Two local state legislators and the union for corrections officers have condemned the beating of Robert Brooks by COs at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Oneida County.

Robert Brooks died on Dec.10 after a beating from corrections officers at Marcy while Brooks was handcuffed with his hands behind his back. Video shows Brooks shows officers pushing, kicking, grabbing and pulling Brooks by his neck.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, issued this statement:

“The incident at Marcy Correctional Facility was appalling and should not be tolerated. I’ve spoken with numerous correctional officers in our community over the last few days who are equally disgusted and outraged by this tragedy. These events do not represent the overwhelming majority of our hardworking, dedicated and professional corrections officers. Those responsible should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, issued this statement:

“I am sickened by the brutal and senseless attack at Marcy Correctional Facility. The footage is absolutely appalling, and these violent actions cannot be tolerated. While this incident will understandably outrage New Yorkers, it’s important to recognize that this horrific event does not reflect the dedicated service of the countless correction officers who risk their lives every day to maintain order and safety in our prisons. Those responsible must be held fully accountable – there is no excuse for this behavior.

James Miller, director of public relations for the NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, issued this statement:

“NYSCOPBA’s Executive Board has reviewed the video footage released by the Attorney General regarding the death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility.  What we have witnessed is reprehensible .

“It is clear to all of us that these actions are a disgrace to our profession and have put everyone inside our facilities at risk. As correction officers and sergeants, we have a duty to protect every person inside a correctional facility. At all times, we must be ready to stop those seeking to do harm, and that includes fellow staff.

“We, as an organization, stand in complete defiance of the callous disregard for the suffering that we have all witnessed on this video. NYSCOPBA will continue to fulfill its legal obligation to defend all members from all administrative charges, regardless of severity or public outcry. However, as more information becomes readily available, NYSCOPBA must continue to focus its efforts on advocating on behalf of those members who dutifully come to work every day and act with the professionalism and selflessness demanded of them.”

MEDINA – A major highlight of Orleans Community Health in 2024 was the announcement at Treasure Island in November of the creation of Medina Healthcare Center, a transformative outpatient facility set to open in the new year within Medina Memorial Hospital.

This new center is designed to address the critical healthcare needs of Orleans County residents, many of whom face significant challenges in accessing primary and specialized care locally, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health.

Overall cost of the new facility is $1.9 million, of which $600,000 has already been raised. The Foundation has aggressively been pursuing federal funds and public and private grants. This is in addition to fundraising efforts soliciting donors and events, such as Treasure Island and the Gala.

The Medina Healthcare Center will be located in the former Behavioral Health and Comprehensive Medical Rehab wings of the hospital. That is in the southern and southwest area of the first floor, Robinson said. As part of the final project, the south parking lot will be repaved, a new entrance added to the south and an elevator installed.

The newly opened Ear, Nose and Throat Center is already part of the expansion and the project team has been meeting with primary care providers, Robinson said. Services, such as primary care, will also begin earlier than completion of the project.

“We’re going to do everything possible to bring services to the community, especially those they are already in need of,” Robinson said. “If an opportunity presents itself, we’ll do everything possible to make it happen now.”

The Medina Healthcare Center will offer a comprehensive range of services, starting with the launch of the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic which opened in November. Primary care services are slated to begin in the first part of 2025, addressing a pressing need in Orleans County, which currently has one of the worst primary care-to-patient ratios in New York state.

“Our community has consistently demonstrated a commitment to enhancing healthcare access,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “The community’s continued support allows us to make meaningful strides toward making the Medina Healthcare Center a reality, bringing critical outpatient services right here in our community.”

The planned renovations include 13 state-of-the-art exam rooms, a dedicated procedure room and a consultation area, in addition to improved parking facilities, all aimed at providing efficient, patient-centered care in one accessible location.

As Orleans Community Health embarks on a capital campaign to fund this project, the initial steps are already underway. With continued community support, Orleans Community Health is working to expand primary care services as quickly as possible, ensuring timely access to essential care for Orleans County residents.

The Medina Healthcare Center represents a beacon of hope and programs, filling a crucial gap in outpatient healthcare services and reinforcing the hospital’s role as a cornerstone of community well-being.

Information provided by the hospital states, “This new state-of-the-art facility will transform outpatient care in Orleans County.”

Anyone who would like to help make this project a reality may contribute by logging on to Support the Medina Healthcare Center – Orleans Community Health.

ALBION – As 2024 comes to a close, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern’s director Jami Allport is reflecting on the impact they have made, with support from the community.

“This year, thanks to your unwavering support, we’ve been able to provide services for 403 families and 1048 individuals,” Allport said. “In 2024, we have had many changes. We moved our office space in April (for which we are so happy and thankful), rebranded and relaunched our youth program, started our homeless outreach program and worked to increase our presence in the community.

“We have had some great times with our Mental Health Walk, the county-wide Recreation Day, pop-up play dates and parades. We loved being able to play games with kids and families before football games, and providing brand new school clothes for more than 80 children, Christmas gifts for more than 60 children and prom tickets for seniors. The outpouring of donations to help support our un-homed friends in the warming center has been nothing short of amazing. None of the would have been possible without the dedication and generosity of our community.”

As the agency looks to the future, key areas of focus for GOMOC are:

• The issue of homelessness, how it looks in our communities and how we can work together to begin to make a positive impact on this community.
• Providing long-term solutions to the people we serve. We do not want to just be a temporary “band aid,” but rather facilitate real change for the community.
• Continuing to partner with others in the community to identify gaps in care and work to fill those gaps.
• Providing much-needed support to the schools in Genesee and Orleans counties and to the youth they serve.
• Continuing to support the community members in need with rental assistance, furniture, prescription co-pays, personal care items, gas vouchers, bus passes and advocacy.

To their volunteers, donors, partners and supporters, Allport said their time, energy and contributions have made a real difference, and they are so grateful for each and every one of them.

“Your commitment has helped us create positive change, and for that, we are truly thankful,” Allport said. “As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with hope and excitement for the work we will continue to do together. Our journey isn’t over – we can’t wait to see what we will achieve in the coming year.”

Allport concluded with a “thank you” to everyone for being part of their mission and pushing to make the community a better place.

GO Art! welcomes more support for cultural site at fairgrounds

Photo by Tom Rivers: Gregory Hallock, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, speaks on Oct. 29 about a plan for a new cultural facility at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The building is planned for the west end of the Fairgrounds near Taylor Hill Road.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has raised $11,725 from 187 donors so far towards the schematic drawings for the GO Barn! cultural center at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

“These contributions came from grassroots efforts, including checks, cash donations, and online contributions,” said Gregory Hallock, the GO Art! executive director. “It represents significant community support and the dedication of individuals across Orleans and neighboring counties.”

GO Art! is seeking $150,000 towards the final designs for the project, which are needed so GO Art! can pursue grants and other funding.

GO Art! is planning a major fundraiser, The Wells Barn Legacy Fundraiser, to boost donations. In the meantime, Hallock said there is a strong committee of volunteers to help raise additional funds to fill the gap. These efforts will include promoting ticket sales for the fundraiser.

If GO Art! doesn’t hit the fundraising goal soon, Hallock said the organization is prepared to utilize lines of credit to keep the project on track.

“However, maintaining the availability of these funds is crucial, as they are often used to cover upfront costs for our reimbursable grants,” he said. “By minimizing reliance on credit, we can ensure that our broader programs and operations remain unaffected while still advancing the GO Barn! project.”

Rendering by Red Green Design: The three-story building would have the look of a barn, with the silo having an elevator and stairs to access the three floors. GO Art! said the facility would boost arts programs, agricultural education and entrepreneurial initiatives.

GO Art! is actively seeking volunteers, “go-getters” and community influencers to join this effort. Those interested in helping can contact Hallock directly at ghallock@goart.org.

In the meantime, GO Art! is making a year-end push to encourage additional contributions. Donations can be made online at goart.org/gobarn.

“We welcome all levels of support to bring this project closer to reality,” he said.

The fairgrounds is an ideal location for the cultural center, located between Medina and Albion, Hallock said.

“It will be a dynamic cultural community hub designed to bring arts, agricultural education, and entrepreneurial opportunities together under one roof,” he said.

GO Barn! would serve as a vibrant space for a wide range of arts and educational programs, with workshops spanning fine arts, culinary arts, horticulture, fiber arts, and more, Hallcok said.

The building would have flexible or adaptable space that could be used for many things. Hallock and Go Art! envision two art galleries, artist studios and a residence where artists could bunk instead of driving home in the wee hours of the night. Hallock would like to the building to be used for many art forms – culinary, folk, horticultural, literary, visual, muli-media and more.

Hallock said the site would likely be built in stages. He said a July 2025 start is possible with the project’s target completion in July 2028.

He listed the following potential new programs:

Fiber arts and crafts; culinary arts; horticultural and agriculture programs; art and design classes; animals and fiber arts; health, wellness and social programs; technology and innovation programs; performing arts and music classes; film and digital media classes; woodworking classes and workshops; crafts and do-it-yourself classes; sustainability and eco-classes; business and entrepreneurship classes; collaborative and community projects; educational and community events; bar and beverage service; event space rentals.

The facility would be accessible and inclusive to all community members, Hallock said. The GoBarn would have hands-on programs in arts, agriculture and sustainability that would provide workforce readiness. Hallock said GO Art! wants to partner with local schools and organizations in “fostering a lifelong learning environment.”

MEDINA – After 29 years of bringing joy to customers through cookies and kindness, Mary Lou Tuohey is retiring after today as owner of Case-Nic Cookies in downtown Medina.

She and her staff have kept up their usual busy pace this holiday season. But this time there have been plenty of tears as Case-Nic nears the end of 29 years.

“I’m definitely going to miss it,” Tuohey said about the business where she has met so many people over the years. “A lot of people are upset we are closing.”

Kathy McHugh has worked for Tuohey the past decade at Case-Nic. She said Tuohey has an amazing work ethic and kind heart for the community.

“I’m grateful for everything Mary Lou has done for me and everyone,” McHugh said. “She is here from dawn to dusk.”

McHugh will miss the job at Case-Nic.

“It’s always great to put smiles on peoples’ faces,” she said.

Mary Lou Tuohey frosts cookies with a New year’s theme. Case-Nic has set a 100 dozen a day limit during the holiday season. It makes for a long day in the kitchen of baking and being bent over to do the frosting.

Case-Nic also made 2,000 dozen cookies for the Medina Railroad Museum this season for the Polar Express.

Tuohey decorates the New Year’s cookies with a 2025. Many customers orders for events happening months away with the cookies to be frozen. They wanted the Case-Nic cookies for their events.

Tuohey has the cookies ready for decorations. The blue ones are for the character Bluey for a birthday party in a few months.

A big banner is in the store thanking Mary Lou Tuohey for her 29 years at Case-Nic.

Many customers signed the banner, thanking Tuohey and the Case-Nic staff.

Case-Nic closes today at 5 p.m. Tuohey said the building at 439 Main St. will remain a  bakery. Hans Rosentreter, co-owner of the Coffee Pot Café, will take over the site.

Photo from Carter Center: Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died at age 100 on Dec. 29. Carter was a noted humanitarian who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and President Joe Biden have both directed flags to be at half-staff in honor of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter until sunset on Jan. 28.

Carter died at age 100 on Dec. 29. He was a noted humanitarian and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

“President Jimmy Carter embodied decency and integrity throughout his life of public service,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “I’ll never forget as a teenager meeting him in Buffalo. He was an inspiration to me and so many Americans. Our hearts are with the Carter family during this difficult time.”

Carter died in Plains, Georgia. He is survived by his children Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalynn.

Biden marked Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning.

“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.”

MEDINA – Of the nearly 50 floats entered in Medina’s annual Parade of Lights Nov. 30, The Orleans/Niagara BOCES emerged as the grand champion.

 This morning, Jim Hancock, chair of the Parade of Lights committee, accompanied parade grand marshal Ginny Kropf to BOCES to present the the school with its much-deserved plaque for earning first place. BOCES also received a check for $500 for the top entry.

BOCES principal Nicole Goyette accepted the plaque, saying she is a firm believer it is important for the students to do things in the community.

“We tried to involve as many students as possible,” Goyette said.

Photos courtesy of Nicole Goyette: Niagara-Orleans BOCES award-winning float in Medina’s Parade of Lights had a theme of “On Track for Bright Futures.” 

The float had the theme of “On Track for Bright Futures” and featured a track around the flatbed with a toy train running; an eight-foot metal Christmas tree with thousands of green lights; and a fire pit around which students sat during the parade.

Students in the welding class fabricated the track and Christmas tree out of scrap metal and rebar. Automotive technology students wired the train with a toggle switch, and Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering students created the fire pit, with a fog machine to simulate smoke. Diesel program students had previously restored an antique 1954 John Deere 40U tractor, which followed the float in the parade. Graphics students made the sign describing the float.

“BOCES has always had beautiful floats,” Hancock said.

(Left) BOCES students string some of the thousands of green lights on the giant Christmas tree made from scrap metal which highlighted their award-winning float. (Right) A BOCES student welds a track out of scrap metal on a flatbed which would become the grand champion float in the Parade of Lights.

In all, Goyette said about 20 students and staff were involved in creating their float.

This is the sixth year BOCES has entered a float in the Parade of Lights and the first time they have won a prize.

“We were thrilled with the prize money,” Goyette said. “We are using it to help students who need materials for their classes, but can’t afford it. This includes work boots, tools, test equipment for nursing students and kits for cosmetology.

“It really comes in handy,” Goyette said.

Goyette said the kids have asked if next year they could keep the float and take it to Albion’s parade, which is what they plan to do.

A fire pit created by BOCES’ Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (Machining) class was surrounded by students on their float in the Parade of Lights.

The idea for BOCES to have a float in the Parade of Lights was initially suggested by Auto Technology teacher Bob Winters, and the school has supported it ever since.

“The kids already have an idea for next year’s float,” Goyette said.

Hancock said they give out almost $4,000 in prize money to parade entrants, in addition to a plaque.

The Parade of Lights takes place every year on the last Saturday in November, at the end of Olde Tyme Christmas in Medina.

NY will expedite $400 million investment in body-worn cameras for all prisons

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

 Governor Kathy Hochul today visited Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County demanding answers from the facility’s interim leadership following the horrific killing of Robert Brooks.

Governor Hochul also met with a number of incarcerated individuals at Marcy who serve as liaisons for the larger incarcerated population and heard from them directly about their experiences.

Hochul announced immediate corrective actions following her visit, and she previously ordered an immediate and full investigation into the death of Robert Brooks and further directed New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Martuscello to begin the termination process for the 14 individuals who were involved in his fatal attack.

“Today, as I stood in the room where Robert Brooks was killed, I was once again heartbroken by this unnecessary loss of life and further sickened to think of the actions of depraved individuals with no regard for human life,” Governor Hochul said. “Mr. Brooks and his family did not deserve this. I told both Marcy leadership and the incarcerated individuals that I met with that every single individual who enters a DOCCS facility deserves to be safe, whether they are employed there or serving their time. The system failed Mr. Brooks and I will not be satisfied until there has been significant culture change. Today I am implementing a number of new policies at Marcy and within DOCCS, and I look forward to continuing to hear ideas from experts, elected officials, and advocates as we continue this work.”

During her meeting with DOCCS officials today, Governor Hochul directed Department leaders to implement immediate changes to protect the safety and well-being of all DOCCS personnel and incarcerated individuals. This includes:

• Directing DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello to appoint Shawangunk Correctional Facility Superintendent Bennie Thorpe as the new permanent Superintendent of Marcy Correctional Facility. Superintendent Thorpe has spent more than two decades working in corrections, including leadership roles at Hudson Correctional Facility, Sing Sing Correctional Facility and now as Superintendent at Shawangunk. He has extensive experience in security operations and also has implemented programs like College in Prison and Rehabilitation Through the Arts. He is a career DOCCS employee who has never served at Marcy or nearby facilities, giving him expertise and a fresh perspective on what must be done.
• Expediting $400 million to install fixed cameras and distribute body-worn cameras in all DOCCS facilities. Governor Hochul has already committed over $400 million for this initiative which has already invested millions of dollars in cameras across the system — the same body-worn cameras that were critical in capturing the horrific assault on Mr. Brooks. At the Governor’s direction, Commissioner Martuscello has already expanded the policy for activating body-worn cameras whenever a staff member comes in contact with incarcerated individuals.
• Adding DOCCS staff to the Office of Special Investigations to ensure that complaints are handled immediately and that anyone found of wrongdoing will be held accountable in a timely manner.
• Directing DOCCS to engage an outside firm to conduct a review of the culture, patterns and practices, not only in Marcy, but across the correctional system.
• Expanding the DOCCS whistleblower hotline to more effectively facilitate anonymous tips from DOCCS employees and contractors as well as incarcerated individuals.
• Deploying $2 million to expand DOCCS’ partnership with the Correctional Association of NY (“CANY”), which is charged with visiting and examining the State’s correctional facilities under §146 of New York’s Correction Law. These funds will allow CANY to expand their ability to provide independent monitoring and oversight of state prisons in New York State, which is a critical step in providing independent and ongoing concerns and solutions to the agency.
• Launching a new partnership with AMEND, a public health and human rights program that works in prisons to assess the operating culture of our facilities, offer recommendations to reduce misconducts and other adverse events among incarcerated individuals, and to improve health and wellbeing. AMEND will also review appropriate training curriculum and provide recommendations based on this review.
• Launching a new partnership with Chicago Beyond to conduct a safety gap analysis within several facilities with the goal of deploying fresh, expert eyes within corrections facilities to identify improvements and develop best practices.
• Creating a new dedicated unit on The Future of Prisons in New York State within the Council of Community Justice. The scope of work for the new exclusively dedicated unit would be broad, including (a) a strategy for creating a more healthy and safer environment of those who work and are incarcerated in our prisons; (b) the training and professional development of corrections staff; (c) staffing needs (a major national crisis); (d) the state of the economies of “prison towns” that would be impacted if prisons closed, building on the work of the previous commission; (e) the state of health care, particularly for the aging population; (f) the projected population for the prisons over the next 20 years (under different policy options for sentencing); and (g) the state of the physical plant.

These newly-announced actions build on the existing work directed by Governor Hochul in the days following Mr. Brooks’ horrific killing. These include:

• Directing Commissioner Martuscello to begin the termination process for all individuals involved in the killing. Currently 13 individuals have been suspended without pay and one individual has resigned.
• Enhancing DOCCS’ body-worn camera policy by requiring correction officers to have their body cameras activated and on at any time they are engaging directly with our incarcerated population. DOCCS is also requiring daily audits to ensure that body cams are being activated and used within each facility.
• Begin implementing an advanced performance matrix for body-worn camera oversight. DOCCS is working closely with the Department’s body-worn camera vendor to implement advanced performance matrix, additional body-worn camera oversight, review and audit functionality that will allow us to safeguard those in the State’s care.
• Expanding the requirements for senior leaders within each facility, known as the “Officer of the Day” policy, by ensuring senior leaders are present at all shifts in every facility.
• DOCCS call with all Correctional Facility Superintendents to reinforce the Administration’s position of not tolerating the use of excessive force and the need to treat all people in the State’s care with dignity and respect.
• Communicating with incarcerated individuals to address this incident with the incarcerated individual population and reemphasize the Department’s commitment to investigate and improve as an agency.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Christmas Decorations Committee of the Lyndonville Lions Club traversed the Village of Lyndonville and the surrounding community of the Town of Yates in search of the best holiday decorations on Sunday, Dec. 29.

The long-established tradition of awarding honorary plaques to residents of the local community was once again carried out to recognize their hard work in decorating their homes for the Christmas season along with their increased electric bills.

Inflation is real in Lyndonville as the committee saw a large “Inflation” of more displays.

This year’s inflatable display award goes to Mr. Eric Morton and Ms. Rose Carter of 65 Maple Avenue in the Village of Lyndonville. The committee was unanimous on this selection as Eric and Rose’s efforts are year-round and calculated into the equation of “Best Inflatable Display.”

The committee awarded the Best Newcomer Award to Andy and Donna Krall in the Village of Lyndonville. Not only are they newcomers, just recently moving into Lyndonville, they wasted no time or effort in joining in the holiday tradition of exterior home Illumination for Christmas.  The Lions would like to send their holiday wishes and a big welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Krall.

An award was also bestowed on Ms. Barb Tice of 8 Eagle St. for the “Best in Show 2025.” This decoration job touches all the facets of the holiday season with lights, Christmas ornaments and Nutcrackers on display. It was felt that this display has been one of the largest and longest running displays in Lyndonville and really brings in a welcome feeling to Lyndonville for Christmas.

The first rural award went to Ryan and Katie Klotzbach of Alps Road for the most traditional Christmas display. The committee felt this simple display reflected the “Reason for the Season” and wanted to recognize it for its simple but powerful message.

The final award was given to Steve Shaw who resides on North Main Street in Lyndonville.  The Currier and Ives Award honors the home decorations reflective of a nostalgic Christmas long ago.

The Lions had two honorable mention awards. It was felt the first reflected the Amish influence in the Town of Yates and the committee want to recognize this effort.

The second honorable mention went to a resident on Maple Avenue in the Town of Lyndonville. The committee felt this display was award worthy but since the resident already has a “Major Award” on display it was felt our plaque would have paled in comparison.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank all those who year in and year out continue to add, change or start decorating their homes for the Christmas Season. In an effort to increase the competition for these prestigious awards the Lions not only honored recipients with a plaque, but this year honorees received a gift certificate to the White Birch Resort.

The Lions would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and my God continue to bless us and this great nation we live in as we start 2025.

MEDINA – Mile 303 will again host a ball drop on New year’s Eve on Main Street in Medina.

Mile 303 started the ball drop to ring in year 2019. The restaurant and bar at 416 Main St. will open at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday for a New Year’s Eve Party to culminate with the ball drop at midnight.

The Medina Village Board agreed to close off part of Main Street for the event. Police Chief Todd Draper said there hasn’t been any unruly behavior with past ball drop celebrations. He pushed to have the street closed so people can safely gather and mingle on Main Street to celebrate the start of a new year.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has gone on the record in support of an estimated $10 million in improvements to the canal in Medina, including work on the towpath trail and the concrete wall on the north side of the canal in the basin.

The State Canal Corp. is working on the design for improvements to the towpath from Bates Road to the lift bridge.

The Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority requested a letter of support for the improvement project. That letter of support from the board would be “invaluable” as the Power Authority works to get approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, according to a letter to Mayor Marguerite Sherman from Joana Pacheco, Capital Planning manager of Canals for the Power Authority.

“The Medina Waterfront Project is a transformative effort aimed at rebuilding the canal structure of the high wall and repairing the canal system trails,” Pacheco wrote in a letter to Mayor Marguerite Sherman. “It includes enhancements to existing trailheads and the creation of new public spaces that will provide much needed amenities, fostering increased accessibility, connection and quality of life for the community.”

The Medina Village Board on Dec. 16 said it strongly supports the project and will send a letter backing the effort.

The Power Authority and Canal Corp. also are looking to “reactivate” an industrial area where safety concerns have been reported, transforming it into a vibrant, welcoming space, Pacheco said.

“Vital to this initiative is the development of a recognizable central gateway adjacent to the Sydney Gross Memorial and the Apple – a site that will become the primary stopping point on the northside of the Canal Loop,” she wrote in her letter to the board. “This new arrival will support recreational activities, including kayaking, boating, while offering vital amenities such as parking, water fountains, seating, bathrooms and storage.”

The initiative from the Canal Corp. and Power Authority aligns with other big projects in Medina, including a $4.5 million Forward NY grant and an international art event to launch in 2026, Pacheco said.

“I am incredibly excited about the potential of this project to enrich the lives of Medina’s residents and visitors, and believe your support will underscore its importance to the wider community,” Pacheco said.

Now there’s a dog with an attitude! “Sloat’s Dog” presents a regal and commanding pose.  (Scott B. Dunlap Collection)

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, Number 40

SHELBY – It is the holiday season! We have been dealing with serious photographs all year long, stern looking men and somber women, buildings and street scenes galore. Time for some lighter fare!

Our submissions today are from the Scott B. Dunlap collection which we have previously used for postmortem and Powerline project photographs.

Born in 1898, Scott B. Dunlap of Dunlap Road in Shelby was a fourth-generation member of the family for whom the road is named. Armed with his new Kodak camera, Scott, who graduated from Medina High School in 1905, took unposed, relaxed photographs of family, friends and animals.

Most likely without intending to, he compiled a precious chronicle of life in rural America in the early 1900s, in those years just before automobiles replaced the horse and buggy. In 2008, Scott B. Dunlap, Jr. donated this collection of over two hundred of his father’s glass plate negatives to the Medina Historical Society.

“Sloat’s Dog” with his snout in the air, cannot but make one smile. It appears that Sloat had another dog, an equally well-fed and imperious canine.

“Sloat’s Dog” #2 (Scott B. Dunlap collection)

According to the 1900 Census, Francis Sloat, a farmer, and his wife, Mary (Dutton), lived in Shelby. Sloat later moved to Corfu, died in 1921 and is buried in Millville Cemetery.

“Dunk’s children” (Scott B. Dunlap collection)

What a visual treasure! The horse is old and calm, the girls are dressed up for the occasion, in matching dresses and hats. The younger girl, on the left, is clutching part of the horse’s mane in her hand.

“Dunk” was Frank Dunkelberger, a farmer in Shelby. The 1900 Census lists his age as 30, his daughters Ruth and Rhea were 6 and 4 at the time of the Census.

“Remson’s children” (Scott B. Dunlap collection)

Upon investigation, these children with the white cat and a sheep may be Seth Ransom’s grandchildren, rather than Remson’s children, as labeled: Theron, Anita and J. Lawrence Caleb who lived on Southwoods Road in Shelby.

“Boy with two dogs” (Scott B. Dunlap collection)

Our last selection (it was difficult to choose) is of this young man, armed with a hunting rifle and two dogs. We were taken by the unsettling expression of the seated dog.

In addition to providing some levity, these photographs contain a treasure trove of attendant details which we can now zoom over and enlarge. Naturally, we relish the challenge of finding additional information on the subjects. Armed with the most basic descriptors “Sloat’s Dog” or “Remson’s Children” we were able to locate information in the Orleans County Genweb site and the New Century Atlas of Niagara and Orleans Counties, 1913.

https://orleans.nygenweb.net

https://www.historicmapworks.com/Atlas/US/7112/Orleans+County+1913/

2% raises approved for elected officials, management in county government

Photo by Tom Rivers: Janice Grabowski and Mike Mele, election commissioners for Orleans County, are shown in September when the county introduced new voting machines for the presidential election.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has reappointed the county election commissioners. Janice Grabowski and Mike Mele were reappointed to two-year terms until the end of 2026.

Grabowski has the backing of the Democratic Party Committee while Mele has the support of the Republican Party. Both will be paid $22,539 and $22,990 in 2026.

The tow say they work well together and saw the county transition to 28 new voting machines this past presidential election, replacing ones that were 15 years old. They also have led the county through nine days of early voting, in addition to the general election and primary votes.

In other action from the Dec. 17 Legislature meeting:

• Approved an agreement for the Mental Health Department to accept $48,022 in opioid settlement funds.

• Approved 2 percent in compensation increases for management and elected officials the next two years.

Some of those salaries for 2025 include $20,421 for Legislature chairwoman, $15,441 for vice chairman, and $13,614 for the other five legislators; $137,622 for county attorney; $95,268 for county treasurer (plus $1,750 longevity bonus); $99,273 for director of personnel; $125,111 for public defender (and $49,484 stipend); $92,655 for real property tax director (plus $500 longevity bonus); $125,111 for sheriff (plus $2,000 longevity bonus); and $110,949 for social services commissioner (plus $2,000 longevity bonus).

• The Legislature authorized an agreement for $35,000 with Benjamin J. Bonarigo, PLLC and Kristie L. DeFreze, Esq. to be the assigned counsel administrator. There is also $6,000 for services of an administrative assistant.

• The Legislature authorized an agreement up to $20,000 with Kenneth Spohr for investigative services in the Assigned Counsel Program.

• Accepted a $142,513 grant from the Division of Criminal Justice Services for Criminal Justice Discovery Reform for the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office.

• Approved an agreement with Ron Bierstine of Kent as sportfishing coordinator at a cost of $45 per hour, not to exceed $15,000 for the year.

• Approved an agreement up to $21,000 with Lynne Menz Designs of Kent to provide designs services of tourism promotional materials, such as county travel guide, display ads and other marketing materials requested by the Tourism Department.

• Approved paying $27,744 to print the 2025 County Travel Guide Bicentennial Special Edition with Freeport Press of New Philadelphia, OH, to be paid out of 2025 I Love New York Matching Funds.

• Authorized creating and filling a full-time tourism assistant in the Tourism Department.

• Approved the following three-year appointments to the Orleans County Planning Board: Daniel Strong, At-Large Central; Darryl Sanford, At-Large Central (Alternate); Brian Napoli, At-Large West; Tom Keeler, Town of Barre; Wes Miller, Town of Barre (Alternate); Chris Kinter, Town of Albion; Kevin Parker, Town of Albion (Alternate).

• Appointed Russ Martino of Lyndonville and John Becker of Kendall to the County Board of Ethics, which consists of five members with staggered terms.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Dr. Michael Richmond, an astronomy and physics professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, was at Hoag Library on Feb. 3 to discuss the upcoming total eclipse on April 8, the first total solar eclipse in Western New York in nearly a century. The last one was on Jan. 24, 1925. During the four minutes of totality, the sun may look like a halo with the blockage of the moon. “It’s unreal,” Richmond told about 75 people during a presentation at Hoag Library. “The sky will be completely dark, except the glowing corona. It’s one of the things in the natural world that makes people go, ‘Awesome!’”

It was a busy year in Orleans County in 2024, with many special events leading up to the rare solar eclipse experience. Orleans County was in the path of totality on April 8. It was a bit cloudy during the 4-minute eclipse that started at about 3:20 p.m.

Here are some other photos from 2024:

Ayden Coston, 14, of Albion takes a tumble on the sled at the bottom of the sledding hill at Bullard Park on Jan. 14. This was the first big snowfall of winter for people to go sledding and get on their snowmobiles. The sledders braved the hill despite strong winds and temperatures in the low 20s.

Chris Forrester, a volunteer at a Jan. 22 food distribution in Albion in the Platt Street municipal parking lot, carries a chicken to a car with two senior citizens. Forrester started volunteering at the monthly distributions about a year earlier. She tries to be high energy in greeting the people, even when it’s 20 degrees out like on Jan. 22. “Everyone deserves a smile,” she said.

Foodlink brought a truck of food from Rochester to Albion. Foodlink also does distributions at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville and in Lyndonville at the Presbyterian Church.

Small town Albion gave a huge show of support for Saul Harrison and his family on Jan. 27. About 1,000 people attended a benefit on his behalf at Dubby’s Tailgate to raise money to help Harrison offset some bills while he is treated for cancer. Harrison, 50, a popular youth sports coach, youth worker for the county DSS, and a deacon at Shiloh Church. Harrison greeted people at a benefit, shaking many hands and receiving many hugs. He said the outpouring of support was very humbling.

Laurie Banker of Albion has wine poured in her glass by Brittany Moden of Victorianbourg Wine Estate in Wilson during the Feb. 3 Wine About Winter in Medina. They are inside the Coffee Pot Café, one of 23 stops for people to get a wine-tasting. Banker attended the event with 14 of her friends. “It’s a fun way to break up the winter and the weather today is beautiful,” she said. The event was a fast sell-out in the dead of winter with all 800 tickets sold.

Nick Hollenbeck dances to “Twist and Shout” with his daughter Emma, age 7, during the Father-Daughter Dance on Feb. 16 at the Carlton Rec Hall. About 125 people attended the dance. The event returned after a four-year absence. “We have fun dancing together,” Hollenbeck said. “”It’s something that is fun to do that is just for us.”

On March 1, the back of Holley’s beloved restaurant, Sam’s Diner, collapsed in a pile of rubble today. The wall gave out at about 9:30 a.m. The diner wasn’t open yet and no one was injured. A special operations team from Monroe County was at the scene to check the stability of Sam’s. There are also many local firefighters, code enforcement and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

The Gitsis family has owned the diner for nearly 50 years. Sam Gitsis opened it in 1978. It is one of Holley’s most popular gathering places. George Gitsis, the son of Sam Gitsis, is the current owner. He has worked this year to rebuild and get the restaurant back open, which hasn’t happened yet at the close of 2024.

Justin Laureano, right, and Nick Picardo, the Kendall school superintendent, embrace on the basketball court on March 7 during a fundraiser for the Amy Laureano Fund. Amy, Justin’s wife, was a much-loved first grade teacher at Kendall. She passed away on July 30. Jason is an elementary school physical education teacher.

Picardo joined Laureano and his children in the starting lineup during a friendly basketball game featuring Kendall teachers vs. Holley faculty.

“She was magnificent,” Laureano said about his wife, a well-regarded mentor to younger teachers in the elementary school. “She was a spitfire woman who touched a lot of people.”

Loreli Ryan dances to “Maniac” with the Medina varsity winter guard team during the March 9 “Colorburst” show at Medina High School. There were 25 guard units competing at the event, up from 19 from a year ago at the Winter Guard Show in Medina. About 500 people attended the competition.

Jimmie Swift starred as Gaston, an ultra-masculine villain who is determined to marry Belle in Kendall’s production of Beauty and the Beast. He carries his bumbling sidekick LeFou, who is played Mike Hallowell. Kendall performed the show on March 15-16. All five of the Orleans County schools performed musicals in the spring.

It got dark out on April 8 for about 4 minutes beginning at 3:19 p.m. for the solar eclipse. Many were disappointed by the cloud cover, but the sky got spooky and birds took off flying in wild directions. Darkness settled over downtown Albion in this photo looking from the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, which tailored the message on its sign to tie in with the historic event, the first total eclipse in Orleans County since 1925.

A pickup truck plunged into the Erie Canal in Medina on April 13. The truck was headed south on Route 63 (North Gravel Road) but failed to negotiate a right turn onto the lift bridge. The truck went straight and fell into the Erie Canal, which was drained. The driver wasn’t seriously injured from the crash. Automotive Solutions in Medina used a heavy wrecker tow truck to pull the pickup from the canal.

Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham and firefighters from several departments responded to a fire at Oak Orchard Estates just before midnight on April 14. Fire engulfed a trailer resulting in the death of  William E. Christy, age 68. Several of his neighbors, firefighters and responding law enforcement officers tried to get inside and help him.

Members of the second grade Glee Club at Oak Orchard Primary School sang three songs to help celebrate the tree planting on Earth Day in Medina on April 26. Here they are singing, “This Land Is Your Land.” Medina continued its Arbor Day tradition by planting nearly 70 trees

Cheech, one of the pro wrestlers who competed April 26 in the Medina High School gym, acknowledges the crowd after he won a five-man scramble. It was one of the featured battles in the “Spring Smash,” a benefit for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Empire State Wrestling brought a group of pro wrestlers, including three with ties to Orleans County, for the event which was attended by 450.

Everett “Frenchy” Downey is shown on May 11, two weeks before he retired from selling and repairing televisions, stoves, laundry machines, refrigerators and freezers for six decades in Orleans County. Frenchy called it a career at age 94.

“I have loved what I’ve been doing every day,” Downey said in the showroom at Frenchy’s at 13576 Ridge Rd. “I got to know a lot of people. I always have thought of my customers as my friends. I want to help them if I can.”

Lisa Bower-Logsdon, owner of Lisa’s Dace Boutique for 47 years, is hugged by Kamryn Berner, one of her faculty choreographers, at the end of a May 11 recital at the Holley Junior-Senior High School Auditorium. Heather Kelley, second from right, and Caitlin Milizia, the other choreographers on staff, move in to congratulate Bower-Logsdon on her career. Kelley succeeded Bower-Logsdon as the owner.

“The dance studio became my second home, as I know it was for so many of our students,” Bower-Logdson said. “It was there that I met such wonderful families and made everlasting friendships. Bot now, it is time to pass the torch to capable hands and I am confident that this studio will continue to thrive.”

There were no injuries on June 6 after stalled truck was hit by a train in Fancher. A flatbed tow truck from A & M Transmissions and Complete Automotive Center had just left a parking area north of the railroad tracks when the truck stalled on the tracks as a train was rounding the bend to the east.

Father Mark Noonan, priest for a family of six Catholic churches in Orleans and eastern Niagara counties, met with about 35 parishioners on June 19 for about two hours at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holley. Father Noonan went over recent data, showing a declining number of priests and church attendees in the 8-county Diocese of Buffalo. The Diocese would announce it was closing St. Mark’s in Kendall and St. Stephen’s in Middleport.

Daci Doward shakes hands with Albion school district superintendent Mickey Edwards on June 28 during Albion’s commencement, which included 130 graduates.

Gerald “Shorty” Nellist, a World War II veteran, served as grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville. He is driven in a car by his son-in-law Harold Suhr. Nellist would pass away on Dec. 2 at age 97.

Heidi Franco-Lopez of Albion celebrated a quinceañera for her 15^th birthday. It was a big party at the Elba fire rec hall on July 6. Many of her friends and family in Albion attended the celebration that is popular in the Latin American culture.

A barge carried two sections of a bridge on the Erie Canal early in the morning of July 19. The barge is headed west near the curve in the canal in Gaines Basin. The transport of the bridge, in four sections that were 266 feet long, was featured prominently in the media during its three-week journey from Albany to Buffalo along the canal. The bridge was set in place in October over the I-190 near the Niagara Street exit.

Caleb Knoll, 7, of Lyndonville leads “Rose” around the show ring during the Clover Bud showmanship competition in the Dairy Show on July 23 during the Orleans County 4-H Fair. It was Caleb’s first time showing an animal at the fair.

Stacey Kirby Steward painted an agricultural theme on a fiberglass ox statue during the Orleans County 4-H Fair during the last week of July. The ox was painted as part of a celebration of the Orleans County bicentennial in 2025.

The band Tryst from Rochester closed out the Rock the Park 9 music festival at Bullard Park on Aug. 3. Tryst opened with “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.

The concert by Tryst capped two days of music with about 1,000 people attending the festival.

Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian, speaks during an Aug. 11 tour of the cemetery for the Orleans County Alms House on County House Road in Albion. About 75 people attended the tour, which highlighted a once-forgotten cemetery. Lattin spoke at an Albion seventh-grade class in 2010, which spurred interest in the cemetery. The students helped to get the site cleared of overgrown vegetation and have the head stones reset.

Jim Kirby holds an apple that was battered by hail on Aug. 11. Kirby said 100 of his 170 acres of apples were badly damaged by hail. Several Orleans County apple farms experienced significant loss from the hail.

The community stepped up in a big way at benefit for Eli Howard on Sept. 21 at the Sacred Heart Club in Medina. Eli Howard, left, is shown with his family and other loved ones in the kitchen at Sacred Heart Club. He is next to his daughters Jelia and Kylee, and Eli’s wife Jana. Howard, 50, is battling stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.

There were more than 200 baskets and gift cards in the raffle, as well as other items in a silent auction and 50/50 drawings. The 500 chicken barbecue dinners sold out and there was a line on North Gravel Road from the lift bridge to The Gallagher for the dinners.

“I’m never at a loss for words, but I am today,” Howard said. “It takes a community to help and that’s what we have today.”

The Holley school community dressed up as Disney characters for the annual parade through the village on Sept. 27. The freshmen class created a float with a theme from the Pirates of Caribbean.

A group gathers in the chapel at Boxwood Cemetery on Oct. 6 for the third annual Boxwood at Night event. The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery lit up many of the monuments, trees and other parts of the cemetery, inviting the public to “see the cemetery in a new light.” More than 200 people attended. The event included nine different docents who portrayed people buried in the cemetery.

Ernestine Freeman (right), a resident at The Village of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, passes out treats to Tristan Streams of Lyndonville, who is followed by his mother, Mercedes Streams. They attended a “Haunted Hallway” at the nursing home on Oct. 26.

It was the first “Haunted Hallway” at The Villages, an effort to raise some money for the activities fund and also get people inside to meet some of the residents.

Medina High School student Riley Tompkins dressed as an elf and his classmate Logan Trillizio wore a Santa costume in the Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina on Nov. 30. They are sprinting at the end of the race on North Main Street near the American Legion. There were 150 participants in the event with temperatures in the low 30s.

Lyndonville lit up 82 Christmas trees on Dec. 7 in its annual holiday tradition at Veterans Park. Lyndonville started decorating Christmas trees in the community in 2013 with 26 the first year. Many families, businesses and organizations decorate the trees.

The Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade on Dec. 14 in Albion was capped with this float with Santa in a sleigh on a trailer with a band, Christmas trees and reindeer in flight. A group of volunteers tried to create a float with the flair of the late Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa school in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966. Howard also was the Santa for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and operated Christmas Park in Albion.

A construction worker who labored on the rehabilitation of the Main Street lift bridge in Albion takes photos of a 40,000-pound crane crossing the bridge at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 27 as part of a final inspection before the bridge reopened to traffic. The bridge was closed for more than two years for an extensive rehab. About 80 percent of the steel is new on the bridge that was originally constructed in 1914.

By Randy LeBaron

Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this year right… TOGETHER!!!

I hope that you had a Merry Christmas and are on your way to a very Happy New Year! With that in mind I wanted to share a story from back in June 1999, I had just started my new life with my new wife which included our honeymoon in Cancun, MX. Outside of Canada this would be my first time traveling to another country and I was excited to share this adventure with Sheryl. Beyond a few initial glitches, since Sheryl had booked everything beforehand using her maiden name I was called Mr. Smout throughout our stay, we had a great time.

Beyond being able to enjoy the beautiful pools at our resort we ate well and made our mark on the sand volleyball court. We also went on some excursions which were included in our package. When it came time to choose which ones we would be doing Sheryl, a lover of all things beach and ocean, chose snorkeling around a coral reef and spending the day relaxing by the beautiful blue water of Xpuha. I, on the other hand, having watched Jaws way too many times as a kid chose to stay inland and explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá.

We started with the snorkeling adventure which began with us and a number of other couples each taking a small motorboat an hour out into the ocean to where the reef was. Having never driven a boat before it was an exhilarating experience outside of Sheryl screaming because she thought we were going to flip over (I only know one speed). Once we arrived and got in the water however the scary part for me began. Having never snorkeled before it was going to be sink or swim for me because once my face went into that water it wasn’t coming out whether I could breathe or not. Our entire time there I scanned the depths non-stop but thankfully never once saw a shark. I did swim over one while snorkeling this past summer but that’s another story.

The next outing was to Chichén Itzá where we learned a lot about the Mayan culture, tried some roadside tacos (our guide revealed afterward that chicken was scarce, so it was most likely lizard meat that we had eaten), and climbed to the top of The Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo). It was a good day but also a very hot and tiring day which is why when we showed up for our final excursion, an afternoon on the beach at Xpuha, Sheryl wasn’t feeling well and decided she had better take a nap.

Between being bored, feeling a bit invulnerable since I had already courageously survived snorkeling, and because the water was so clear you could see quite a distance, I decided to take my chances and rent an inflatable mat which I used to float on. I was a bit hesitant at first but soon enough I had given in to the relaxing motion of the ocean and all but fell asleep as I stared out into the endless horizon with neither land nor a boat in sight.

This went on for a while before I began to hear shouting behind me from a distance. As I groggily turned over to face the beach I suddenly realized that I was nowhere near shore. Every time the mat had gently rolled over a small wave I had drifted further and further out to sea and had no idea because without a fixed point there wasn’t any way to know that I had moved even a little let alone a lot.

As I quickly assessed the situation a different type of panic set in, I couldn’t understand a lot of what the locals were shouting at me in Spanish but even under duress I recognized when they started yelling “Shark!” I don’t know how I swam back to shore as quick as I did but if there was a shark in the vicinity it probably got pushed aside by my wake. In the end I was all too happy to be back getting an earful from my new bride who had gone to sleep and woke up worried she might never me again.

The reality is that I did not intentionally choose to float out into dangerous waters and had I been laying the opposite direction looking at the shore I would have been able to see the second I was starting to drift and would have maneuvered myself back to safety at once. So, my question to you dear reader is, “What are you focusing on as you prepare to begin a New Year in 2025?”  As I just proved, it’s too easy to not focus on anything and simply drift along, ending up where you really don’t want to be. However, by setting goals and finding a fixed point to focus on you can start moving in the direction of where you want to be by year’s end

In his book, Principle of the Path, Andy Stanley makes a great observation which is that “Direction, Not Intention, Determines Your Destination.”  Good intentions may be helpful when making New Year’s Resolutions, which will most likely be forgotten by February, but if you really want to start becoming who who you are called to be then direction is key. Simply put… you need to figure out where you are, figure where you want to go, and then decide one thing you could do to start moving in that direction. Then do it.

See you in 2 weeks!

Pastor Randy