Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

During National Work Zone Awareness Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted State Route 104 within the Town of Irondequoit and City of Rochester, Monroe County, as a roadway that will be under intense scrutiny through the during the 2024 construction season.

This announcement comes after the Department of Transportation’s Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program registered multiple motorists traveling at life-threatening speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour through work zones along the Route 104 corridor last year.

Additionally, this enhanced and bolstered enforcement comes as the Department is beginning a $27.8 million project in the 2024 and 2025 construction seasons between Ridgeway Avenue in the City of Rochester and Culver Road in the Town of Irondequoit.

“As work begins on an important project along State Route 104, I implore motorists to take heed and follow the rules of the road in state operated work zones,” Governor Hochul said. “The recorded speeds in work zones along State Route 104 last year were nothing short of alarming and could have been potentially deadly for highway workers, which is why we will be stepping up enforcement along this corridor as construction season gets under way.”

Last year, the State Department of Transportation’s Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program was deployed multiple times along State Route 104 and revealed some alarming statistics, including:

• Motorists traveling through a work zone along State Route 104 recorded the program’s top three speeds: 139, 117, and 110 miles per hour.
• The work zone along State Route 104 also witnessed a motorist-caused work zone intrusion where a vehicle crossed into construction and crashed into roadway signage. Fortunately, there were no injuries sustained.

“Operation Hardhat” will begin again in April in an effort to enforce vehicle and traffic laws in highway work zones. Under “Operation Hardhat”, State Troopers or local police officers are dressed as highway maintenance workers in active NYSDOT or Thruway work zones across New York, identifying and citing motorists for a number of violations, including disobeying flagging personnel, speeding through work zones, cell phone and seatbelt use, and/or violations of the State’s Move Over law. State Police has already committed to more Operation Hardhat deployments along the State Route 104 project in 2024.

As work begins on this $27.8 million project along State Route 104 in 2024 and 2025, among the enhancements to be delivered over this two-season construction project are:

• Rehabilitation of 30.5 lane miles of pavement along the roadway, including service roads and ramps, between Ridgeway Avenue in the City of Rochester and Culver Road in the Town of Irondequoit.
• New traffic signals along ramps and service roads throughout the project limits.
• Modernized stormwater drainage to ensure roadway resiliency against the changing environment.
• New American Disability Act-compliant curb ramps to enhance and better facilitate multi-modal transportation throughout the corridor.

131 nights met ‘Code Blue’ threshold

Photo by Tom Rivers: Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, speaks during a celebration for a new warming center at Christ Church on Dec. 20. The site offered cots, coffee, tea, soup and hygiene kits when the temperature dropped below 32 degrees at night.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature today acknowledged the partnership of several agencies in providing a warming center for homeless individuals at Christ Church in Albion during this past winter.

“In response to the urgent need for shelter and support during harsh weather conditions, Oak Orchard Health in partnership with Orleans County announced the opening of its Warming Center in November of 2023,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature Chairman.  “This crucial initiative provided refuge and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring their safety and well-being during extreme cold.”

State law requires that a Code Blue alert go into effect when temperatures are expected to fall below 32˚F with wind chill for at least two consecutive hours and that emergency shelter for the homeless be provided.

The warming center was open to serve individuals in need on 131 code blue nights this past season and a total of 63 individuals, including repeat individuals, took advantage of the center. In addition, the Hoag Library was open to serve individuals during their normal business hours.

“Now that winter conditions are hopefully behind us, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers and organizations who have contributed their time, resources, and compassion to make the warming center possible,” Johnson said.  “The success of this effort is a testament to our community’s incredible compassion and generosity.

Johnson recognized the invaluable collaboration of local partners, including but not limited to, the Department of Social Services, Christ Episcopal Church, Oak Orchard Health, Orleans United Way, HOAG Library, Community Action, Ministry of Concern, Independent Living, Medina Area Association of Churches, Orleans County Emergency Management and Hands 4 Hope.

“The cooperation of these organization was instrumental in establishing and operating the Warming Center and together, we worked to ensure that every community member has a warm and safe place to seek refuge during inclement conditions,” Johnson said.

Press Release, Orleans County Job Development Agency

MEDINA – The Orleans County Job Development Agency reminded residents that there will be a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Orleans YMCA located at 306 Pearl St. in Medina.

“Our career fairs have a tremendous track record in matching up job seekers with employers, and the current demand of employers looking to hire remains high,” said Kelly Kiebala, director of the Orleans County Career Center.  “Anyone looking for a job or a new opportunity, regardless of skill and educational level, should attend this event.”

Kiebala said there will be businesses from across many sectors looking for people in factory settings, healthcare, food service, customer service and more.  There are job opportunities for all levels of skill and experience.

Participating companies, organizations and other institutions include:  Arc GLOW, Army National Guard, ATB Staffing Services, Brunner International, Central New York Psychiatric Center, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Education & Training Resources / Iroquois Job Corps, Elderwood at Lockport, Fidelis Care, Genesee Community College, HD Construction Services LLC, Lake Ontario Fruit, Liberty Home Care, NYS Department of Labor, NYS OPWDD, Orchard Rehab, Orleans County Job Development, Orleans County Personnel, Orleans/Niagara BOCES, Perry’s Ice Cream, Rochester Regional Health, Thrive (Freeze Dry), Six Flags Darien Lake, Grand Canyon University and Empire Coating, Inc.

To learn more about the services provided by the Orleans County Job Development Agency, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers: A group of wrestlers try to knock each other out of the ring in the opening battle royale for Empire State Wrestling’s “Spring Smash” at Medina High School gym on April 15, 2023. About 450 people attended the event in the return of the ESW to Orleans County. Previous events were held at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds with 350 attending the debut event in April 2018 and then about 200 in May 2019.

MEDINA – The professional wrestlers from Empire State Wrestling will be back in Medina for “Spring Smash” on April 27 in a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

ESW did events at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds with 350 attending the first wrestling showcase in April 2018 and then about 200 in May 2019. After a break due to Covid restrictions, the wrestlers were back last year with the venue moved to the Medina High School gym. A much bigger crowd of 450 attended the event.

“We received nothing but good feedback,” said Ryan McPherson, event chairman for East Shelby. “We had our best turnout yet, and we want to make it bigger and better this year.”

The crowd reacts when Kevin Blackwood, an Albion native, is introduced during last year’s event at Medina. Blackwood, whose real name in Kevin Lockwood, flew in from Los Angeles to wrestle in front of his family and friends in Albion. Blackwood, 33, has been a professional wrestler for seven years. He also works as a tattoo artist in LA.

McPherson said local wrestlers will be in the lineup on Saturday, including Albion native Kevin Blackwood, Medina native Gavin “A Cut Above the Rest” Glass, and Jacob Miller (aka Maxx Cannon) of Medina, also known as “The Filthy One.”

Several of the fans at the wrestling event marveled about the athleticism of the wrestlers, and how physical the matches were. There were drop-kicks, body slams, jumps from the top rope and other moves. McPherson said many of the fans felt like it was WWE.

There will be familiar faces from past matches, including Frankie Feathers, who was a good guy but has turned into a “heel,” a bad guy. He continues to fire up his fan base.

One of the wrestlers appearing for the first time in Orleans County will be Adrianna Fury of Lockport, who McPherson said has a big following.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first bell at 6 p.m. For information on tickets, which are available online or at the door, click here.

Photo contributed: Ahmed Cherif, 9, is thriving since coming from Tunisia to Medina with his mother a year ago. He still has months of medical procedures ahead, and a fundraiser Saturday at the YMCA in Medina will help with his medical costs.

MEDINA – Youth volunteers at Project Life and young people from the Voice Gavel Club (Junior Toastmasters) have finalized plans for a “Youth Serving Youth” fundraising day at the YMCA to benefit Ahmed Cherif, a 9-year-old from Tunisia in need of extensive medical care.

According to Linda Shakoor, director of Project Life War Orphans Rehabilitation Program,  so far since coming to America with his mother a year ago, Ahmed’s pediatric team at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong in Rochester have identified several conditions.

Ahmed has oro-facial syndrome II, rumination synodrome, autism and bone growth delay. He also suffers from allergies and asthma. He still has many tests and treatments ahead, including further neurological evaluation starting with an MRI of his brain. He will also be assessed for spinal scoliosis and will undergo a sleep study.

The boy’s health has been slowly improving since he arrived in Medina last year. He has received extensive dental treatment, including surgery. He no longer needs the leg braces he has worn since he was 3, due to supportive physical therapy. His eyes have been tested and now he wears corrective glasses. Some of his digestive issues have subsided and he has gained weight. He is up to 45 pounds and has grown an inch. For the first time in years, he is outgrowing his clothes.

In Tunisia, Ahmed was isolated and never attended school. Now he is attending a special education program in Buffalo arranged by Medina Central School, and he is thriving, Shakoor said.

“He is benefitting from opportunities for socialization, along with ongoing physical, occupational, vision and speech therapy,” she said.

World Life Institute’s Project Life is no stranger to handling medical cases, Shakoor added. They have sponsored more than 130 orphans of war and natural disasters for temporary visit programs in Western New York since 1997. Over the years, several children arrived here with life-threatening chronic illnesses that required major medical intervention.

Almost all of the 130 children over the years have never received dental care, so there were hundreds of trips to dentists and the UB Pediatric Dental Clinic. Project Life, therefore, is well-positioned to assist Ahmed’s mother in managing his medical appointments, conferring with physicians and getting the best possible care for him.

The event on Saturday at the YMCA has a goal of raising enough funds to support Ahmed and his mother for the year. This includes monthly pharmacy and home health supply costs, recreation, transportation, nutritious food, rent and utilities, school supplies, toys, clothing and shoes, as well as parking costs for multiple visits to the hospital.

Project Life is an entirely volunteer program. No one in the organization gets paid, Shakoor said. This means a very large percentage of donated funds goes directly to the program, not to overhead costs.

Project Life is urging everyone in the community to support this event Saturday at the YMCA. It will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. and feature events for the entire family. There will be an opportunity to walk with Ahmed during the fashion show, have fun creating crafts, bid in a silent auction, watch a charity basketball game, purchase baked goods and participate in an array of other fun activities.

Those wishing to donate online can click here for more information.

Maggie Pecoraro took this photo of a pink rainbow this morning on Route 104 in Ridgeway at LynOaken Farms.

It will be a rainy day today in Orleans County with showers and thunderstorms likely before noon, then showers between noon and 5 p.m., with more showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m., the National Weather Service in Buffalo said. The high will be near 57.

Thursday is forecast to be mostly cloudy with a high near 63, with more rain on Friday with showers and a high of 63.

Saturday will be partly sunny with a high near 50, followed by a mostly sunny Sunday with a high near 51.

Mike Zeliff took this photo of the sunrise this morning on Route 63 in Lyndonville.

Photo by Marsha Rivers: The sun rises this morning at 6:13 in this photo taken from Washington Street in Albion.

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Provided photos – (Left) Liam Keller won for most classic-looking car. (Right) Parker Wallenhorst took third place.

CLARENDON – Holley Cub Scouts in Pack 3062 had their annual Pinewood Derby race on Saturday with nine Scouts participating. They also had nine friends and family make derby cars and join in the annual tradition.

“The Holley pack is small but mighty,” said Meghan Reuther, the committee chair for the pack. “The kids worked so hard and made amazing cars. Even parents, grandparents and siblings made their own cars and raced in a Family and Friends bracket.”

The event was held at the Clarendon Rec Hall. Cub Master Chris Reuther and Leader Randi Keller out on the derby.

“All the Cubs showed they put a lot of hard work into their cars, displayed great sportsmanship, cheered on their competitors, and celebrated the victors!” Meghan Reuther said. “We are extremely proud of all the Cubs and their families!”

The scouts have had a busy year, visiting the planetarium at SUNY Brockport, having a Christmas party at Oak Orchard Lanes in Albion, collecting canned goods for the local food pantry, working on projects to earn badges and prepping for summer camp.

For information about joining the Holley Cub Scouts, send an email to holleycubs3062@gmail.com or contact Cub Master Chris Reuther at (716) 480-2945.

Adi-Ann Reuther, age 8, was a first place winner.

HOLLEY – The Board of Education on Monday approved a $29,615,000 budget for 2024-25 that would increase the tax levy by 1.49 percent.

The board a month ago was looking at a budget with a 1.99 percent tax increase, but decided to shave off another half percent.

The budget goes to a public vote on May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the foyer of the junior-senior high school.

The board approved the budget with some uncertainty in its state aid because the state budget remains unresolved. The budget deadline was April 1 but the governor and Legislature have approved extenders to fund the government for the short-term.

While some school districts are slated for a decrease in state aid in the governor’s executive budget, Holley’s total state aid would increase by about $600,000, from $20,095,541 to $20,665,520. If the aid in the final budget is more than the amount in the governor’s budget, Zacher said any extra would go in the district’s fund balance.

State aid covers about 70 percent of the school budget. The tax levy accounts for $7,952,214, which is up $116,748 from the 2023-24 budget. Holley is well below is allowable increase under the state-imposed tax cap. Holley could increase taxes by 3.972 percent and still be below the cap, Zacher said. The district can carry over the difference to the 2025-26 budget.

There will be a public hearing about the budget at 6 p.m. on May 7 in the elementary school cafeteria.

Besides the budget, Holley will have propositions for $363,000 to buy one large bus and two small buses; and $206,840 for the Community Free Library.

There will be four seats up for election on the Board of Election including the three-year terms currently filled by Sal DeLuca, Brian McKeon and Anne Smith. There is also the final two years of a term originally for Robin Silvis. Jennifer Reisman was appointed to fill the spot until the election on May 21.

Provided photo: Dr. Michael Weyrauch (Orleans/Niagara BOCES Director of Continuing Education, Career and Technical Education and Instructional Services), Susan Diemert (Literacy Specialist) and Colleen Osborn (Board of Education President) accept the Magna Award in New Orleans.

Press Release/Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES was one of the grand prize winners in the 29th annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s flagship magazine, American School Board Journal.

This year, the Magna Awards recognize school districts and their leaders for their innovative, out-of-the-box thinking to address district challenges. Members of the NSBA Board of Directors Awards Committee selected the winners from district submissions.

“The Magna Awards spotlight innovative programs that are making a difference for students and the communities where they live,” said NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs. “From providing incarcerated individuals with essential job readiness training and hope for the future to preparing students for the ever-evolving landscape of careers through specialized programs, each of our grand prize-winning programs exemplifies the transformative power of education. These award winners serve as shining examples of what can be achieved when creativity and dedication intersect in the pursuit of excellence.”

There were three grand prize-winning programs and Orleans/Niagara BOCES won in the Under 5,000 enrollment.  The local BOCES was recognized for their Corrections Literacy and Job Skills: A Second Chance program provides incarcerated students and adults the opportunity to take classes and training to increase their chance of employment after release at Niagara County Jail. (You can view a movie about the jail program at this link: https://youtu.be/S24fyIe8Cac.)

Representatives Orleans/Niagara BOCES Board of Education – President Colleen Osborn, Literacy Specialist Susan Diemert and Director of Continuing Education, Career and Technical Education and Instructional Services Dr. Michael Weyrauch – were presenters at NSBA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans in April and were featured in the 2024 Magna Awards video. All winners will be highlighted in the April issue of ASBJ at www.nsba.org/asbj.

Founded in 1940, the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) purpose is to ensure each student everywhere has access to excellent and equitable public education governed by high-performing school board leaders and supported by the community.

With members spread across the United States, the Virgin Islands, and Canada, NSBA is the only national organization representing school boards. Along with its member state associations and member public school districts representing locally elected school board officials serving millions of public school students, NSBA believes that public education is a civil right necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people and that each child, regardless of their ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, identity, or citizenship, deserves equitable access to an education that maximizes their individual potential.

Press Release, Heritage Wind

BARRE – The Heritage Wind Community Grant Program is now accepting applications for its Spring 2024 grant cycle.

Counting the last grant cycle’s recipients, the grant program has awarded nearly $120,000 to community causes and non-profit organizations working to build healthy communities, increase environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and promote education, since its inception in 2020.

The previous Fall Grant Cycle included the following community organizations: Orleans County Joint Veterans Council, Medina Fire Department, GLOW ARC and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association.

Local organizations working in the Town of Barre, and the broader Orleans County community are encouraged to apply. Grants are typically awarded in $250 to $4,000 increments, with priority given to proposals that demonstrate meaningful impacts to the greatest number of area residents.

We will be accepting applications until May 15. Please apply at www.heritagewindpower.com/grant.

The four focus areas for the community grant program are:

• Building Healthy Communities – Programs that support public health or enhance the quality of life in the community.
• Economic Development – Programs that support the economic wellbeing of the community.
• Environmental Sustainability – Programs that support environmental revitalization, sustainability, or empower residents to be stewards of the environment.
• Promoting Education – Programs that support educational institutions, especially the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This may include curriculum development, vocational training or literacy support.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Anna Mathes at anna.mathes@apexcleanenergy.com or (585) 563-5137.

Provided photos: Two historic Medina Sandstone structures will be the focus of this year’s Sandstone Society Hall of Fame Tour, scheduled May 9. At left is Buffalo’s historic Richardson Hotel/Olmsted Complex. At right is St. Louis Church at 780 Main St., Buffalo.

By Ginny Kropf and Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society has announced the itinerary for its 2024 Hall of Fame Tour on May 9 in Buffalo.

This year’s tour will feature a visit to the historic Richardson Hotel/ Olmsted Complex, and St. Louis Church. In addition, there will be a drive by of several other prominent Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame honorees.

The Richardson/Olmsted Complex was in the inaugural class in 2013 for the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. The massive complex of the former Buffalo State Hospital was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and the surrounding grounds by Frederick Law Olmsted. This was the first major work on which the two collaborated. At that time it was considered to be one of the most architecturally significant designs for an asylum, a style that became known as Richardsonian Romanesque.

Construction started in 1871 and the two imposing 185-foot towers of the Administration building have been a highly visible and striking landmark in north Buffalo since 1880. The central pavilion, with its lofty Gothic towers, adjacent wards A and B and the four flanking wards are all built of reddish-brown Medina sandstone that was quarried in Hulberton, Orleans County. The heavy, rough-faced stone walls are set off by plainly finished blocks of the same material for doors and windows. Part of the site is now used as a hotel.

The St. Louis Catholic Church went into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame in 2014. The church, at the corner of Main and Edward Street, was constructed from 1886 to 1889. This Gothic Revival church is built of red Medina Sandstone.

Heavily influenced by German design features, the distinctive front facade consists of two 128-foot side towers and the magnificent 245-foot center steeple and open-work spire. Perhaps the church’s most distinctive feature, this center spire, similar to the spires on several German churches including Cologne Cathedral, is the tallest open-work spire ever built completely of stone in the United States. It is also believed to be the only remaining open-work or pierced spire in the U.S.

The Medina Sandstone tour day will begin with a welcome at 8:30 a.m. by Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman at the Sandstone Hall of Fame located in City Hall on Main Street.

The tour bus, a 47-passenger coach with bathroom, will leave at 9 a.m. and arrive at the Richardson Complex at 10:15 a.m., where guests may choose to take a leisurely tour of the grounds and museum or join a docent-led tour of undeveloped areas of the Richardson/Olmsted Complex.

At 11:30 a.m., there will be a luncheon will be served in the Glessner Room at the Richardson Hotel. The bus will leave for St. Louis Church at 12:30 p.m., where a 45-minute tour is planned at 1 p.m. The bus departs for Medina at 2 p.m.

Cost for the tour is $95 per person or $90 for stonecutters (Sandstone Society members). Checks are due by April 26 and should be mailed to Medina Sandstone Society, P.O. Box 25, Medina, 14103.

Anyone with questions or wishing more information may contact Sue Holland at (585) 721-3809 or at shollan2@rochester.rr.com.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Medina historian Todd Bensley has released his second book on Boxwood Cemetery. He holds copies of his first book, released in 2016, and the latest addition, just released. Both are available at Author’s Note.

MEDINA – Old cemeteries and history have always interested Todd Bensley, so it is no surprise when he became Medina historian and a member of Friends of Boxwood that his research should prompt him to write a book.

“Boxwood Cemetery – Where the Past is Present” was published in 2016, and paved the way for Bensley to start work on a second book, titled “Boxwood Cemetery, Uncovering the Past.”

“The first book was well received,” Bensley said. “And while doing all this research and creating a searchable data base for burials at Boxwood on the village’s website, I would see something of interest,” Bensley said. “This led me to dig deeper into obits. I found many things I didn’t know about before.”

One thing he discovered is that all some people have left in the world is what is on their headstone.

“Everyone has a story, whether they died in a dramatic fashion or left their mark on the community; whether they are well-known like John Ryan; or whether they are someone whose family took the time to tell in their obit what a wonderful person they were.”

Noteworthy names buried in Boxwood Cemetery include May Howard, a passenger on the Titanic, and local business icons S.A. Cook and Robert Newell, as well as numerous veterans.

One interesting incident Bensley had never heard about was the murder of two young people on Blair Road. Noreen Margaret Russell was with her boyfriend when two men shot and killed them and stole their car to go to Florida.

“I definitely learned a lot during my research,” he said.

There are 5,000 burials in Boxwood Cemetery and Bensley said he can’t count how many hundred hours he has already spent in researching them.

“It’s become a passion,” he said.

Bensley stresses that all proceeds from the sale of his books goes to Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. Books are on sale at Author’s Note for $38 for the first book and $23 for the recent release. Author’s Note will also work with purchasers to ship them their books. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Rob Klino, a member of Friends of Boxwood and owner of a newly-opened Thistleridge store at 418 Main St., also has copies of the books at his business. Thistleridge is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

In addition to Bensley, support for his books came from Boxwood Cemetery Committee; Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home; Cooper Funeral Home; Bates, Wallace and Heath Funeral Home; Pets in Peaceful Rest and the Medina Sandstone Society.

Klino and Bensley urge the public to visit Boxwood Cemetery’s Facebook page for upcoming events to support the cemetery.

Provided photo: These students from Niagara-Orleans BOCES are pictured at Medina Memorial Hospital with their teacher Courtney Slack BSN, RN. The students include Lilyan Beals (Roy Hart), Bella Fischer (Medina), Adysyn Stirk (Albion), Sofia Gagliardi (Medina), Madison Davis (Lydonville), Gisella Garcia (Medina), Monet Thomas (Albion), Jayden Lewis (Albion) and Paige Newton (Albion. Missing from photo: Taylor LeFrois (Albion).

MEDINA – A collaboration between allied Health Technical Prep, Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital is shaping the future of healthcare professionals, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach at Medina Memorial Hospital.

“We are delighted to celebrate the continued success of this partnership which has provided junior students from the BOCES program with excellent training opportunities within the hospital, fostering unique learning experiences and community engagement,” Robinson said.

One student, Madison Davis from Lyndonville, shares her experience.

“Allied Health and its shadowing experiences within the hospital have been very helpful in helping me make my decision to pursue a career as a PA,” Davis said. “The community and mentors I have gained from my experience here have made huge impacts on me personally and professionally.”

Additionally, Lily Beals from Roy-Hart expressed her gratitude.

“Joining Allied Health has made me realize how much more I want to pursue my career in dentistry,” Beals said. “I am so grateful for this experience and being able to help the community. Learning about the foundations of healthcare will give me a broad prospective as I pursue a pathway to becoming a dental hygienist.”

The ongoing partnership between Allied Health Technical Prep, Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Medina Memorial Hospital underscores a shared commitment to nurturing talent, supporting career aspirations and serving the local community, Robinson said. By offering students continuous exposure to real-world healthcare environments and mentorship from seasoned professionals, this collaboration equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in their chosen healthcare careers, he said.

“We are immensely proud of the enduring success of this partnership and the positive impact it has had on our students,” said Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health. “By providing ongoing immersive learning experiences and mentorship opportunities, we are shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders who will continue to make meaningful contributions to our community.”

Allied Health Technical Prep, Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital look forward to building upon their established partnership and continuing to empower students to excel in the healthcare field.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Albion fire hall on North Platt Street is shown on Sunday during an open house and recruitment effort for the Albion Fire Department.

ALBION – The Albion and Gaines community is moving towards a new joint fire district that would have its own fire commissioners, and own budget and taxing authority.

There will be a public hearing at 6 p.m. on April 24 at the LGI room in the high school for the community to hear details about the district and to ask questions.

The Albion Town Board, Gaines Town Board and Albion Village Board held a joint meeting on March 27 at the Gaines Town Hall. The three boards all voted in favor of establishing the joint fire district.

The fire department’s budget is currently part of the Albion village budget, with the Village Board functioning as the commissioners overseeing the fire department budget. The two towns currently contract with the village for fire protection. In 2024, Gaines will pay $116,390 and the Town of Albion will pay $115,362.

Albion village officials have long felt the village bears an undue financial cost for the fire department budget. With the joint fire district, the costs will be based on the taxable values of each municipality, which village officials see as a better way to fund the department, especially with new fire truck purchases in the near future, including a ladder truck.

The joint fire district should also better identify the true costs of providing fire protection in the community by taking the department out of the village budget.

Fire Chief Jeremy Graham and Deputy John Papponetti both will give presentations during the public hearing on April 24.

Graham said he favors the joint district. Local residents will have a bigger voice in the fire service by electing commissioners and voting on any bonding for trucks and other equipment.

“The taxpayers will have a say,” Graham said. “They will have a vote.”

Holley and Lyndonville both recently moved the fire department out of the village budget and into their own fire districts. That lowered the village taxes, but there is a new fire district tax in January.

The Albion Fire Department had activities for children during the open house on Sunday, including giveaways of plastic firefighter helmets.