MEDINA – The Village Board has been discussing in recent months how to best name three streets that lead into the Medina Business Park off Maple Ridge Road.

One of them will be named for Pride Pak, a company that opened a 68,000-square-foot vegetable processing plant at the Business Park in 2016. The Pride Pak street could eventually extend farther back into the business park.

There are two other short roads that aren’t named. Making them official village streets will qualify Medina for more CHIPS funds from the state for road maintenance.

 The board has received many suggestions to name them in honor of key village entrepreneurs or community leaders from the past and present.

But some of the board members are leaning towards more generic names such as Commerce Way, Enterprise Way or Industry Way. (The board prefers “Way” in the street name to be consistent with Marcia Tuohey Way, a street leading into the business park off Bates Road.)

Village Trustee Jess Marciano said many of the names mentioned honoring people are already noted on many of the buildings in the community. She said she would prefer not picking certain family names for the street signs. Village Board member Debbie Padoleski agreed. She mentioned that too during the April 1 Village Board meeting.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the board will take two more weeks before likely reaching a decision on April 22. She said she would be open to naming a street in honor of Owen Toale, the former publisher of The Journal-Register and an active community volunteer in his retirement. He was also on the Village Board for about a decade.

He passed away from cancer at age 76 on March 25.

“He had cancer for over 22 years and that didn’t stop him from giving of himself,” Sherman said. “I think that says a lot.”

In other action, the board accepted the resignation of Medina police officer Corey Collins, who is joining a different law enforcement agency. Collins’ resignation is effective on April 14. He joined the Medina PD in 2016.

He is the second Medina officer to resign within the past month. Michael Borrell resigned on March 30 after 16 years with the Medina PD and has joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Press Release, WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

ALBION – The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will offer a free program in Albion about potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

The education program will take place on Wednesday, April 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hoag Library, 134 S. Main St., Albion, and will provide an overview of how disease-modifying treatments slow disease progression, who are the intended candidates to receive the treatments, availability and more.

Click here for information about registering or call 800.272.3900.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will be holding their Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Quarterly Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Genesee County Health Department (3837 West Main Street Rd., Batavia, NY 14020) or by Zoom video conference. Refreshments will be provided at the Batavia site.

The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, early intervention providers, child care providers, parents of children with disabilities and other community members. The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers in our local communities.

For Zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, Director of Children with Special Needs, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5572 or 585-589-2777.

‘Wish list’ budget would raise taxes 35 percent

MEDINA – The Village Board held a public hearing on Monday for the 2024-25 village budget that would raise taxes 34.9 percent, an amount that will surely be significantly reduced by the end of the month, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The numbers presented on Monday are what department heads submitted for their budgets in a “wish list” before there has been any paring down. Sherman, the new Medina mayor, said the board will be scrutinizing the numbers with department leaders in several upcoming meetings.

“It’s going to be a lot lower than this,” Sherman responded during a public hearing about the budget on Monday. “When I saw that my jaw dropped.”

The board has several budget meetings with department heads this month. The budget needs to be adopted by April 30.

The numbers so far show the tax levy increasing by 34.9 percent or $1,320,759 – from $3,786,974 in 2023-24 to $5,107,733.

The current budget for 2023-24 represented a 14.9 percent tax levy increase, and the tax rate went from $18.85 to $21.15 per $1,000 of assessed property.

Medina will see a major boost in its tax base in the new budget for 2024-25 following town-wide reassessments in Shelby and Ridgeway. The village’s tax base grew by 56.1 percent or $100.5 million – from $179.0 million to $279.5 million.

Because of the big jump assessments, the tax rate will be going down from the $21.15. The budget, as it stands now, would have a rate of $18.27. But Sherman said that will come down more after the board and department heads work to reduce expenses.

“This is only preliminary,” Sherman said about the budget numbers. “We will go line item by line item to get the budget down.”

The preliminary budget calls for $8,298,364 in expenses in the general funds, up $705,068 from $7,593,296 in 2023-24.

The sewer fund is tentatively slated to increase from $1,296,011 to $1,384,428, and the water fund would go from $2,019,651 to $2,056,647.

The 2024-25 budget does not include the debt service payments for a new ladder truck or an addition to the fire hall, which will be in the general fund in the future.

The ladder truck payment is expected to start in the 2025-26 budget and will be the first of $159,000 annually over 20 years for the ladder truck. The fire hall addition will likely cost even more for the village.

The big jump in taxes in 2023-24 followed several years of small increases. Here are the recent tax levy amounts and tax rates for the village budget:

• 2023-23 tax levy, $3,786,964; tax rate, $21.15
• 2022-23 tax levy, $3,296,140; tax rate, $18.95
• 2021-22 tax levy, $3,259,119; tax rate, $18.77
• 2020-21 tax levy, $3,197,059; tax rate, $18.46
• 2019-20 tax levy, $3,138,059; tax rate, $18.32

Jackson, 15, advances to national competition in July

Provided photos: Jake Jackson, 15, studies a shot during the New York State Junior Billiards Championship Saturday in Endicott.

Jake Jackson knew the competition would be tough, but that didn’t deter the 15-year-old from giving it his all.

On Saturday, Jackson won the state title at the New York State Junior Championships in Endicott, qualifying him for a free spot in the national competition in July in Quincy, Ill. Five from that competition will be chosen to represent the USA in the world championship in New Zealand.

Jake Jackson of Lyndonville holds his trophy as he poses with certified billiards instructor Kim Young after winning the New York State Junior Billiards championship Saturday.

Jake’s toughest competition on Saturday were two brothers, 17 and 18, said his father Roger. His first match ended with a score of 5-4. Then he won 5-2 and 5-1, scoring 5-0 in the final game against an 18-year-old.

Roger said Jake,a Lyndonville ninth-grader, had been battling flu and a sinus infection for two weeks, but his fever had dropped to normal on Thursday after a week of antibiotics. He hadn’t even been well enough to practice all week, Roger said.

“Jake was still very tired, and slept all the way there and all the way home,” Roger said. “He was not himself, but he knew he needed that win to get to the nationals in Quincy. There are several qualifiers throughout the country, and if he lost Saturday he would have needed to go to Pennsylvania to try.”

This week the family is heading to the Super Billiards Expo at the Philadelphia Expo Center, considered the largest billiards event in the country. There are 64 players entered in the 18 and under division, in which Jake will be playing. He finished third in the event last year at the age of 14, his first major tournament.

Roger said the event also draws nearly 200 vendors, one of whom he hopes will be interested in sponsoring Jake.

The junior division at the event will have players from coast to coast.

“All the best will be there,” Roger said. “Some of these kids are already ranked pros and will also play in the open events at the Expo.”

There will be 500 pool tables there, and $82,000 in total prize money, he said.

He added all the pro tables will have live stream on them, and Roger will be live streaming Jake’s matches.

Susyn Tillman of Point Breeze sent in this photo taken from her backyard of the total eclipse with the moon covering the sun today.

Orleans County emergency management and law enforcement prepared for the worst today, but it ended up being quieter on the roadways than a usual Monday.

The county was braced for an influx of thousands of additional vehicles on roadways, with visitors trying to get a look at a rare solar eclipse.

But the big crowds never arrived, and emergency incidents were minimal. The forecast showing significant cloud coverage likely deterred some day-trippers from making the journey to Western New York to see the total eclipse.

“There were no real noticeable increases in traffic,” said Justin Neiderhofer, the county’s emergency management director.

The state Thruway and 81 and 87 corridor did see some backups outside of Orleans County, he said.

“All and all it was kind of a slow day on our end,” Niederhofer said.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the other local police agencies all had extra patrol cars and staff working.

Sheriff Chris Bourke said traffic actually seemed less than a typical Monday in Orleans County.

“There are no significant eclipse-related problems that I am aware of,” Bourke said.

This photo from Tracey Lewis shows Lake Alice during the eclipse today when darkness fell at about 3:20 p.m.

Tracey Lewis had eclipse glasses for her dachshund, Lucy.

Marguerite Sherman of Medina sent in these photos along Lake Ontario during the eclipse. This is on Scharping Lane in the Town of Lyndonville.

The sky got very dark on Scharping Lane during the total eclipse.

Photos by Tom Rivers: It looks like nighttime at 3:20 p.m. looking at the Orleans County Courthouse during the totality of the solar eclipse.

ALBION – More than a year of buildup for today’s total eclipse in Orleans County was feeling like a massive disappointment due to heavy cloud cover.

I didn’t see the partially obstructed sun, but I was outside at the Courthouse Square when it quickly got dark around 3:19 p.m. The sky stayed nearly black for about 4 minutes and then was light again.

The sky was clogged with clouds at about 3:15 at the Courthouse Square.

Jim Boyer works out of the Clerk’s Building with his company, Orleans Abstract & Title Service of Albion. We chatted briefly around 3:15 p.m.

“Disappointing,” he said about the thick clouds in the sky.

But his feelings changed when darkness descended.

“That’s pretty stinking wild,” Boyer exclaimed about the dark sky.

A flock of birds also zoomed overheard during the totality of the eclipse.

Several people from the Clerk’s Office, Real Property Tax Services and Postal Service stepped outside to take in the celestial wonder. While there was plenty of murmuring about the clouds, the plunge in daytime darkness invoked awe.

The daylight vanished and then came back in about four minutes.

“That’s nuts how fast it was,” said Kim Hazel, a County Clerk’s Office employee.

Darkness settles over downtown Albion in this photo looking from the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, which tailored the message on its sign to tie in with today’s historic event, the first total eclipse in Orleans County since 1925.

Robert Cary and his family gathered in the parking lot by the Courthouse with their special eclipse glasses, which didn’t end up being needed. The family is from Albion. Mr. Cary works as a corrections officer at the County Jail and his shift started at 3:30 p.m. He is shown with, from left, daughters Emma, Madison and Kylie, their mother Alyssa Cary, and her mother Susan Devault.

Cary was expecting a big day for the community with many visitors but he said it seemed quieter than usual.

“You make the best of it,” his wife said.

Cheryl Wertman took this photo of the partial eclipse in Medina.

“There was a very brief moment when the eclipse was visible through the clouds as it went towards totality,” she said. “‘Spooky’ was heard as total darkness took over at the moment of totality and a flock of geese flew over sounding like they were very spooked by the sudden darkness.”

The sun is partially obstructed in this photo taken from the Medina fire station by firefighter Tim Miller just before 3 p.m.

It was very cloudy for the eclipse, which obstructed the view of the highly anticipated event, but some people were able to see it briefly when a patch of clear sky opened up.

Gayle Smith took this photo of the eclipse along Wood Road near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The total eclipse with darkness was from about 3:19 to 3:23 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – Leo LeBerth, a blacksmith from Ridgeway, heats and bends metal today at the forge in the Blacksmith Shop at the Cobblestone Museum.

The museum has been open the past four days to celebrate the total eclipse.

The museum welcomed about 50 people on Saturday , and 75 on Sunday, museum director Doug Farley said.

Hannah Brewer of Albion sings jazz songs, including “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” during a concert today at the museum’s visitor center.

Brewer is a junior at Geneseo majoring in vocal performance and minoring in music education.

Brewer sings inside the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center.

Photo from Medina PD: Joseph Colson allegedly pointed this black revolver BB gun at Medina firefighters and neighbors.

MEDINA – A Medina man has been charged after allegedly pointing a revolver at responding firefighters and also neighbors on Sunday afternoon, Medina Police Chief Todd Draper said today.

Joseph Colson, 21, was charged with 3 counts of menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, and resisting arrest, which are class A misdemeanors. Colson was arraigned this morning through the Centralized Arraignment Procedure. An order of protection was issued and Colson was released on his own recognizance.

The Medina Fire Department was dispatched to 744 Church St. at 3:43 p.m. for a 21-year-old man with an illness. At 3:47 p.m. Medina police officers heard radio traffic by Medina FD personnel reporting a man with a gun.

Upon arrival, Medina police observed Medina firefighters on the ground attempting to restrain an individual and a man on the porch with a shotgun. The man with the shotgun was ordered to the ground and disarmed, Draper said in a news release.

It was later determined that this man was a lawful gun owner and had retrieved the firearm to defend himself and assist FD personnel. He was released following a brief detention, Draper said.

While Colson was being restrained, he continued to resist and was taken into custody and placed in a patrol vehicle.  All parties involved outlined that Colson pointed a revolver and threatened neighbors and Fire Department personnel, Draper said.

A search of Colson’s residence located an extremely realistic black revolver BB gun, Draper said.  Arresting Officers in this case were Sgt. Christian Navas and Officer Kyle Daly.  Units from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance as well.

“This incident highlights the dangers first responders face on a regular basis,” Draper said. “We would like to commend the officers and firefighters involved, and thank the Medina Fire Department, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s road patrol and dispatch.”

Press Release, UConnectCare

Photo by Mike Pettinella: Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, right, and former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Ham appear at a Legends & Stars event in February 2023 at Batavia Downs Gaming. Now a motivational speaker, Leaf is scheduled to speak at Genesee Community College on May 8.

BATAVIA –  “Twelve years ago today I woke up on the floor of a jail cell…with no hope or possible idea what could be! There was no possibility of this life, no love of my life, no career, no future, no family, no recovery,” Leaf wrote on X. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending! There is Hope!” – Ryan Leaf, April 1, 2024.

In 1998, the San Diego Chargers selected Ryan Leaf, standout quarterback from Washington State University, as the No. 2 overall pick in the National Football League Draft behind Peyton Manning. A finalist for the Heisman Trophy following his junior year, the future looked bright for the Great Falls, Mont., native.

However, dreams of a storied NFL career turned into a nightmare for the strong-armed 6-foot, 5-inch, 235-pound signal caller as issues involving bad behavior, injuries, work ethic and focus – beyond poor play – limited his time as a pro to four nonproductive years.

Leaf went into a downward spiral, eventually ending up in prison for burglary and drug-related offenses – a period of time he referred to in his statement above.

Although he wasn’t able to survive in the world of professional football, Leaf has turned his life around – carving out a respected space throughout the United States as a motivational speaker and ambassador for sobriety.

He said he has been in recovery from substance use disorder for the past 11 years, and has devoted his life to helping others overcome the stigma of mental health and addiction as a program ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community and CEO/President of RAM Consultant, Inc.

Leaf, 47, is coming to Batavia in May to share his experiences, both triumph and challenges, and offer invaluable lessons in resilience and the power of determination.

“Asking for help is the strongest thing you’ll ever do,” Leaf says, referring to those struggling with substance use.

Leaf also works as a college football analyst for the ESPN network.

UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) invites the public to attend his presentation, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 8 at Genesee Community College, Room T102.

To reserve your seat, call 585-815-1883 or send an email to prevention@uconnectcare.org by May 1.

Photo and information form Orleans County DSS

ALBION – This past Friday, April 5, the staff at Orleans County Department of Social Services (DSS) wore blue on in honor of Go Blue Day, which begins Child Abuse Prevention Month. Go Blue Day is always celebrated on the first Friday in April.

“April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and serves as a reminder for our community to come together to support, strengthen and celebrate families,” said Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS.

If you have suspicions of child abuse or neglect to report or you are concerned about the health or safety of a child, please immediately call the NYS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.

Orleans County DSS receives about 600 referrals for investigation annually through state Child Protective Services.

Provided photo: The large Santa figurine outside the Downtown Browsery on Main Street is outfitted with giant eclipse glasses thanks to the efforts of Dar Krull.

Clouds are moving into Orleans County and Western New York later this morning, just before the highly anticipated total eclipse.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo said there may be breaks and thinning of the clouds by mid-afternoon to allow a clear glimpse of the eclipse.

This is the first total eclipse in Upstate New York since 1925. This occurs when the moon will completely block out the sun, causing darkness during the day from approximately 3:19 to 3:23 p.m. The partial eclipse starts just after 2 p.m. and ends around 4:30.

Gas prices are on the rise, AAA reports today, with the national price up an average of 6 cents to $3.60 per gallon for regular unleaded. That’s the exact price from a year, AAA said.

In New York State, the average price is $3.47 today, which is up 2 cents from a week ago, but from $3.53 a year ago.

In Orleans County, AAA reports the average price is $3.42 today, up 4 cents from $3.38 a week ago.

Here are the average prices today in Western New York counties:

• Orleans, $3.421
• Genesee, $3.355
• Wyoming, $3.419
• Livingston, $3.441
• Monroe, $3.408
• Niagara, $3.343
• Erie, $3.396
• Chautauqua, $3.618
• Cattaraugus, $3.484
• Allegany, $3.511

AAA issued this statement about gas prices: “Oil prices have spiked recently due to renewed Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure and increasing tension in the Middle East. Since the cost of oil accounts for roughly 60% of what motorists pay at the pump, there will likely be some upward pressure on prices at the pump nationally.

“According to recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), demand for gasoline rose last week, while supply decreased slightly. Higher demand and rising oil prices will likely nudge pump prices higher soon. However, the upward trend in gas prices is not unusual for this time of year, as many regions of the U.S. begin to transition to the more expensive summer blend of gasoline, which tends to increase pump prices by 10 to 15 cents.

“Diesel prices remain relatively steady. The national average price for diesel is $4.04, up two cents from last Monday. The New York average is $4.38, down two cents from a week ago.”