‘This is a game-changer for us’ – SWAT commander Torry Tooley

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County’s Special Response Team did a demonstration on Tuesday evening at the Tavern on the Ridge, showcasing some of its tools and equipment including this drone.

The team includes nine members from the Sheriff’s Office and seven from the Albion Police Department. The team has several drones, including this one that is used to fly inside a house or other structure. The drone can be used to locate people and provide officers with a layout of the building.

The drone takes off inside the Tavern on the Ridge, looking for a suspect as part of the demonstration for the Orleans County Association of Municipalities, which includes officials from local village, town and the county governments.

Investigator Brian Marsceill of the Sheriff’s Office served as the pilot of the drone, guiding it through the hallway and around the restaurant to locate the suspect.

The Special Response Team moves in to locate the person. It was all part of a demonstration for local officials.

The Special Response Team is run through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. The team operates on a $300,000 budget which goes to training, equipment and overtime costs.

Investigator Kevin Colonna, left, and Sgt. Torry Tooley show the screen that law enforcement see from one of the drones. Colonna is a certified pilot for the drones. Tooley is the commander of the Special Response Team.

They noted how the drones helped locate someone who stole items and fled from Walmart last week, first on a bike and then by foot.

That person was detected lying down north of Walmart along Gaines Basin Road. Officers were able to quickly find him with the drones.

The team has drones that can spot people at night through the heat detection and spotlights on the drone. Officers can give commands through the drones to people on the ground or in a house, telling them to surrender, stay put or give other commands.

One of the team’s drones can travel as far as 6 miles, and go up to 50 miles an hour.

Officers can get a live feed from the drones through their phones or the computers in their patrol cars.

The drones are very useful in locating suspects, but Tooley said they also can be used for missing people, including vulnerable elderly people or people with autism and disabilities.

Lt. Adam Hazel of the Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Torry Tooley show the local officials some of the tools for the Special Response Team including body armor, helmets with night lights, vision monoculars to see in the dark, a 40 mm gun that fires non-lethal bullets, door breaching tools (ram and Halogen tool), as well as several of the different drones.

Tooley said the new drones and night vision on the helmets are “a game-changer for us.”

The team is awaiting a Bearcat armored vehicle to be used on scene for some of the calls. That armored vehicle will be able to transport 10-12 people to high-risk situations requiring advanced tactics and coordination.

Chart on monthly SNAP benefits from NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

ALBION – Orleans County has 5,146 residents receiving SNAP benefits that are due to run out in a few days and won’t be refilled until the federal government shutdown is over.

That is a big concern for Holli Nenni, the county’s commissioner of the Department of Social Services.

“I’m scared people will go hungry,” she said. “We’re worried people literally won’t have food.”

In New York, there are 2.9 million SNAP recipients or 14 percent of the population. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program issues monthly electronic benefits through EBT cards that can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores.

The SNAP benefits are for children, elderly and disabled residents, with eligibility and benefit levels based on household size, income and other factors.

The program dates back to the Great Depression in the 1930s, and has never been disrupted due to a budget stalemate. In The past during a budget shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has used emergency funds to continue funding the program, but the USDA said it won’t do that this time.

That has promoted attorneys general and governors from 26 states, including New York, to sue the USDA for suspending SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown.

Attorney General Letitia James said USDA can tap into contingency funds to keep SNAP going during the shutdown.

“Millions of Americans are about to go hungry because the federal government has chosen to withhold food assistance it is legally obligated to provide,” James said in a news release today. “SNAP is one of our nation’s most effective tools to fight hunger, and the USDA has the money to keep it running. There is no excuse for this administration to abandon families who rely on SNAP, or food stamps, as a lifeline. The federal government must do its job to protect families.”

Provided image

ALBION – Mary Jo Whitman of Batavia has created a new welcome sign for Albion that village officials are aiming to have installed on the east side of Albion along Route 31.

The village would like to have the new sign up with a dedication celebration on Nov. 21.

The village received a grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) to fund the project.

The sign includes a Santa to highlight Albion as a home for a Santa School that was run by the late Charles W. Howard from 1937 until his death in 1966. The Santa will be mounted on top in the middle of the sign.

Whitman created Albion scenes within the large letters of “ALBION.” Those scenes include a boat on the Erie Canal with a lift bridge, the Civil War memorial tower at Mount Albion Cemetery and the Orleans County Courthouse.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Nov. 11, 2024, shows Sandy Shaw, retired director of the Community Free Library, and retired Holley Mayor John Kenney, who were both writing messages on Christmas cards to be given to veterans.

HOLLEY – The Community Free Library in Holley will again welcome residents on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to create Christmas cards for veterans.

The library welcomes people to come in from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to write notes, decorate cards and stuff envelopes. There will be light refreshments available for those who stop by.

All the cards will be delivered by volunteers and staff to local veterans the first week in December, said Amanda Anderson, Community Free Library director.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

MIDDLEPORT – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that the Royalton-Hartland Central School District has received a $235,991 federal grant over three years to strengthen school safety and security for more than 1,100 students and 230 staff across the district.

The funding will support upgrades to school safety infrastructure in partnership with the Middleport Police Department, which provides two full-time School Resource Officers for the district.

Over the course of the grant, the district will implement a new reunification program, upgrade mass communication systems, install panic buttons and remote lockdown capabilities, expand camera coverage throughout all school buildings, and integrate a new technology server and advanced security systems. Staff, administrators, and School Resource Officers will be trained on all new equipment, and a long-term sustainability and replacement plan will be established.

“These funds will help Royalton-Hartland enhance student safety, close coverage gaps, and strengthen coordination with local law enforcement,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The safety of our students is a top priority, and I was honored to support this project. I look forward to seeing these improvements implemented to protect students, educators, and staff across the district.”

The district expects these improvements to reduce incidents of bullying, harassment, fighting, and theft; improve response times; increase student and parent confidence in school safety; improve adherence to ADA standards; and eliminate camera blind spots that currently cause concern among students.

“The district is excited about the prospect of this grant and what these upgrades will mean for us over the next three years,” said Superintendent Jill Heck. “Implementing a reunification system, new cameras and emergency alerts system will move us toward our Strategic Plan Goal #1 of improving upon the safety, security and learning spaces for everyone in our district. We are truly grateful for this opportunity.”

8 students and bus driver checked out by EMS after incident

ALBION – An elementary student released pepper spray on the morning school bus run, which resulted in eight students and the bus driver to be examined on scene by Mercy Flight EMS.

There wasn’t a fight on the bus that led to the student using the pepper spray, said Sgt. Robert Wagner of the Albion Police Department.

A young student had a key-chained pepper spray and sprayed it on the floor of the bus, he said.

“The vapor from the spray caused some students on the bus to be affected by it,” Wagner said.

The Albion School District sent an update to parents about the situation. The school said a student on bus U (274) deployed pepper spray. EMS personnel were immediately called to the scene, parents were contacted and another bus was sent.

“All eight students and the driver on board were examined by emergency personnel, some of which were experiencing eye irritation and coughing,” the school district said. “Parents were given the option to pick up their children from the scene, and the secondary school bus was able to transport the remaining students to school.”

The district said the incident is being investigated and the next steps will be determined in accordance with our Code of Conduct.

“We thank our transportation department, local law enforcement and EMS for their quick response,” the district stated.

Press Release, Orleans County Veterans Services and Orleans County Health Department

MEDINA – The Orleans County Health Department and the Orleans County Veterans Services/Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program are hosting a Veteran Health and Benefit Fair.

The event on Monday, November 17, will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Medina VFW Post 1483, 216 East Center St.

Veterans and one guest can come to learn about healthcare, benefits, and local community programs. Attendees can meet and talk with representatives from various organizations and veterans service providers. Flu vaccines and blood pressure checks will be available for veterans.

There also will be free snacks and refreshments. The event is funded by the Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program.

To register, click here or call Orleans County Veterans Services at 585-589-3219.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Harlem Wizards brought a highly entertaining brand of basketball to a packed high school gym in Albion on Monday. The Wizards played Albion teachers in a game won by the Wizards, 79-89. The top photo shows Talek “Show Out” Williams pumping up an enthusiastic crowd. About 700 people attended the event.

But much of the fun was in the stands, and games involving audience participation. The Wizards had many slam dunks, no-look passes, long jump shots and other acrobatic moves on the court. But they connected most with the fans through dancing, high fives and other antics.

The Wizards were in town as part of a fundraiser for the Albion boys basketball program.

After the game, the Wizards invited all the kids on the court for some dancing.

Tom O’Donnell, a counselor in the middle school, is introduced as one of the players for the Albion teachers. About 20 people from the school played in the game.

Vinnie Strollo, a physical education teacher at elementary school, reacts after making the first basket in the game to give the teachers the lead.

The teams are on court for the opening tip off. Jeff Radder for the teachers won the tip off and Albion scored the first basket.

The game often stopped for crowd participation. Mark Kuntz of Albion was brought out for a dance challenge.

Caleb Wolfe, 13, was blindfolded and tried to find some of the prizes on the court. The crowd yelled to try to steer him in the right direction.

Jonathan “Top Flight” Hevalow delivered a powerful dunk that amazed the crowd.

Talek “Show Out” Williams signs autographs during halftime.

These Wizards players celebrate with two Albion youth football teams that won the league championship on Saturday.

The crowd was often in a frenzy rooting on the teachers and reacting to some of the dunks from the Wizards.

These Wizards paused the game to give Ashleigh Stornelli, the school’s resource officer, a chance to make an easy shot which she did after getting some advice from Lloyd “Loonatik” Clinton.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Residents at Northwood Apartments were evacuated after a fire in one of the apartments just before 6 p.m.

The initial call to first responders said multiple people were trapped inside the apartment. When law enforcement responded soon after the call at 5:54 p.m., the people were already outside the apartment, said Lt. Adam Hazel of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement from the Sheriff’s Office and Village of Albion Police then went door to door to evacuate the building. Some of the residents also helped get people out of the building, including some who needed wheelchairs due to mobility issues.

Firefighters from multiple departments responded and are ventilating the one apartment and making sure it is isolated to the one unit. Firefighters said the smokey apartment was caused by a stove fire.

Mercy Flight EMS also is on scene checking people. Some people are being evaluated on scene for smoke inhalation.

No other information is available at this time.

Photo and information by Niagara/Orleans BOCES

MEDINA – Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering teacher Bill Rakonczay, teacher aide Brianna Peterson and the senior class students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center will have equipment they had a hand in fly by the moon on the Artemis II mission.

Four astronauts will venture around the moon as the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence at the moon for science and exploration through Artemis. The 10-day flight will help confirm systems and hardware needed for early human lunar exploration missions.

For several years, the students in Mr. Rakonczay’ s program have made a part for stowage lockers thanks to their partnership with NASA’s HUNCH (High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware) program.

It offers high school students the opportunity to design and prototype solutions to real challenges faced by NASA. It gives the AME students a chance to connect with real-world aerospace projects and add this experience to their resumes and college applications.

On October 21st, NASA’s Dr. Florence Gold, who serves as a project manager and mentor and Loy Trevino, business partner, video and media project manager stopped by the classroom to congratulate them on their hard work.

All in all, 93 parts were made with 100% of them passing inspection. As a thank you, Dr. Gold brought a panel from one of the stowage lockers and allowed students, staff and board of education members the opportunity to sign it. The lockers are designed to hold vital experiments and equipment that the crew will need for their mission.

The class was thrilled to be able to help contribute to the future of space travel and exploration. Congratulations to students Bella Andes (Lockport), Miles Arbegast (Medina), Solangel Baar (Lockport), Elliot Christopher Beyrle (Albion), Aidan Bonnett (Lockport), Deven Bryne (Medina), Dylan Cervinsky (Lockport), Brodie Demmer (Medina), Nickolas Gauvreau (Royalton-Hartland), Austin Guido (Medina), Steven Miles (Royalton-Hartland), Aaden Munn (Barker), Luke James Pollaro (Albion), Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland), Carson Schwab (Barker), Dasha Taylor (Lockport) and Joshua Zayac (Albion) for all their hard work!

Local pastor says many senior citizens aren’t accessing services that would help them live longer, healthier lives

ALBION – Representatives from HCR Home Care will be at Hoag Library at 6 p.m. today to discuss the agency’s services in the community.

HCR has been invited by the Rev. Mark Washington of Kent, who is pastor of the Greater Lamb of Life Church of God in Christ in Rochester.

In Rochester, the clergy helped spread the word about the home health care services that are available in the community, and covered by Medicare and health insurance.

The Rochester pastors were part of the Diverse Care Project to promote the home healthcare services, especially among the African American and Latino populations, which Washington said were underserved.

There has been an historic lack of trust in the healthcare system in communities of color, Washington said.

“Black seniors have higher rates of heart disease, are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable cardiac-related causes, higher rates of diabetes and obesity, and higher incidence and mortality rates from many cancers,” Washington said.

There also is a long tradition of these communities taking  care of their own, which furthers exacerbates the introduction of home care, he said.

He would like a similar Diverse Care Project initiative in Orleans County and welcomes all clergy members to assist with promoting HCR Home Care and other health services.

He noted the some key health challenges in Orleans County:

• Rural challenges & aging population – Seniors in Orleans County face compounding barriers related to geography, limited infrastructure, and socioeconomic constraints.
• Severe physician shortage – In 2023, the patient-to-primary-care-physician ratio was 13,397:1, far above the state average.
• Geographic isolation – Seniors struggle to reach medical care, grocery stores, and essential services due to the county’s rural layout.
• Lack of care facilities – Few adult care, rehab, or nursing facilities are available locally, especially for short- or long-term needs.

For more information about the Diverse Care Project initiative and promoting home health care in Orleans County, Pastor Washington may be contacted at (585) 410-0568, or at markawashington4@gmail.com.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The seasons are changing. This photo on Sunday afternoon shows trees along the Erie Canal towpath in Albion, east of the Ingersoll Street lift bridge. The Brown Street bridge is around the bend in the photo.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a freeze warning for tonight and then on Tuesday night for Orleans County.

The freeze warning also includes Niagara, Genesee, northern Erie, Wayne and northern Cayuga counties.

The freeze warnings are in effect from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. from tonight to Tuesday morning, and then Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.

“Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to near 30 are expected, with the exception of areas near the immediate shores of Lake Ontario each night,” the Weather Service said. “Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”

The high temps for the rest of this week include 52 on Tuesday, 54 on Wednesday, 52 on Thursday, 50 on Friday and 51 on Saturday.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band

SYRACUSE – The NYS Field Band Conference held their championship show on Sunday at the JMA Dome in Syracuse. This championship competition brings together over 50 of the finest high school marching bands in the northeastern US and is the culmination of an eight-week season.

Band members, directors, staff and boosters from each competing school spent countless hours preparing for this prestigious event.

Bands are divided into six different classifications based on school size and past competitive  experience. Each band performs a musical and visual show lasting about 10 minutes before a panel of judges. Each band receives a plaque and the highest scoring NYS band in each class will take home the coveted Governor’s Cup.

Medina competed in the SS1 division with 8 other schools and Medina placed 9th with a score of 84.35. The scores for SS1 include Mineola in 1st with 95.05, followed Roslyn in second with 93, New Hartford in 3rd with 92.20, Phoenix in 4th with 90.45, Central Square in 5th with 89.775, East Irondequoit in 6th with 88.25, East Syracuse Minoa in 7th with 87.5, and Malverne in 8th with 86.80.

The first-place bands in the other divisions include: SS2 – Oswego with 87.35; SS3 – Jordan Elbridge with 83.20; LS3 – Hilton with 81.20; LS2 – Brentwood with 92.0; National class – Liverpool with 96.325.

Provided photos: Master Gardener training students learn how to conduct soil pH tests in one hands-on activity during their in-person class sessions.

By Katie Oakes, Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension will be once again offering Master Gardener Training in early 2026.

The training is the first step to becoming a Master Gardener volunteer with the Cooperative Extension system. Following completion of the course, trainees must complete a total of 50 hours of volunteer service with the Master Gardener program at Orleans CCE in order to become an active Master Gardener volunteer.

The training is a hybrid online/in-person class with the bulk of the coursework done at home by individual students at their own pace. Each week, the class will meet in person on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Orleans CCE Education Center to go over key topics and introduce some hands-on activities. The classes are facilitated by Katie Oakes, Orleans CCE horticulture educator and Master Gardener coordinator.

“The Master Gardener Training Course is kind of like a Horticulture 101 class,” explained Oakes. “Students will learn a little bit about a broad range of horticultural topics, from plant biology to entomology and beyond.”

The goal of the training is to gain new volunteers for the Orleans CCE Master Gardener program. Orleans Master Gardeners serve the community through a range of educational programming, all under the guidance of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Students in the 2024 MG Training class consider diagnostics of plant issues in the “mock lab” in-person class.

Julia Bender graduated from the 2024 Master Gardener Training class.

“The Master Gardener training program isn’t just about learning to garden better,” she said. “It’s about joining a community of people committed to service—volunteers who staff plant sales, teach children about agriculture, maintain demonstration gardens, and share seeds with neighbors. It’s about connecting with people in meaningful and rewarding ways, while sharing your passion for all things gardening.”

The Master Gardener Training course will run from Feb. 5 through April 30 on Thursday evenings.  There will be one Saturday class on April 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. where students will present their final projects to the class.

Applications are being accepted now through Dec. 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by Dec. 19. Priority will be given to Orleans County residents and those who are committed to becoming long-term volunteers with the Master Gardener program.

The cost for the course is $200 and includes access to the online course as well as all in-person class materials. The application for the training can be found by clicking here.  Please contact Katie Oakes at 585-798-4265 or klo54@cornell.edu with any questions or for more details.

Master Gardener coordinator Katie Oakes hands out certificates of completion to students in the 2024 Training class.

Photos by Tom Rivers

EAGLE HARBOR – The Rev. Susan Boring greets people on Sunday after a special service at the Eagle Harbor Methodist Church celebrating Boring’s 25 years at the church.

Boring said serving the Eagle Harbor church has been an honor. She praised the congregation for their commitment to bringing’s Christ’s love to each other and the community.

“The greatest gift in my life has been serving this church as pastor,” she told about 75 people at the service on Sunday.

 The Albion resident for many years served as pastor while also working as a music teacher in Brockport, including 29 years with the fifth grade band.

She is now retired from that career but continues to reach out to her many friends in music to perform at the Eagle Harbor church.

Boring sings and plays the guitar, piano and the trombone at church.

“I’ve really been able to embrace God’s call on my life, which I was really resistant to in the beginning,” she said. “I enjoy leading worship, I enjoy the people and I enjoy working together with the congregation to reach out to the community.”

Boring plays the guitar with Mike Vick, which a regular feature every Sunday at Eagle Harbor. They are singing, “This Little Light of Mine.”

Terry Vick, a lay leader in the church, leads an installation for Boring which is now an independent Wesleyan Methodist Church. The church was affiliated with the United Methodist denomination until last year.

Vick, after the service, said the congregation is thankful to have Boring as their pastor.

“She’s real,” Vick said. “She’s not above us. She learns with us. She is a good friend who is available day or night.”

The Rev. Susan Boring holds her robe and stole as a visible representation of her responsibilities as the church’s shepherd and pastor.

The Rev. Linda Haight grew up in Eagle Harbor as Linda DeBoard. She delivered the sermon on Sunday. Haight said she felt the call to be a minister when she was a child attending Eagle Harbor.

She now serves as a pastor at the North Ontario Methodist Church in Wayne County. Haight said the Eagle Harbor congregation has long been welcoming and a place to grow in the Christian faith.

The Eagle Harbor church’s brick building was constructed 150 years ago in 1875. It replaced an earlier wooden structure. The church is located along the Erie Canal in the town of Gaines.

The first church in Eagle Harbor was built in 1826. Before that, circuit riding preachers established a preaching station in Eagle Harbor in 1818. As more people moved to the community, Baptist and Presbyterian groups were founded and met in homes or the school house.

The Rev. Boring said the church has changed over time but it’s heart-warming Christian hospitality continues to be a vital part of the ministry. She a stuffed animal ministry where Teddy Bears and other stuffed animals are given to people from the church as a tangible reminder that the Eagle Harbor Methodist Church loves them and is praying for them.

After the service, the congregation went to the Elks Lodge in Albion for a brunch.