Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

Provided photo: K-9 Odin will have a protective vest while it serves with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

ALBION – K9 Odin will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Odin, a Belgian Malinois, recently joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Jeff Cole is the dog’s handler.

K9 Odin’s vest was sponsored by Karla Kimmey of Charlotte, FL and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Zayla.” Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s has provided over 5,882 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, stands outside the Head Start school on East State Street in Albion. After two weeks of worry, Hungerford was relieved when the agency’s federal funds came through on Wednesday.

ALBION – Renee Hungerford felt a deep relief on Wednesday morning when she checked to see if federal funding came through for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. The money, thankfully, was in the account.

Hungerford leads the agency that has 110 employees and serves 5,000 people in the two counties. She received notice last week that federal funds would be frozen to Community Action, only to see that directive rescinded.

But she still worried because some of her colleagues who run Head Start programs had closed programs when the money didn’t come through.

“What we don’t know is if it will happen again,” Hungerford said at her Albion office on East State Street. “I have not slept now for two weeks. It’s the fear of the unknown.”

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee receives its federal funds every two weeks and they are a reimbursement for services. The agency does not have a deep well of reserves to weather a financial impasse from the federal government.

“We have a contingency plan,” she said. “We have a little money to float. Other (Community Action organizations and head Start programs) are opening lines of credit.”

Hungerford said most of Community Action’s funds come from the federal government – about $5 million of the agency’s $8 million annual budget.

Community Action serves about 200 children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the two counties. It provides many other services – food, child care, housing and transportation – to lower-income people trying to become self sufficient.

Hungerford said many local residents are in very vulnerable situations, trying to maintain their households. It is a constant struggle.

“People experiencing poverty and kids should be last on the list” she said about a push to cut back federal spending and programs.

Leaders of the federal government are announcing changes that feel abrupt and are catching agencies off guard.

“I don’t think they’re doing an in-depth analysis,” Hungerford said. “They’re cutting and seeing what happens.”

Community Action began about 60 years ago, and has continued to grow and add programs and services to help needy families, while focusing on helping them become independent and self-sufficient.

The local programs include ACT (helping youth ACT responsibly), Stone Soup Success/Food Rx (educating to prepare healthy meals), Child Care Resource and Referral, Early Head Start and Head Start, Weatherization and Energy Services, Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store, a credit recovery program for Albion seniors, emergency services, holiday meals and gifts, and the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, which provides daily meals, a clothing depot and food giveaway.

Hungerford said Community Action often helps steer people in crisis in the right direction, connecting them to services in the two counties.

She fears if there are cutbacks at the agency, local residents will lose a critical resource during a challenging period of their lives.

“They come here for help,” Hungerford said.

Press Release, Grace Baptist Church

BATAVIA – Grace Baptist Church will serve as a host of the 2025 Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The unforgettable worldwide celebration event, centered on God’s love, honoring and valuing people with special needs will be held by host churches around the world simultaneously this evening.

Grace Baptist is excited to join hundreds of other churches around the globe in celebrating people with disabilities as God’s image bearers. The event is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Grace Baptist on Vine Street is the only location for the event in the GLOW region.

Night to Shine is hosted every year by churches on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. Each event is unique to its location, but some cornerstone activities included across all of them are a red carpet entrance complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi, hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Sensory Room, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a King or Queen – the way God sees them each and every day.

“Night to Shine is my favorite night of the year!” said Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “It’s my favorite because we get to celebrate so many kings and queens and share how much they are loved by us and by the God of this universe. Our goal is to be able to get to every person with special needs around the world – until all are celebrated. No matter what city, no matter what country, no matter where you are, we want Night to Shine to be there.”

As sponsor of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation provides each host church with the official 2025 Night to Shine Planning Manual, personalized guidance and support from a Tim Tebow Foundation staff member, the opportunity to apply for a financial grant, and access to planning resources that will assist them in creating an unforgettable experience for their honored guests.

The foundation also provides access to ongoing disability ministry resources through Shine On, a ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation. That is a faith-based community – a source of inspiration, belonging, and education for everyone impacted by disability. Shine On envisions a global community of churches and families that foster belonging and purpose for all.

Over the past 10 years, Night to Shine, through hundreds of churches worldwide, has provided over half a million guest experiences and over a million volunteer experiences.

For additional information on the Night to Shine hosted by Grace Baptist Church in Batavia, click here.

For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, click here.

ALBION – A group in Albion wants to do more to proclaim and celebrate Albion’s history with a Santa School and Christmas Park.

A group led by Village Trustee Joyce Riley would like to have a bronze statue of reindeer on display in the community. Lori Laine, leader of a group celebrating Christmas in Albion, also is pushing for the bronze reindeer. She suggested the idea in a recent meeting attended by Riley, and the village trustee agreed it made sense for Albion.

The mold from that statue could be used to produce other reindeer that wouldn’t be in bronze but would be durable enough to be outside year-round. Riley would like to see the reindeer in many locations in the community.

“I see it as a way to generate excitement in Albion,” Riley said.

Some of the deer could include artwork to highlight the history of the community, she said.

Brian Porter, a sculptor from near Lockport, created the bronze statue of Santa that was unveiled in Albion in June 2023. He also made the statue of soldier that was dedicated in September 2019 outside the former Medina Armory that is now the Orleans County YMCA.

Brian Porter envisions Rudolph as a strong reindeer. He researched caribou, which are reindeer, to create this three-dimensional model of Rudolph. He said the nose could be made in a red bronze.

Porter would like to make the statue of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This afternoon he presented a small clay model of a reindeer to Riley, Village Trustee Tim McMurray and Village-Clerk Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver. Porter researched caribou, which are reindeer, to create a strong-looking animal, much different from the small and bashful Rudolph popularized in a book and TV show.

Porter saw other artist renderings of Santa with reindeer, and many show powerful reindeer that pulled Santa’s sleigh in an epic trek around the world.

“I feel adopted by Albion,” Porter said about a positive experience working on the bronze Santa, a project spearheaded by the Albion Betterment Committee. “I’ve had a wonderful experience in Albion and Medina.”

Brian Porter created the bronze statue of Santa which was unveiled in June 2023. It was done in honor of Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion.

Riley said there are a lot of details to work out with the location and fundraising for the bronze reindeer. She sees a project with a lot of potential to help Albion celebrate its Santa and Christmas legacy.

Porter estimates the bronze statue of a reindeer, at feet high and 6 feet long, would be about $65,000. The final costs will depend on the bronze charges from a foundry.

The replicas reindeer would be far cheaper because the mold would be done and less expensive material could be used. Riley would like to have the full set of Santa’s reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Riley said she will ask for the full Village Board’s permission to pursue the project and have a life-size clay mold created in time for a September festival celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the Erie Canal. That clay model would be $12,500.

Riley welcomes donations and grants of all sizes if the effort moves forward. Those interested in helping with the project are welcome to send Riley an email at jriley@villageofalbionny.com.

Brian Porter also made the 7-foot-high bronze statue of a soldier outside the former Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA. Porter is shown during a Sept. 7, 2019 dedication ceremony for that statue. That project honored the 550 soldiers who trained at the Armory from 1898 to 1947 and they fought in four major conflicts: the Spanish American War, Mexican Border Incursion, World War I and World War II.

ALBANY – Eric Miller of Medina is among the 176 new State Troopers who were recognized in a graduation ceremony at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

“I commend these 176 new troopers for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The members of the New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep the rest of us safe — in a world where their mission has grown more challenging and complex. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the graduates for their hard work and perseverance — and welcome them to the long gray line.”

Miller graduated in the 216^th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The new State Troopers increases the State Police ranks to 5,034 sworn members.

“Today’s graduation is the culmination of six months of difficult classwork, physical training, and sacrifice, and we now welcome our newest members to one of the most prestigious and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the State Police have exhibited for the past 107 years.”

MEDINA – The YMCA in Orleans County has received a $3,000 grant from Project Play Western New York to offer a a Free Play Zone from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (Feb. 17-21).

The Free Play Zone will feature tag games, open gym time, soccer and other activities, Project Play Western New York said in a news release today.

Project Play Western New York announced nine grants in eight counties for programming from Feb. 17-21 when many schools are closed for mid-winter break. The Winter Free Play Series marks an expansion of Project Play WNY’s Summer Free Play initiative.

The Free Play Series works to provide youth in all eight counties of Western New York with opportunities to enjoy self-directed free play during school breaks, at no cost to families. The total amount granted for this inaugural process is more than $25,000.

Organizations that received grants are providing programming that best aligns with the mission of Project Play WNY, which is to work toward a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports, regardless of zip code.

“Pick-up sports and free play have largely been replaced by scheduled practices, games and travel,” said Aaron Hord, director of Project Play WNY. “However, free play allows youth to exercise creativity, learn important interpersonal skills and develop a lifelong love of physical activity. We’re excited about our newest grant opportunity for organizations across the region and look forward to supporting no-cost, free play programming this February.”

 The 2025 Winter Free Play Series grant recipients are:

• Buffalo Bisons Charitable Foundation – the Ice at Canalside – $3,000
• Erie Regional Housing Development Corporation – The Belle Center – $1,500
• GLOW YMCA – Orleans County YMCA location – $3,000
• Lackawanna PBA – $3,500
• Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center – Cornerstone Arena – $2,500
• Resource Council of WNY Inc. – $3,000
• Rural Outreach Center – $3,000
• Seneca Nation of Indians – Allegany Community Center – $3,500
• Sensational Fun, Inc. – $3,000

For more information on the 2025 Winter Free Play Series, visit: www.projectplaywny.org/winter-free-play.

Kendall takes the title this year of tournament that started in 1954

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Kendall and Hamlin capped a three-week euchre tournament on Wednesday when 74 card players gathered at the Kendall fire hall.

This group in front includes Bill Hardenbrook, right, and his son Bryan Hardenbrook, second from left, who were on the Kendall team. They are playing Ken Jurs, left, of Hamlin and John Hurd, second from left.

The tournament started in 1954 when a group of farmers from Kendall and Hamlin stopped to play cards after attending a farm show in Rochester.

They had so much fun playing cards and drinking beer that the euchre tournament became an annual event. It remains popular and has expanded from a one-evening tournament to being spread over three Wednesday in the dead of winter.

“It’s just the camaraderie,” said Ken Jurs of Hamlin, who estimates he has been playing in the tournament for 35 years.

Jurs said many of the Kendall and Hamlin residents know each other quite well. His grandfather, Walter Jurs, was Kendall’s highway superintendent.

The tournament still includes many farmers but it has opened up to the entire community. The action alternated from Kendall to Hamlin and then back to Kendall again for the conclusion last night. The players pay $10 each night and at includes beer or soda. The first two nights it also includes a boiled Zweigle’s hot dog.

John Becker, left, is the chairman for the tournament for Kendall while Dave Leverenz serves as Hamlin’s chairman. Becker welcomes the players to Kendall and asks how many want to order a fish fry at The Grove 1848. The losing team had to pay the $10 charge for the fish fry for the winners.

Kendall emerged as the victor of the tournament after the results were tallied over the three weeks. Kendall defeated Hamlin by 158 points – 4437 to 4279.

 All three nights of card playing brought out at least 70 people, which was up from the 50s and 60s last year.

There were 72 card players on Jan. 22, followed by 76 on Jan. 29 and 74 on Feb. 5.

John Becker thinks the tournament peaked with more than 80 players in the 1970s. He is pleased to see the tournament remains popular, and to see some younger people getting involved.

Becker has been part of the tournament since 1977, a year after he moved to Kendall and joined the fire department.

“Back in those days everybody played cards,” Becker said.

The tournament was sidelined one year, back in 2021 due to Covid restrictions. Otherwise the players keep coming back, year after year.

Becker doesn’t know of any other euchre tournament that has endured for so long that is a town versus town.

“It’s a fun evening,” he said. “They come here and we go there. It’s nice to see the two towns have a relationship and a friendship.”

Wind advisory also issued from this afternoon to Friday morning

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Orleans County today from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mixed precipitation is expected with snow and sleet accumulations 1 to 2 inches, and ice accumulations around a few hundredths of an inch, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

That advisory includes Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, northern Erie and Genesee counties.

A wind advisory also has been issued from 4 p.m. today until 10 a.m. on Friday. There will be westerly winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

That advisory includes Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

Today is forecast for a high of 38.

HAMLIN – A Kendall High School student was killed this afternoon in a car accident on Roosevelt Highway.

Josh Peters, 16, was killed in a one-vehicle crash where he was eastbound, left the road and struck a utility pole, downing power lines on Route 18 near Drake Road, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Nick Picardo, the Kendall school district superintendent, shared with “deep sadness” that Peters died in a car accident.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and to all those who knew and loved him,” Picardo said in a message on the district website.

“Please know that we are here to help our staff and families through this grief,” Picardo said. “Our Crisis Response Team has been activated to provide support. Counselors will be available all day Thursday for students and staff members.”

For those who need additional support, Picardo said the district will have counselors on hand at the junior/senior high school on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“Thank you for your support and understanding in this difficult time,” Picardo said. “We once again will pull together as one family, one school, and one community.”

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature recently approved the following voting members to the Emergency Medical Services Council, effective Jan. 1, with all terms expiring Dec. 31, 2025.

• Albion Fire Department: Fred Piano (primary) and Emma Klaver (alternate)

• Barre Fire Company: Kara Smith (primary) and Terry Bentley (alternate)

• Carlton Fire Company: David Bertsch (primary) and Brandi Fisher (alternate)

• Clarendon Fire Company: Don Mosier (primary) and Karl Beidlingmaier (alternate)

• East Shelby Fire Company: Mike Fuller (primary) and Sue Behrend (alternate)

• Kendall Fire Company: Sue Maslyn (primary) and Stephen Balka (alternate)

• Lyndonville Fire Company: Anna Schuner (primary)

• Medina Fire Department: Jacob Crooks (primary) and Steve Cooley (alternate)

• Murray Joint Fire District: Mark Porter (primary)

• Ridgeway Fire Company: Kristin McAdoo (primary) and Austin Mosher (alternate)

• Shelby Fire Company: Jenna Simmons (primary) and Donnell Bennett (alternate)

• Orleans County EMO EMS Coordinator: Scott Buffin (primary) and Justin Niederhofer (alternate)

• Orleans County Public Health: David Bell (primary) and Cora Young (alternate)

• Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: Christopher Bourke (primary) and Don Draper (alternate)

• Orleans County Sheriff Dispatch: Allen Turner (primary)

• Orleans Community Health/ Medina Memorial Hospital: Dr. Richard Elman (primary) and Kerry Miller (alternate)

The following were approved as non-voting members of the Council:

• County Legislature: Lynne Johnson and William Eick

• Public Safety Chairmen: Merle Draper and John Fitzak

• Mercy EMS: Adam Wengrzycki and Michael Gugliuzza

• University of Buffalo Medical Doctors: Rob McCartin and Mike Shaw

CANANDAIGUA – Three students from Orleans County are among the 917 full- and part-time students named to the Dean’s List at Finger Lakes Community College for fall 2024.

To be named to the Dean’s List, students must complete 5 credits with a combined 3.5 grade point for the semester with no class withdrawals or incompletes.

The Orleans students include:

• Erik Coleman of Holley
• Zachary Barrett of Kendall
• Colm Cooper of Medina

Provided photos

ALBION – These students in the Akron Interact Club filled backpacks with school supplies that will be delivered by Albion teacher Tim Archer to a school in a remote part of Honduras.

Archer is also the Albion Interact Club advisor. The two Interact clubs teamed to fill about 400 backpacks with notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, bookmarks, stickers, wristbands, folders, maps, T-shirts and other supplies.

The Albion Rotary Club also id donating most of the proceeds from its March 13 St. Patrick’s ham dinner towards assisting the school. Archer has a connection to the school from when he was a missionary in this jungle area of Honduras.

Archer leaves on Sunday and will be gone for three weeks.

Some kids from the Honduras La Mosquitia region are shown at left. Archer will be visiting several small villages along the 200-mile Patuca River. Archer will be traveling by canoe with pastors in that region.

Photo by Tom Rivers

The two Interact Clubs also met today in Albion for a leadership conference. The people seated at the table were the featured speakers.

From left include retired State Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War; Craig Lane, Orleans County DPW commissioner, Holley Rotary Club president and a 20-year Air Force veteran; Albion Village Trustee Joyce Riley, a retired nursing supervisor; Steve Giroux, owner of seven pharmacies, including Rosenkrans in Medina and a Rotarian for 41 years; Pastor Jovannie Canales of Harvest Christian Fellowship; and Tim Archer, Albion Rotary Interact Club advisor.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) will be holding his 4th Annual National Pizza Day Police Appreciation Program on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Hawley will be providing pizza to law enforcement officers across his Assembly District. This gesture complements his ongoing efforts in Albany to advocate for policies that support and equip our law enforcement officers.

Pizza will be delivered to the following 11 departments:

• City of Batavia Police
• State Police – Troop A Batavia HQ
• Albion Police Department
• State Police – Troop A Albion Barracks
• Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
• Medina Police Department
• Brockport Police Department
• LeRoy Police Department
• Corfu Village Police Department
• Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
• Holley Police Department

Hawley will personally deliver pizza to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police – Troop A Headquarters, and Batavia Police Department.