Photos by Ginny Kropf: Board members of OCALS met for their annual meeting Thursday night at Hoag Library, for what would become their last meeting. Citing effects of Covid, the board voted nearly unanimously to disband, effective at the end of the year. Board president Pam Schuner, standing, addresses members who are, clockwise from left front, OCALS founder Rose Ruck, Ann McElwee, Nicole Goodrich, Jackie Keller, Don Colquhoun, Carolyn Wagner, Catherine Hooker, Penny Nice, Terry Novak and Don Ruck.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 November 2024 at 6:30 am
ALBION – Action taken by OCALS at their annual meeting Thursday night at Hoag Library was something none of them could have seen coming five years ago, announced board president Pam Schuner.
In a nearly unanimous vote, the board voted to dissolve the organization, effective Dec. 31.
“The mission of OCALS is to provide free confidential tutoring services to residents of Orleans County who want to improve their reading, writing and English speaking skills, along with improving their digital literacy proficiency,” Schuner said. “Unfortunately, the aftermath of Covid has severely impacted OCALS’s ability to achieve this mission. Since Covid (in 2020), the number of volunteer tutors has decreased to three and, likewise, the number of clients requesting our services has declined significantly as well.”
Don and Rose Ruck, who founded OCALS in 2006, were praised for their support of literacy in Orleans County and presented with a plaque during the final board meeting.
During the past several years, the board has taken numerous steps to increase OCALS’ presence in the community and recruit tutors, clients and board members. They have participated in the Orleans County Home and Garden Show, Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market, Strawberry Festival in Albion, Orleans County 4-H Fair, Medina’s National Night Out and Medina’s Lions’ Vendor Fair during the Community Yard Sale.
They also hired Kathy Punch, an educator, who did more than 30 public presentations to promote OCALS throughout the county. This resulted in one new board member, Schuner said.
“Despite all our efforts, we have not seen an increase in potential new tutors, clients or board members,” Schuner said.
Added to their woes is the fact a majority of their board members with five to 10 years of service have decided to retire at the end of the year. With no replacements on hand, the remaining few board members will not be able to continue to run OCALS, Schuner said.
OCALS was started by Rose Ruck and her husband Don when, in 2003, after closing of Literacy Orleans, she sent out a survey regarding literacy in the county. She was amazed to learn most people in the county did not realize there was no literacy program. With a career spanning 35 years in the literacy field, including in Orleans and Genesee counties, Rose knew she had to do something.
She solicited some volunteers and officially launched Orleans County Literacy Services in 2006, with initial funding coming from the Ruck’s two daughters, Terry Novak and Donna Seyler.
As their services increased and they began serving a bigger segment of the population, the name was changed to Orleans County Adult Learning Services, or OCALS.
Schuner was the first paid employee, hired in 2010, and the only one for a number of years.
Dedicated board members included Ann McElwee, who developed a program she took to schools, Iroquois Job Corps and Lyndonville Library.
Don Colquhoun promoted literacy in workplaces and became vice president and treasurer.
Mary Lee Knights, who recently moved away, and Penny Nice were board members since the early years of OCALS.
“I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished,” Rose said. “And although it’s sad, I’m totally in favor of this decision to dissolve the organization.”
According to law, a non-profit has to follow very strict procedures to dissolve. Colquhoun has been working with attorney Lance Mark to determine the correct steps to take.
This includes disposing of all its assets, and OCALS has identified a handful of local agencies who will benefit from their donations.
All office supplies will be donated to the Ministry of Concern; digital literacy backpacks, laptops, kindles and iPads will be donated to Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Digital Literacy program; Pre-K curriculum will go to P’Raising Kids; all their books will go to the Cobblestone Society; all tents, tables and chairs will be donated to the Lions Club; tablecloths and knickknacks have been given to Medina Area Association of Churches; all other outreach materials, such as a prize wheel, balloon pumps and ballon sticks will be given to Community Action.
After payment of any debts, funds will be distributed to agencies which have supported OCALS, including United Way, $30,000; Lyndonville Area Foundation, $15,000; and the Medina Sandstone Society, $1,000.
Schuner personally thanked each and every person who touched OCALS and the local communities in some way throughout OCALS’ tenure, especially Don and Rose Ruck. She presented the Ruck’s with the “Lighting the Way Legacy Award.”
“Your passion has touched the lives of all who had a role in OCALS,” Schuner said.
“It is with heavy heart the board of directors has determined we are unable to keep OCALS active,” Schuner added.
The patch for the newly merged Great Falls Council that represents an area that includes Orleans County, part of Western New York, and extends south to Elmira and into Pennsylvania.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2024 at 8:53 pm
The scouting council that includes Orleans Council has merged again. The Western New York Council has merged with the Five Rivers Council to form a new organization – Great Falls Council.
The merger became effective on Nov. 1.
“Scouting is alive and well in the Great Falls Council and will continue to grow and prosper through all our efforts to deliver the world’s greatest youth development program to the youth of our community,” the Scout Executive and Council CEO Gary A. Decker posted on Facebook.
The Council is organized into six districts. Orleans County is in the Great Trails District which serves Orleans and Genesee counties, the eastern part of Wyoming County, and most of Livingston County.
This map shows the area of the Great Falls Council in light green.
The formation of Great Falls Council follows the May 1, 2023 merger of the Iroquois Trail Council and Greater Niagara Frontier Council into the WNY Council.
Scouting has seen a drop in enrollment and the mergers are seeking to maintain programming in scouting, which is open to both boys and girls, ages 5 to 20.
The new council serves 8,000 youth members and adult volunteers in 15 counties of Western New York and the Southern Tier of New York, and the Northern Tier in Pennsylvaniua.
The Council has a staff of 20 with offices in Buffalo, Oakfield and Elmira.
Jim McMullen, who was the Scout Executive of the Iroquois Trail Council, remains in the new Council’s leadership as the chief operations officer and deputy scout executive.
“The expansion of our Scouting family provides our Scouts with even more opportunities to have incredible life-changing experiences and to benefit from the great strengths of both predecessor councils,” Decker said. “Coming together as one expanded Scouting family also allows us to chart a new future for Scouting in our territory. It provides us with the opportunity to continue the legacies of world-class Scouting from the generations before us, while allowing for the creation of new traditions and programs for today’s and future members. I look forward to being part of that journey with you.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2024 at 8:04 pm
Gas prices are down an average of 3 cents nationally in the past week to $3.10 today, and down 2 cents statewide to $3.18, according to AAA.
A year ago, the average price was a gallon of gas was $3.42 while it was $3.15 in the state.
“After a brief interruption caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, gas prices have resumed their gradual season decline and is only about seven cents away from the nation average’s 2024 low,” AAA said in a news release today. “According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose slightly while total domestic stocks fell and gasoline production decreased. This morning, oil trading is in the low $70s per barrel. With low oil costs and tepid domestic gasoline demand, pump prices could continue to drop and find a national average below $3 soon.”
Here are the average prices in Western New York counties:
Orleans, $3.326
Genesee, $3.302
Niagara, $3.236
Monroe, $3.286
Wyoming, $3.307
Erie, $3.269
Livingston, $3.431
Chautauqua, $3.512
Cattaraugus,$3.425
Allegany, $3.389
The average price for diesel is $3.55, down two cents from last Monday. The New York average is $3.89, down one cent from last Monday, AAA reported.
“Pickett’s Child” is a postmortem photo from the Scott B. Dunlap collection in the Medina Historical Society.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, Number 34
MEDINA – The child in this photograph appears to be sleeping peacefully. However, this is a postmortem photo, the child is dead, and the pose was referred to as the “Last Sleep.”
It may seem morbid to us, but at a time when infant mortality rates were high, and attitudes toward mourning were different, this photograph would have been viewed as a way of commemorating the dead and solace to the family.
This is most likely the only photograph ever taken of the deceased child. The photographer was a young neighbor, Scott B. Dunlap, of Dunlap Road in Shelby, who had a new Kodak camera and an interest in photography.
Born in 1898, he was a fourth-generation member of the family for whom the road is named. Armed with his new camera, Scott, who graduated from Medina High School in 1905, took unposed, relaxed photographs of his family and friends. Without intending to, he chronicled daily life in rural America in the early 1900s, in those years just before automobiles replaced the horse and buggy.
In 2008, Scott B. Dunlap, Jr. donated a collection of over 200 of his father’s glass plate negatives to the Medina Historical Society. The collection includes five postmortem views of the child, each taken from a different angle. The long exposure time required at the time made deceased subjects easier to photograph.
Another version of “Pickett’s Baby” from the Scott B. Dunlap collection.
The photos were labeled as “Pickett’s Child” or “Pickett’s Baby,” the first name was not mentioned. A brief search elicited the infant’s name as Harold H. Pickett, (also referenced as Herman Harold) born Nov. 7, 1905, died Sept. 12, 1906. He was the son of Henry R. (Ray) and Lena Gurrslin Pickett.
In April of the following year, 1907, the family lost another son, Wilford R., one month old. An older son, Lavern E., survived. Lena died in 1909, at the age of 27. She and the two infant children were buried in Millville Cemetery. Following Lena’s death, Henry re-married, moved to Buffalo, worked as a motorman with a railroad company and had four more children.
With regard to the child’s clothing, it was customary at the time to dress boys and girls in short white dresses until they started walking and then in short, loose-fitting dresses until they were two or three years old.
As healthcare improved and mortality rates declined, the practice of photographing the dead declined and came to be viewed as macabre. We still use photographs of the deceased for obituaries, funeral cards and services, but those are living images. At the present time, when smartphones have made it possible for anyone to take photographs of any subject, the lines between what is acceptable and what is not are shifting once more.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2024 at 12:07 pm
Republicans have big lead among political parties but don’t quite have majority among registered voters
Tuesday will be election day in Orleans County and polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in all 10 towns.
Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, Carlton uses the Rec Hall and part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company.
Here is a list of the polling sites:
Albion – Districts 1 through 6: Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
Barre – Districts 1 and 2: Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
Carlton – Districts 1 through 3: Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3: Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
Gaines – Districts 1 through 4: Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
Kendall – Districts 1 through 3: Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
Murray – Districts 1 through 6: Murray Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
Ridgeway – Districts 2, 4, 5: Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
Shelby – Districts 1 through 4: Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
Yates – Districts 1 and 2: 8 South Main St.
There are 25,538 registered voters in Orleans County. Republicans have a big lead among political parties, but don’t have majority in Orleans County. Republicans represent 48.3 percent of the total registered voters.
Here is a breakdown of the registrations by political party:
Hawley commends 2 Genesee businesses for longevity
Photos courtesy of Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s Office: Steve Hawley presented certificates to Max Pies Furniture (left) and Chapin International (right) in honor of them being included in the New York Historic Business Preservation Registry.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) was proud to honor Chapin International and Max Pies Furniture, two staple businesses in Western New York, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, for being officially designated on the New York Historic Business Preservation Registry (HBPR).
Established in 1920, the HBPR highlights the legacy of local businesses that have made a significant impact in their communities, offering them recognition and support to continue growing and serving the public.
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Assemblyman Hawley presented certificates to both businesses in honor of their recognition. This recognition represents their long-standing service and dedication to their community, enriching the Batavia area.
Assemblyman Hawley expressed his admiration for the businesses, stating, “Both Chapin International and Max Pies Furniture have built a legacy of hard work, integrity and service to the people of Batavia and the greater part of Western New York. Recognizing these historic businesses is about honoring their contributions to our communities and supporting their continued success,” said Hawley. “Their presence has been a pillar in Batavia, and I am honored to celebrate their achievements.”
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “The New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry is a remarkably diverse collection of businesses across the state that have demonstrated generations of dedication to their local economies and communities. We welcome the opportunity to recognize businesses like Max Pies Furniture Company through this honorific program and appreciate receiving nominations from state elected officials that help this registry continue to grow. With more than 200 businesses now listed, it is a fascinating history lesson on New Yorkers’ ongoing ambition, ingenuity and perseverance.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Cobblestone Society and Museum presented their annual awards on Saturday. Pictured from left include Joyce Chizick and Shirley Bright Neeper, volunteers of the year; Jim Bonafini, alumnus of the board award; and Ruth Allis of the Medina Garden Gals, community partner of the year award. Brian Daddis, a mason from Brian Daddis Heritage Masonry, was unable to attend to receive the Business Partner of the Year Award.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 November 2024 at 9:59 am
CHILDS – The annual meeting of the Cobblestone Society took place Saturday at the Gaines Carlton Community Church on Ridge Road.
The afternoon began with a turkey dinner prepared by the ladies of the church, under the leadership of Diane Furness.
The Rev. Susan Boring, pastor of the Eagle Harbor Methodist Church, gave the invocation, followed with a toast by Bill Lattin in honor of the museum’s founders and other supporters over the years.
Cobblestone Society president Matt Holland presided at the membership meeting, at which minutes of the 2023 annual meeting were approved, treasurer’s report was read by vice president of finance Dick Remley and election of officers took place.
Remley reported 126 pledges have been received toward the capital campaign of $750,000 for the new Visitors Center. The campaign is at 111 percent of the goal, but Remley said more will be needed to complete the project.
Bill Lattin, a retired museum director, leads a toast in honor of the people who founded the museum and those who have contributed to the organization during its 60-plus years.
The slate of elected officers includes Matt Holland, president; Richard Remley, executive vice president; Christine Sartwell, vice president of development; Mary Zangerle, secretary; Maarit Vaga, treasurer; Chris Capurso, corresponding secretary; and Gail Johnson, membership secretary.
Trustees elected for terms ending Dec. 31, 2027 include Sylvia Goodstine, Camilla VanderLinden, Bill Lattin and Brenda Radzinski. Fred Miller was elected for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026.
Awards were presented to several individuals for their various contributions to the Cobblestone Museum.
First was a Community Partner Award presented by Christine Sartwell to Ruth Allis on behalf of the Medina Garden Gals. These women spent hours planting and weeding the garden outside the Ward House, which they also designed more than 20 years ago. The garden was age-appropriate for the time period of the Ward House, Sartwell said.
Mason Brian Daddis from Brian Daddis Heritage Masonry was unable to attend to receive the Business Partner of the Year Award from Russ Bosch for all the work he did on the cobblestone buildings. He did extensive work on all three of the Museum’s National Historic Landmark buildings.
Matt Holland, the board president, presides over the annual meeting which was held at the Gaines Carlton Community Church on Route 104.
An Alumni Board Award was presented by Grace Denniston to Jim Bonafini, who has made signs for the Cobblestone Society, and since retiring is training to be a blacksmith. He did a demonstration recently for 70 school children. He is also training to be a docent and helps at many events, from directing traffic to set up and tear down.
Assistant director Sue Bonafini presented the final award of the afternoon – the Volunteer of the Year award. This year’s award went to two very dedicated women, Shirley Bright-Neeper and Joyce Chizick. For several years these ladies have planned a garden party soiree, making all the arrangements for entertainment and refreshments. Chizick was commended for creating an elegant selection of finger foods.
Bonafini called them the “dynamic duo,” who planned and coordinated the very first solstice garden party at the Kirby home in Albion. These have since become important fundraisers for the Cobblestone Society.
The afternoon program concluded with a presentation by Ryan Duffy, executive director of the Holland land Office Museum in Batavia, who gave a video presentation of “Joseph Ellicott’s Ghost.”
Ryan Duffy, executive director of the Holland Land Office Museum, shared about Joseph Ellicott, director of the Holland Land Office and the Batavia site’s role in Western New York.
Duffy explained how Ellicott was responsible for Western New York developing from one county to eight counties between 1806 and 1841. He said the infrastructure we use today is credited back to the 1800’s and the Holland Land Company.
Because of Joseph Ellicott’s layout, Buffalo has Ellicott Square, and Batavia, founded in 1881, has Ellicott Street. Both cities have many names which reflect Ellicott’s influence.
Duffy also said Ellicott is responsible to deciding a “foot” should be 12 inches.
“Many things he did are connected to the Holland Land Office,” Duffy said.
He invited the audience to visit the Holland Land Office Museum on Main Street in Batavia and see some of the incredible exhibits they have, including a wedding exhibit focusing on the 1830s to 1970s and an exhibit of buildings by noted artist, the late Don Carmichael. Many of the buildings are no longer in existence, Duffy said.
His presentation concluded by taking questions from the audience, such as “Who owned the Holland Land Company” and “What was the size and cost of a lot purchased from the company.”
He answered, “Dutch bankers owned the Holland Land Company and an average lot was 120 acres and the average cost was $2.50 an acre.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 November 2024 at 8:47 am
‘We’ve hit a number of roadblocks,’ family says, citing higher operating costs, lower revenue and weather challenges
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Several members of the Oakes family pose in the tasting room of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery on Ridge Road, Medina, after confirming they are exiting the wholesale apple business and closing the winery. From left are Darrel Oakes and his wife Linda, daughter-in-law Katie Oakes and Darrel’s sister Wendy Oakes Wilson.
MEDINA – An agribusiness with deep roots in the community will be discontinuing most of its farm operation after 105 years.
When Leonard Oakes bought land in Lyndonville in 1919, he made many smart decisions. He planted orchards and vegetables, raised chickens, worked hard and raised a family, in whom he instilled his love of agriculture and a hard work ethic. When Leonard passed away in 1951, the farm was passed on to his four children.
As the family grew, so did their interests, acquiring land on Ridge Road. When they purchased the Ridge Road property in 2004, it was already a controlled atmosphere cold storage and they invested in transforming the property into a winery tasting room and planted a U-pick orchard with more than 350 varieties.
“In 2018 we added a new packing room and apple packing line onto the cold storage that would allow us to expand our brands throughout Central and Western New York,” said general manager, Wendy Oakes Wilson.
The Oakes family also planted six acres and 14 varieties of grapes at their farm in Lyndonville in 2003. This expansion created a winery that opened in 2008, and in 2011, another expansion brought the birth of SteamPunk Cider. Their wines and cider earned awards and were hot-sellers on the market.
Through the years, some of the extended family didn’t want to be in farming. The original four family members left their stock to their spouses and children, many of whom did not live or work in the area, said Darrel’s wife Linda Oakes, who ran the Gift Shop. “They are far removed from the farm operation,” she said.
In spite of making some sound business decisions during the years, there were two things the Oakes could not control: the weather and the national apple market.
“During the last two years, we have had frost and hail, which devastated our crop,” said Darrel Oakes, who was honored as the national apple grower of the year in 2004 by the American Fruit Grower magazine. “In order to keep going, we borrowed money. That is added to the money we borrowed to buy this property and expand.”
But the real culprit was in 2023 when the state of Washington flooded New York state’s market with their biggest crop of apples ever. This caused a 50 percent drop in prices for certain varieties, which means LynOaken Farms didn’t earn enough revenue to cover their costs, said daughter-in-law Katie Oakes, who runs the U-Pick operation.
“With the two years of bad weather, that created the third year of losses, while our expenses increased 25 to 30 percent,” Wendy said.
“At the same time, third-party packing companies were taking much longer to pay for packed apples,” Wendy said. “In fact, we are still owed for four different varieties from the 2023 crop. There is no guarantee of revenue, and no recourse for growers to demand more. In this business you have to be a climate expert, market expert, legal expert, finance expert and accounting expert.”
Darrel also added that agriculture is heavily dependent on labor and those costs have also risen 20-25% in the last five years.
“We’ve hit a number of roadblocks, including Covid,” he said.
Additionally, three spouses of the original four owners have passed away this year and have left their shares to their children. Because of all these events, the family had a shareholders’ meeting in August and made the decision to close down LynOaken’s wholesale production.
With several of the family members pointing out that the farm’s debt load was too large and apple production not profitable, new shareholders believed the time was right to sell assets to pay off their loans and have funds available to pay shareholders, Wendy said.
“The non-working shareholders have been very supportive of us, but also understood the market and how difficult it would be to carry on,” Wendy said.
Darrel said they have sold all of their productive land, to a buyer he is not yet ready to disclose.
Katie will continue to manage the U-pick operation.
“The sad part is two of our sons and Wendy have to go find a job,” Darrel said.
“I never thought at the age of 58 I would be looking for a job,” said Wendy, fighting back tears. “I thought I’d retire from the farm in due time.”
“We are exiting the production of apples for the wholesale market, and it’s hard to give that up,” Darrel said. “But we are doing it with honesty and respect. We will not owe anybody.”
The Oakes’ don’t know yet what will happen to the wine and cider operation. Customer tastes have changed since Covid, and people are not coming out for tasting parties or a glass of wine like they used to, Wendy said. Next Friday, Saturday and Sunday they will have special hours to sell the rest of their bottled wines.
They are looking ahead to things that will be hospitality and event-based, such as weddings, meeting spaces, private parties and showers, Darrel said
He and Linda came out of retirement to help this fall and look forward to continuing back down that road.
Katie praised the community and their customers for the support they’ve shown LynOaken Farms and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.
“We have a very loyal customer base who have been very supportive of us,” Katie said. “We hope that will continue.”
She added, “This is one chapter ending. It is not the end of the book.”
File photo by Tom Rivers: Members and some employees of the Oakes family gathered for a photo under the pavilion at the winery on July 21, 2019 to celebrate the farm’s first 100 years. From left include: Dan Thurber, Diane Thurber, Jerod Thurber, Jonathan Oakes, Chris Oakes, Steve Songer, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Darelyn Songer, Linda Oakes, Darrel Oakes, Wendy Oakes Wilson, Wanda Oakes, Jeff Oakes, Dawn Oakes and Katie Oakes. Hawley presented the family with a proclamation in recognition of a century in business.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The “Big Apple” sculpture in Medina was recently repainted. The apple was created by Barre artist Richard Bannister and is located along the Erie Canal, east of the lift bridge on Prospect Avenue (Route 63).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2024 at 8:06 am
It’s another week of mild temperatures in Orleans County.
Today is forecast to reach a high of 62. Followed by a high of 75 on Tuesday, which is Election Day.
The highs the rest of the week include 67 on Wednesday, 56 on Thursday, 58 on Friday and 54 on Saturday.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign directs early voters down the hallway at the Board of Elections where there were two rooms to fill out ballots.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2024 at 9:47 pm
ALBION – Orleans County already has had more than 4,500 ballots cast through nine days of early voting.
The 4,539 votes cast topped the previous high of 3,753 during the 2020 presidential election. The 4,539 votes represents 18 percent of the eligible voters in the county, said Mike Mele, the Republican election inspector.
Every day was busy at the Board of Elections office in Albion for early voting, with an average of just over 500 voters a day. Each day of early voting, the polls were open eight hours, and averaged about a voter per minute over the nine days.
The nine-day totals include:
Oct. 26 – 647
Oct. 27 – 410
Oct. 28 – 563
Oct. 29 – 608
Oct. 30 – 487
Oct. 31 – 416
Nov. 1 – 486
Nov. 2 – 452
Nov. 3 – 470
Total – 4,539
Polling locations will be open in all 10 towns on Tuesday for the general election with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
MEDINA – On Nov. 2, at 12:05 a.m. the Medina Police Department was dispatched to Medina Memorial Hospital for report of an assault. Upon arrival at the Emergency Room, officers located and interviewed a 50-year-old man and 47-year-old woman who were both stabbed.
The incident occurred in the Canal Basin shortly before midnight and the victims were transported to the hospital by private vehicle.
Both victims were later transferred to Erie County Medical Center, one by ground ambulance and one by Mercy Flight helicopter.
The female victim has been released from the hospital, and the male victim remains at ECMC in stable condition.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Medina Police Department at (585) 798-5602.
Press Release, Medina Fire Department (Steve Cooley Lieutenant/Public Information Officer)
MEDINA – At 6:31 this morning Orleans County Public Safety Dispatchers received a call from a residence in the Village of Medina for a 15-year-old female that was unconscious and unresponsive.
Further information was received from the caller that natural gas was smelled during the evening last night. EMS crews arrived quickly to find the 15-year-old female conscious with signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure.
Upon evacuating all residents from this multi-residence on Park Avenue and assessing all 8 people, it was evident that all 8 residents had symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, said Steve Cooley, lieutenant and public information officer for the Medina Fire Department.
Treatment was initiated on all patients on scene and all 8 were transported
to local hospitals for further treatment. Two of those patients had carbon monoxide levels over 25% as detected by our monitoring devices. Simultaneously Fire Department personnel investigated the source for the carbon monoxide and began ventilating the structure.
A power vent pipe for one of the two furnaces in the basement had become disconnected and was venting carbon monoxide unabated into the basement for an undetermined amount of time.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless gas that is a product of combustion, it is lighter than air and that is the reason the apartment on the second floor had reading of over
350 parts per million. The gas meter was shut off and NYSEG crews were requested. After proper ventilation, NYSEG entered the home and found the fire departments assessment accurate regarding the exhaust pipe. Contractors are on scene now making
repairs to the damaged exhaust pipe and residents will not be displaced from their apartments once discharged from the hospital. Carbon monoxide detectors will also be installed.
No working carbon monoxide detectors were found in any of the apartments. At the time of the incident, we were just passed the end of Daylight Savings time clock change when fire departments across the nation advocate for checking al your detectors.
This morning could have easily ended up a tragedy. It was at least the fourth significant CO event with multiple patients we have encountered in the last 14 years.
If you have any plans for today, please first check all your detectors first, both smoke and carbon monoxide to ensure they are functioning properly. If for some reason you can not or you have questions, please call the fire house at (585) 798-1661 and speak to a firefighter.
Provided photos: Four students from Orleans County performed in the Jr. High Area All-State this past weekend, including, from left: Rosa Scroope of Holley, Elise Olsen of Medina, and Gavyn Draper and Karalyn Klotzbach of Lyndonville.
Posted 3 November 2024 at 8:09 am
Press Release, Orleans County Music Educators Association
YORK – The following Orleans County students participated in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 2 Jr. High Area All-State festival this weekend at York Central School!
From Holley: Rosa Scroope, French Horn – Orchestra
From Medina: Elise Olsen, Flute – Wind Ensemble
These students are joined by the top singers and instrumentalists from all over Zone 2, which encompasses Monroe, and all its surrounding counties, including Orleans. Admission to the Area All-State ensembles requires students to receive a top NYSSMA solo festival score in the spring, a nomination from their music teacher, and eventual selection from a committee of music teachers from Zone 2 based on the first two criteria. It is a rigorous process and a tremendous honor for all students involved!
The Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Mr. David Beck of Bethlehem Central School.
The Treble Choir was conducted by Mrs. Jennifer Mernitz of Grand Island Central School.
The Symphonic Band was conducted by Dr. Carrie Pawelski of Jamestown Central School & SUNY Fredonia.
Dr. Kevin Dibble of Houghton University directed the Mixed Choir.
MEDINA – The child in this photograph appears to be sleeping peacefully. However, this is a postmortem photo, the child is dead, and the pose was referred to as the “Last Sleep.”
