livingston, 4.1; and Erie, 4.4.

Columbia County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.1 percent while the 6.1 percent in the Bronx is the highest. St. Lawrence County has the highest rate upstate at 5.9 percent.

Kaari Stannard is the new leader of the U.S. Apple Association

Kaari Stannard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kaari Stannard, a New York marketer, packer and grower is the new chairwoman of the U.S. Apple Association. She will lead the organization’s board of directors.

Stannard is the owner of New York Apple Sales, Inc., one of the largest marketers of New York state apples. She has been in the apple business since 1996. She is a partner in both Pomona Packing and Lake Ontario Fruit, which are apple packing facilities located in western New York. Stannard is also a partner in Fish Creek Orchards, located in Orleans County. Lake Ontario Fruit also is in Orleans County, on Ridge Road in Gaines.

“Kaari’s breadth of knowledge about and dedication to the apple industry have been instrumental in helping shape the direction of USApple during her board tenure over the last several years,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair. “Her passion for the apple industry, coupled with her ‘can-do’ leadership style, will serve USApple and its members well during the next year.”

Aside from her leadership with USApple, Stannard is a past treasurer and current board member of the U.S. Apple Export Council and served two terms as board member of the New York Apple Association. She is a past member of the grower shipper board for United Fresh Produce Association and is a graduate of their leadership program. She has and continues to serve on various Produce Marketing Association committees.

Stannard is a licensed CPA and holds a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from the State University at Buffalo. Stannard succeeds 2017-18 Chair Mark Boyer, co-owner of Ridgetop Orchards near Fishertown, Penn.

U.S. Apple Association is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business.

Jason Woodworth, a partner with Fish Creek Orchards (formerly called Lamont Fruit Farm Inc.), also serves on the board of directors for USApple. Woodworth oversees 500 acres of wholesale fresh fruit orchards near the shoreline of Lake Ontario. His responsibilities include marketing, pack house relations, quality control and on farm nursery. He is a past chairman of the board for the New York Apple Association.

ALBION — Two men from Rochester who are accused of selling lethal fentanyl in Orleans County appeared in County Court on Thursday on charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, which carries a minimum sentence of five years in state prison and as much as 25 years.

Giovanni M. Serrano, 19, and Charles Serrano, 21, are allegedly part of a four-person drug ring that was arrested in May. The four allegedly sold an extremely lethal fentanyl that resulted many overdoses in Orleans County.

Nevin Raul Martinez, 18, and a 15-year-old also were charged in the multi-agency investigation that included the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Rochester Police Department Tactical Unit, ICE/Homeland Security investigations and the Albion Police Department.

Law enforcement searched three houses in Rochester and seized 35 grams of fentanyl, six grams of heroin, marijuana, and more than $7,000 in cash, along with scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

The two Serranos both pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday in an appearance before Judge Sanford Church. The two defendants are each in the county jail on $100,000 cash bail and $200,000 bond.

Jeff Lavender of Holley took this photo of the rainbow on Wednesday evening at the Public Square in Holley.

It may be the end of the summer but the temperatures aren’t cooling off. September starts with hot temperatures in the mid-80s with 90 in the forecast on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says there will be prolonged hot weather from Monday through Wednesday with the combination of moisture and high temperatures resulting in uncomfortable conditions.

Today is forecast to be sunny with a high near 86, followed by highs of 85 on Sunday, 86 on Monday (Labor Day), 89 on Tuesday, 90 on Wednesday and 88 on Thursday.

Paul Zeppetella took this photo of the rainbow at Vets Park in Medina. Zeppetella is the coach of the Medina-Lyndonville varsity girls soccer team.

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 35

Ziba Roberts

Ziba Roberts was born July 31, 1840 near East Shelby to Ziba and Susanna Wolcott Roberts. This image, which appears within A Brief History of the Twenty-Eighth Regiment New York State Volunteers by C. W. Boyce, shows Roberts in his mid-50s. Pinned upon his chest is the medal of the Grand Army of the Republic, typically worn by members of the fraternal organization. Roberts was an active member of the S. J. Hood Post GAR in Medina, serving as the organization’s commander and chaplain.

Nearly seven months after the Confederate attack on Ft. Sumter, Roberts enlisted with the 28th New York Volunteer Infantry on November 11, 1861 at Rochester; he was placed with Company D with other men from Orleans County. During the Battle of Winchester on May 25, 1862, the 28th New York faced a force of Confederate troops nearly four times greater in size under the command of Gen. Stonewall Jackson. As a result of the engagement, 62 men from the 28th were captured and Ziba Roberts was one of nine from Company D.

The men captured at Winchester were marched to Lynchburg, Virginia, a nine-day journey consisting of two days without rations. According to Roberts’ dairies, upon his arrival to the prison camp outside of Lynchburg, he sold his revolver to a soldier for Illinois for $7.50; clearly the enemy soldiers were lax in their searching of prisoners of war. A number of newspaper accounts published much later state that Roberts was held as a prisoner for 2 ½ months before his parole. Records suggest that he was held prisoner for nearly 3 ½ months before his parole on September 13, 1862 at Aiken’s Landing, Virginia. A number of other men from the 28th New York, who were captured at Cedar Mountain, were also sent to Lynchburg and paroled on the same day.

William Lewis, the regiment’s color bearer, wrote an account of his participation at the Battle of Cedar Mountain found within the pages of A Brief History of the Twenty-Eighth Regiment. In that account, he references a particular interaction with Pvt. Roberts during the engagement:

“…Now, you will excuse an old soldier, who has a spark of fun in his makeup, if he stops here and tells a joke. Ordinarily people would say this was no place for fun. Comrades falling all around us, both dead and wounded; but even under such circumstances funny things occur, which remain in memory, causing laughter years afterwards. We had a fellow in our company named Ziba Roberts, six feet tall, and broad according. A soldier that could stand behind him was pretty safe from rebel bullets. As we were charging across that field under and extremely heavy fire from the enemy, all standing as close to the ground as possible, I must confess, Ziba calls out, ‘By gorry, boys, I feel too tall to-day.’ But Ziba was an excellent soldier, and never known to shirk his duty. We went on, drove the rebels from their hiding place and through the woods…”

Of course, Mr. Lewis was mistaken, because Ziba Roberts was already in Lynchburg by the time the 28th was at Cedar Mountain. It is very possible that this recollection occurred during a different engagement.

Following the war, Ziba returned home where he married Cynthia Dewey of Royalton on January 13, 1867 at the Baptist Parsonage in Shelby Center. In the mid-1870s he built a house south of Millville and lived out the remainder of his life in that vicinity until his passing in 1928. That home remained in the family until the 1970s when it was sold to a couple in Batavia. Unfortunately, the beautiful structure was set ablaze and completely destroyed by a mischievous, local young man in 1977.