By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2024 at 5:59 pm
The average price for regular unleaded gas went up 5 cents nationally in the past week, while it was unchanged in New York State and dropped a penny in Orleans County, AAA reported today.
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.20, up five cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.42. In New York, the average price of $3.28 today compares to $3.53 a year ago.
In Orleans County, the average price is $3.38, compared to $3.39 a week ago.
AAA issued this statement about gas prices:
“Since last week, the national average for a gallon of gas has risen another five cents as we begin to see an increase in demand trends, higher costs for oil, and routine refinery maintenance.
“We are entering the time of year where pump prices begin to heat up, typically peaking around July, but unless there is a major shock to the global oil market that causes prices to spike, the national average will likely continue its slow upward trend with a few flat days or even small price dips along the way.”
Here are the average prices today in Western New York counties:
Provided photo: A group of middle school boys and 6th grade teacher Dustin Gardner found lots of trash and also a ski, a bat, golf balls and 13 dollars during last year’s Canal Clean Sweep in April. Holley had more than 100 students help with the annual spring trash pickup.
Registration has opened for Canal Clean Sweep 2024 with trash pickups welcomed from April 19-21.
Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is organizing the 19th annual Canal Clean Sweep in celebration of Earth Day.
Community service clubs, co-workers at a business or organization, Scouts or even families are encouraged to register for a spot or section of the canal. Or they can check back later to register as a volunteer for a public event. Use the Event Finder Map on Parks & Trails website.
Most events will occur on Earth Day weekend. However, volunteers can pick another day if it works better.
Click here to fill out a form to register a Canal Clean Sweep event, indicating the clean-up location, how many volunteers are expected, and what t-shirt sizes are needed.
After registering for a Canal Clean Sweep event (click here), Parks & Trails will provide more information and materials.
Last year, not-for-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, and social clubs took part in more than 130 events along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail as 2,700 volunteers helped pick up nearly 1,500 bags of garbage.
Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) joined his colleagues today to call for a rollback of the state’s mandate that school districts convert school bus fleets to zero-emission buses in July 1, 2027 until July 1, 2045.
At $300,000 to $400,000 per electric bus, the cost to replace buses (which cost around $125,000 to $150,000) will skyrocket. According to the Empire Center for Public Policy, the cost for replacing existing fleets with all-electric school buses would cost between $8 billion and $15.25 billion more – and less than 10% may be available in combined aid from the state and federal governments to offset the burden on taxpayers.
“Between the exasperated financial difficulties of the pandemic and recession, coupled with the proposed cuts from the governor’s budget, this is no time to force our schools to make such an exorbitant expense,” said Norris, who is a sponsor of the bill to roll back the implementation (A.8447). “Though we all want to protect our environment, it is essential that taxpayers are able to absorb the costs at a sustainable rate. It’s clear this is not smart growth. It’s not sustainable and it should be reconsidered.”
Norris stated that the estimated costs from the Empire Center were the upfront purchase prices for the school buses alone – and not other associated costs that would be needed to operate and maintain all electric-fleets. For example, the school district would need to build a charging substation and set aside funds for parts and repairs that could further add up.
Norris said the all-electric school bus plan would put the burden on local taxpayers.
“Homeowners, particularly seniors living on fixed incomes, are already really pinched and making difficult choices,” he said. “This is not the time to add more to anyone’s burden. Rolling back this plan is the smart thing to do.”
Assemblyman Mike Norris’s 144th Assembly District includes portions of Erie and Niagara counties. His district previously included part of Orleans County.
Photo by Tom Rivers: These apples are in a bin at Kirby Farms in Brockport last fall.
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
ALBION – The Orleans County Agricultural District No. 1 is Orleans County’s only Agricultural District that covers over 118,000 acres or approximately 48% of the land mass of the county.
Orleans County is currently undergoing an eight-year review of the Orleans County Agricultural District No. 1. During this process, landowners must affirm in writing their intent to be included in the agricultural district.
All currently included landowners will receive notification of the review and the forms should be returned by March 31.
Agricultural Districts are established by New York State Agriculture and Markets Law to provide for the protection of agricultural lands. The law was enacted to allow for the creation of a local mechanism to ensure agricultural land remains a viable segment of the local and state economies as well as an environmental resource.
Agriculture is the dominant industry in Orleans County and as such, the Orleans County Agricultural District No. 1 is important to maintaining our economic base.
Agricultural districts do not have to be made up completely of farmland. However, they must contain a predominance of viable farmland. At the same time, the rural nature of an area is protected when viable farmland is included in the agricultural district.
The County Agricultural Farmland Protection Board, formed by the Legislature, is given the job of making recommendations concerning the effect of new water lines on land in an Agricultural District. Undeveloped land that is included in an agricultural district is not able to connect to new water lines for non-agricultural use because of the potential adverse effects on agriculture. Existing homes, residences, and farms within an agricultural district are not prohibited from connecting to new water lines.
For more information about agricultural districts or the ongoing review of the Orleans County Agricultural District No. 1, please contact Corey Winters (Planner, Orleans County Department of Planning & Development) at (585) 589-3197.
Sadly, the name selected for this young person was not recorded on this studio photograph.
Our first names can reveal a lot about us – the era we were born in, ethnicity,
or religious background, for example. We tend to make assumptions about people based on their first names.
Faced with this responsibility, it is no wonder that expectant parents find that selecting a name for their newborn is a daunting prospect. Some prospective parents already have a favorite name in mind.
For the others, there are so many choices: family names, historical names, currently popular names, old fashioned names, or names associated with nationality or religion.
Will we name him Henry or Michael or Landon or Louis?
Should she be called Jordan or Aoife or Carol or Lydia or Emmalyn or Elizabeth?
Suggestions for names may of course be found in baby name books but as local historians can attest, older graveyards are a rich source of unique and melodious first names.
Thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers, burials at these cemeteries have been listed, a painstaking process. They have since been digitized and may be accessed from the comforts of home by clicking here.
Not surprisingly, there are many instances of demure and virtuous first names, for girls, of course: Charity, Content, Mercy, Patience, Thankful or Virtue.
There are many strong, aspirational name choices for the boys: Deliverance, Freelove, Noble, Philander or Victory.
Here is a list of possible first name choices, all found in the smaller rural cemeteries of Orleans County:
Photo from Assemblyman Hawley’s office: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visits students at Jackson Primary in Batavia for his annual Valentines for Veterans program.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) on Thursday hosted his annual Valentines for Veterans program. Hawley teamed up with Jackson Primary and Robert Morris School to deliver over 150 handmade valentines from students to the residents at The New York State Veterans Home at Batavia.
During this time, Hawley spoke to students about the importance of veterans and their service to our nation. Hawley hopes this event will raise awareness of veterans’ issues and show the community’s appreciation for their service and sacrifice for our country.
“As a veteran myself, I understand the sacrifices our veterans have made to keep our country free,” said Hawley. “This is why every year I put on our Valentines for Veterans program to get our community involved in supporting our veterans. I’m thankful to the faculty and students at Jackson Primary and Robert Morris School for partnering with us this year and I hope to continue to put this event on for years to come.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2024 at 8:10 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MIDDLEPORT – Mason Allee-Castro of Barker is out in front at today’s Mr. Ed’s Super Bowl Warm-Up in Middleport. Allee-Castro won the race in 19:04. He is a past Niagara-Orleans champ in cross country and the long-distance events in track.
He now runs for Canisius College as a freshman. He didn’t mind the temperatures in the high 30s for the race today.
Kimberly Mills of Oakfield was the fastest female with a time of 21:27.
Runners go by a Middleport fire truck at the intersection of Townline Road and Carmen Road.
There were 230 finishers in the 35th annual 5k race. There was also a 1-mile fun run and 5k walk. Proceeds from the race go to scholarships for Roy-Hart students and alumni entering the criminal justice or medical fields, with some funds also going to other community causes.
Don Heschke continues the race tradition by firing a mini-cannon which lets out a big boom near the Erie Canal. The runners gathered on Mill Street for the start of the race. The cannon is featured on race shirts and is one of the unique parts of the Mr. Ed’s experience.
Medina’s varsity winterguard performs on Saturday in Victor.
Photos and information from Medina Band Boosters
VICTOR – The Victor school district held a winterguard competition on Saturday with 24 guards in competition.
Medina’s Varsity guard performed in the Scholastic A class and came in 4th place with a score of 61.02.
Winners in the other classes were Greece Cadets with a score of 56.85; Corning Painted Post in Regional A with 63.78; Greece in A1 class with 68.38; Victor in Scholastic A with 72.81; Gates Chili in Independent A with 76.48; and Luminosa in Senior class with 75.48.
This was the first time the Medina JV guard performed in competition. This guard consists of 13 students in grades 5-7 and their show “Sing w/a Swing,” which takes you back to the Benny Goodman era. The JV guard performed in the cadet class and came in 5th place with a score of 47.79.
Medina’s next competition is in Lancaster on March 2, followed by our home show on March 9.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2024 at 8:20 am
ALBION – A State Supreme Court judge has set 10 a.m. on March 7 for a hearing in a court case between Orleans and Genesee counties, where Orleans is trying to block a sewer main from being built on Route 63 in Shelby.
Hearings have been cancelled or delayed the past few months. The hearing on March 7 will be at the Orleans County Courthouse before Judge Frank Caruso.
Orleans is represented by Lippes Mathias LLP in Buffalo and contends Genesee didn’t have the county’s permission to install the sewer main in Orleans County. The sewer, at full buildout of the STAMP manufacturing site in the Town of Alabama, would direct 6 million gallons of treated water to the Oak Orchard Creek.
Orleans states the sewer discharge would have a negative impact on the county’s fishing industry, which is a nearly $30 million economic boost to Orleans County. The additional water from STAMP could also hurt the economic development efforts in Medina by overtaxing the creek, Orleans attorneys say in the lawsuit. (The Town of Shelby has since joined the lawsuit as an intervenor.)
Genesee County in its court filings contend Orleans gave consent to the project, which was years in the making, by never objecting to it – until the very last moment. Its years of silence should be viewed as support of the project, say attorneys from Phillips Lytle LLP, which are representing the Genesee County Economic Development Center and others named in the lawsuit – G. DeVincentis & Son Construction Co., Inc., Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation, and STAMP Sewer Works, Inc.
The attorneys called the lawsuit from Orleans “a baseless attempt … to obstruct or delay construction of a long-planned, duly-approved infrastructure project.”
The Genesee attorneys claim Orleans is making “obstructionist proceeding” in a last-ditch attempt to stop the project as part of an “extortionate” demand from Genesee for money to get the Orleans blessing.
At full build-out STAMP can accommodate up to 6.1 million square feet of advanced technology manufacturing, office and retail space. GCEDC projects direct employment of up to 9,330 full-time jobs with a regional economic impact for support companies serving the site.
The first two tenants at STAMP – Plug Power and Edwards Vacuum – would have a daily discharge of 50,000 gallons of treated wastewater, GCEDC said.
Believe it or not that young couple in the photo is my wife Sheryl and I leading worship at our church in Niagara Falls in the fall of 2003. Little did we know then that our lives were about to change as we were asked by my Conference Superintendent to consider transferring to Albion, NY to pastor the First Free Methodist Church there. We had many questions like, “Was God calling us to go somewhere new?”, “Did we really want to move when we had a not quite 2-year-old, Ashlyn, and another baby on the way?”, and first and foremost… “Where in the world was Albion?”
I had been a youth pastor at a Christian Camp in Cattaraugus for a number of years and I remembered that New Albion was in the vicinity so I figured “old” Albion wasn’t too far from there. Ironically enough, my church in The Falls was on Rt. 31 and our new home would turn out to be just one hour away down that same road. More than that I realized that I had actually been to Albion three times previously; in 1991 when I took 1st Place at a Bible Quiz Meet (I still have the trophy ), in 1996 for my friends Tom and Marsha Rivers wedding, and in 2002 at a reunion for the Staines’ Family who were distant relatives of my wife’s. Whatever the reason though Albion just had not stuck in my mind.
We found Albion all over again though as we traveled out the weekend before Thanksgiving 2003. I remember that it was a dark and gloomy kind of day and there was a lot of construction going on so many of the road signs were down making it tough to navigate. Nevertheless, after meeting with the church leadership God answered our first question and we agreed to start that following March.
From there it was a bit of a whirlwind as we had our baby boy, Brendan, at the end of January and then just two weeks later we bought and moved into our first home. I should also note that we left a place where we had a Walmart, K-Mart, Target, Tops, Wegmans, two malls, and any restaurant we could want within 2 miles of us and moved to a town where there would not even be a Walmart within 20 miles until a couple of years later. Needless to say we experienced a lot of change and it continued as I moved my father to Albion to care for him that very next year.
Now though, after calling Orleans County home for 20 years this week, I can’t think of any place else where I would rather be. Since moving in on that cold February day we have added two more beautiful girls, Madison and Jillian, to our family, I had the privilege of becoming the longest tenured pastor at the oldest Free Methodist Church, more than fifteen years, and Sheryl has found joy in her work as a teacher at Albion Elementary.
Our kids grew up engrained in music and sports, our oldest graduated valedictorian in spite of finishing her final year online due to the pandemic, and, after stepping away as Lead Pastor at AFMC and starting Go Scatter Ministries, I was able to connect with so many more throughout the County by speaking at several local churches, counseling at Care-Net, helping out with Hands 4 Hope, becoming an Orleans County Volunteer Sheriff’s Chaplain, coming beside both patients and families through my work at Hospice, and even serving coffee and ice cream for a while at Hebrews 5:9 and Lugia’s on Wheels respectively.
And now, as I finish up my first year as pastor at First Baptist in Medina, I think back to when my Bishop read my original appointment to AFMC in 2004. He made sure to highlight the fact that I was being appointed not to a church building but rather to a community—one that I still feel very much called to. One of the reasons why I wanted to start writing this column last February (It’s Refill with Randy’s one-year anniversary too ) was because over these past couple decades of meeting so many amazing people and experiencing so many of the good, though often overlooked, aspects of Orleans County I wanted to shine a light for all to see.
So, I will plan to continue sharing about the people, places, and things that inspire me in hope that they might inspire you as well. And, as always, if you see me out and about please don’t hesitate to say stop me and say hello. Better yet, let’s sit down with a cup of coffee so that you can tell me some of your story.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2024 at 9:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Rose Allen calls out the winning ticket for one of 84 baskets up for raffle today during a benefit at the QWL building on Washington Street.
Crystal Hand
The community turned out to support Crystal Hand and her family. She suffered serious injuries in Nov. 21 accident when another driver crossed the center line and hit her car on Route 31A in Clarendon.
Allen coordinated today’s spaghetti dinner, basket raffle and 50/50 drawing. Allen said Hand is an active volunteer in the community as PTA president in the elementary school, treasurer of the Music Boosters and a Girl Scout leader.
Hand attended the benefit in a wheelchair while she recovers from a broken leg. She also broke her left arm, suffered a concussion and has nerve damage. She was joined at the benefit by her husband Matt and their three daughters: Samantha, Al and Rianne.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” Hand said after the benefit. “This town never ceases to amaze me, how it comes together to help a family in need.”
Samantha Croft cooks spaghetti in the kitchen. There were 250 spaghetti dinners served today.
Angie Wolfe, an Albion elementary teacher, was among the many volunteers for the event. Wolfe is a breast cancer survivor and said a benefit to help her in September 2018 made a big difference in her fight with cancer.
“The emotional support is the biggest thing,” Wolfe said. “To know you have all these people behind you is wonderful.”
Wolfe said Hand has been a key supporter of children in the community through the PTA, Music Boosters and Girl Scouts.
“Crystal goes above and beyond for everyone else,” Wolfe said. “We just want to help her family.”
Jeff Andrews and his dad Chuck are in line for spaghetti. They are served by, in front, Paul Bachorski, followed by Rhonda Grammatico, Rhiannon Moody and Matt Grammatico.
There were 84 baskets donated for the raffle. This photo was taken after the bigger crowds were at the QWL. The event was from noon to 3 p.m.
Crystal Hand posted this message on Facebook this evening: “Words cannot express how thankful, humbled and overwhelmed I am by this amazing community. I cannot thank everyone enough for the love and support I have received the last three months since the accident.
“The outpouring of love my family has received has been a godsend. I am brought to tears just thinking of all the people who have helped, prayed, reached out, donated, brought food, flowers, cards and the amazing spaghetti dinner benefit.
“I have so many heroes in this community. I will not name them all because it will be a huge list. You all are forever in my heart. The only way I know how to repay all of you is to pay it forward as soon as I am back on my feet. My family and I thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. We love our community and we are grateful.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2024 at 7:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Rob Fagan, left, and Steve Barrett flip chickens today in the fire pits behind the Kendall Methodist Church.
The Kendall Lions Club with help the Kendall Leos and other volunteers served 672 chicken barbecue dinners today in annual tradition the Saturday before the Super Bowl. The Lion Club has been organizing the dinner for nearly 20 years and picks a different recipient of the proceeds each year.
The money from today’s dinner will go towards the Amy Laureano Memorial Fund, which has been started for a much-loved Kendall first grade teacher. Amy Laureano passed away on July 30.
Lucas Jones of the Kendall Leos Club scoops cole slaw in a take-out container in the fellowship hall of the church. Ken DeRoller, a Kendall Lions Club member for 40 years, assists in the line of volunteers.
Debbie Ryan of the Lions Club gets a takeout dinner ready to go. Many of the Leos at the Kendall school served as runners, taking the meals out to a lineup of cars.
Elizabeth Pratt, left, puts cole slaw in a take-out container held by Destiny Blosenhauer. The Kendall students volunteered in serving today’s meal. The students liked the fast pace of the operation.
Lions Club members Douglas Urquhart, left, and Cary Wright keep a close eye on the chickens, taking the temperature. The chickens took a little longer to cook today than usual. The Lions Club worked on the cole slaw on Friday and cooked the chickens and potatoes this morning right up until the meals were served after noon.
The club expects the benefit raised about $5,000 for the memorial fund.
There will also be a faculty basketball game on March 7, with teachers from Holley playing Kendall, to raise money for the Amy Laureano Memorial Fund to assist students at Kendall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2024 at 11:20 am
MIDDLEPORT – Before eating snacks at the big game on Sunday, the Middleport community welcomes participants for the 35th annual Mr. Ed’s Super Bowl Warm-up.
The event includes a 5k walk, run and 1-mile fun run.
Race organizers have raised more than $115,000 in scholarships for Roy-Hart seniors and alumni entering the criminal justice or medical fields.
Proceeds have also gone to people in the community who lost their homes to a fire, or are battling serious illnesses such as cancer.
The event also has raised money for the Village of Middleport Hometown Heroes program, and the Beautification Committee. Most recently some of the proceeds went to help the Middleport Fire Company purchase the LUCAS Device (automatic CPR).
Following the race there is a post-race party at the Middleport Fire Hall.
Sign up is available the day of the race at the fire hall, with the walk starting at 10 a.m., fun run at 11 a.m. with the 5K race at 11:30 am.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 February 2024 at 11:03 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced its North Wing (long term care) has been recognized with the prestigious five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Out of 134 skilled nursing homes in the Western New York region, it is one of only five who received a five-star overall rating and a five-star staffing rating. The overall rating is based on three measures – health inspections, quality measures and staffing levels.
The skilled nursing home commonly referred to as the North Wing is located within Medina Memorial Hospital. Its 30 beds are always occupied, and its stellar reputation has resulted in a waiting list to get in, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.
“The persistent staffing hurdles confronting healthcare institutions continue to exist,” said Thomas Bloomer, vice president of Human Resources at Orleans Community Health. “Ensuring sufficient staffing to deliver essential care to our most vulnerable is no small feat. This recognition for our five-star staffing levels is a source of immense pride, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our entire caregiving team in the North Wing.”
Rebecca Mannella, a longtime nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, is the director of nursing for the North Wing.
Marc Shurtz, chief executive officer at Orleans Community Health, expressed his pride in the North Wing and its award.
“Building and maintaining a high-functioning team to care for our most vulnerable is our daily mission,” Shurtz said. “We are extremely proud of the North Wing team for what they have accomplished and for the care and compassion they provide to our residents each and every day.”
