Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Medina High School students Riley Tompkins is dressed as an elf and Logan Trillizio wore a Santa costume in today’s Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina. They are sprinting at the end of the race on North Main Street near the American Legion. (St. Mary’s Catholic Church is in the background.)

There were 150 participants in today’s event with temperatures in the low 30s.

Debbie Tompkins welcomes the runners to the race when they gathered near the starting line in the Canal Basin. She organizes the race with Teresa Wilkins.

Proceeds from the race are planned to go to backpack food program at Oak Orchard Primary School and a new scholarship program at the school.

Jeremy Weakland of Gasport carries an American flag while running next to his son, Jeremy Weakland Jr., 12. They finished in 37:16.

Arian Cayea, 20, of Medina was the first male in a time of 19:05 while Jen Curtis, 34, of New York was the first female with a time of 22:06.

There are events throughout the day in Medina for the Hometown Christmas celebration, including the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.

Press Release, Orleans County Mental Health Department

ALBION – The Care & Crisis Helpline (585) 283-5200 is currently and temporarily non-operational as a result of phone and network issues.

In the case of an immediate mental health need or mental health crisis, you can call or text 988, the  National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or contact the  Orleans County Sheriff’s Dispatch by calling at (585) 589-5527 and ask to speak to the on call mental health clinician.

ALBION – The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen set a new record by serving 716 Thanksgiving meals on Thursday.

That topped the 630 served last year for free to the community. The kitchen also had 79 dinners left on Thursday and those have been frozen to be used in the future.

“We saw a lot of new faces we’d never seen before,” said Faith Smith, director of the OK Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Many of the people who came to the church for a meal are feeling a financial pinch and others welcomed the chance to eat Thanksgiving with friends and family at the church or with take-outs or deliveries, Smith said.

More than 50 people volunteered to prepare the meal, serve and deliver it. Smith said volunteers delivered meals 439 meals to nine out of the 10 towns in Orleans County – everyone except Barre.

Many churches and businesses in the community donated to effort on Thursday.

“Everything went smoothly,” she said.

Smith and her husband Mike started the day early and were able to get home at 9 p.m.

The meals were served at the church from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

SHELBY – Hannah Robillard has loved animals all her life, so while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at Medaille College, it was no surprise she decided to attend Clemson University and get her master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries resources.

“I always loved being in nature, growing up in Medina,” Robillard said. “I had pets and Rose, a horse.”

After graduating from Medina High School in 2018, she knew what she wanted to do, in addition to working for her dad, Arnold Mahnke, at Top Gun Construction.

In 2022, she married Jason Robillard, who is also pursuing his license so he can help Hannah.

Hannah became involved with Western New York Raptors and Wildlife Care, whose director Bernadette Clabeaux was a professor of hers and got her interested in rehabilitation.

Hannah also recently went to Corning for training for rabies vector species. Skunks, bats and raccoons are defined as rabies vector species.

There is a major lack of RVS rehabilitators, which is one of the reason Hannah chose to get involved in it, she said.  She has rabies pre-exposure vaccine, which is why she is able to handle RVS animals.

Hannah recently was brought a family of 10 baby opossums whose mother had been hit and killed by a car. She rehabilitated them and released them. She was also brought a baby bunny, which she also rehabilitated.

Bats are prone to wing injuries, and Hannah is able to rehabilitate them so they can fly again.

She and Jason plan to convert their barn into a facility to accommodate rabies animals by 2026.

A week ago, Hannah spent the day at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market to inform the public of the service she provides and to share the need for donations.

“We have to buy all the food and medications and pay veterinarian bills for all the animals which are brought to us,” she said.

She plans to be at the farmer’s market every week until Christmas, and then every other week after that.

Hannah said there are a small handful of rehabilitators in Orleans County and she would like to contact them to form a support group.

More information on wildlife rehabilitation is available at the DEC website (click here).

Press Release, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition

BATAVIA – The Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition was recognized at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany last month for excellence in the Lethal Means Safety category.

Sara Andrew, a licensed clinical social worker and community engagement and partnership coordinator at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, accepted an award on behalf of GOW Pathway to Hope.

The coalition was nominated for this award by Lynda Battaglia, director of Community Services in Genesee County in partnership with Kelly Dryja, director of Community Services in Wyoming County and Danielle Figura, director of Community Services in Orleans County.

Sara Andrew, community engagement and partnership coordinator at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, accepts an award on behalf of the GOW Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition, from Dr. Thomas Smith, chief medical officer, New York State Office of Mental Health, at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany.

Andrew works with coalitions in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Niagara counties to implement community-based interventions for suicide coalition, with a focus on service members, veterans and their families.

About 150 professionals in the suicide prevention field attended the conference at the Desmond Hotel Crowne Plaza.

Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp instruments) that can be used to inflict self-directed violence. Lethal Means Safety is an intentional, voluntary practice to reduce one’s suicide risk by limiting access to those lethal means.

In submitting the nomination form, Battaglia outlined steps being taken by the local coalition to reduce means of harm.

“For the GOW Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition, it might mean having someone taking a few extra minutes of having to unlock a gun safe or unlocking medications that can give someone that time to pause and not make an impulsive decision, such as suicide,” she wrote.

“We know that people have access to lethal means in their environment and we know the goal of lethal means safety is to promote and give opportunities between thinking of suicide and acting on it for individuals. Preventing access to lethal means in that very moment gives that person a couple of life saving minutes to think about what they are doing and to reach out for help instead.”

Battaglia pointed out that the local coalition has worked to overcome “unique challenges” faced by rural areas, such as accessibility to services and lack of transportation. She noted that suicide in agriculture and farming – key industries of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties – is on the rise.

“While the coalition focuses on the needs of each county, collectively the coalition is stronger working together,” she wrote. “This is demonstrated on a routine basis in ways of sharing resources, education, supports, and promoting efforts to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and suicide by close partnership and collaboration of efforts.”

GOW Pathway to Hope has adopted an evidenced based, suicide prevention initiative that was initially developed in Virginia. The Lock & Talk training educates local residents on what Lethal Means Safety is while encouraging communities to engage in mental wellness conversations.

“Locking/safely securing or removing lethal means is one of the few evidence-based strategies to substantially prevent suicide- many suicides occur with little planning during a short-term crisis,” Battaglia wrote. “Talking can often alleviate distress and reduce the intention to act on suicidal thoughts. It’s also about sharing resources and getting the right help to the right individuals who need it, when they need it.”

Thus far, GOW Pathway to Hope has distributed around 400 Lock & Talk bags that each include a cable gun lock, locking medication pouch or medication lockbox, a pre-paid medication disposal envelope among other local and national resources.

Additionally, about two dozen LMS trainings have been provided to human service professionals as gatekeepers, who in turn received the Lock & Talk bags to provide to community members in need, and several firearm safety for suicide prevention workshops have been conducted.

For more information about the Lock and Talk program, email spcgenesee@gmail.com.

Provided photo

ALBION – Two more dogs have completed a 12-week obedience training program working with incarcerated women at the Albion Correctional Facility.

The two dogs, Bob and Lola, were celebrated during a Nov. 4 canine graduation at Albion Correctional. The handlers also were praised for their dedication and patience assisting the dogs in learning their skills.

Bob has already been adopted and Lola is waiting for her forever home. She is available through the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion. Click here for more information.

Dawn Spencer of Eye of Oden K9 Training in Kent leads the 12-week program. Spencer has over 25 years of experience in dog training.

Throughout the 12 weeks, the teams of incarcerated individuals serve as handlers for the dogs.  Spencer visits the facility once a week to put the dogs through the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program.

This training program consists of 10 skills that the dogs must be able to master and aims to train dogs the basics of good manners and obedience. Spencer instructed the incarcerated individuals on what skills to work on each week.

The program is in collaboration with PAWS Animal Shelter and Albion Correctional Facility. The facility has allowed dogs and trainers since 2019.

Mayor: Project will fit in with historic district and ‘won’t break the back of the taxpayers’

File photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board is working to get a new one-bay addition on the fire hall, which doesn’t have enough room for a new ladder truck due to arrive in December 2025.

MEDINA – An engineering firm is working on a concept design for a one-bay addition to a the Medina fire hall.

That added room is needed to for a new ladder truck that is expected to arrive in just over a year.

Medina has hired the MRB Group for $15,000 to prepare the design. Those renderings can help the village pursue grants and financing for the project, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The Village Board also approved an $800 contract with Paradigm Environmental Services to complete an asbestos survey at the fire hall. The company took samples and found no environmental issues standing in the way of the addition, Sherman said at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

The board was looking at a two-day addition to the fire hall plus renovations to the current building, but those construction estimates were about $6 million.

The board deemed that too expensive for the village. The cost of a one-day addition concerns board members but they said the project must go forward with the impending arrival of a ladder truck that won’t fit in the current fire hall.

The village is replacing a ladder truck from 1996. That truck has a ladder that is 75 feet long. That truck barely has clearance in the garage. The ladder truck has a clearance of 10.4 feet but the space in the garage is 10 feet, 6 inches, Jackson said.

The new ladder trucks have a clearance of 13 feet. The new hall addition is expected to have clearance up to 14 feet.

Trustee Jess Marciano said the concept plan has “basic schematics.”

“Essentially this project will come down to dollars per square foot,” she said.

Village Board members said the time frame is tight to have the addition done in time for the fire truck, but they said it should be ready.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the addition will blend in with the historic downtown.

“It will only park a fire truck and not detract from the look of the historic district,” she said. “It won’t break the back of the taxpayers.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to support local businesses during the holiday shopping season by highlighting the critical role New York’s small businesses play in building vibrant communities across the state.

On Nov. 30, New York will mark Small Business Saturday to celebrate the significant impact small businesses have on local economies across the state. In honor of the day. Governor Hochul is taking the opportunity to emphasize how choosing local retailers, restaurants and service providers creates a ripple effect of economic growth throughout New York’s communities.

“Every purchase at a local shop or family-owned business ripples through our neighborhoods, creating jobs and opportunities that strengthen the fabric of our communities,” Hochul said. “As the daughter of a small business owner, I witnessed firsthand how these enterprises serve as anchors of community life. This holiday season and on Small Business Saturday, I encourage New Yorkers to invest in their communities by shopping local – because when our small businesses thrive, all of New York thrives.”

Small Business Saturday celebrates the innovation and dedication of small business owners, encouraging New Yorkers to support local shops and services throughout the bustling holiday season. Small businesses – defined as those with fewer than 100 employees – represent 98 percent of all businesses in the state, employing nearly 40 percent of the private-sector workforce.

In the retail sector alone, New York is home to more than 71,000 stores, with nearly 79 percent – approximately 55,000 – being independent local retailers. These enterprises are vital economic engines, with retail establishments contributing $40.1 billion in wages in 2023 and projected to generate $507 billion in sales in 2024, providing over $20.3 billion in State sales tax revenue.

Of New York’s small businesses, about 8.1 percent are retailers, forming an essential part of our local economies as they drive community growth, foster neighborhood identity, and keep billions of dollars circulating within our communities.

Ways to Support Small Businesses Every Day

• Choose Local Retailers – Opt to shop at independently owned stores in your community. Your patronage helps sustain local jobs and keeps money circulating within the local economy.
• Shop Online Locally – Many neighborhood businesses offer e-commerce options. Check if your local shops have websites or participate in digital marketplaces that facilitate local delivery or pickup.
• Buy Gift Cards – Purchasing gift cards from local businesses—whether it’s a favorite eatery, boutique, or service provider—provides them with immediate support and encourages future visits.
• Explore Farmers’ Markets – Even during colder months, many farmers’ markets continue indoors, offering unique, locally made products. From handcrafted items to seasonal foods, it’s a great way to support local producers.
• Shop Taste NY – Support New York State’s farmers, producers, artisans, and craftspeople by visiting Taste NY Welcome Centers across the state or ShopTasteNY.com. Explore specially curated holiday gift baskets and unique New York-made products that showcase the best of what local businesses have to offer.
• Dine Locally – Visit or order takeout from neighborhood restaurants and cafes. Your support helps sustain these establishments and the jobs they provide.
• Spread the Word – Share your positive experiences with local businesses on social media and review platforms. Personal recommendations are invaluable for small businesses seeking to grow their customer base.
• Opt for Store Credit – If you need to return an item, consider accepting store credit instead of a refund.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lee Tisdale, owner of Romyn’s Smoked BBQ at 26 East Bank St. in Albion, has 100 Thanksgiving dinners ready. This is the fourth Thanksgiving he has prepared the meals and is giving them away for free beginning at 1 p.m.

They are available until he runs out of food.

Tisdale has been preparing the meal since Tuesday.

“It’s a blessing for me to connect with people,” Tisdale said.

He has prepared turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn, collard greens, cabbage, macaroni and cheese, ham, beans, pulled pork and brownies.

Tisdale gave away 40 of the meals last year and he expects a bigger crowd today. Many of the people are homeless, or living in low-income housing without family nearby or the means to prepare a full-course Thanksgiving meal, Tisdale said.

Many of the people are happy to have a place to come on Thanksgivign where they can talk with other people, Tisdale said.

He also prepares a meal on Christmas that he gives away.

OK Kitchen has 600-plus dinners ready

The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion has 600 to 800 Thanksgiving meals ready for people. They will be served for free from 3:30 to 5:30 at Harvest Christian Fellowship, 560 East Ave., Albion.

People can eat in, do take-outs, or OK Kitchen volunteers will make deliveries.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club recently presented a $2,300 check to the Job Development Agency with the funds to be used to help people prepare for job interviews and employment, going towards new clothes and other supplies.

Pictured form left include Becky Karls, golf tournament committee member; Kiebala, Job Development director; and Cindy Perry, golf tournament committee chair.

The tournament was held on July 18, and some of the proceeds also went to the Office for the Aging to support a transportation program for senior citizens.

ALBION – Law enforcement agencies will have increased patrols for impaired drivers from the Thanksgiving holiday through this weekend, said Chris Bourke, the Orleans County sheriff and county’ DWI coordinator.

“Be safe, be smart, and have a plan!” Bourke said.

Law enforcement officers across New York State will have an increased presence through the Thanksgiving holiday in a coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.

The STOP-DWI Thanksgiving High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI New York and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

The Statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign also targets Halloween, the Holiday Season, Super Bowl Weekend, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, July 4th weekend and Labor Day.

ALBION – A Genesee County man is facing more than 1,000 felony and misdemeanor charges for illegal weapons and accessories, the State Police reported on Tuesday.

Peter S. Celentano

Peter S. Celentano, 35, of Bergen has been charged with first-degree criminal possession of a weapon for possessing 10 or more firearms, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

He faces 1,016 charges in all after being arrested by the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

He faces the following charges:

In the Town of Yates –

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon (CPW) 1st – Possesses ten or more firearms (B Felony)
• CPW 3rd – possesses a large capacity ammo feeding device (517 counts) (D Felony)
• CPW 3rd – possesses a firearm silencer (D Felony)
• CPW 4th – possesses a ghost gun (26 counts) (A Misdemeanor)
• CPW 4th – possesses a ghost gun (2 counts) (A Misdemeanor)
• CPW 4th – possesses an unfinished frame (114 counts) (A Misdemeanor

In the Town of Shelby –

• CPW 3rd – possesses a large capacity ammo feeding device (191 counts) (D Felony)
• CPW 3rd – possesses a firearm silencer (D Felony)
• Unlawful wearing of body armor (E Felony)
• CPW 4th – possesses a ghost gun (77 counts) (A Misdemeanor)
• CPW 4th – possesses an unfinished frame (85 counts) (A Misdemeanor)

Celentano was charged on Tuesday following a month’s long joint investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit.  State Police reported that search warrants were executed on Sept. 29 and items were located in several locations in Genesee and Orleans counties.

Photo from State Police: Law enforcement many firearms and accessories belonging to Peter S. Celentano of Bergen.

Celentano was also arraigned last month on federal charges in the Western District of New York for possession of machine gun conversion devices and lower receivers containing automatic sear pin holes. These items were also seized as a result of investigation by the State Police and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Celentano has been held since the federal arraignment.

Celentano was arraigned at Orleans County Centralized arraignment and ordered held on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Sept. 29 at Celentano’s Rochester Street apartment in Bergen.

During the search, investigators recovered two 3D printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, an AR 80% style Jig and drill, a drill press, and various other tools related to the manufacturing of firearms, according to an Oct. 22 press release from U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross of the Western District of New York.

In addition, investigators also searched two properties associated with Celentano in Lyndonville and an apartment on East Avenue in Medina, recovering numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D printed handguns, and additional firearm parts and accessories. Approximately 59 of the AR-style receivers contained a “third pin hole,” qualifying them as machine guns, Ross said in the press release.

On Oct. 9, a dive team searched the Erie Canal beneath the Beals Road bridge in Medina. A cardboard box was located and retrieved from the bottom of the canal. Inside were 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, magazines, and additional firearm parts, Ross stated.

The State Police Community Stabilization Unit, Special Investigations Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation that resulted in the charges on Tuesday.