By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 4:52 pm
ALBION – A male was injured after jumping on a moving vehicle and falling and hitting his head on the roadway in an area in front of Hoag Library at 134 South Main St. today at about 2:05 p.m., Albion Police Chief David Mogle said in a news release.
The male, age 40, had been acting erratically in the roadway for a few minutes before the incident, Mogle said.
First aid was rendered to the person immediately after he fell to the road. He was transported by Mercy Ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital where he is currently in serious condition. His name is being withheld at this time, Mogle said.
“Witnesses said that the male ran into the roadway and attempted to enter a vehicle passing by,” Mogle said in the news release. “The male then ran down the roadway and jumped onto a moving vehicle. Then began to punch and kick the roof of the vehicle. The male fell from the roof of the vehicle, striking his head on the pavement. The driver of the vehicle involved in this incident is cooperating with law enforcement. Video surveillance in the area has confirmed the witness statements.”
Mogle asks anyone who saw the incident and has not yet spoken to police to contact the Albion PD at (585) 589-5627. The investigation is ongoing.
The Albion Police Department were assisted at the scene by the Albion Fire Department, Mercy Ambulance, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – Sheriff Chris Bourke is pleased to announce the launch of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office’s new free mobile app, designed to provide residents and visitors with easy access to important public safety information, community resources, and emergency alerts.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Mobile App offers a variety of features aimed at improving communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the community, making it easier than ever to stay informed and safe. Key features of the app include:
Interactive Map: A built-in map with information on local courts, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies to help users navigate Orleans County with ease.
Push Notifications: Receive timely updates on road closures, traffic alerts, public safety announcements, and other important local information.
Weather Alerts: Get National Weather Service notifications about location-specific weather, helping you stay ahead of storms and other weather-related events.
Most Wanted: Access information on individuals currently wanted by the Sheriff’s Office, helping keep our community safe.
Inmate Information: Stay up to date with the latest information on inmates currently housed at the Orleans County Jail.
Sheriff’s Office Divisions: Learn about the various divisions within the Sheriff’s Office and the services they provide.
Sex Offender Information: Stay informed about registered sex offenders in the community to help ensure safety.
Community Programs & Resources: Find valuable resources on mental health support, substance use disorder services, domestic violence assistance, and more.
This app is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing transparency, communication, and community safety. We believe that by offering easy access to important information, we can better serve and protect the residents of Orleans County.
Whether it’s keeping track of weather alerts, finding critical community resources, or receiving real-time updates, this app is an invaluable tool for all of those that reside in, work in, and visit Orleans County.
Sheriff Bourke is dedicated to improving the safety and quality of life for all residents. The launch of this mobile app is a step forward in fostering better communication and engagement between the Sheriff’s Office and the community.
We would like to thank the Orleans County Legislature for their unwavering support in helping make Sheriff Bourke’s vision for a Sheriff’s Office Mobile App a reality.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Mobile App is available for free on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 9:23 am
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 7 p.m. this evening until 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
About 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected with winds gusting as high as 65 miles per hour that will result in significant blowing snow and greatly reduced visibility at times, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.
A high wind warning also is in effect for Orleans today through 6 a.m. on Tuesday. There will be southwest winds at 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.
Today is forecast to be sunny with a high near 33, followed by highs of 24 on Tuesday, 29 on Wednesday and 32 on Thursday.
Provided photo: Crosby’s Loyalty Program manager Sara Wells presents a ceremonial check for $3,323.26 to Michael Henry, community relations specialist for Foodlink.
Press Release, Crosby’s
LOCKPORT – Crosby’s is sharing proceeds from its “Add a Smile to Someone’s Holiday” campaign with area food banks.
Throughout the month of December, Crosby’s set aside a donation when customers purchased select items. These items include: Crosby’s New Pickle Pizza, Bison Chip Dip, Crosby’s fuel-fill-ups and gift cards.
“Together with our customers, Crosby’s is able to give back to the communities we serve throughout the year,” said Lenny Smith, Vice President of Crosby’s. “Our holiday giving campaign was another opportunity for us to do that, with proceeds going to area food banks like Foodlink. It was very rewarding to support this vital resource throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region – and to add some smiles to this holiday season.”
Crosby’s operates nearly 90 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania, including several in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 8:04 am
The average price for regular unleaded gas in the state is up 2 cents in the past week, from $3.16 to $3.18, AAA is reporting today. The price a year ago was $3.26.
Nationally, the average price is $3.12 today, which is down a penny from a week ago. A year ago the average price was $3.10 nationally, AAA reported.
The average prices in Western New York counties today include:
Orleans, $3.237
Genesee, $3.197
Niagara, $3.102
Monroe, $3.178
Erie, $3.131
Wyoming, $3.191
Livingston, $3.227
Chautauqua, $3.324
Cattaraugus, $3.192
Allegany, $3.207
AAA issued the following statement this morning: “With easing oil costs and lackluster domestic gasoline demand, the national average for pump prices has dropped one cent while prices locally have fluctuated in either direction.
“Inclement winter weather is the likely culprit, as it can be harder to distribute gasoline in bad weather and refineries may face operational challenges due to frigid temperatures.”
For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.67, up four cents from last Monday. The New York average is $3.95, up three cents from last Monday, AAA reported.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2025 at 5:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Buffalo Bills fans gathered to show their support and excitement for the team at 5 p.m. today outside the First Presbyterian Church of Albion where the church sign carried this message: “GOD IS IMPARTIAL BUT THE SIGN GUY AIN’T – GO BILLS”
Orly the Orleans County mascot joined the gathering and held the “Billieve” banner with Dakota Marasco. She posted a message on Facebook this afternoon, urging people to stop by the church sign at 5 p.m.
Marasco said the region is rallying around the team for today’s AFC Championship game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. in Kansas City. If the Bills win, the go to the Super Bowl for the first time in 31 years.
“The Bills are our team and they love us as much as we love them,” Marasco said.
Lori Laine holds her Dachshund named Mattie while they are next to Orly the Ox. Laine has three Dachshunds and they all have Buffalo Bills outfits.
Laine is holding a sign from 1994 when the Bills were last in the Super Bowl.
MEDINA – The winterguard teams from Medina opened their season on Saturday in Orchard Park.
Winterguard is an activity involving boys and girls as a colorguard ensemble performing indoors during the winter months. Most of the guards are sponsored by a school but there are independent guards comprised of people who are not in school but still want to participate in this activity.
The participants use dance and acrobatics to convey the theme of their show. Medina is sponsoring two guards, a varsity guard and a JV guard.
The JV guard show is “Going Up” and they competed in the Cadet class scoring in 4th place at Orchard Park. he Varsity guard’s show is “Tidal” and they competed in the A1 class and came in 3rd place.
The guards will compete again on Feb. 1 in Batavia, Feb. 8 in Victor, Feb.15 in Corning Painted Post, March 1 in Lancaster, and on March 8 in Medina for a chance to see the show without having to travel.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 January 2025 at 12:22 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: This is the bomber jacket Scott Cielewich had made to duplicate one worn by his father Don, a B-17 pilot in World War II.
Editor’s Note: This is the third in a three-part series about the Jack, Don and Scott Cielewich.
MEDINA – By 2000, Don Cielewich’s son Scott’s interest in his dad’s service during World War II had peaked and he and his wife Jamie set out to find some answers.
He had tracked down Don’s co-pilot Leonard Moen in California and called him. Scott and Jamie were invited to visit him in California, and they spent several days there. The man owned a machine shop and took Scott and Jamie there. Then he went through the entire story of their mission.
“It was like it was yesterday,” Scott said. “The details were amazing. Later, he sent me an e-mail, so I had that for reference. I’ve kept it with all of dad’s memorabilia.”
Then he began thinking about what he was going to do with all the stuff, and that’s when the idea hit him about retracing his father’s last mission.
In 2018, Scott and Jamie left Orlando and flew to London, where a bus tour awaited them. One of the places they visited was Thorpe-Abbotts field, where his dad had flown out of. It was also the same place featured in the Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg series, “Masters of the Air.” Thorpe-Abbotts was a regular Air Force base when Don was there. The Corps of Engineers had built it out of farmland, and it had kind of reverted back, except for the runway and a World War II Museum.
The Bloody 100th Bomb Group flew out of there and were involved in all the big bombing missions of 1942, ’43 and ’44.
“They lost a lot of men and planes,” Scott said. “Leonard said when you were assigned there, it was a death sentence.”
As Scott and Jamie were getting off the bus, a man came up and asked if he was related to Don Cielewich.
“I told him that was my dad, and he said he wanted to show me something,” Scott said. “The English were so grateful for American support and intervention and what we did for their country. They still do archeological digs and find all kinds of things soldiers lost. At the end of the tour, we went in a control tower where there were little offices in back, and over one doorway was Dad’s and Mr. Moen’s names, with ‘Hard Luck’ burned into the wood. It was like a miracle.”
The men had leather jackets with a lamb’s wool collar and “Hard Luck” on the back.
“I am having one made now just like it,” Scott said.
Scott said he couldn’t believe the things that happened during their trip. They flew from England to Germany, where they discovered the tour agent had got in touch with a retired German officer who was a military historian.
“We went to the town where Dad’s plane went down, and we learned it didn’t just land in the forest, it hit a barn and exploded, killing 10 people,” Scott said.
With the help of the historian, they located kin of some of the deceased and met them.
“They opened their houses to us,” Scott said. “We weren’t sure how they’d welcome us. The community has a remembrance ceremony in the cemetery every year on the anniversary of the plane going down, and we send flowers every year.”
From there, Scott and Jamie were taken to the spot where his dad was captured by the German farmer, then to where he was interrogated. Moen told Scott that was where he and Don were reunited. Next they went to Stalag Luft III, which was Germany then, but it is Poland today. They visited the prison where Don was a POW. They have a museum there and Scott saw his father’s ID cards, with his picture and fingerprints.
“The guide took us on an extensive tour, including where the march started in January 1945. It was snowing and there were little provisions for the prisoners,” Scott said. “The first night the prisoners stayed in a church and we were taken there.”
They next flew to Munich, where they got to go to Moosburg and learned the full story of what happened there.
“The prison camp was built for 10,000, but by the time Dad got there, they had more than 70,000,” Scott said.
During their trip, they were interviewed by a German newspaper.
“What shocked me most during the trip was the fact Dad’s plane crashed into that barn, and meeting the families of those killed,” Scott said. “The lady of the house we met and I both cried, and Jamie gave her her scarf.”
Scott has since donated all his memorabilia to the World War II Museum in New Orleans.
He and Jamie collect antique automobiles and they have consigned a 1955 MG TF1500 to be sold and the proceeds donated to the World War II Museum, to pay for the two hotel rooms there which they have dedicated to the memory of their fathers.
In addition to Don’s service flying B-17s in World War II, Jamie’s father was a bombardier on B-24s in North Africa and Italy. He flew 50 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Instead of returning home, he volunteered to become a B-51 pilot and completed his training as the war ended.
The rooms at the Higgins Hotel, part of the World War II Museum, each have a plaque with a picture of the men in uniform and a second plaque with a summary of their war service.
“My wife and I have made it our mission to keep the stories of these brave men alive to remind future generations of the debt we all owe that generation for responding to the call of service at our nation’s most vulnerable moment,” Scott said.
Click here to see the first part of the series: “The last ‘smithy’ in Medina served in World War I”
Click here to see the second part of the series: “WWII pilot from Medina survived being prisoner of war after bailing out of plane”
‘Our county was very unhealthy until 1828.’ – Jeremiah Brown, pioneer in Ridgeway
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, Number 4
“About the first of the next September (1816), myself and my wife and one child were taken sick, and until December following, we suffered everything but Death. Often during that time while myself and my wife were confined to our beds, our children were crying for food and neither of us had strength sufficient to enable us to get to the cupboard to help them.” (Jeremiah Brown, Ridgeway)
This account describes an illness encountered by the early settlers of Orleans County, they referred to it as “a fever and ague “(sounds like “ay-goo”). It was a miserable, debilitating condition which affected everybody, even the strongest person. It persisted for months and was recurrent.
“Our children, then four in number, had their full share of fever and ague. It was painful to see the little ones draw up to the fire while suffering the chill, then see them retire to their beds, tormented by the raging thirst and fever following the chills, while their mother could do little for them, except to supply their frequent requests for water.” (Asa Sanford, Barre)
In Albion, Lansing Bailey was sorely afflicted: his wife and brother died of the fever and ague in August 1813. After his wife’s funeral, some friends who lived on the Ridge took the children home with them. Bailey returned to his “desolate house to spend one of the loneliest nights I ever knew.”
The illness was thought to be part of the acclimating process, or “a penalty to Nature.” It occurred “whenever an opening was made in the forest; or the earth was turned over for the first time to the hot rays of the summer sun.”
Asa Sanford ascribed it to “clearing trees and building dams.” In 1817, Henry McCall and Robert Perry built a dam and mills at Sandy Creek to serve the twenty families living there. The dam raised the water to cover eighteen to twenty acres.
“The water killed the timber, and a terrible sickness followed among the inhabitants, about one quarter of whom died in one season. The well persons were not numerous enough to take care of the sick and bury the dead, and settlers from other neighborhoods came there and helped the needy ones. The mill dam was taken down and the sickness disappeared.”
We now understand that this was a malarial-type illness, caused by the mosquitoes who thrived in those water-logged areas. Those who had access to a doctor were prescribed “quinine and the blue pill” but that many people “just let it work itself off the natural way.” Adin Manly mentioned that some early Kendall residents drank whiskey to keep off the fever and ague.
Dr. White, who attended Lansing Bailey told Bailey that he could prescribe something that would stop it, but that he would be well advised not to take it. Bailey said that he would take it on his own responsibility. Dr. White gave him arsenic, Bailey took it.
“It stopped the ague, but I did not get well for a long time.”
Jeremiah Brown observed that “our county was very unhealthy until 1828.”
Asa Sanford recalled that “as the county was cleared up and the lowlands drained of their surface water, the people suffered less from ague.”
(Source: Pioneer History of Orleans County, Arad Thomas, 1872)
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 January 2025 at 8:48 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Rob Klino, owner of Thistle Ridge at 418 Main St., Medina, pours a cup of hot cocoa for shopper Donna Irneweine of Albion, during his Shop, Sip and Win days on Friday and Saturday. (Right) Rob Klino stands among his collection of MacKenzie-Childs home decor in his Main Street store.
MEDINA – When it comes to creative marketing, Rob Klino has hit on the perfect way to entice customers out in the cold weather, while helping to promote a similar business in Medina.
Klino, owner of Thistle Ridge, came up with a unique idea to spruce up business in January, when things are usually slow.
He contacted Danette Oakes, who owns Filomena’s Favorites at 4237 South Gravel Rd., and is really a competitor, and asked her to join him in a new, fun way to drum up business.
He devised “Shop, Sip and Win,” in which he and Oakes each set up a hot cocoa bar in their stores. Shoppers walk in either store, shop, look around, have a cup of hot chocolate and a sweet snack and then fill out an entry, which they take to the other store and deposit in a drawing to win a $20 gift card.
“The customers loved it and it has been very productive,” Klino said.
Both he and Oakes said business has been unusually brisk both Friday and Saturday.
Danette Oakes, founder of Filomena’s Favorites at 4237 South Gravel Rd., holds portraits of her mom and dad, in whose store in Perry she learned how to treat customers as a child. The Walt’s Men and Boys Wear sign, under which she is standing, was the sign that hung on her parents’ business. Oakes partnered with Rob Klino in his Shop, Sip and Win event this weekend.
Donna Irneweine of Albion came into Thistle Ridge with her friend, Vickie Robinson of Lyndonville.
“We have been doing business with Rob for a long time and love to come in here and shop,” Irneweine said. “We are big followers of his estate sales. There are lots of treasures here, and we usually find something we want.”
Saturday was no exception, when Robinson spotted to antique metal boxes, which she had to have.
After enjoying a cup of hot, delicious cocoa, they were on their way to Filomena’s Favorites.
Klino opened Thistle Ridge in May 2023. He is planning to expand the consignment business and his line of MacKenzie-Childs home décor, which he describes as “primitive, farmhouse fabulous items.”
At Filomena’s Favorites, named after Oakes’ grandmother, she explained she got her first taste of working in a store when she was 8 or 10 and helped in her parents’ store, Walt’s Men and Boys Wear, in Perry.
“I started doing crafts and selling them when I was 21 and I’m 60 now,” she said. “I was on East Center Street and ran that for four years, then I purchased this building, which will be five years in August. I just love it here,” she said of the location, which used to be the Mill Run Restaurant.
Oakes was overjoyed that Klino reached out to her to participate in his promotion.
In May, June and July, Oakes runs a big flea market there, followed by an antique and homemade primitive show in September. She has added a mini shed with collectibles, she calls “Crabapple Creek,” and eventually wants to have a little village of single shops.
“I love Rob’s idea of ‘Shop, Sip and Win,’” Oakes said. “It is the first time in the eight years I’ve been in business someone has asked me to participate with them.”
She said she always tries to help anyone who needs it, so it is heartwarming someone wanted to help her. She sells candy bars to benefit PAWS Animal Shelter and spring bouquets for Hospice.
It’s a sure bet both Klino and Oakes will be receptive to trying Shop, Sip and Win again on a cold January day.
Press Release, Robert Batt, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair committee annually attends the NYS Association of Agricultural Fairs convention. This year held in Syracuse from Jan. 17-19 at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel.
Highlights from this year include:
The major entertainment we’re bringing in this year includes Agri-golf, The Amazing Bubble Factory, and Aim High Canines Dog Show.
All three will have shows throughout the fair, with Agri-golf being open for all to play for free throughout the day, except during tournaments.
Fair Committee member Natalie Ricci meets a representative from Aim High Canines Dog Show.
Bands and music are also still being booked for the fair with Vinyl Recovery planned to play the Orleans Hub Stage on Saturday night. The fair is also looking for buskers interested in performing at the 2025 Fair from July 21 to 26.
The Amazing Bubble Factory also will be making its debut at the fair in July.
NYS has announced grant funding for the Agricultural Fairs Advertising, Promotion, and Education Program (AFAPEP) which has been awarded to all fairs and will support up to $10,000 for the promotion of our fair including advertising costs, unique educational exhibits or other promotions that enhance and encourage visitor participation and appreciation of agriculture and domestic arts.
Fair volunteers and CCE staff attended workshops including Marketing and Promotions of fairs, Succession planning, Self-Care as you Fair, Emergency Response during Festivals, Fairs, and large events, and other topics. The team also workshopped several new contests which will premiere at the fair including a basketball free throw challenge, rubber duck throwing contest, and disc golf tournament.
The Amazing Bubble Factory also will be making its debut at the fair in July.
ALBION – For the second year Albion is hosting a Classical Music Series in 2025. The performing groups will be the Wind Chamber Group of the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, The E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet, and the Argos String Trio.
Starting us off on Feb. 8 will be the Wind Chamber Group of the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble performing a 4 p.m. recital at the Albion First Baptist Church, 30 West Park St.
The Wind Chamber Group is made up of small ensembles: a flute trio, a clarinet quintet, a bassoon duet, a saxophone quartet and a mixed woodwind ensemble with director Philip Briatico. All members are experienced musicians who play in numerous organizations throughout Monroe, Genesee and Orleans counties. Many are current or retired music teachers.
The program promises to be interesting and diverse, from classical works to popular pieces including long time favorites. The concert is free and open to the public.
The following concerts in the classical music series will be the full Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, directed by Philip Briatico on May 3 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium at 4 p.m.
The E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet will join the Cobblestone Society’s Summer Soirée on July 17, playing at 5 p.m. The soirée will be held at the gardens at Riley Place in Albion. The event is a summer favorite of the museum membership and community, enjoying a beautiful garden setting, music and fellowship.
The fourth concert of the series is the Argos Trio featuring Liana Kirvan, violin; Lars Kirvan, cello; and Ciao Wen Chen, piano. All are also members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert will be held at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, 10 East Park St. in Albion. A fall date will be scheduled.
All concerts are free and open to the public. This series is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!
“About the first of the next September (1816), myself and my wife and one child were taken sick, and until December following, we suffered everything but Death. Often during that time while myself and my wife were confined to our beds, our children were crying for food and neither of us had strength sufficient to enable us to get to the cupboard to help them.” (Jeremiah Brown, Ridgeway)
