Press Release, Medina Police Department

MEDINA – On April 29, a burglary occurred at the Orleans Ford car dealership on S. Main Street in the Village of Medina.

During the burglary, there was significant property damage, and a 2022 Ford F-450 pickup truck was stolen. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the stolen vehicle had been transported to Florida.

The vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner in May. The investigation determined that two individuals from Buffalo entered the dealership, damaged property inside, and then stole the truck, transporting it to Buffalo. The third suspect flew from Florida to Buffalo on the morning of the burglary, took possession of the truck and drove it to Florida.

On July 26, Nasib Karazhyev, 30, of Buffalo, was arrested for Burglary 3rd (D Felony), Grand Larceny 2nd (C Felony), Criminal Mischief 2nd (D Felony), and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (E Felony). Karazhyev was arraigned through the Centralized Arraignment Process and released on his own recognizance.

Following grand jury proceedings, county indictment warrants for the above charges were issued for two additional suspects:

Luis Guilarte, 29, of Naples, Florida, was arrested in Collier County in Florida on Dec. 13.  On Dec. 18, Guilarte was extradited to New York and is currently awaiting arraignment on these charges through the Centralized Arraignment Process.

An indictment warrant has also been issued for an additional suspect, Craig Lynch, 23, of Buffalo. Lynch was recently extradited to North Carolina and is currently being held in the New Handover County Jail on an unrelated homicide charge.  The indictment warrant has been forwarded to N.C. as a detainer if he is being released on their charges.

The Medina Police Department Officers leading this investigation were Felicia Holtz and Jonathan McManus.  The Medina Police Department would like to thank the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (FL), Niagara and Erie County Crime Analysis Centers, Niagara Falls Transit Police, Lancaster PD, U.S. Secret Service, and the Orleans and Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Photos and information courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club

The Lions Club decorated a tree and served hot dogs and hamburgers during Lyndonville’s festival of Christmas trees on Dec. 7.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions had a busy month of December to wrap up their 2024 agenda.

On Dec. 7 the Lions furnished hot dogs and hamburgers to a hungry crowd attending the Village of Lyndonville Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. The day long activities included a morning brunch, an extensive craft show and various other venues for people to visit.

The evening culminated with the arrival of Santa courtesy of the Lyndonville Fire District.  Cool temperatures and a bitter cold north wind did not stop attendees from seeing Santa flip the switch as he illuminated over 85 Christmas trees in the village park.

The Lions held their final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 11 which was followed by their annual Christmas dinner party. All of the participants were treated to Christmas melodies performed by Mr. Kevin Clark from Lockport.

His Christmas performance includes a Christmas trivia challenge, name that tune contest and as always, a closing session of Christmas caroling.

During this event the Lions collected Christmas presents to be donated to the Genesee/Orleans Ministry of Concern.  The Club also financially donates to this organization throughout the year to support the needed work they carry out all year long.

The Lions Club held their Christmas Party on Dec. 11 at the White Birch.

On Dec. 12 the Lions carried out their annual poinsettia delivery for shut-ins in the Town of Yates.  Annually, the Lions provide a small bit of holiday cheer with the delivery of a poinsettia plant to local shut-ins during the Christmas season.

On Dec. 13, the Lions supported the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. A monetary donation was given from the club along with sessions of Lions Club and Leo Club members ringing the bell at Tops Market in Medina.

Donors were treated with a heartfelt holiday thank you and candy canes. The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in the United States and one of the top five worldwide. The Lyndonville Lions were proud to support their efforts.

Lyndonville Lions Club members, Julie & David Godfrey and Jeff & Lynne Johnson, rang the Salvation Army Red Kettle at the Tops in Medina.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank all those who have supported the Lions during the year. The club is actively planning for 2025 and further details of upcoming events will be forthcoming in the near future.

During this time of year, we are reminded of the biblical verse from Luke 2:11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

We wish all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We ask that God continues to bless you and your family and this great nation we live in.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) has been reappointed deputy minority leader and received his committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session.

“Right now, New Yorkers are facing record-high inflation and costs at the gas pump and checkout line,” Hawley said. “As elected officials, it should be our primary goal to ensure working families cannot just get by, but thrive in our state. I’m proud to be able to continue this work as both a committee member and leader in our conference to bring common-sense policies back to New York.”

Hawley will be a member of the Agriculture, Insurance, Rules, Veterans’ Affairs and Ways and Means Committees. Hawley is proud to have received these appointments and looks forward to bringing common-sense policy back to Albany.

“I am proud to once again announce the appointment of Assemblyman Steve Hawley as Deputy Minority Leader,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski). “His proven leadership and wealth of experience will be invaluable to our conference as we navigate the challenges of the 2025 Legislative Session. I have every confidence in his ability to remain a strong voice for a better, more affordable New York.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The lawn in front of the Albion Middle School has a coat of snow on Wednesday evening before the school hosted the high school holiday concert.

Orleans County could get 2 to 4 inches of snow on Friday and the temperatures will plummet into a deep freeze over the weekend, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

The temperatures will then warm up next week, including a high of 39 on Christmas.

Today is forecast for a high of 30, followed by a high of 32 on Friday. Saturday will reach 22 with an overnight low of 10, followed by a high of 18 on Sunday with an overnight low of 8.

Monday will be sunny with a high of 27, followed by a high of 36 on Tuesday and 39 on Wednesday (Christmas).

Photos by Tom Rivers: Contractors have the Main Street lift bridge in Albion barricaded from traffic. This photo was from around noon today on the north side of the bridge.

ALBION – After more than two years of being closed and under construction, the Main Street lift bridge is expected to reopen to traffic on Dec. 26, Village Trustee Joyce Riley said today.

The state Department of Transportation and contractors working on the project were hoping it could reopen on Dec. 19, but another week will be needed, Riley said.

The bridge has been closed to traffic since Nov. 14, 2022. When it closed, the DOT estimated it would reopen in 18 months or the spring of 2024.

But there have been delays in getting materials for the project, pushing the completion back.

The bridge was originally built in 1914. It is one of 16 lift bridges on the Erie Canal, and one of seven in Orleans County.

The rehabbed bridge has new high-strength galvanized steel to replace the steel floor system and select truss members. The project also included upgrades to the mechanical and electrical components of the lifting mechanisms, with improvements to the lift tower.

The bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches have been improved and the bridge has been repainted.

The DOT accepted a $28.3 million construction bid for both the Albion and Brockport lift bridges with Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport as the general contractor for both bridges.

The Brockport bridge also has been delayed. It was scheduled to reopen in September but has been pushed to February.

This photo from Dec. 8 shows the view on Main Street on the south side of the bridge. The closed bridge has diverted most of the traffic to village side streets and the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.

He has served in role while working as nurse supervisor at Medina Memorial Hospital, volunteering as Ridgeway firefighter

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, right, presents a “Special Recognition Award” from County legislature to Charlie Smith in honor of his 30 years as a county coroner. Smith is retiring from the role on Dec. 31.

ALBION – Charle Smith is leaving his office as county coroner with praise from county legislators and his colleagues.

Smith on Tuesday received a “Special Recognition Award” from the Orleans County Legislature for his 30 years as coroner.

Smith started as a coroner on Jan. 1, 1995. He typically handled 20 to 25 calls a year where he determined the cause and manner of death, and then prepared the death certificates. He also generally did another dozen calls a year that were phone releases with hospital nurses where the death was not unexpected.

“You always responded with empathy and afforded dignity to the decedents, family members and others involved in these situation,” according to the award from the Legislature. “Although a challenging role, you have represented Orleans County and assisted many families during a difficult time.”

Smith said the job of coroner has been “interesting and challenging.” A coroner needs in-depth medical knowledge. Smith graduated from Buffalo General School of Nursing in 1975. He also has attended many trainings through the NYS Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve the people of our county,” Smith told county legislators on Tuesday when he was presented with an award.

County Legislator Don Allport reads a proclamation declaring Jan. 19-25  as “Medico-legal Death Investigations Professionals Week.” He presents it to from left: Chief County Coroner Scott Schmidt, incoming coroner Julie Woodworth, and retiring coroner Charlie Smith.

Coroners are typically called to a scene when a person dies who isn’t under direct care of a doctor or at a nursing home.

Smith served in the role while working as a nurse supervisor at Medina Memorial Hospital and as an active firefighter with the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. He will continue with the hospital and fire company after retiring from coroner.

Smith has worked at the hospital for 35 years, and has 52 years with the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. He also worked two years as a flight nurse with Mercy Flight.

Scott Schmidt, the county’s chief coroner, said Smith has been “a pillar of the community” doing a “yeoman’s job” as coroner.

Julie Woodworth, a nurse who has worked with Smith at Medina Memorial Hospital, will take his spot as coroner beginning Jan. 1. She was elected on Nov. 5.

She praised Smith’s ethics, dedication and service.

“Charlie’s decades of service have been defined by professionalism, compassion and an unwavering pursuit of truth in the face of adversity,” Woodworth said.

Smith said he plans to spend more time with his wife and family, and also expects to go on more fishing, hunting and camping trips.

Jeff Cole will continue as handler following Otto’s retirement

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Cole, left in front, and Sheriff Chris Bourke introduce Odin, a Belgian Malinois, to county legislators during Tuesday’s Legislature meeting.

Jeff Cole introduces Odin to county legislators and officials on Tuesday. Odin has been trained for tracking and searches, and soon will be certified for drug detection.

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department has welcomed Odin, a K9 that is already trained in tracking and searches. Odin will finish his certification later this month for drug detection.

Odin, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, is paired with K9 handler Jeff Cole. Odin has been in a narcotics detection school the past 10 weeks at the City of Rochester. Odin has been working with Cole the past 3 months.

The dog is from Holland and was imported by Upstate K-9 Boarding Kennels in Hilton.

Cole worked with the Sheriff’s Department’s previous K9, Otto. That dog retired after 8 ½ years in August.

Odin was paid for through community donations and a forfeiture account from the District Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff Bourke said Odin and Cole will be available to assist other departments in the county and in neighboring counties when needed.

“It’s a great asset to the Sheriff’s Department to have a K9 available,” he told county legislators.

Village officials say lower pay in Medina makes it difficult to keep and recruit officers

Photos by Tom Rivers: Christian Navas takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony on Monday evening during the Medina Village Board meeting. Navas was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. He is holding his daughter Layla while his other daughter Mackenzie smiles. Navas’ wife Stephanie holds the Bible during the oath.

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department has promoted two officers within the department.

Christian Navas and Jake Reeves both started with Medina in 2016. Navas has been promoted to lieutenant and Reeves to sergeant. Both were sworn to their new positions on Monday during the Village Board meeting.

Navas fills the lieutenant position that has been vacant since Todd Draper moved from that position, the department’s second-in-command, to police chief in June 2023. Navas has been a sergeant with Medina PD since 2021.

Reeves has been Medina’s K9 handler since 2020. He will continue in that role with Phoenix, a Belgian Malinois.

New Medina Police Department Sgt. Jake Reeves gets helps with his collar brass insignia from Lt. Christian Navas and Police Chief Todd Draper. Reeves’ wife Dana watches after Reeves took the oath of office for his promotion.

The two officers were praised for their long-term commitment to the Medina PD, especially during a time of frequent turnover at smaller police departments.

“Both are great people in our department and they live locally,” said Mayor Marguerite Sherman.

The board accepted the resignation of Kyle Daly, who has left to join the Ogden Police Department. Alexandra Reigle of the Albion PD also has joined the Ogden PD. They were both sworn in at Ogden on Monday. They both live in Monroe County.

Police Chief Todd Draper said of the department’s 10 officers right now, seven have less than five years of experience at Medina. He said the pay in Medina is significantly less than at many of the Monroe County departments.

Many of the new officers for Medina live out of county, Draper said. They ultimately want to work closer to where they live, he said, when asked about the turnover in Medina.

Medina Police Chief Todd Draper administers the oath of office to Jake Reeves on Monday. Reeves was promoted to sergeant. He has been with the Medina PD since 2016 and will continue as the K9 handler, which he started in 2020.

The starting pay in Medina is $50,430, while some of the Monroe County departments are offering more than $100,000 for officers with at least three years of experience.

“The pay is definitely an issue we just can’t compete with,” Draper said in responding to a question from a community member at the board meeting. “The pay is a substantial difference.”

Draper said having more local candidates for the positions would help, but he said only 11 people took the recent Civil Service test to be a police officer and only one was a local resident.

Village Trustee Jess Marciano said the Village Board faces “intense pressure” to try to keep taxes as low as possible, while facing intense pressure to offer services, including police protection.

She praised Navas and Reeves for their long-term commitment to Medina, especially when they could earn more elsewhere.

Lt. Christian Navas holds his daughter Layla while being sworn in as lieutenant for the Medina PD. He joined Medina PD in 2016 and was promoted to sergeant in 2021. His daughter holds up her hand while watching her father take the oath.

Mayor Sherman said Medina started offering a better retirement system recently to police officers, hoping that would be an incentive for officers to make it a career with the department. But Sherman said many of the younger officers would prefer to be bigger paychecks while working.

“The younger people want their money now,” she said.

She said the board continues to seek a balance on what the community can afford and what it needs to be competitive with other municipalities and businesses.

“We’re doing the best we can to pay them what we can,” Sherman said.

Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Rob Ortt again has the backing of his Republican colleagues in the State Senate to serve as the minority leader.

He was re-elected to the post on Monday. He has been the Republican leader of the State Senate since 2020.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to make New York a more affordable, safer, and healthier state for hardworking families,” Ortt said in a statement. “I thank my colleagues – and the millions of New Yorkers they represent – for their continued trust in my leadership of this Conference.”

Democrats have a solid majority of the 63-member State Senate, but Republicans have made some in roads in recent elections, breaking the Democrats’ super-majority or two-thirds of the votes.

Ortt, a former North Tonawanda mayor, was elected to the State in 2014. His district includes all of Orleans and Niagara counties, and part of western Monroe County.

“I am incredibly honored to once again earn the support of my colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference to serve as Minority Leader,” Ortt said. “As we approach the New Year and a new legislative session, we are energized and ready to confront the challenges created by Albany’s failed one-party rule.”

MEDINA – Two families are being assisted by the Red Cross and other family members after a late-night fire on Bates Road.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene of a house fire at 1:30 a.m. The Medina Fire Department responded with mutual aid by Ridgeway, Shelby and Albion.

Medina police officers were the first at the scene and all occupants were outside, while smokes and flames were coming from the structure, the Medina Fire Department stated in a news release.

Two cats were rescued, but one perished in the fire, which was brought under control about 30 minutes after the dispatch call.

The cause of the fire is undetermined currently and under investigation by members of the Village of Medina Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit/Medina Police Department with assistance from the Orleans County Fire Investigators, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Erie County Sheriff’s K9 Unit, the Medina FD stated in a press release.

Photos courtesy of Master Gardeners in Orleans County:  Master Gardener Michael Klepp will be teaching two of the classes in this year’s series, one as a volunteer with CCE and one through his business focused on teaching about nature.  Klepp has a passionate teaching style that entertains participants.

Press Release, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners

KNOWLESVILLE –  Master Gardeners have finalized the lineup of topics for their annual “Master Your Garden” class series.

This is the fifth year of the popular series held on the first Saturday of every month. Every year, Master Gardener volunteers take feedback from participant surveys to find speakers on topics the public has indicated interest in. In addition to requested topics, Master Gardeners poll their volunteer group to see what passions or expertise their members may have.

“I think the Master Gardener series ticks the boxes for those who are looking for a new learning experience,” explained Eileen Sorochty, long-time Master Gardener volunteer and committee member for the Master Your Garden series. “We try to vary our topics from year to year and invite folks to offer suggestions of programs they’d like to see.”

Master Gardener Sue Starkweather Miller shows students the different parts of a dahlia tuber.  Sue will be teaching a class on Hydrangeas alongside another recent Master Gardener graduate Noelle Wiedemer to wrap up the end of the 2025 Master Your Garden series.

This year’s topics range from the practical to informative, with a bit of fun thrown in the mix.  This year, the classes will be taught by a mix of Master Gardener volunteers and business owners in the community.

The class titles and dates for the 2025 MYG series are:

• January 4 – Beekeeping and Honey Harvesting
• February 1 – Blueberry Growing at The Gardens of Colehill
• March 1 – Intro to Permaculture and Native Plant Communities
• April 5 – Historic Uses of Indigenous Plants
• May 3 – Organic Gardening
• June 7 – Planting for Success
• July 5 – Purposeful Pruning
• August 2 – The Fall Garden
• September 6 – The Wonderful World of Water
• October 4 – Microgreens
• November 1 – The Art of Growing Hydrangeas

Kathy Contrino, a graduate of the 2024 Master Gardener Training Course, will also be teaching two classes for the series this year – one on Permaculture and Native Plant Communities, and another on the Historic Uses of Indigenous Plants.

“We try to have programs so that anyone, no matter their expertise level, can learn something and expand their knowledge on a particular topic,” said  Janelle Flammger, Master Gardener volunteer and the chairperson of the MYG committee. “The classroom environment is informal and informative and participants are encouraged to ask questions.”

The MYG series typically runs from February through November, but this year Master Gardeners are pleased to be able to offer an additional class in January. The first class will be 10 a.m. Saturday on Jan. 4, featuring local beekeeper Jennifer Kelly from Fiddlehead Farm discussing how she got started in beekeeping, honey producing, and creating other handmade products.

In addition to the Master Your Garden series, a new monthly educational series held on the third Saturday of each month called “Seeds to Splendor” will debut on Jan. 18 in conjunction with the new Master Gardener-led Orleans Community Seed Share – more details on that program to come!

All classes are held in the “Buzz Hill” Education Center at the Orleans County CCE Office, 12690 State Rt 31, Albion, NY.  Classes are offered at an optional $5 donation and pre-registration is required by emailing klo54@cornell.edu or calling (585) 798-4265 ext. 125.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Bent’s Opera House is shown on Monday evening with many decorations up for the holidays. Bent’s has 10 hotel rooms on the second floor. The top floor is an events center while a restaurant is on the first floor.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Ridgeway Town Hall to hear feedback about a new 2 percent bed tax for hotels, motels, short-term rentals and other lodging establishments in the village.

Village officials sought for years to have the new tax, which will be on top of the 8 percent sales tax and the county’s 4 percent occupancy tax.

The tax was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 22, following approval by the State Assembly and State Senate.

Medina officials say they pushed for the new tax as a way to generate some additional money to work on infrastructure projects at the Medina Business Park and in the village to promote economic development.

However, a draft proposal of the new law for the tax says it will go in the village’s general fund to be “allocated at the discretion of the Medina Village Board for any Village purpose.”

Bent’s Opera House has 10 hotel rooms in addition to the Harvest restaurant and events venue. The site has many new holiday decorations up this year to enhance the downtown experience for local residents and visitors.