Governor Kathy Hochul today signed nation-leading legislation to combat addictive social media feeds and protect kids online.
Legislation S.7694A/A.8148A establishes the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act to require social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18.
Legislation S.7695B/A.8149A enables the New York Child Data Protection Act to prohibit online sites from collecting, using, sharing or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is strictly necessary for the purpose of the website.
“Young people across the nation are facing a mental health crisis fueled by addictive social media feeds – and New York is leading the way with a new model for addressing the crisis and protecting our kids,” Governor Hochul said. “By reining in addictive feeds and shielding kids’ personal data, we’ll provide a safer digital environment, give parents more peace of mind, and create a brighter future for young people across New York.”
The Governor was joined at today’s bill signing by Attorney General Letitia James and bill sponsors State Senator Andrew Gounardes and State Assemblymember Nily Rozic, marking the culmination of a jointly led push to pass and sign this nation-leading legislation.
With this newly signed legislation, New York has established the nation’s most stringent protections to safeguard kids on social media. This action also builds on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to address the youth mental health crisis.
“Addictive feeds are getting our kids hooked on social media and hurting their mental health, and families are counting on us to help address this crisis,” said New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “The legislation signed by Governor Hochul today will make New York the national leader in addressing the youth mental health crisis and an example for other states to follow.”
The legislation signed today addresses critical challenges facing young people. According to an advisory issued by the U.S. Surgeon General, recent research shows that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, a recent report from Pew Research Center found that six out of 10 teens say they feel they have little or no control over the personal information that social media companies collect about them.
The SAFE For Kids Act
Addictive feeds, or algorithmically driven feeds, facilitate unhealthy levels of social media use. This legislation will require social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18. Unless parental consent is granted, users under 18 will not receive addictive feeds. Notably, the SAFE for Kids Act is the first bill of its kind to be signed into law in any state across the nation.
Under this law, kids may still use social media. For example, they can continue to search for specific topics of interest or subscribe to creators but will not be subject to algorithmically driven feeds that promote unhealthy levels of engagement. The law will also prohibit social media platforms from sending notifications regarding addictive feeds to minors from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. without parental consent. The law will authorize the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to enforce the law and ensure compliance, including by seeking civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, among other remedies. And finally, it calls for the establishment of acceptable age verification and parent consent methods, to be determined by the OAG as part of a rulemaking process.
The New York Child Data Protection Act
This legislation will prohibit online sites and connected devices from collecting, using, sharing or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is strictly necessary for the purpose of the website. It also authorizes the OAG to enforce the law, including by seeking civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2024 at 10:49 am
Ashley Bringenberg
A local professional photographer will have her work displayed in a national art show in September in Springfield, Ill.
Ashley Bringenberg of Barre is owner of Ashley Bringenberg Photography in Batavia. She will have a black-and-white portrait of a child, ages 3 to 9, on display as part of the Simply Me Portrait Project created by the Photography Business Institute. The institute is selecting one image from certain photographers to feature excellence in portraiture and entrepreneurship during the institute’s conference in September.
Bringenberg is looking for more kids to photograph to submit for the art show. She is booked for sessions for Saturday in downtown Batavia. Additional session openings are available between July 8-17. Contact Bringenberg for more information at hello@ashleybringenberg.com.
“I am so excited for the Simply Me project,” she said. “I never dreamed that my work would get displayed at the national level. I am also so proud to have a portrait of a local child in a nationwide art show.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2024 at 10:31 am
HOLLEY – The Board of Education on Monday voted to fill two vacancies on the board.
Jessica Sniatecki and Stephanie Merkley will start July 1 and serve a term until May 20, the day of next year’s election. At that time, their seats and the remainder of their terms will be up for election.
Sniatecki and Merkley both turned in letters of interest when two seats were vacated. Sal DeLuca and Shannon Brett both were elected in May but had to decline the positions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2024 at 8:43 am
‘Sammy the Stone Snake’ makes debut at Patterson Park behind Post Office
Photos courtesy of Katherine Kage
LYNDONVILLE – Kids and other Lyndonville community members painted stones on Wednesday and they were lined up to form “Sammy the Stone Snake” in Patterson Park behind the Post Office.
“Similar to the shoe tree, we want to see how large we can make the snake!” said Darlene Hartway, who runs the Webber Café on Main Street where many of the stones were painted.
Hartway is also director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. She invites the community to add more painted stones to the snake to see how long it can get.
Darlene Hartway and Lyndonville Mayor John Belson are shown with the stone snake. Belson laid the headstone of the snake that was painted by Jeannie Goetze.
Kids and community members painted an additional 34 stones to get the snake started.
These kids paint stones at the Webber Café for the snake’s body.
There are signs at the entrance and in the park to direct people to the snake.
Lyndonville is also gearing up for a Retro-Fest and town-wide garage sale on Saturday, Aug. 3. People hosting a garage sale can get their sales listed on a map, both digital and printed for a small fee, Hartway said. Maps and URL codes will be given out that morning and during the day at the Webber Café.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 June 2024 at 7:36 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health, in collaboration with Orleans County YMCA and the Medina Area Partnership, has announced a bicycle helmet and health event at the Orleans County YMCA.
The event, from 4 to 6 p.m. July 10, is designed to promote cycling safety and overall health and wellness in the community, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.
“We invite all community members, whether or not they already have a helmet, to join us for an afternoon of fun, learning and community engagement,” Robinson said.
Among the highlights of the event are helmet donations, a children’s course, outdoor bike ride and health and wellness information.
Community members are encouraged to donate new or gently used bicycle helmets, by dropping them off at Medina Memorial Hospital, the YMCA or English Rose Tea Shoppe on Main Street until July 10.
A small course will be set up indoors for younger children to practice their cycling skills safely.
Older children and adults can participate in a small bike ride set up outside the YMCA.
Additional health and wellness information will be provided to all attendees, offering insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“We’re excited about this upcoming event and partnership with other area organizations,” Robinson said. “We collectively want to find ways to provide services to the families in our community, and this is another way to do so. This event is a wonderful opportunity for famil8ies to learn more about cycling safety and health in a fun, interactive environment.”
“Ensuring the safety of our children is a top priority for the YMCA,” said Jesse Cudzilo, executive director oof the GLOW YMCA in Orleans County. “We are thrilled to have the community’s support in this important initiative, and together we can make a difference in the lives of our kids.”
The Orleans County YMCA, Medina Area Partnership and Orleans Community Health are proud to work together to bring this event to the community.
“We believe through collaboration, we can enhance the health and safety of our residents,” Robinson said. “All are welcome to attend, participate and donate. We look forward to see you there.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2024 at 5:37 pm
CARLTON – A documentary about the crisis in EMS will be shown at the Carlton Rec Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The screening is open to the public. The documentary, “Honorable but Broken: EMS in Crisis,” was produced by Bryony Gilbey, a former CBS News, 60 Minutes and ABC producer. She is also the mother of three EMS professionals.
The documentary film is narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, a six-time Golden Globe and two-time Primetime Emmy award winning actress.
“Honorable but Broken” explores the world of EMTs and paramedics, and the collapse of the EMS system, while offering ways to save it.
The Carlton Rec Hall is located at 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
The documentary will also be shown to village, town and county officials on Tuesday during the Orleans County Association of Municipalities meeting.
File photo by Tom Rivers: One of the fountains made of Medina Sandstone is shown at Hamlin Beach State Park last summer. The park has opened swimming early this year, beginning today. That only includes Area 3 where there are lifeguards. Swimming is allowed at the beach from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that admission to all New York State Parks will be free today and Thursday to help New Yorkers beat the heat this week.
Governor Hochul announced several beaches and pools are temporarily open ahead of the season and cooling features such as sprays and misters are being added at several State Park sites throughout New York City.
“Extreme heat can be dangerous for New Yorkers, and I’m doing everything I can to help families stay safe and cool this week,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of free and early admission to our world class beaches, pools and other State Park sites to beat the heat as we expect record temperatures across the state.”
Record temperatures are possible in Western, Central, Northern New York, and the Capital Region. The “feels like” temperature values could approach the low 90s to over 100 degrees through Friday. Ahead of pools, beaches, and other cooling opportunities at State Park sites opening for the season, the Governor directed several locations to open temporarily this week to help New Yorkers cool down.
New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “We are excited to support Governor Hochul’s efforts to help New Yorkers find safe and affordable places to cool off during this week of extreme heat. From Jones Beach on Long Island to Allegany State Park in Western New York, our state park system offers exceptional places to relax in the outdoors. So take a break from this heat by cooling off at one of our incredible beaches or simply relaxing in the shade of our parks.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2024 at 9:58 am
There are options locally for people to get out of the stifling heat.
A heat advisory is in effect for Orleans County until 8 p.m. on Thursday with heat index values as high as 103 today, followed by 97 on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Today is forecast for a high of 92 degrees followed by 89 on Thursday.
The Orleans County Emergency Management Office has advised the following locations have air-conditioning and are open today:
Community Free Library in Holley, 86 Public Square – open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hoag Library in Albion, 134 South Main St. – open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Orleans County YMCA in Medina, 306 Pearl St. – open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Yates Community Library in Lyndonville, 15 North Main St. – open from noon to 5 p.m.
YATES – The Town of Yates will hold a referendum on Thursday to decide whether the town may acquire 153.3 acres of land from NYSEG for $700,000 using grant funds for public recreational use. The site is part of a larger area referred to as the Morrison Tract, a rural lakeside property which has had a dramatic and often contentious history.
The first recorded refences to the area are to an active bootlegging operation during Prohibition which was operated by Joseph J. Winghart, his wife Mayme and brother Bernie. They supplied the Lyndonville area and made deliveries to Niagara Falls. They also operated a speakeasy at a farmhouse on the corner of Lake Road and Morrison Road in the Town of Yates.
The Prohibition era has since been romanticized, but it was a dangerous and volatile time. The Wingharts were associated with “The Black Hand Gang” of Niagara Falls, who assured them of a market and of “back-up” if the need arose.
The farmhouse later became the location of Winghart’s Grill. Following several changes of ownership, it opened as Lakeshore Villa in 1959. Owner, Joseph Perry, was killed in an automobile accident in 1960. It subsequently operated as the Park House, this was destroyed in a “spectacular blaze” on March 26, 1981.
Beginning in the 1960s, NYSEG acquired parcels of land totaling 800 acres in the Town of Yates area bounded by the Lake Ontario shoreline, Foss Road and Morrison Road. Referred to as the Morrison Road site, it was selected as a possible location for the construction of an atomic power generating station in 1972.
However, local public opposition was loud and clear. The discovery of an earthquake fault near the area caused NYSEG to abandon plans for Yates and concentrate on a location in Somerset instead.
In September 1981, William Lyman, Chairman of the Orleans County Industrial Development Authority (COIDA), announced the potential development of a shipping port at the site.
Cross-Lake Shipping, formerly Ro-Ro of Toronto, proposed to operate a truck trailer ferry service from Toronto to the Morrison Road site to import a wide variety of raw materials and products to the US, thereby avoiding the substantial fees then levied for overland cross-border transportation.
The plan was quite ambitious. Sixty workers would be employed on the construction of this $8.5 million port which would include a double pier that could accommodate barges capable of carrying 120 semi-trailers.
When fully operational, 120 workers would be employed. Housing, retail and hotels would surely follow, and the development would be beneficial for the Town of Yates tax base.
Attractive as it might have seemed, local residents balked at the prospect of several hundred tractor trailers containing unknown contents traversing rural roads and narrow canal bridges on a daily basis.
A committee of Yates residents formed to oppose COIDA’s proposal. As it transpired, Ro-Ro was unable to secure adequate financial backing and the proposed project was dropped.
Subsequently, the Morrison Road tract was one of two sites in the town considered as a possible location for a state-operated toxic and hazardous waste plant. A site in Cayuga County was chosen instead.
In 1986, a group of citizens and investors formed the Ontario Shore Land Committee which proposed to purchase the site for multi-use development: camping, flea market, a pioneering village, and senior citizen housing as well as light industrial and commercial growth.
While these development proposals highlighted the potential of the site, they also exposed the town’s vulnerability when faced with the power of state agencies. Though local opposition played a part in the dismissal of the atomic power generating station and the port proposal, ultimately other external factors determined the decisions. The success of either of these proposals would have drastically altered the rural nature of the town.
It is remarkable that such a small location should have been the site of so much discord. Some places have a strange energy. Perhaps it is not surprising that trees nearby produce shoe-fruit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2024 at 8:48 am
Students also earned certifications from BOCES
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Bryce Mathes gives the valedictory address on Tuesday evening during commencement at the Orleans County Christian School.
Mathes is one of four graduates at the school, which is based at Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship on Route 63.
Mathes attended the school the past four years. He said he preferred the smaller class sizes over his experience at Albion.
Mathes earned a certification in computer technology at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES and he plans to enter the Air Force to be a cyber security technician.
He also was able to take many classes through Genesee Community College. He thanked his parents and the school for supporting his love of technology and for preparing him to take the next steps in his career.
The graduates toss their caps at the end of the commencement program. From left include Andrew Schmidli of Medina, Joshua Watts Jr. of Medina, Collin Peters of Medina, and Bryce Mathes of Albion.
About 75 people attended the commencement and award ceremony at Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship.
The K-12 school started in 1996 and is accepting applications for enrollment until Aug. 1. This year there were 16 students.
Leaders of the school and church pray over the four grads. In back from left are Curt Strickland, Pastor Russ Peters of Alabama Full Gospel, school administrator and principal Jodi Peters, and Michael Zaidel. The grads are, from left: Bryce Mathes, Collin Peters, Josh Watts and Andrew Schmidli.
The graduates earned equivalency diplomas that are approved by Medina Central School superintendent Mark Kruzynski.
The four all completed programs at BOCES. Mathes earned a certification in computer technology. Peters earned a welding certification and will start work with Graham Manufacturing in Batavia. Watts has certification in autobody and restoration, and Schmidli completed the advanced manufacturing and engineering program.
Josh Watts is called up to accept his diploma from Jodi Peters, the school’s administrator and principal. She also teaches ELA, Bible, history and economics.
Watts joined the school in the seventh grade and he said it made a big difference for him.
“They are very accommodating and very patient,” he said.
Andrew Schmidli poses for a photo with his diploma and the Principal Jodi Peters during the ceremony. Schmidli spent four years at OCCS.
“I got the help that I needed,” he said.
Collin Peters, another graduate, has been in the school since the third grade. His mother is the principal.
“The teachers are pretty nice and helpful,” Collin said. “The students are pretty cool.”
Jodi Peters said she assured her son she wouldn’t get too emotional when presenting him with his diploma.
“He made it very clear he doesn’t want me to become unglued,” she said during the ceremony.
Collin was presented with the Triple C award from the Attorney General’s Office, an honor for a student that exemplifies character, courage, and commitment to bettering oneself and the community.
Peters, Mathes and Schmidli all were awarded $1,000 scholarships during commencement from the Medina Area Association of Churches. Mathes also was awarded a $1,500 scholarship for academic excellence.
Russ Peters, pastor of Alabama Full Gospel, served as the commencement keynote speaker.
He praised the grads for gaining skills and maturity during their time in the school. He acknowledged they are likely feeling some anxiousness over the next steps in their livers. He urged them to turn to God and keep the Lord at the center of their lives.
Peters said the grads are free to explore, learn and take risks. They will make mistakes and struggle.
“But in the struggle you will learn to be strong,” he said. “In the struggle you will learn to overcome.”
G’Ahmeer Barnes, a ninth-grader, holds the flag for the pledge of allegiance during the ceremony.
Students in grades 1 through 11 at the Orleans County Christian School sang “Friends Are Friends Forever” by Michael W. Smith.
CARLTON – A documentary about the crisis in EMS will be shown at the Carlton Rec Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
