ALBION – A Rochester man admitted in court today to stealing $1,903 worth of electronics from the Walmart in Albion.

Adrian Taylor, 40, could face up to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 26. He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny.

The charge for a second-felony offender carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in prison. As part of a plea deal, Taylor would see a reduced sentence.

He also agreed to pay $1,903 in restitution, but told the judge, “I have no way of paying it.”

Sara Sheldon, the interim County Court judge, said a judgement may have to be imposed to collect the money.

Taylor allegedly put electronic items in a tote and then took them from the store.

A co-defendant in the case, Kenya L. Yawn, also was to be sentenced today. The Rochester woman, 22, had her sentencing pushed back three weeks. She will likely face a year in jail.

She said she is concerned about a niece who lives with her and where she will go. Judge Sheldon gave Yawn three weeks to make living arrangements for her niece.

Yawn pleaded guilty to petit larceny for stealing about $2,000 worth of merchandise from the Albion Walmart on March 2. She allegedly took a television, modem, Fitbits, hard drives and other items from the store.

She will be sentenced on Feb. 26.

• A Medina man was sentenced to five years of probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Derrick Adams, 30, avoided jail. He had no prior criminal record until he was arrested for unlawfully having cocaine with the intent to sell it on April 25.

As part of a plea deal, he faced up to six months in jail and five years of probation.

Adams apologized for the crime in court today.

“I made a mistake,” he told Judge Sheldon.

“You made a choice and you’re smarter than that,” she responded.

Adams is considered a low risk of reoffending, according to a pre-sentencing report by probation staff.

He has a job and has plans to complete his college education.

• David L. Timmer III, 38, of Medina was also sentenced to five years of probation. He has already spent four months in jail for attempted burglary in the third degree.

Timmer admitted to burglarizing Tim Horton’s in Medina and taking money from the business.

He apologized for the crime today in court. He also is considered a low risk of recidivism, according to a pre-sentencing report from probation.

• An Albion man pleaded guilty to violating terms of his probation and could be sentencned to up to a year in jail on March 5.

Kolin McKain, 21, of Albion already has been on probation four times and has twice been convicted of driving while intoxicated. District Attorney Joe Cardone said McKain violated probation by repeatedly using drugs and also being found with alcohol.

McKain admitted he was at a party on Dec. 27 and used cocaine. The judge said that represented a violation of probation.

He was remanded to jail on $10,000 bail while awaiting sentencing.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Dino Callara

MEDINA – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Dino Callara, 50, of Slade Road in Medina for criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree following an investigation by investigators Brett and Strickland, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said.

Callara is a two-time convicted felon who allegedly possessed and sold a firearm in November 2017.

Mr. Callara was also arrested on a separate charge of grand larceny in the 4th degree by deputies Papponetti and Tooley. It is alleged that Callara was hired to install a transmission in the victim’s vehicle in October 2017. Without the victim’s consent, he sold the vehicle for scrap metal at Dunn Salvage in Niagara County.

Callara was arraigned in Town of Ridgeway Court and was remanded to the custody of the sheriff without bail. Callara is scheduled to return to the Town of Shelby Court on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.

ALBION – Orleans County is using state funds from two pots of money to pay for a new $174,289 excavator for the highway department.

The county will use a $100,000 grant through the State and Municipal Facilities Capital Funding Program or SAM. State Sen. Rob Ortt has helped several local municipalities secure SAM grants for highway equipment, including $200,000 for Murray for a new dump truck, $100,00 for Carlton for a new plow truck, $154,000 for Barre for a plow truck, and $50,000 for the Town of Albion towards a plow truck.

The county will pay for the remainder of the $174,289 excavator by using $74,289 in CHIPS funds from the state through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program.

Provided photo: Zone 5 Vice Chairman Norma Weissend congratulates Melissa Barnosky after she took first place on Saturday at the American Legion Zone 5 Oratorical Contest in Mount Morris.

MOUNT MORRIS – For the third straight year an Albion student has advanced to the state competition for the American Oratorical Contest.

Melissa Barnosky took first place on Saturday at the Zone 5 competition at Mount Morris. Barnosky, a senior at Albion, also advanced to the state contest last year. Meredith Patterson made it in 2016.

Barnosky competed against three other students and moves on to the finals in Albany on March 3. If she wins the state contest, she will advance to the national finals in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 14-15.

Melissa won at the school and county levels. She came in second at the district level to qualify for the zone competition. She received an $800 scholarship for winning first place at Zone 5.

Students in the competition deliver a prepared speech on the U.S. Constitution and citizen duties and obligations to the government. The speech must be 8-10 minutes in length. If it is over or under, there are penalty points.

The students also prepare for several assigned topics on various amendments. The students do not know which assigned topic they will have to present until 5 minutes prior. The assigned topic is randomly chosen by one of the members. Then the contestant is informed of the topic.  The speech needs to be 3 to 5 minutes in length without penalty points.

The assigned topic was on the 2nd amendment –  “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Melissa was escorted to the event on Saturday by Gary Befus, a member of the American Legion in Albion. Rich Gannon, an Albion social studies teacher, is the Oratorical Contest advisor for Albion.

Gas prices have increased about 30 cents a gallon in New York since a year ago, going from a state average of $2.49 a year ago to $2.78 today, according to Western and Central New York AAA.

Orleans County is about 5 cents below the state average. However, the $2.732 average in Orleans in higher than most Western New York counties.

AAA said the average prices for other nearby counties include: Genesee, $2.678; Niagara, $2.699; Monroe, $2.713; Erie, $2.683; Wyoming, $2.704; and Allegany, $2.736.

The highest average price in the state is at New York City at $3.007. Westchester County is at $2.913.

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.61, which is up three cents from one week ago, AAA said. One year ago, the price was $2.27.

The U.S. has ramped up oil production, but OPEC is reducing supply. Plus, there is a steady rising worldwide demand for oil, which is pushing up prices, AAA said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MIDDLEPORT – Runners take off at the start of the 29^th annual Mr. Ed’s Super Bowl Warm-Up, which attracted about 400 participants today in Middleport. The race draws devoted runners from Western New York and Canada.

The race starts and finishes near the lift bridge.

Don Heschke, center, is the race organizer. He waits for the signal to fire the small cannon which lets out a big boom. The cannon has been featured on race shirts and is one of the unique parts of the Mr. Ed’s race.

Many runners showed their football allegiances, including an Eagles fan at left.

This paved section of the towpath provided a break from the mud.

Jason Smith, center, rounds a bend in the race. Smith, the superintendent of Lyndonville Central School, has been a regular at Mr. Ed’s in recent years.

After the 5-kilometer race, runners enjoy chili and a party at the Middleport Fire Hall. Valerie Wood serves the chili. She was among the many volunteers who put on today’s race.

Proceeds from the race go towards scholarships for Roy-Hart grads pursuing careers in law enforcement or emergency medical services (firefighting or EMTs). Race organizers this past June were able to award five scholarships for $1,500 each.

Stalemate deprives Orleans of $230,000 in gambling revenues

A group of county officials from throughout the state want an end of a dispute that is causing the Seneca Nation of Indians to withhold $50 million in revenues in municipalities.

The New York State Association of Counties met last week at its Legislative Conference in Albany and the group approved a resolution, calling for the Seneca Nation and the state “to expeditiously resolve their differences and reach an agreement to avoid catastrophic harm to public safety and public services.”

The Seneca Nation was sharing about $50 million annually in slot machine revenues with local governments, including $230,000 annually to Orleans County. The gambling proceeds went 16 counties in Western New York and other local governments.

The Seneca Nation shared the money as part of a 2002 compact. Seneca leaders say language in 2002 compact allowed the Senecas to stop sharing revenue with the local governments and the state after 14 years. The state is contesting that, saying the money should continue to be shared.

NYSAC, the group representing the counties, say the funds are needed to help the WNY municipalities maintain critical government services during an era of a property tax cap.

“The Seneca Nation and the counties of New York have a long history of productive partnerships and respect, and the Nation leaders have recently expressed that they wish to continue their valued partnership with local governments,” the NYSAC resolution reads. “The long-term viability of this region depends, in part, on all parties coming to an agreement on the involved issues.”

NYSAC said the Seneca Nation and state are attempting to resolve the issue through arbitration, which could be a dragged-out process taking years. NYSAC wants to see the elected leaders of the state and Seneca Nation instead move to quickly resolve the issue.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Roland Phillips of the Book Shoppe in Medina pours a glass Rosé Hard Cider for Roger and Annette Allis of Medina. The Book Shoppe was one of 28 stops during the 10^th annual Wine About Winter in Medina.

There were 854 tickets sold for the event, which includes wine-tastings.

The Rosé Hard Cider served by Phillips was produced as a collaboration by Leonard Oakes Estates Winery in Medina and Rootstocks Ciderworks in Williamson.

Canalside Tattoo was one of the stops on Wine About Winter, which is organized by the Medina Business Association.

Cindy Robinson and Kathy Blackburn are long-time leaders of the MBA. They said the downtown business district is ideal for the event because there are so many shops and businesses that are one-day hosts for the wine-tastings.

Joe Gould of Into The Enigma pours Sauvignon Blanc from 90 + Cellars in Brighton, Mass. He is serving Tony Hipes, Molly Butler, second from left, and Judy Hipes, left. Most of the wines are from the Niagara Wine Trail and Finger Lakes wineries.

Regular tickets for the event are $15. The Medina Business Association pays the wineries a wholesale rate for the wine, rather than asking them to share samples for free. Blackburn of the MBA said the wineries are small businesses and the MBA wants to support them, too, as well as provide a fun outing in the downtown with Wine About Winter.

A souvenir glass highlights the 10^th anniversary of Wine About Winter. Blackburn and Robinson of the MBA recalled the first event when they hoped to sell 144 tickets. They had 144 glasses made in 2009. There were 250 tickets for the debut Wine About Winter, with more than 100 people bringing their own glasses.

The event peaked in 2016 with 900 tickets sold. The MBA has considered capping it at 750 but there is too much demand.

Robinson said the wine-tasting has helped introduce people to many of the businesses in the downtown.

The MBA also has an Ale in Autumn event in September and a Sweets in Summer with chocolate and other treats in August.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – The Kendall Junior-Senior High School hosted the 2018 All County Festival this afternoon, featuring performances from the elementary chorus, junior high band and senior high chorus. There were about 300 students involved in the concert today.

The top photo shows some of the singers in the chorus, which included 110 students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina school districts.

Elementary chorus performed four songs under direction of Maryellen Giese, a Morton resident who taught in Brockport Central School for 31 years. She conducts the Hochstein Youth Singers and Hochstein School of Music and Dance in Rochester, as well as the “Sweden Senior Singers” in Brockport.

The chorus sang, Siyahamba from South African Suite, Fairest Lady, Galop, and The Storm is Passing Over.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

The junior high band performed Brookpark Overture for Band, In the Shining of the Stars, Dorian Pirate, and Rouge Valley Celebration.

Dr. Pamela L. Turowski conducted the junior high band. She is currently the music director of the Burlington County Institute of Technology Academy of Performing Arts in Medford, NJ.

The students started rehearsing together on Friday and arrived early at Kendall this morning to practice for this afternoon’s concert.

The high school chorus was led by guest conductor Dr. Adam Potter, who is director of choral activities and an assistant professor of music at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester.

There will be another All County Festival on March 3, this time featuring the elementary band, junior high chorus and senior high band.

Provided photos

MEDINA – The Medina school district and the Orleans County YMCA celebrated the grand opening of a new Education Recreation Club on Friday evening at the Y.

Dan Doctor, left, is the district’s director of community outreach. He watches kids try some of the games at the site, 306 Pearl St., the former Medina Armory.

The district and Y updated the bottom floor of the YMCA. The district will have after-school programs with tutoring and games in the new Rec Club.

Photograph courtesy of the University of Rochester

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 5

The history of Orleans County’s African American population in the earliest decades of our area is scarce and unknown in many aspects. Some residents may be familiar with the story of Richard Gordineer who, as an infant, was sold by his father to Joseph Grant; Grant eventually settled in the Shelby/Medina area. After New York abolished slavery in 1827, Gordineer became a free man and a well-respected citizen of Medina. Other stories involve families, like those of Henry Spencer and Jacob Carter, who came to Western New York with local Union army officers at the conclusion of the Civil War.

Spencer came to Orleans County with Lt. Hiram Sickels of the 17th New York Light Independent Artillery sometime around 1866. After earning enough money working for George Sickels, he brought his wife and children to this area. One of Spencer’s sons, Henry Austin, spent the majority of his teenage years working for Asa and William Howard as an errand boy until he reached adulthood. While he worked, he made his best efforts to attend the local schools, which he attended for approximately three months out of the year. A biographical sketch of Spencer noted that he kept up with his fellow classmates by “burning the midnight oil.”

He attended Miss Mabel Foster’s boarding school in Philadelphia, becoming the first African American admitted to that institution where he quickly became one of the more popular students. Spencer then attended the Brockport Normal School, where he was one of the few African American students at an institution with several hundred students. The impressive young man graduated in 1880, about 10 years after Fannie Barrier Williams became the first African American student to graduate from the school. During commencement week, Spencer was selected as the Gamma Sigma orator, an honor that earned him a full scholarship to the University of Rochester shortly after. It was not the scholarship that was unprecedented, but Spencer’s acceptance to the University, which marked the first time in the history of the institution that an African American was accepted into the institution.

Upon the conclusion of his schooling, he studied law under the Hon. George H. Smith of Rochester while working to support his family. Spencer was appointed to a position in Albany in the speaker’s room thanks to a former University of Rochester classmate, Hon. James M. E. O’Grady. When S. Fred Nixon assumed the role as speaker of the State Assembly, Spencer was appointed as Nixon’s confidential clerk, a position which he continued to hold through the tenure of the Hon. James Wadsworth, Jr.

Upon his retirement in 1929, he had served in government for over 30 years and worked for a period of time under Governor Alfred E. Smith and other prominent state officials. At the time of his death on September 25, 1935 in Rochester, he was one of the area’s more prominent African American citizens. He was a past grand master of the New York State Colored Masons, an organization which consisted of over 2,000 members across New York.

Health Department recommends vaccine, other precautions

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Alert: Over the last few weeks, flu cases are on the rise locally and throughout New York. The flu virus tends to spread from October to May, with most cases occurring in January or February.

“It is important to note that vaccinations can be given at any time during the flu season,” said Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Even getting a vaccination later in the season (December through March) can still help protect you from influenza.

Locally, Orleans County has 131 confirmed flu cases from Sept. 1, 2017 through Feb. 1, 2018. Last year during this same time period there were 26 confirmed cases.

“Flu vaccine is still available locally, but we recommend you call your medical provider, pharmacist or the health department to make sure they have a supply of flu vaccine in stock before going,” Bedard said.

Everyone six months and older should be vaccinated against the flu. The vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu, and it can help protect the ones you love.

Flu-related complications can result in hospitalization and occasionally result in death. Complications include pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus or ear infections. The flu also can make chronic health problems worse. For example, those who have asthma, often experience more asthma attacks when they are ill with the flu.

“Everyone can play a part in preventing the spread of the flu,” Bedard said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages everyone to follow “Take 3” actions to fight the flu:

1. Take time to get a flu vaccine. A yearly flu vaccination can reduce flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalization.

2. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

a. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

b. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

c. If you are sick with flu symptoms, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, unless you need to get medical care or for other necessities.

d. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.  If no tissue, cough or sneeze in your elbow making sure your mouth and nose are covered by your sleeve.

e. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

f. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

g. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. Antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

It is important to remember if your symptoms worsen to talk with your primary care provider or if you are having trouble breathing or are unable to keep food and water down to go to the emergency room or urgent care center.

More information about the flu is available at the State Health Department website by clicking here.

Provided photo

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club donated $1,700 on Thursday to the Kendall Food Cupboard. Lion President Mike Cusimano, left, presents a ceremonial check for $1,700 to Marty Goodenberry for the Food Cupboard.

Each year at their holiday party, Lions Club members donate and bid on items to be auctioned. This year club members raised a record amount.  Marty thanked the club and shared that they prepared 270 boxes and gifts for 120 kids at Christmas.

He shared that the Food Cupboard is now a 501c3 organization. This status will allow the organization to seek grants to further support the Food Cupboard.

Provided photo from Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center

MEDINA – Today was National Wear Red Day to raise awareness of heart disease as the leading cause of death for women, taking more lives than all types of cancer combined. (Heart disease is also the leading cause of death for men.)

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement advocates for more research and swift action for women’s heart health.  Cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education, motivation and action.

Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center participated in the movement. Pictured, include, front: Jay Patel. Second row: Mary Luckman, Maeling Wong and Amy Martin. Back row: Jamie Murphy, Debbie Feltz, Lisa Giattino, Laura Lechner, Sharon Laskett, Michelle Clor, Brenda Cherry, RoseAnn Velesko and Donna Steverson.

The Orleans County Office for the Aging staff also wore red today. The include, front row, from left: Susie Miller, Chris Hermann, Becky Karls, Leanne Donovan and Amanda Edick. Back row: Melissa Blanar, Rhonda Stevens and Michele Sargent.

Public urged to vote on top two favorites

HOLLEY – Voting continues until Sunday to select the two favorite pizza peals decorated by Holley High School art students for Dustin’s Pizzeria, located at 50 Public Square in the village.

Last fall, Jennifer and Dustin Reisman, who own Dustin’s, asked art teachers Evinn Neadow and Brandi Zavitz, if their students would add artwork to the peals, which would then be mounted on the walls of the restaurant.

Pizza peals are wooden paddles which are typically used to remove pizza from the restaurant’s ovens.

Students in Neadow’s drawing and painting class showcased menu items on their peals. Zavitz’s students took photographs along the canal and around the falls and used them to paint landscapes on their peals.

One winner will be selected from among the landscape peals and one from the food peals. Winners will be announced on Feb. 7. The peals are on display in the dinning area of the restaurant.

This landscape painting features the view of the canal looking east from the village park.

One peal features a painting of a basket piled with Buffalo chicken wings.