By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2024 at 2:02 pm
CARLTON – A woman, age 66, who fell 100 feet down the Oak Orchard River bank last night was rescued by firefighters and only sustained minor injuries.
Carlton firefighters were dispatched at 1:30 a.m. for a call that a woman had fallen off a cliff in the area of 14339 Roosevelt Hwy. This is the area near Captain’s Cove. The woman had rolled down the embankment to the Oak Orchard River.
Upon arrival firefighters, requested the County Technical Rescue Team and were able to locate the victim at the bottom of the river bank. Carlton firefighters gained access to the victim, began patient care and began rigging the rope system while waiting for additional manpower from the Rescue Team to arrive, the Carlton Fire Company posted on its Facebook Page.
The patient was safely brought up by the Technical Rescue Team and patient care transferred over to an awaiting Monroe Ambulance Crew.
“The patient miraculously only suffered from minor injuries and was transported for treatment and evaluation by Monroe Ambulance,” Carlton fire officials stated.
The County Technical Rescue Team included members from Clarendon, Murray, Medina, Shelby and Carlton. The team recently was formed by the county and this was their first call.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the New York Stare Police also assisted at the scene.
“Excellent team work resulted in a safe and efficient rescue,” Carlton officials stated.
This map shows where oral rabies vaccine baits will be distributed to try to stop the spread of racoon rabies.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
Depending on the weather, aerial and hand distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits will take place in Western New York from Aug. 12 to Aug. 17.
Areas of New York State are once again taking part in a nationally coordinated effort to halt the spread of raccoon rabies in 16 states. Ongoing field evaluation of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) called ONRAB will occur in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming counties. These sites were selected in part because of ongoing collaborations with Quebec and Ontario, Canada in the fight against rabies to protect human and animal health and reduce significant cost associated with living with rabies across broad geographic areas.
“Rabies is a serious public health concern because if left untreated it is generally fatal. Costs associated with detection, prevention and control of rabies conservatively exceed $500 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, greater than 90 percent of reported rabies cases in the United States are in wildlife,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
The efforts are focused on controlling raccoon rabies, which continues to account for most of the reported wildlife rabies cases in the United States. Raccoon rabies occurs in all states east of the established ORV zone that extends from Maine to northeastern Ohio to central Alabama. Continued access to oral vaccine and bait options that are effective in all target wildlife species remains critical to long-term success.
The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the vaccine.
To make the baits attractive, the blister packs are coated with a sweet attractant that includes vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor, and dark-green food-grade dye.
While humans and pets cannot contract rabies from the bait, those who come across the bait directly should leave it undisturbed. Most bait packets are consumed within four days, and nearly all of the bait will be gone within a week.
Please do not attempt to remove a bait from your dog’s mouth.The bait will not harm the dog and could lead to vaccine exposure.
Should contact with baits occur, immediately rinse the contact area with warm water and soap and contact your local health department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County or 585-589-3278 for Orleans County.
If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 477- 4837.
MEDINA – Get ready to witness history from a new perspective as the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief docks at 1 Canal Basin in Medina on Monday, Aug. 12, and Friday, Aug. 16.
Both days consist of live music, food trucks, engaging speaker series, and free tours of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief from 4 to 7 p.m.
Constructed by the Buffalo Maritime Center, the boat is a reproduction of the original Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief that opened the Erie Canal in 1825. It will make a trial run through Lockport, Medina, Brockport and Rochester in 2024 as preparation for its 2025 voyage to New York City. The 2025 journey marks the Erie Canal Bicentennial, honoring 200 years since the canal’s official opening.
According to Dawn Borchert, Director of Orleans County Tourism, the event will happen rain or shine and attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and stay for the afternoon. Food trucks will be available for dinner at the canal basin. Visitors can take advantage of free boat and exhibit tours, witness boat-building demonstrations, and even try paddle-shaping.
This historic moment for the Buffalo Maritime Center represents an exciting opportunity for Medina to experience maritime history. The Buffalo Maritime Center inspires meaningful connections and life lessons through community boatbuilding, preserving maritime culture, and exploring the waterways of Western New York.
BARRE – Heritage Wind is excited to announce four local organizations as awardees from the project’s community grant program. Launched in 2020, this program supports local community organizations throughout the Town of Barre and Orleans County working to build healthy communities, support economic development, foster environmental sustainability, and promote education.
“Heritage Wind is grateful to be able to continuously back local organizations that support Orleans County through our Community Grant Program,” said Carmen O’Keefe, Director of Development with Apex Clean Energy.
This round of grants were awarded to:
Medina Railroad Museum
The Town of Barre
Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
The Medina Railroad Museum has been awarded $4,000 to develop an interactive display allowing children to use virtual reality to simulate the operation of the railroad in several key positions, such as engineer, conductor, and railroad fireman.
The Town of Barre has received $4,000 for the continuous effort to upgrade the town park and the installation of new playground equipment.
“The Town of Barre is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $4,000 grant from Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind’s Community Grant Program,” said Parks Department Director Jason Foote. “This funding will enhance public health through the renovation of the Town Park playground, supporting future expansion plans to create a vibrant and inclusive recreational space for all residents.”
The Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Association was awarded $4,000 for a new program benefitting their local deputies. Torry Tooley, President of the Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association, was thankful for the grant.
“The men and women of the Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association would like to thank Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind for awarding the association funds to further our effort to be ‘Fit for You,’” Tooley said. “This funding allows us to invest in the physical and mental well-being of our deputies. Your commitment to strengthening communities truly resonates with our mission to serve our citizens with the best possible care. This grant will be another step forward in this mission.”
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee was awarded $450 for the purchase of supplies to help the Credit Recovery Program. This program helps support local high school students working to obtain the necessary credits to complete high school.
Counting this year’s recipients, Heritage Wind has awarded over $120,000 to community causes and non-profit organizations. These grants are part of a larger community grant program by Apex Clean Energy that has awarded over $5 million in funds to local communities nationwide since 2020.
In addition to awarding grants to local community organization, Heritage Wind was a proud sponsor of the Barre Cubs little league team, who was able to clinch the midget league title this season.
Heritage Wind continues to strive to be a strong community partner to local governments, area businesses, and non-profits working to improve people’s lives across the region. The community grant program will open an additional round of grant funding this Fall to be awarded before the end of the year. To learn more or apply for a future grant, visit www.heritagewindpower.com/grant.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 August 2024 at 8:11 am
ALBION – The Cobblestone Museum’s annual tour of homes this year will feature a unique variety of buildings.
When the tours started in 1961 they were originally just cobblestone buildings, said Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum. There were 20 cobblestone structures all located along Ridge Road, between Childs and Oak Orchard on the Ridge. Six of those sites offered indoor tours. The tours continued on and off for many years, and more recently, historic buildings with different construction materials were added.
Twelve stops are included in this year’s tour, all with indoor access and all located in a quick and easy short drive from each other, Farley said.
This year Sue Starkweather Miller was asked to help plan the tour, as it is centered in the Albion area.
“While planning this year’s tour we thought about adding homes and buildings in Albion that are historically significant, that many people may not know about or haven’t had the opportunity to visit,” Miller said.
The tour also includes the Joseph F. Hart house on South Main Street, and the Day and Day Building on North Main Street.
Some of those buildings are the Ebenezer Rogers home, the oldest home in the village and current home of Mr. and Mrs. John Gailie at 352 South Main St.; the Grand Army of the Republic room at the Day and Day Building; and the chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Miller is a former board member of the Cobblestone Museum and the current historian for the village of Albion, so she is well versed on the village’s historical structures.
“As soon as you step inside the beautiful entryway of the Ebenezer Rogers home, you get a real sense of what a colonial home looked like in the 1820s,” Miller said. “Also, many people have never seen the GAR Room in the Day and Day Building, or even knew it existed, so it is a unique opportunity to enjoy and appreciate its historical significance.”
Participants in the tour will have to climb two flights of stairs to see the GAR Room on the third floor, but the end result is well worth it, Miller said. The Pratt Opera House will also be part of that tour stop.
Mount Albion Cemetery’s chapel was built in 1875 of locally quarried Medina sandstone. It is the focal point of the cemetery’s entrance. Tour participants will be able to peek into the chapel that has suffered water damage due to the original slate roof needing to be replaced. Miller will soon be announcing plans for a community campaign to help raise the funds for a new slate roof and necessary interior repairs.
“Back in 1976 the Albion community came together to raise funds to ‘Save the Tower,’ and I am hopeful our community will come together again to help us save the chapel, which is also an important Mount Albion landmark,” Miller said.
Other stops on the tour are the Cobblestone Museum’s Thompson-Kast Visitors Center at 14386 Ridge Rd., Childs; the Bullard/Lattin cobblestone house at 3178 Gaines Basin Rd.; Gaines Basin District No. 2 Schoolhouse, 3286 Gaines Basin Rd.; Orleans Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution home at 249 North Main St.; the former Presbyterian manse and Harriette Greaser home at 31 East State St.; Marti’s on Main (Kim and Neal Muscarella), 20 South Main St.; Christ Episcopal Church, 26 South Main St.; Joseph F. Hart House, home of Diana Kay Dragan Reed at 349 South Main St.; and Mount Albion Cemetery’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument Tower, all in Albion.
At the Day and Day Building, visitors are asked to park on North Main Street and enter in the front; at the Ebenezer Rogers house and Joseph F. Hart house, park at Oak Orchard Dental, not along Route 98.
The 2024 Tour of Homes is scheduled for Sept. 21. Tickets are $20 for Cobblestone Society members and $25 for non-members. They may be ordered online (click here) or by calling the museum at (585) 589-9013.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York has issued nearly $200 million in food assistance to more than 1.5 million low-income children as part of the new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program.
New York is sending $120 per child to eligible families to help pay for healthy meals. Some eligible families have already begun to receive this assistance and the benefits will continue to be sent in the coming weeks. Governor Hochul also highlighted that more assistance is available, and the State expects approximately 2 million children will qualify to receive this benefit. New Yorkers are encouraged to learn more about eligibility and apply before the Sept. 3 deadline.
“Having access to healthy, nutritious food is essential for children’s health and well-being,” Hochul said. “As New York continues putting money back in the pockets of working families, we’ve already begun sending food assistance to more than 1.5 million kids – and we’re going to keep delivering these benefits to more families in need.”
Summer EBT is a new federally funded program that supports efforts to address food insecurity among children from low-income families. Each state electing to opt into the Summer EBT program is responsible for distributing the $120-per-child benefits to eligible families, as well as covering half of the administrative costs involved in distributing the funds. Governor Hochul ensured that New York would participate in this program and secured $13 million in the State’s FY 2025 Enacted Budget to support Summer EBT distribution efforts throughout the State.
Eligible children are receiving Summer EBT food benefits on an EBT card that their families can use just like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Summer EBT food benefits can be used to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at authorized retail food stores, farmers markets, and anywhere else SNAP is accepted.
Most children who are eligible – including recipients of SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid – will automatically receive Summer EBT and do not need to do anything to apply. These families were sent a letter this summer letting them know that their child is eligible.
In addition to those who are automatically receiving benefits, other eligible families may apply to receive benefits for their children. To be eligible, a child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and meet the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.
To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit ny.gov/SummerEBT. Applications for Summer 2024 benefits must be submitted by Sept. 3, 2024.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “No child should ever go hungry, which is why I fought to secure federal funding for the Summer EBT program. Summer is often the time of year when food insecurity is highest for children and this assistance for families comes just in the nick of time for New Yorkers. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work ensuring that federal dollars are being put to good use addressing food insecurity and helping feed children across New York State.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “This nearly $200 million will provide a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of families statewide. Thanks to the Summer EBT program, children across the state can have access to healthy, nutritious meals year-round. I’m proud to have helped deliver this funding and I applaud Governor Hochul for her commitment to addressing food insecurity across New York State.”
Provided photo: Pictured from left include Orleans County Legislators John Fitzak and Skip Draper; Niagara County EMS Director Jonathan Schultz; Orleans County EMO Deputy Director Scott Buffin; Orleans County EMO Director Justin Niederhofer; Niagara County Legislature Chairman Becky Wydysh; Niagara County Legislators Randy Bradt and David Godfrey; and Niagara County EMS Manager Tom Eggert.
Press Release, Orleans County Legislature
LOCKPORT – The Niagara County Legislature on Tuesday passed on a resolution authorizing the county to enter into an inter-municipal agreement to transfer a surplus ambulance to Orleans County.
The 2010 Ford EC4 Road Rescue vehicle was used by Niagara County when its ambulance service launched last year until its current ambulance fleet arrived earlier this year. Orleans County is in the process of launching its own staffed ambulance service in 2025 and this ambulance will be put into service immediately with a Basic Life Support (BLS) function to supplement current ambulance service in the county.
Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak attended the Niagara County Legislature meeting with Legislator Skip Draper, Emergency Management Director Justin Niederhofer and Deputy Director Scott Buffin.
“Orleans and Niagara County have a great history of working together and we very much appreciate Niagara County helping our efforts to support of volunteer ambulance services,” Fitzak said. “Communities across New York State all face the dual problems of a declining number of volunteer firefighters coupled with more regulatory demands on those same volunteers. This results in longer response times for citizens who need help. Today is a step forward for Orleans County in addressing these issues, with much more to be done in the coming months.”
“This is another great example of collaboration and shared services between Niagara and Orleans counties to better meet the needs of our residents,” said Niagara County Legislature David Godfrey, co-chair of the Niagara Orleans Regional Alliance. “Because we have mutual aid in place between the counties for emergency response, not only are we helping our friends in Orleans County with the transfer of this ambulance, we are increasing capacity in the region that could help our eastern Niagara towns in time of need.”
Editor’s Note:
The ambulance from Niagara County will not be put into service this year, said Justin Niederhofer, the EMO director for Orleans County. The unit doesn’t have any equipment. The County Emergency Management Office is seeking a grant to put in equipment and will be working to set up relationships with Medicare and Medicaid for billing.
Niederhofer said no new staff is expected to work on the ambulance this year or in 2025.
The current EMO staff will staff the ambulance for some backup calls when other providers are busy or for calls when a standby ambulance is needed at an emergency scene, such as a fire.
Niederhofer and Audra Fisher, EMO secretary, are both emergency medical technicians, and Scott Buffin, the EMO deputy director, is a paramedic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2024 at 9:51 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – Lindsey Almeter, an Albion elementary music teacher, directs the Batavia Cadet Band on Tuesday at Centennial Park in Batavia.
Many students from Albion and Orleans County schools were in the cadet band, which performed “Some Nights” and music from “Moana.”
These cadet band members perform in the concert which was the finale of the 100th anniversary season for the Batavia Concert Band.
The cadets joined the Batavia Concert Band for some of the concert, playing highlights from Frozen and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
John Bailey, a former Lyndonville teacher who now works at the Pembroke school district, directs the Batavia Concert Band on Tuesday. Many Orleans County residents are part of the group.
The band on Tuesday did a world premiere of “Centennial Overture” by Laurence Tallman.
These cadet trumpet players were part of a concert attended by about 500 people.
Dr. Craig Lamb, who started as president of Genesee Community College on Aug. 1, addresses the crowd at the concert.
The band highlighted key supporters and GCC provides space for the band to rehearse and also is an indoor option for the concerts when it is raining.
Lamb said GCC, like the concert band, is very community-focused.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2024 at 8:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALFRED – I was in Allegany County on Tuesday and imagine my delight to see an ox statue leading into Alfred State College.
The college in 2018 announced it picked an ox as the official school mascot to help promote the athletic program and build school pride.
“Big Blue” is very popular at Alfred with the ox on college apparel and all kinds of merchandise.
I’m on the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee. I think celebrating the ox during our 200th anniversary next year not only pays tribute to the pioneer settlers who had to tame a rough terrain, but also gives us a symbol of strength to rally around.
An ox statue was painted by artist Stacey Kirby Steward during the Orleans County Fair last month. We’d like to do more for the bicentennial and need to work out a plan for getting them paid for, the different themes on the oxen and where to place them around the county.
Alfred has “Pioneers” for a nickname. Previously the college used human depictions such as “Pioneer Pete” or “Orvis the Pioneer.”
A committee at Alfred in 2018 determined that an animal mascot is more inclusive and inviting. The goal is to provide athletes, students, alumni, and fans with a loveable animal mascot, the college stated in 2018 when the ox was introduced.
“Pioneers both from history and today are known for forging ahead, leading others, and mastering skills to succeed,” former Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan said in 2018 when the ox was introduced as the new mascot. “The Pioneers nickname is perfect for our college. When we asked our students, they overwhelmingly recognized the importance of an ox for helping the pioneers. We will once again rely on input from our students this fall as we vote on a name for this friend of the pioneers.”
Photo from Alfred State: The college picked “Big Blue” for the name and the mascot appears at many athletic events and campus celebrations.
In announcing the ox for a mascot, Alfred State officials said the ox is a team player for getting work done. “As strong as an ox” is an expression that has endured for centuries because of the solid and hard-working attitude of the animal, Alfred State said in announcing the new mascot.
“The mascot choice is also appropriate for a college that started as an agricultural school in 1908 and has grown to offer more than 70 majors,” according to the press release in July 2018, announcing the ox as the official mascot.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2024 at 5:45 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – About 450 people attended the Orleans County national Night Out on Tuesday at Medina’s Clifford Wise Intermediate School. The event went on despite rain and drizzle for most of the day.
The top photo shows Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson sitting in the dunk tank.
Jess Marciano, a Medina village trustee and NNO committee member, plunges into the water after a kid tossed a bass at hit the bull’s eye.
Medina firefighter Steve Miller assists a kid in spraying water at a target.
The public had a chance to meet firefighters and law enforcement officers, while also enjoying free activities and refreshments.
A representative from Gov. Hochul’s office JW Cook, second from right, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley present a proclamation from the state to committee members who organized the NNO.
From left in NNO shirts include Heather Jackson, Jess Marciano, Medina Police Chief Todd Draper and Diana Baker.
This team of four competes in the Battle of the Belts, where they sat in a seat and fasten the seat belt, and then rotated to the other three seats. The fastest team to go in all four seats and fasten the seat belts won the competition.
