OSWEGO – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that her office is now accepting applications for the 2025 Military Service Academy nominations. Students from New York’s 24th Congressional District interested in attending one of these distinguished academies are invited to apply for a Congressional Nomination from Tenney’s office.
In 2024, Tenney nominated 16 students from New York’s 24th Congressional District to the United States Military Service Academies.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Tenney has the honor of nominating a select number of candidates to four of the five service academies. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the four U.S. service academies:
U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY
If you, or a student you know, are interested in applying for a nomination to one of the service academies, please visit our website here to find the required forms and documents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2025 at 11:13 am
ALBION – The sentencing for Noah Magee has been moved from Wednesday to Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Magee, 20, on Dec. 4 was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Roger Kingdollar III, age 24.
Magee faced a more serious charge of second-degree murder but was instead found guilty of second-degree manslaughter.
Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church said on Dec. 4 the case didn’t meet the level of “depraved indifference to life” for second-degree murder but did for manslaughter, which is “recklessly causing another person’s death.”
Magee could have faced up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of second-degree murder. With the manslaughter charge, he faces 5 to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced. He has been held in the county jail without bail until sentencing.
Magee also was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and failure to keep right.
Magee was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck when crossed over the center lane and went to the north side of McNamar Road on Feb. 8, 2024. Kingdollar was driving a dirt bike on the north side of the road.
The truck struck the dirt bike’s handle bars. Kingdollar suffered a fatal fracture in his neck.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2025 at 11:02 am
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather advisory for Orleans County from 6 p.m. today until 6 p.m. Wednesday with 3 to 7 inches of snow expected.
The advisory also includes Genesee, Niagara, Monroe, northern Erie, Livingston and Ontario counties.
“Expect slippery, snow covered roadways and limited visibilities,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.”
HOLLEY – Holley Central School District’s Pre-K and kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year will be held on March 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Holley Elementary School Foyer, 3800 North Main St.
To be eligible to register for Pre-K, children must be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2025. To be eligible to register for Kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 2025.
Pre-K and kindergarten health physicals are required to be completed by Sept. 1, 2025. If your child currently attends Holley CSD Pre-K, you do not need to register for kindergarten, your Pre-K child will be automatically enrolled.
Please bring the following original documents to register your child: completed registration packet, birth certificate, immunization record and proof of residency. Copies will be made during your visit. You will not be able to register without these documents.
To request a registration packet be mailed to you, please fill out the form on the district’s website (Click here).
If you need assistance completing the registration packet, bring it in on March 12, and assistance will be provided. If you have any questions, please call 585-638-6316 extension 2580. HCSD looks forward to welcoming you!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2025 at 8:45 am
The following students from Orleans County are being recognized for making the Dean’s List during the fall semester.
Two students from Orleans County – Drayven Oakes of Medina and Danielle Wyant of Albion – are on the Dean’s List at SUNY New Paltz, maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.3 while taking a full-time course load.
Two students from Orleans County made the Dean’s List at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.
Leah Kania of Albion is majoring in voice performance, and Kayleigh Neale of Holley is majoring in early childhood education.
To be eligible for the Dean’s List at Baldwin Wallace, students need a GPA of 3.8 or higher while being enrolled in 12 or more graded hours during the semester.
Samantha Rotoli of Holley made the Dean’s List at University of Maryland Global Campus. To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 10:01 pm
The NYS Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor announced $255,000 towards projects and events on the Erie Canal this year, which is the bicentennial of the canal’s completion.
Some of the money will go to initiatives in Orleans County, including a new kayak launch in Holley, as well as new decking and stairs, which will provide visitors with better access to launching areas and rest points, according to the Heritage Corridor.
Other grants in Orleans County include:
The Erie Canal Family Concert on June 23 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. Discover a treasure trove of songs and stories that washed ashore with the travelers of “Clinton’s Ditch.” The concert is designed to entertain and engage, and features a variety of stringed and other musical instruments from canal days.
Erie Canal Bicentennial Building Bricks Event organized by the Village of Medina Tourism Committee. The event will be Sept. 20-21 at the Sacred Heart Club in Medina. Participants will create canal-themed boats, bridges, and landmarks using LEGO bricks, while competing for awards based on age and creativity. Open to all ages and abilities.
Erie Canal Arts & Craft Festival led by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council from Sept. 26-28 at Medina, Albion and Holley. The event will be a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity, and community spirit along the canal. It will feature over 400 artisan vendors, a theatre & car showcase, a headline concert with The Voice’s Ddendyl Hoyt, and festive boat parade.
In nearby Brockport, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will perform as part of a bicentennial celebration on July 8 at the SUNY Brockport Special Events Recreation Center. The RPO will perform folk music celebrating the village’s unique sense of place and rich canal heritage.
Also in Brockport, the Town of Clarkson was awarded funding for Sans Souci Park Improvements. Clarkson will replace portions of the boat launch with a new ADA-accessible boat dock and install bike racks and a universally accessible park playground.
The grants announced today include 11 tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 36 events along canal waterways and the Canalway Trail.
The grants range from $500 to $24,000 and will leverage an estimated $979,087 in additional support, according to the Heritage Corridor.
“After 200 years of continuous operation, the Canalway wouldn’t be what it is without the communities and organizations along its 500-plus miles,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “This program offers us an opportunity to give back by supporting public events and needed infrastructure improvements that together make the Canal corridor an even more exciting place to live in and visit.”
Events ranging from large festivals to community celebrations and tours. Infrastructure and amenity grants will fund public park improvements, kayak rental kiosks, educational exhibits, and signage that will enhance the visitor experience for years to come, the Heritage Corridor said.
“We are thrilled to support so many municipalities and community organizations working to improve the NYS Canal System for visitors and residents,” said Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “Events generate millions of dollars annually in economic impact for canal communities.”
Photo from Schumer’s Office: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer speaks outside Jines Restaurant on Park Avenue in Rochester this afternoon.
Press Release, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
ROCHESTER – Amid the increasing price of eggs, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today stood at Rochester’s Jines Restaurant and called on HHS and the USDA to surge funding and get all hands on deck for coordinated federal response to stop the spread causing sky-rocketing egg prices and lower costs for families, diners, and local bakeries.
“Everyone in Rochester has eaten at Jines at some point, but diners like Jines and families in Rochester have been shell-shocked by higher egg and grocery prices,” Schumer said. “Egg prices are skyrocketing because of bird flu, driving costs up for families, farms, diners, and small businesses. In November, a dozen eggs cost about $4 in NY which is already high, but now the average is nearly $6, and with bird flu getting worse this problem could quickly spiral into a crisis.”
Some grocery stores are limiting the number of egg cartons consumers can purchase, and the price of eggs in New York State has increased from $4.23 in November to $6.10 as of January 10 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Roughly 8% of egg supply has been affected by the avian flu nationwide, and experts say prices could increase an additional 20% in 2025 if the bird flu keeps spreading.
“Last year I secured millions to help contain this disease and we need the new administration to surge biosecurity efforts to beat back bird flu,” Schumer said. “We need a robust, coordinated federal response to crack down on bird flu and I am committed to working in a bipartisan way with the new administration to get grocery prices lower and that starts with getting a handle on bird flu. The health of our livestock, our restaurants, and Rochester families’ wallets depend on it.”
Jines Restaurant serves thousands of eggs per week. The cost of egg cases has increased at unprecedented rates since the start of the avian flu. The restaurant is used to a dozen eggs costing $1.50 a dozen, but now sees prices at $6.50 a dozen and above. With the price of eggs continuing to rise steeply in Rochester and across the country, local diners like Jines are being forced to decide between absorbing the costs and raising prices for customers.
Peter Gines, Jines Restaurant owner, said, “Eggs are used in nearly every dish that we serve and when you need thousands of eggs a week, every cost increase multiplies quickly.”
More than 20 million egg-laying chickens died last quarter because of bird flu, and last week Long Island’s last commercial duck farm was forced to kill thousands of ducks after health officials detected cases of bird flu, forcing the farm to cease operations.
An outbreak in Georgia last week showed how the virus can spread, and Schumer highlighted the need for federal coordination to prevent further spread and support farms in New York and across the country. With infections across the country, there have been fewer eggs available, and decreased supply has led to increasing prices at grocery stores.
Schumer said that the federal government must invest in biosecurity efforts including isolation, sanitation, and more personal protective equipment (PPE). The senator called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health, among other federal agencies, to engage in a coordinated federal response to manage this bird flu outbreak.
HHS invested $300-plus million before the new administration took office and the USDA has said that preparedness is the key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe. Schumer said that as Congress continues to negotiate the Farm Bill, which regulates the federal budget for agricultural-related programs, the new Congress and the new administration must continue to prioritize investing in helping farms detect and contain bird flu.
“The bottom-line here is that we do not want farmers, the feds, or consumers at the grocery store to scramble with this threat of bird flu sustaining into 2025,” Schumer said. “I’ll be pushing for more federal resources in the upcoming budget bill to stop the bird flu, and the feds need to continue prioritizing biosecurity, get all hands on deck for containing bird flu. This will give farmers the resources to isolate, sanitize, and purchase the protective equipment they need.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 9:07 pm
ALBION – An Albion police officer used a fire extinguisher from a patrol car to put out a fire in a television at 116 East Bank St.
Officer Jacob Cotriss was quick to respond to the scene after a call to 911 at about 8:30 p.m. The call to first responders said children were stuck upstairs at the residence.
Cotriss put the fire out, and Albion firefighters then aired out the upstairs. The family is able to stay in the residence.
Firefighters also were dispatched to a fire in Clarendon this afternoon at 16395 Fourth Section Rd., between Powers Drive and Church Street. The fire was contained to the attic, said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director.
High winds and blowing snow have made for dangerous driving conditions
Photo by Ginny Kropf: This large limb blew off a tree on Gwinn Street, between West Oak Orchard and the entrance to Wise Middle School, about 3:30 this afternoon. Power was out on West Avenue, Gwinn Street and parts of Maple Ridge Road.
Press Release, Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has issued a travel advisory for all of Orleans County until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
We are recommending essential travel only. Please use extreme caution if you must travel. High winds along with blowing and drifting snow have produced dangerous driving conditions throughout Orleans County.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s 911 Communication Center has handled 16 trees down on houses or across the road, 6 utility poles down, 12 vehicles off the road, 6 motor vehicle accidents and one house fire in a short period of time this afternoon. National Grid is reporting over 600 homes without power currently.
The National Weather Service Buffalo has issued a high wind warning until 6 a.m Tuesday morning. Winds will be 30 to 40 mph winds with gusts to 70 mph. with additional snow expected.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 4:52 pm
ALBION – A male was injured after jumping on a moving vehicle and falling and hitting his head on the roadway in an area in front of Hoag Library at 134 South Main St. today at about 2:05 p.m., Albion Police Chief David Mogle said in a news release.
The male, age 40, had been acting erratically in the roadway for a few minutes before the incident, Mogle said.
First aid was rendered to the person immediately after he fell to the road. He was transported by Mercy Ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital where he is currently in serious condition. His name is being withheld at this time, Mogle said.
“Witnesses said that the male ran into the roadway and attempted to enter a vehicle passing by,” Mogle said in the news release. “The male then ran down the roadway and jumped onto a moving vehicle. Then began to punch and kick the roof of the vehicle. The male fell from the roof of the vehicle, striking his head on the pavement. The driver of the vehicle involved in this incident is cooperating with law enforcement. Video surveillance in the area has confirmed the witness statements.”
Mogle asks anyone who saw the incident and has not yet spoken to police to contact the Albion PD at (585) 589-5627. The investigation is ongoing.
The Albion Police Department were assisted at the scene by the Albion Fire Department, Mercy Ambulance, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – Sheriff Chris Bourke is pleased to announce the launch of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office’s new free mobile app, designed to provide residents and visitors with easy access to important public safety information, community resources, and emergency alerts.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Mobile App offers a variety of features aimed at improving communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the community, making it easier than ever to stay informed and safe. Key features of the app include:
Interactive Map: A built-in map with information on local courts, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies to help users navigate Orleans County with ease.
Push Notifications: Receive timely updates on road closures, traffic alerts, public safety announcements, and other important local information.
Weather Alerts: Get National Weather Service notifications about location-specific weather, helping you stay ahead of storms and other weather-related events.
Most Wanted: Access information on individuals currently wanted by the Sheriff’s Office, helping keep our community safe.
Inmate Information: Stay up to date with the latest information on inmates currently housed at the Orleans County Jail.
Sheriff’s Office Divisions: Learn about the various divisions within the Sheriff’s Office and the services they provide.
Sex Offender Information: Stay informed about registered sex offenders in the community to help ensure safety.
Community Programs & Resources: Find valuable resources on mental health support, substance use disorder services, domestic violence assistance, and more.
This app is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing transparency, communication, and community safety. We believe that by offering easy access to important information, we can better serve and protect the residents of Orleans County.
Whether it’s keeping track of weather alerts, finding critical community resources, or receiving real-time updates, this app is an invaluable tool for all of those that reside in, work in, and visit Orleans County.
Sheriff Bourke is dedicated to improving the safety and quality of life for all residents. The launch of this mobile app is a step forward in fostering better communication and engagement between the Sheriff’s Office and the community.
We would like to thank the Orleans County Legislature for their unwavering support in helping make Sheriff Bourke’s vision for a Sheriff’s Office Mobile App a reality.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Mobile App is available for free on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 9:23 am
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 7 p.m. this evening until 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
About 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected with winds gusting as high as 65 miles per hour that will result in significant blowing snow and greatly reduced visibility at times, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.
A high wind warning also is in effect for Orleans today through 6 a.m. on Tuesday. There will be southwest winds at 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.
Today is forecast to be sunny with a high near 33, followed by highs of 24 on Tuesday, 29 on Wednesday and 32 on Thursday.
Provided photo: Crosby’s Loyalty Program manager Sara Wells presents a ceremonial check for $3,323.26 to Michael Henry, community relations specialist for Foodlink.
Press Release, Crosby’s
LOCKPORT – Crosby’s is sharing proceeds from its “Add a Smile to Someone’s Holiday” campaign with area food banks.
Throughout the month of December, Crosby’s set aside a donation when customers purchased select items. These items include: Crosby’s New Pickle Pizza, Bison Chip Dip, Crosby’s fuel-fill-ups and gift cards.
“Together with our customers, Crosby’s is able to give back to the communities we serve throughout the year,” said Lenny Smith, Vice President of Crosby’s. “Our holiday giving campaign was another opportunity for us to do that, with proceeds going to area food banks like Foodlink. It was very rewarding to support this vital resource throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region – and to add some smiles to this holiday season.”
Crosby’s operates nearly 90 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania, including several in Orleans County.
