Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management
ALBION – The next meeting of the Orleans County Local Emergency Planning Committee will be held on Thursday May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Hoag Library, 134 S Main St. The meeting is open to the public.
The LEPC is charged with developing a Hazardous Materials Response Plan and providing information about potentially hazardous chemicals that may be stored in our community. As part of their role, the LEPC reviews this plan, and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, annually and makes updates as needed
The LEPC is comprised of:
Elected state, local, and tribal officials
Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
Facility representatives
Representatives from community groups and the media
For more information on the meeting, please contact Orleans County Emergency Management at (585) 589-4414.
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to half-staff for fallen Syracuse law enforcement officers. Flags will be lowered from sunrise on Saturday to sunset on Monday for Onondaga Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, who were killed in the line of duty last Sunday evening.
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe and it is a tragedy when they are taken from us too soon while in the line of duty,” Governor Hochul said. “Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen were two of our best and my thoughts are with their loved ones as we grieve with them.”
Lieutenant Michael Hoosock was a public servant for Onondaga County for more than 20 years, and he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Moyers Corner Fire Department. He leaves behind his wife, three children and countless other loved ones.
Officer Michael Jensen joined the Syracuse Police Department in February 2022 and earned its Officer of the Month award in December 2023. He leaves behind his parents and siblings among other loved ones.
Funeral services for Officer Jensen will take place on Saturday. Services for Lieutenant Hoosock will take place on Monday.
File photo: Mario Fratto speaks in Orleans County in August 2022 during a “Back the Blue” rally in Murray.
ALBION – The Orleans County Conservative Party on Thursday met to interview Congressional candidate for NY-24, Mario Fratto and unanimously endorsed him over Claudia Tenney.
“Mario Fratto is a grassroots conservative Republican with the values that made this country the greatest country on earth: Hard work, a man’s word is his bond, a belief and understanding of the US Constitution, 100% Pro-Life,” said Paul Lauricella, the Orleans County Conservative Party chairman. “He supports constitutional carry, and term limits.”
Lauricella urges Conservatives to back Fratto in the June 25 Primary.
Fratto runs his family’s granite construction business. He notes his family has lived in the 24th Congressional District for five generations.
“I am truly honored to earn this endorsement,” Fratto said. “We will continue to work hard to spread our message throughout the district, and we hope Claudia Tenney will show the voters enough respect to participate in a debate before election day!”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 April 2024 at 1:09 pm
Provided photo: Brooke Wells of Lyndonville, a student at Niagara County Community College, is recognized with SUNY’s highest honor for Academic Excellence by John B. King Jr. (left), chancellor; and William Murabito, president of NCCC.
LYNDONVILLE – A local resident has received the State University of New York’s highest honor for academic excellence.
Brooke Wells, daughter-in-law of Jim and Valerie Wells of Lyndonville and a nursing student at Niagara County Community College, was recognized April 11 for her outstanding traits of leadership, campus involvement and community service.
Brooke will complete her registered nurse degree at NCCC in May. While a student in the rigorous registered nurse program, she has served as vice president of the Student Nurses’ Association. She also organized collection drives for Niagara Falls Gospel Mission, Caroline House, Oishei Children’s Hospital and Niagara County Sheriff’s office’s domestic violence unit. In addition, she has facilitated guest speakers and fundraisers with bake sales at the college.
“This was such a wonderful surprise,” Valerie said.
Dr. Julie Woodworth, professor of nursing at NCCC, said, “Brooke has dedicated many hours to her studies in pursuit of her RN degree. She has exemplified the traits of compassion, clinical judgement and empathy in her clinical practice. In addition, she has immersed herself in the NCCC community and has organized those activities and dedicated her time the community. Brooke’s recognition with the SUNY Academic Excellence honor is well deserved.”
Outside of school, Brooke completed an internship program, getting real life experience in healthcare. As a result, she received an EXCEL Certificate of Excellence award from Rochester Regional Health.
After graduating from NCCC, Brooke will be entering the Nursing Residency Program at Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 April 2024 at 12:58 pm
ALBION – Carrie Heise often goes to Hoag Library to use their computers, but with developing vision problems, found it difficult to see the screen.
She had heard about a shield which magnifies letters and one day mentioned the idea to librarian Betty Sue Miller.
Carrie Heise of Albion is delighted with the addition of a magnifying shield to one of the computers at Hoag Library. She suggested the idea and librarian Betty Sue Miller wasted no time ordering one.
Miller immediately said, “Let’s see what we can do about this.”
Miller contacted Lions International who suggested she reach out to Advantage Tech Support Company in regard to which model to buy.
She ordered the shield they suggested and it was fitted on one of the library’s computers, which are available for the public to use.
“I thought of putting it on a computer in the teen room, but realized that would be an invitation for kids to play on it, then someone who really needed it wouldn’t be able to use it,” Miller said.
The shield also comes with a special keyboard with larger keys, making it easier for a person with impaired vision to use.
Miller said more and more people are using their computers at the library rather than replace their own equipment at home.
That was the case with Carrie and her husband Bud. When the cost of their internet service kept going up, they decided to cancel it and take advantage of the library’s computers.
Miller said several people have mentioned having the magnifying shield on one of the computers will be a huge benefit to them.
Miller has also ordered a foldable privacy screen which will fit on either side of the computer, ensuring the user’s privacy. In addition, the new magnifying shield is designed so what is on the screen is only visible to the person sitting right in front of it.
“When people ask if we would consider something new, we are happy to do it,” Miller said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2024 at 8:46 am
(The 2024 numbers are preliminary. The tax rolls will be filed on May 1. Property owners have the option of challenging those assessed values through the grievance process.)
ALBION – The new assessment notices arrived in the mail last week for property owners in Albion and Gaines, and most people are seeing a significant increase.
The two towns and village of Albion last did community-wide reassessments five years ago in 2019. The town boards decide when to do the reassessments and Albion and Gaines contract with the county Real Property Tax Services for the job.
Usually the town-wide reassessments are done every three years. But Albion and Gaines officials pushed it back when real estate sales started to surge in the Covid-19 pandemic, first in 2020. But the real estate sales haven’t come down, said Dawn Allen, the county’s real property tax services director.
The median sale price in Orleans County is up nearly 50 percent from 2019 to 2023, going from $104,900 to $155,000, according to the NYS Association of REALTORS
Orleans County median home prices
2019: $104,900
2020: $117,011 (up 11.5%)
2021: $139,000 (up 18.8%)
2022: $145,200 (up 4.5%)
2023: $155,000 (up 6.7%)
Percent change from 2019 to 2023: (up 47.8%)
Source: NYS Association of REALTORS
Allen and Coleen Pahura, the Albion and Gaines assessor, said home prices have been on the rise in Albion and Gaines, with an even larger percentage increase in the village. And that’s after many years of stagnant prices in the village.
The average prices for single-family homes outside the village in the towns of Albion and Gaines is up 55.5 percent from 2019 to 2023 – from $143,731 to $223,443.
The average prices in the village, while a much lower sales amount, saw a larger percentage increase. The average single-family price was $77,081 in 2019, and that jumped by 80.5 percent in four years to $139,136 in 2023.
Average sales price outside village in Albion & Gaines (single-family homes)
2019: $143,731
2020: $181,378 (up 26.2%)
2021: $181,221 (down 0.1%)
2022: $220,537 (up 21.7%)
2023: $223,443 (up 1.3%)
Total change: up 55.5%
Average sales price inside village (single-family homes)
2019: $77,081
2020: $88,904 (up 15.3%)
2021: $113,808 (up 28.0%)
2022: $135,683 (up 19.2%)
2023: $139,136 (up 2.6 %)
Total change: up 80.5%
The higher sales prices are driving the higher assessments. Pahura and Allen said the assessments need to reflect the market rate for the properties.
They have fielded many calls in the past week from Albion and Gaines property owners, who are concerned about such a dramatic rise in their assessments.
Allen and Pahura explain the assessed value should reflect what the property would sell for on the market today. And the reality is the houses are selling for far more than just a few years ago, whether a small house or a larger one in immaculate condition.
Bigger assessments don’t mean bigger tax bills
Higher assessments don’t necessarily mean taxes are going up, Allen and Pahura noted. For example, Shelby and Ridgeway completed community reassessments last year. When the school tax bills came out in September, the Medina tax rates dropped more than 30 percent in those two towns.
Ridgeway was down from $21.67 to $14.03, while Shelby decreased from $20.59 to $14.03.
Albion Central School is presenting a school budget that keeps the tax levy the same for 2024-25. The district will see lower tax rates due to the bigger tax base when the tax bills come out in September.
Village finally sees some sizable growth in the tax base
The higher assessments will boost a village tax base that has been shrinking in recent years.
The tax base went down 1.08 percent or by $1,663,794 – from $154,457,302 in 2022-23 to $152,723,508 in 2023-24. Most of the loss in tax base was from the assessed value be lowered at the plaza at 318 West Ave. That plaza includes Save-A-Lot, Pro Hardware, Dollar Tree and the vacant spot formerly for Gordman’s.
Going back to 2014, the village tax base was $140,751,091. The number went up 8.5 percent in the following nine years, an average of less than a percent a year. With the new assessments, the tax base is up 40 percent.
The Albion Village Board is working on the 2024-25 budget, but the new assessments won’t take effect until the following year for the village. The new assessments first will be used for the school taxes in September.
Village of Albion Tax Base
2022: $154,457,302
2023: $152,723,508
2024 (before new assessments): $152,793,508
2024 (with preliminary assessments): $214,805,983
Difference: up 40.7 percent or $62,082,475 since 2023
The taxable value for the towns of Gaines and Albion are both up about 40 percent. The increase is a little more in Albion, 41.5 percent, compared to the 37.2 percent in Gaines.
Town of Gaines (county taxable value)
2023: $134,379,190
2024: $184,351,498
Difference: up 37.2 percent or $49,972,308
Town of Albion (county taxable value)
2023: $233,211,567
2024: $330,015,604
Difference: up 41.5 percent or $96,804,037
The new assessments aren’t final numbers. They may be tweaked before the May 1 filing deadline, and could see more changes if people go through the grievance process, meeting with the assessor and a Board of Assessment Review.
“It’s going to be a moving target for a while,” Allen said about the final numbers.
Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the centennial of the State Council of Parks establishment on April 18, 1924.
Landmarks across the state will be illuminated in Parks green and centennial gold and a special centennial flag will be raised at parks and historic sites across the state to commemorate the day.
“Our State Parks and Historic Sites system is a treasure for New Yorkers and visitors alike, and today we celebrate 100 years of memories,” Governor Hochul said. “The system we have today started with visionary leadership, and it has grown over the decades to encompass more than 250 properties covering 360,000 acres of land. As Governor, I will continue this legacy as we honor the history of our parks today and throughout the year.”
New York’s modern State Parks and Historic Sites system was created when Governor Alfred E. Smith and the State Legislature established the New York State Council of Parks on April 18, 1924.
Creation of the Council built on state actions begun in the late 19th Century to protect places of natural significance, establish the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves, create the Palisades Interstate Park Commission by the New York and New Jersey legislatures in 1900, and form the Reservation on the St. Lawrence, which today includes many state parks in the Thousand Islands Region.
In 1970, state legislation that created the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also upgraded the former Division of Parks into an independent agency, known as the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation. Further legislation in 1972 gave the agency direct control of New York’s park lands, with the State Council of Parks and regional commissions retaining an advisory management role.
The agency’s name was updated in 1981 to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to reflect the agency’s mission to protect New York’s historic heritage.
State Park Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “New Yorkers united 100 years ago to create one of New York State’s greatest environmental legacies – our State Park and Historic Site system. Our agency is looks forward to working with Governor Hochul, the State Legislature, our many partners across the state, and our visitors to build and sustain this legacy over the next century.”
Throughout 2024, New York State Parks will mark the 100th anniversary with a range of programs and events. Celebratory initiatives include “Blazing A Trail,” an interactive timeline chronicling the agency’s history and influential figures; an exhibit in the New York State Capitol’s State Street Tunnel currently on view; the Share Your Story project, which invites people to tell their own stories relating to Parks and Sites; the Centennial Challenge, which encourages people to win prizes by participating in various activities at parks and sites; and the release of the Centennial Collection merchandise, which includes t-shirts, hoodies, mugs and more. Additional initiatives will be announced throughout 2024.
Provided photo: Nicole Tuohey holds a ceremonial check for $3,268, representing the amount raised to benefit Arc Glow from a cookie sale at Case-Nic Cookies.
MEDINA – Case-Nic Cookies’ sixth annual “Have a Heart Cookie Sale” and window raffle set a record this year with over $3,200 raised to benefit Arc GLOW.
Held annually during March, the benefit is in recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Case-Nic Cookies owner Mary Lou Tuohey and her daughter Nicole are the driving force behind the fundraiser.
The Tuoheys started this event in 2019 as a way to give back and support Arc’s programs and services. It’s their way of recognizing the amazing impact Arc services have had on Nicole’s life, and the lives of so many others across the GLOW region.
Cookie sales in 2024 totaled $2,370, the window raffle raised $810, and bracelets made by Nicole brought in an additional $88, resulting in the overall tally of $3,268.
“That’s a lot of cookies, and a tremendous amount of community support,” said Lisa Bors, Arc GLOW’s Director of Public Relations. “We researched how much has been raised in this effort since 2019, and came up with an impressive $12,260 for Arc GLOW. We are thankful for Nicole, Mary Lou and Case-Nic’s faithful customers.”
Nicole was born with Triple X Syndrome and doctors told her parents at her three-week checkup that she might never walk, talk, read, write or do math. Now in her mid-30s, Nicole has done all of what the doctors said she wouldn’t do and more: dance lessons, baseball, bowling, horse riding, swimming and bicycling.
“Because of what the doctor said, we were determined — and she has been determined — she would not be labeled,” Mary Lou said. “Labels are for soup cans, not for people.”
Nicole started receiving services from the Arc since she was a baby. Now, as an adult, she attends Arc GLOW’s Washington Street Day Hab program in Albion. Besides helping raise funds for Arc GLOW, the Tuoheys are also big supporters of another charity close to their heart, the Alzheimer’s Association.
“We love to give back to organizations that have such personal meaning to our family,” Mary Lou said.
As determined by Mary Lou and Nicole, funds raised will benefit programs spanning all areas served by Arc GLOW: Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway, Day Habilitation and Recreation programs in Genesee and Orleans counties, and Arc GLOW’s KidStart in Mount Morris.
HOLLEY – The Holley school district’s annual senior citizen appreciation breakfast will be on Thursday, May 9, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Holley Elementary Café.
The district would like to thank the senior citizens in the community for all they’ve done and continue to do to support the students and schools. You must be age 55 or older and a resident of the district to attend.
RSVP by Wednesday, May 1, to Connie Nenni in the District Office at 638-6316, ext. 2003. Transportation is available by request.
MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Health Occupations Technician (HOT) students did a great job helping out at the ConnectLife Blood Drive at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.
Teacher Debbie Dittmer, teacher aide Meghan Carpenter and their seniors and juniors assisted in taking blood pressures and handing out snacks to the volunteers.
Members of the Career and Technical Education Center’s Maintenance staff stepped up to the plate to donate blood to help save lives. ConnectLife blood donors help supply more than 75% of the lifesaving blood supply in our community.
Every day, people across Western New York need whole blood donations for multiple reasons, those in the hospitals with traumatic injuries, those fighting cancer, blood disorders, surgery patients, mothers who have given birth and more. So proud of everyone who helped out for this important cause.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2024 at 10:14 am
MEDINA – It was the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, when Hannah Pollard started as a vendor at the Country Village Farmers’ Market in Medina.
There was a shortage of masks in the community and Pollard sewed 6,000 cloth masks, many in colorful patterns to try to make a difficult situation a little better.
When the mask crisis dissipated, Pollard started selling cookies, pies and other baked goods at the market. They carried the label of her business, the Catherine Street Bakery.
“I was going to leave the market but they were looking for someone to do cookies and pies,” she’s aid. “I did those and then added tarts and scones.”
Hannah Pollard holds a container for Wolcott’s Dairy ice cream from Albion. Pollard has seen many Wolcott’s Dairy milk bottles, but she said the ice cream container is more rare. She has other products made from local companies as well as antiques at the new business at 123 E. Center St.
Pollard enjoyed being a vendor at the farmers’ market, seeing so many people in the community. Pollard for more than 25 years worked as an insurance broker for Grant-Pollard Insurance in Medina. She earned her license at age 19.
She stepped back from that career in 2016. A couple years before that she made and sold quilts, and in 2015 started selling antiques.
“My dad (Paul Pollard) collected antiques for years and filled the house,” Hannah said. “It’s the thrill of the hunt, and the figuring out the guesswork of what it is, how it was used, and who used it before.”
Pollard has combined her passions for baking and antiques with a new business in downtown Medina. Catherine Street Bakery & Antiques opened on April 5 at 123 East Center St. The shop is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pollard takes Sunday off, and then bakes from Monday through Wednesday to fill her cases with cookies, tart, fudge and pie.
“It was go big or go home,” Pollard said about shifting as a vendor from the farmers’ market to her own storefront. Pollard will continue to have some of her baked goods at Roberts Farm Market.
She waited more than a year for a spot to open in the downtown. She is at a location that has been used as a gun shop and a tattoo parlor. Now it has baked goods, antiques and products from other local vendors, including soap, honey, candles and barbecue sauce.
Pollard connected with many of those vendors through her role as the craft show organizer at Lyndonville’s Fourth of July celebration.
Pollard said the baking and sewing combines lifelong passions. When she was a Girl Scout troop leader for seven years, she enjoyed teaching “homesteading skills” of baking, cooking and making jams.
The antique part of the business is a collaboration with her sister, Megan Szalay, who lives in Allegany County. Szalay does a lot of the hunting for the antiques.
The sisters keep a close eye on merchandise and products from medina and Orleans County. The currently includes a sledge hammer from the former A.L. Swett Iron Works in Medina, an ice cream container from the former Wolcott’s Dairy in Albion, a lantern made by BernzOmatic in Medina, a sign from Comet Cycle Sales in Medina, bar chips from the Ridgeway Hotel, and a check printing press from The Journal-Register.
There are other interesting items, including a cheerleader megaphone from the 1950s, a Boy Scout canteen.
Pollard sees Medina as a growing antique destination. Other new antique businesses have opened, joining long-time establishments. As a group they draw many visitors to the community.
“People will make the drive to come to five-six antique stores,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2024 at 8:36 am
Orleans County dispatchers, which handle about 35,000 calls a year, are being recognized by Sheriff Chris Bourke during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
This week is a time to celebrate and thank telecommunications personnel across the nation who serve communities, citizens, and public safety personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Bourke said.
“Public Safety Dispatchers are an indispensable asset in public safety,” he said. “During emergencies and times of distress, Public Safety Dispatchers quickly obtain all relevant information, assess the situation, and coordinate the appropriate public safety response, to ensure the quickest and most appropriate response.”
Dispatchers for the county are tasked with answering emergency calls, and dispatching the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Medina, Albion and Holley Police Departments, State Police, DEC Police, and all fire and EMS agencies within the county.
“Dispatchers are always heard, but rarely seen,” Bourke said. “They are the first responders to the first responders and the heroes behind the scenes.”
Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the centennial of the State Council of Parks establishment on April 18, 1924.
