A wind advisory started this morning in Orleans County and continues until 2 p.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service in Buffalo advised.

There will be westerly winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph. The advisory also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee and Chautauqua counties.

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the Weather Service stated. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”

Today will have a high of 53 with showers, followed by highs of of 48 on Saturday, 56 on Sunday and 61 on Monday.

Press Release, Orleans County Youth Bureau

ALBION – The Orleans County Youth Bureau today announced it has extended the deadline for nominations for the 42nd Annual Youth Recognition awards.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize those youth who have performed outstanding service for our community and/or have assumed an extraordinary role within their families by helping to support themselves. The deadline for nominations is now April 30.

Anyone is welcome to nominate a candidate, but nominations from family members must be accompanied by a supporting recommendation from a non-family member. Nominees must reside in Orleans County and be a minimum of 14 years of age and under the age of 21 before June 30, 2024.

In addition to the youth recognition awards, the Youth Bureau also extended the deadline for nominations for the Helen Brinsmaid Award, given to an Orleans County youth-serving professional, in a paid position, whose work surpasses normal expectations, and the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award, presented to an adult who serves the youth of Orleans County in a volunteer setting.

All nomination forms can be found by clicking here. For information about the awards, contact the Youth Bureau at 585-589-7053 or OrleansCountyYouthBureau@OrleanscountyNY.gov.

YATES – The Yates Town Board on March 14 voted to buy 153.3 acres of land from NYSEG for $700,000. Town officials envision the site to stay undeveloped with walking trails. It is next to a 6-acre town park on Morrision Road by Lake Ontario.

But town residents Paul Lauricella, Bill Jurinich and Steve Colon want the sale to have voter approval. They submitted petitions signed by 200 residents on Thursday.

That should meet the threshold to force a public referendum, Town Supervisor Jim Simon said. The petitions are being reviewed for valid signatures, and town officials are checking the local law for how soon the referendum will be held. It may be before the Nov. 5 election day.

“This is the American way,” Simon said Thursday after the Town Board meeting, responding to the petitions filed that morning at the town hall.

Lauricella, a Yates resident and chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, said he wants the community to have the final say in whether the land is purchased, and to be aware there will be ongoing maintenance and costs beyond the purchase.

“We thank the people for entrusting us with their signatures,” Lauricella said after Thursday’s Town Board meeting. “This gives them a voice.”

The town’s purchase is dependent on Yates receiving grants to cover the purchase of the land, Simon said. Yates has two years to line up grants and state funding for the acquisition. The town had to put down $5,000 to hold the land, and that money will be returned if the town ultimately doesn’t go forward with the project.

Simon said there are no immediate plans for the land, except to develop nature trails and possibly add a gazebo or a pavilion. The best use for the property may be keeping in a mostly wooded state without development, Simon said.

Town officials have eyed the land for years, and wanted to use state funds through the REDI program to acquire the land and make it more accessible to the public.

The state created the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative or REDI in response to historic flooding along the shore in 2017 and 2019. Yates received a $2.5 million grant from the state to make improvements to the 6-acre town park, including a playground, pavilion with bathrooms, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, a new parking lot with sidewalks and a pier that extends into the lake.

The town initially sought $4.5 million in REDI and that would have included buying the NYSEG land and doing some improvements, but NYSEG wasn’t ready to sell it in 2019, when the REDI funds were approved by the state.

Simon said the town’s local waterfront development plans include expanding the town park to the NYSEG site.

When the board voted March 14 to acquire the land for $700,000, there was then a 30-day window for a permissive referendum to file petitions to put the purchase to a public vote. Lauricella, Jurinich and Colon had voiced concerns about the purchase for several months.

They say it will take $25,000 in property taxes – town, county, school and fire district – off the tax rolls, and also result in increased costs for the town with maintenance and insurance.

Jurinich said he’d like to see a portion of the land be available to develop houses. That would boost the town’s tax base.

The town will have public meetings about the purchase leading up to the referendum, looking at the pros and cons, Simon said.

He sees an expanded park, open and free to the community, as a big asset for local residents that would also likely bring visitors to the community.

“This would preserve a beautiful stretch of land,” Simon said.

MEDINA – Rashawn Bloom, 19, of Medina was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment by State Police for a fatal car accident on June 25, 2023 in Albion.

State Police announced the charge on Tuesday. Bloom faces a D felony with a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

Gabriel J. Casanova, 19, was killed in a one-car accident at 2:37 a.m. at West Countyhouse Road. Casanova was a passenger in a 2009 Lincoln Navigator that overturned multiple times. Casanova graduated from Medina in 2022.

Three other occupants of the vehicle were treated for non-life threatening injuries at Strong Memorial Hospital and released that day.

Bloom has been issued an appearance ticket to Albion Town Court.

Provided photo: A student from the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia models the prom dress she chose Wednesday from the selection provided by Community Action. Similar sessions are scheduled for any teen in the area on Tuesday at the Main Street store and on April 25 for Albion students at Albion High School.

ALBION – Soon after taking over as manager of Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More Store last year, Cassie Healy got the idea to collect prom dresses and give them away free to students who couldn’t otherwise afford one.

The program was so successful, Healy wants to make it an annual event.

“Last year we were able to provide many dresses to girls who were unable to get one,” Healy said. “I remember one girl in particular last year who was able to get a dress, shoes, accessories and have her makeup and hair done through us. She told me she had won tickets to her prom but due to her family’s financial situation she did not think she would be able to go. She expressed her appreciation many times and was very excited she would be able to experience her prom.”

She also sent the store some photos of her prom with her friends.

“This is truly one of those ‘This is why I do this’ moments,” Healy said.

This year Healy hopes to reach out to more students, including any in surrounding counties. On Wednesday, she and her helpers took dresses to the New York State School for the Blind for girls to choose from. Eighteen found a dress they could wear to their prom, Healy said.

On April 16 at the Main Street store, Healy expects to have several hundred dresses, suits, makeup and other accessories available for students to choose from, regardless of where they go to school, even outside Orleans County.

There will also be a drawing for free prom tickets, thanks to the Ministry of Concern, who has set out jars for “Pennies for Prom” in local shops. Julia Alt, development director for Hospice, will be on hand to provide students with tips on how to do their makeup on prom night.

The prom giveaway will be repeated at 1 p.m. on April 25 at Albion High School for Albion students only.

“No student should miss their prom because they can’t afford a dress,” Healy said.

The Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store is always accepting dresses, suits, shoes, makeup, hair supplies and other accessories for these events. Healy encourages the community to check their closets for prom-appropriate attire and accessories and bring them to the store to help these youth make lasting memories.

For more information, stop in or call the Main Street store at (585) 589-1430.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Cassie Healy, manager of Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More Store in Albion shows off some of the prom dresses which were available last year during the first free prom giveaway. The store is again offering free prom dresses and accessories to teens who can’t afford them.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion Village Trustee Tim McMurray presents a “Community Service Award” to Faith Smith at Wednesday’s board meeting for her efforts leading the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen.

Smith has built many partnerships in the community to serve several hundred meals each week from the kitchen at the Harvest Christian Fellowship church on Route 31.

The past six weeks the kitchen has averaged about 600 meals each week. The kitchen serves dine-in and take-outs on Thursdays at the church, and also has meals for people over the weekend.

“These aren’t peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” McMurray said. “These are meals.”

Smith said many volunteers, including her husband Mike, are key contributors in the OK Kitchen serving so many people each week.

“I don’t do this for any recognition,” she said. “It’s because the community needs it.”

The Albion Village Board and employees have twice helped serve meals from the kitchen. Smith said more community organizations are always welcome to help prepare and serve food, or make donations.

Smith is the second village resident to receive a Community Service Award. The board is trying to do them quarterly. Susan Oschmann was the first recipient for her efforts spearheading new basketball courts at Bullard Park.

Board doesn’t see many options to whittle down tax rate

ALBION – The Albion Village Board is close to finalizing the village budget for 2024-25, a spending plan that will surely raise taxes.

As it stands, the $8,194,537 budget would increase taxes by 6.83 percent — raising the tax levy from $2,923,473 in 2023-24 to $3,123,167. The tax rate would go from $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property to $20.43 with the budget that was presented during a public hearing on Wednesday evening.

Board members said they have been over the budget in detail for about two months, working with department heads. Board members don’t see options to bring the taxes down significantly.

They could reduce employee raises from 3.0 to 2.5 percent. They could pull another $6,000 from the village’s fund balance. They could also try to invest some village funds that are in accounts but haven’t yet been spent, perhaps securing a few thousand dollars in interest.

None of the moves would provide much relief for taxpayers. The budget will almost certainly be over the village’s allowable tax increase to stay within the tax cap, said Tracy Van Skiver, the village clerk/treasurer. Albion would have to chop about $111,000 to get under the tax cap, she said. (The board can override the tax cap of about a 2 percent increase with a super-majority vote from the board.)

Board members said rising costs for materials and equipment are driving some of the tax increase.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. would like to try to bring down the tax increase, especially when the village will also be raising water and sewer rates later this year. Village property owners also saw a big increase in their Albion town taxes this year.

“Let’s give them a break because their costs are going up,” Javier said.

Buy Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley asked just where the village should make a cut.

Javier said the rising taxes will be difficult on residents, and may have them asking if it would make sense to dissolve the village government.

“There will be a point when people will say, ‘Let’s not have a village,’” he said.

The total budget is at $8,194,537, up $651,162 from the $7,543,375 in 2022-23. The budget includes $4,702,052 in the general fund ($4,307,602 in 2023-24); $2,068,150 in the water fund ($1,880,984 in 2023-24); and $1,424,335 in the sewer fund ($1,354,788 in 2023-24).

The budget needs to be adopted by April 30. The board could make changes to the budget before then.

Trustee Tim McMurray said the budget is down to “bone marrow” and he doesn’t expect any significant changes in the current numbers.

New trustee William Gabalski said he has been through the budget line item by line item twice. The only way to bring down the costs significantly would be to scale back services, Gabalski said.

“There’s not a lot left to cut unless there are conversations about services delivered,” he said.

Riley and McMurray said the budget represents the costs to run the village. She doesn’t want to tap more into the fund balance, jeopardizing the future for the village. Van Skiver said in recent budgets the village has taken about $250,000 a year from the fund. There is currently about $800,000 in there. The proposed budget would take $255,000 from that fund balance.

Taken too much could drain that fund, and result in an even bigger tax increase in the future, Javier said.

Riley said she would like to go back to department heads and staff to see if there is any more reductions possible.

There is some relief possible on the horizon. The village is discussing a fire protection district with the towns of Albion and Gaines. That would move the fire department out of the village budget, likely lowering the village tax rate if the district gains voter approval. However, village residents would pay a separate fire protection tax that would be in the town and county tax bill in January.

The village also hasn’t gone through a town-wide reassessment for about five years but that is expected in May. Many of the assessed values are expected to up significantly. That should give the village a much-higher tax base in 2025-26.

The village’s tax base has been shrinking. It 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.

The new budget shows another decrease by $74,424 – from $152,867,932 to $152,793,508.

A bigger tax base should bring the tax rate down, but property owners would likely still see their taxes rise if the tax levy, what the village collects in taxes, continues to go up.

Press Release, Albion H.S. Student Council

ALBION – Albion Central School District invites senior citizens, 55 and older, for our annual Senior Citizen Day on Wednesday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Albion High School Cafeteria.

The school district would like to thank the senior citizens in our community for all they have done to support our students, teachers, and staff throughout the years.

We have a limited number of seats available. Kindly RSVP by Monday, April 22, to the High School Student Council Advisor, Mrs. Sawyer Green, at (585) 589-2040, ext. 8414.

You can also email sgreen1@albionk12.org to secure your reservation. Please leave a message with your name, phone number, and the number of seats you’d like to reserve. Mrs. Green will call you to confirm your participation.

We look forward to having you join us for this wonderful event hosted by our High School Student Council!

Provided photo: from left include Colleen Osborn (Orleans/Niagara BOCES Board of Education President), Tricia Andrews (NYSSBA Area 1 Ambassador), Bill Rakonczay and Nicole Goyette (Orleans Career and Technical Education Center Principal).

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering teacher Bill Rakonczay was recognized by the New York State School Boards Association at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Board of Education meeting on April 10.

Mr. Rakonczay was presented with the prestigious award: Champions of Change. The award was created by NYSSBA to highlight the positive programming that brings change to students, communities and the school districts of New York.

Mr. Rakonczay was brought to their attention through E-Clips and an article that was written about him and his program. A committee chose Mr. Rakonczay’s program and Clarence School District Board of Education member, Awards and Recognition Committee member and NYSSBA Area 1 Ambassador Tricia Andrews came to the board of education meeting to present a recognition banner to Mr. Rakonczay.

Over a two-year period in his class, students are exposed to Computer Numerical Machining, Computer Aided Design and Welding Technologies.  Students experience how technology interacts in a real manufacturing environment in labs and local industries.  His students have manufactured parts for the International Space Station with NASA’s HUNCH program.

“I am so honored to have received this award,” said Mr. Rakonczay.  “I love what I do and this recognition means the world to me. I am looking forward to many more years of teaching at BOCES.”

ALBION – Crosby’s is looking to add more parking at the site where a house was demolished last month next to the Crosby’s at the corner of routes 98 and 31.

Reid Petroleum, owner of Crosby’s, took down the house at 210 South Main St. It is a former doctor’s office.

Reid is asking the village to rezone the property from residential-commercial to general commercial to match the zoning at the Crosby’s store.

John Pastore, director of Real Estate at Reid Petroleum, met with the Albion Village Board on Wednesday to share the plans for the property. Reid wants to add 10 more parking spaces to the now vacant land. The company also wants to have two new 20,000-gallon underground storage tanks, with those tanks partly on the lot next to Crosby’s.

Pastore said the company would like to add four electric charging stations for vehicles in the future, and they would likely be the faster-charging level 3 units.

The plan for the now vacant land also includes an outdoor sitting area, expanded dumpster coral, 6-foot high fencing and landscaping.

Pastore said the land acquisition gives Crosby’s a chance for better traffic circulation at the Albion store, which he said is one of the company’s best-performing sites.

Reid is currently renovating the other Crosby’s in Albion, the former Yellow Goose store at the corner of Orchard Street and North Main Street. Crosby’s also has a store in nearby Gaines.

The zoning change will go to the Village Planning Board and Orleans County Planning Board for their review and recommendation before the Village Board makes a final decision.

Village Attorney John Gavenda said he was concerned the demolition of the house, just south of Crosby’s, may put pressure to remove more houses in the future. He said corporations have taken down some of Albion’s nicest homes on Main Street. He doesn’t want to see more knocked down on South Main.

Pastore said Crosby’s would like to update the Albion store at 204 South Main St., but there are no plans to expand the site.

The board said it didn’t anticipate the zoning change being an issue because it isn’t spot zoning to make the residential-commercial site be general commercial because the neighboring Crosby’s store already is classified as GC.

Two of the Village Board members noted Crosby’s is a big part of the Albion community with three stores in the 14411 zip code, but the company rebuffs requests to help support local causes. Village trustees Greg Bennett and Tim McMurray are both long-time coaches and advocates in local youth sports.

Bennett said Crosby’s could be an even bigger part of the community if it contributed to youth sports, the Rock the Park concerts or the park program.

Pastore said Crosby’s does make monetary donations and does pizza giveaways when it opens a new store or completes a renovation.

No date set for when connection from Royalton could be used

SHELBY – The Shelby Town Board has reached an agreement with the Town of Royalton to buy water from that Niagara County community at a reduced rate from what Shelby is currently paying the Village of Medina.

Royalton agreed to sell the water to Shelby for $3 per 1,000 gallons in 2024, and then $3.20 in 2025, and $3.40 in 2027, Shelby Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz said.

Medina bills Shelby at a $5.97 rate per 1,000 gallons. Shelby still plans to buy water from Medina from the main transmission line down Maple Ridge Road and for water lines going north.

Shelby anticipates the water bought from Royalton will cover most other parts of the town from an existing connection. Shelby will soon be seeking a thorough engineering study to see how much of the town can be served from Royalton, and if booster pumps and a water storage tank are needed, and at what cost.

The water from Royalton, like from Medina, comes from the Niagara County Water District. Wengewicz said Shelby residents currently pay some of the highest water rates in the region.

Shelby officials also want to negotiate with Medina village officials about lowering the rate to provide some relief to Shelby water users, Wengewicz said.

There is no set date for when a connection from Royalton will be used, he said.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College proudly announces Dr. James Sunser, esteemed President of GCC, as the distinguished commencement speaker for the institution’s 56th commencement ceremony.

Dr. James Sunser

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at GCC’s Richard C. Call Arena.

Dr. Sunser’s selection as commencement speaker marks a fitting tribute to his remarkable tenure of leadership and service to Genesee Community College. After more than 13 years at the helm, Dr. Sunser announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year. His retirement comes after a career characterized by unwavering commitment to student success and transformative initiatives.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as Genesee Community College’s commencement speaker,” Dr. Sunser said. “It is a privilege to address such a vibrant community of learners as they embark on their next journey. I am thankful for the opportunity to inspire and celebrate the achievements of the class of 2024.”

Under Dr. Sunser’s stewardship, GCC witnessed significant milestones, including the development of the Richard C. Call Arena and the Student Success Center. These capital projects represented the largest fundraising efforts ever undertaken by the college, reinforcing Dr. Sunser’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities for all students.

Moreover, Dr. Sunser provided exemplary leadership during the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity of services while prioritizing the health and well-being of the campus community.

Prior to his tenure at GCC, Dr. Sunser held several senior-level positions at SUNY Onondaga Community College over a span of 22 years. His illustrious career also includes five years as an administrator at Syracuse University. Dr. Sunser’s contributions extend beyond GCC; he currently serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Executive Committee, having previously served two terms as Chair in 2020 and 2021.

Genesee Community College extends a warm invitation to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader community to join in honoring Dr. Sunser at the commencement ceremony. His address promises to inspire and resonate with graduates as they embark on their own paths of academic and personal fulfillment.

MEDINA – A Ridgeway volunteer firefighter who collapsed and needed CPR at the scene of a fire on Thursday has made a full recovery, Medina and Ridgeway fire officials announced in a press release this afternoon.

As crews were finishing active firefighting operations at 515 North Academy St. on April 4, the Ridgeway firefighter suddenly collapsed in the street without warning.

The firefighter, whose name is not being released, did not have a pulse and wasn’t breathing. High-quality CPR was initiated, and the firefighter was defibrillated five times over the course of the next 14 minutes while simultaneously receiving advanced airway control and multiple Advanced Cardiac Life Support medications, according to the news release from Medina FD and the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company.

The firefighter was initially going to be transported directly to Buffalo General but was too unstable at that point and was taken to Medina Memorial Hospital Emergency Department. Once stabilized by team members at Medina Hospital but still critical, the firefighter was transferred by a team of Medina firefighters to Buffalo General.

“We are happy to announce that the firefighter walked out of the hospital today after being discharged home, 100% neurologically intact!” said Steve Cooley, Medina Fire Department lieutenant and public information officer.

The two fire departments thanked the following for their assistance at the scene, after the fire and cardiac arrest: Albion Fire Department, Medina Police Department, Orleans County Dispatchers, Medina Memorial Emergency Department Staff, Orleans County Director and Deputy Director of Emergency Services and the Staff at Buffalo General.

Those agencies assisting Ridgeway with immediate district coverage after the event were Middleport, Hartland, Shelby, East Shelby, and Murray Fire Departments.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen anywhere at any time, Cooley said. He urged people to learn CPR.

The American Heart Association has released Heart and Stroke Statistics for 2022. According to the report, cardiac arrest remains a public health crisis. There are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually in the U.S., nearly 90% of them fatal. The incidence of EMS-assessed non-traumatic OHCA in people of any age is estimated to be 356,461, or nearly 1,000 people each day. Survival to hospital discharge after EMS-treated cardiac arrest languishes at about 10%, Cooley said.

Susan Howard

ALBION – Susan Howard announced she has submitted petitions signed by 1,279 registered Republicans to force a primary against John Sansone for district attorney.

Sansone secured the Republican nomination on Feb. 3. Both Sansone and Howard work as assistant district attorneys. They both want to succeed Joe Cardone, who is retiring on Dec. 31 after 32 years as the county’s top prosecutor.

Howard has the Conservative Party nomination and submitted petitions signed by 99 registered Conservatives.

“I am truly grateful and appreciative for the many people who volunteered their time to go out in challenging weather in February and March to collect signatures for me,” Howard said. “I am also incredibly grateful to the nearly 1,400 Orleans County voters who signed in support of my campaign for District Attorney. We have great momentum and will keep it going right up to the June 25th Republican Primary Election.”

Candidates for public office need signatures from at least 5 percent of a party’s registered voters in order to appear on that party’s ballot line. In Orleans County, Howard said 598 Republican signatures and 31 Conservative signatures were required.

The Republican primary is scheduled for June 25 with early voting available from June 15 to 23.

Howard, in a news release today, touted her more than 20 years working in the Orleans County Court System. As First Assistant District Attorney since 2011, she said she has been involved in nearly every significant case that has come through the D.A.’s Office.

She has been a member of the Sex Abuse Task Force, which works with the Child Advocacy Center, Rape Crisis, Department of Social Services and other local support agencies. She also works closely with D.A. investigators, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, and other law enforcement on major cases.

Additionally, for the past five years, Howard said she has served as the sole Appellate Attorney for the D.A.’s Office and has preserved every single conviction on appeal.

The owner of Cooper Funeral Home and the owners of Mitchell Family Cremation & Funerals announce they have joined forces in a new partnership that will ensure local ownership of five sites for many years to come.

David and Joshua Mitchell, owners of Mitchell Family Cremation & Funerals, and Jacob Hebdon, owner of Cooper Funeral Home in Medina, said the agreement, effective April 1, will merge staff and resources, working together to better serve families with compassionate service in their time of need.

Hebdon, 39, has been owner of Cooper Funeral Home for about six years. He started working at the site for the previous owner, Tim Cooper, in 2007. Hebdon will remain in charge of the Medina site.

“I am very excited to be working alongside the Mitchells,” Hebdon said. “I have always had tremendous respect for David and Josh. They have been supportive colleagues of mine for many years. The Mitchells’ reputation in their community and their work ethic supersede them. I cannot think of a more competent, reliable, positive team to partner with.”

David Mitchell, Josh Mitchell and Jake Hebdon are shown outside the Cooper Funeral Home in Medina. Hebdon will continue to lead that site, which he has owned for about 6 years.

David Mitchell has been working in the funeral business for 40 years. He has no plans to retire anytime soon. His son Josh, 34, joined the business in 2012 and became co-owner in 2020.

Hebdon will be the first person outside of the Mitchell family to have ownership in the company since Michael Christopher in 1971, when he merged with Rho Mitchell, forming Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home.

“Our family business was started in 1957 in Albion and we’re extremely proud to be our third generation of ownership,” Josh Mitchell said. “Since our inception, we provided compassionate and professional care to over 6,000 families.”

“Working with Jake in the communities he serves only makes sense to help each other as professionals,” Mitchell said. “In turn, it will help each and every family that is served and provide that same care for generations to come.”

The trio of owners – Jake Hebdon, Josh Mitchell and David Mitchell – are shown outside the Christopher Mitchell site in Albion.

Starting on April 1, Hebdon became a co-owner of the Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals and Cooper Funeral Home will operate under the new partnership which also operates Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home in Albion and Holley; Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home in Middleport; and Sherrie Bream & Kenneth H. Sherrie Funeral Home in Gasport.

The new partnership brings together five licensed funeral directors and other employees. They will share resources.

Hebdon and Josh Mitchell said there is a shortage of funeral directors in the country, and that is expected to get worse with fewer people going into the funeral service.

Mitchell reached out to Hebdon about a year ago, to discuss the future of the local funeral care. They began discussing a partnership that would keep their sites under local ownership, while also giving the owners support and shared resources.

“The workforce in the funeral business is aging and unfortunately there are not enough young people interested in the profession to replaced them,” Hebdon said. “Josh and I, both being in our 30s agree that the time is right to work together and support one another into the future to best serve families for generations to come. Our partnership helps solidify that our funeral homes will remain locally owned and operated by us, the same people that families here have come to trust.”

The Mitchells say they are getting a dynamic partner with Hebdon.

“Cooper Funeral Home has always been a well-respected business in our area,” David Mitchell said. “With bringing Jake on board, we look forward to adding his expertise, professionalism and caring touch, which will bring tremendous value to our family of funeral homes.”

Josh Mitchell, 34, and Jake Hebdon, 39, said the new partnership assures local ownership of their funeral homes for many years to come.

Josh said the funeral partners value traditional funeral services, and also embrace modern technology to serve families, including video tributes, live-streaming services, and jewelry or other mementos with fingerprints of loved ones.

“Josh and I are thinking about who will be serving the community in 20 years and into the future,” Hebdon said. “I can’t think of a better person to partner with. We see death care as an important and vital service in any community and we are overwhelmingly proud to provide it to our community.”

Josh said Hebdon is “someone I can trust and work with. We’ve always got along on a personal level.”

Josh Mitchell and Hebdon both said they want a work-life balance, and joining forces will allow 24-7 coverage for local families, while giving the owners and funeral directors some time off.

“We are looking to the future,” Josh said. “We want to maintain the professionalism and care that each family needs.”

Josh and David are both active members of the Holley Rotary Club, with Josh chairing the annual golf tournament in memory of Gary Ahl.

Hebdon is active with Medina’s Municipal Tree Board and the Boxwood Cemetery Commission.