Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Fire Department this Saturday will be testing the fire whistle on top of the Village Office from noon to 3 p.m.

“If you hear it going off, please do not be alarmed,” said Jeremy Graham, the Albion fire chief. “There is no emergency.”

The fire whistle hasn’t been used in more than a decade. Some of the downtown business owners used to complain the siren was too loud.

The Fire Department sought to make it operational again and received permission from the Village Board.

“In the near future, we may use it on larger and more serious calls,” Graham said.

Magistrates president sees higher costs, bureaucracy with countywide court; DA says new court would be much more efficient

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone, left, shares his views on the benefits of the countywide district court while Albion Town Justice Joe Fuller, president of the Orleans County Magistrates Association said too many details are missing for the issue to go to a public vote in November.

ALBION – The first public meeting about a district court in Orleans County lasted more than two hours on Wednesday evening, with strong pushback from local town justices in the Orleans County Magistrates Association.

Proponents of the court, including District Attorney Joe Cardone and Public Defender Joanne Best, said a countywide district court would be much more efficient for the community. It would be open daily from Monday through Friday with at least one full-time judge for arraignments, small claims and other issues. A second part-time judge would also likely serve the court, Cardone said.

“We feel we can streamline many of the things going on in justice courts,” Cardone said during a meeting that was attended by about 50 people in person, with another 20 through Zoom video conferencing. “Our focus is to make the best system in Orleans County.”

Cases would move through the courts much faster because the district court would be staffed full-time. There wouldn’t be monthly DA nights like there is now in some of the town courts, which stretches out cases for many months, Cardone said.

There would be full-time court clerks instead of the part-time staff at town courts which would allow people to access information Monday through Friday.

Michael Zelazny of Shelby said he has an open mind about a district court but wanted to see more information about the financial impact for creating a new court. He spoke during a public meeting Wednesday in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.

Cardone and Best said they see centralized district courts as a mandate in the future from the state. Previous state reports, as well as an investigative series in the New York Times, have found inconsistencies and many shortcomings in the town courts in upstate New York, with deficiencies in the court facilities and questionable decisions by the justices.

Cardone said he foresees the state will require justices be attorneys, who have a deeper understanding of the law.

Joanne Best

Best said the county should act to form a district court that could be tailor made for Orleans, rather than waiting for a state mandate.

“We are looking at the changes on the horizon,” Best said. “I think we should be ahead of the 8-ball rather than behind it.”

Joe Fuller, Albion town justice and president of the Magistrates Association, said there has been little information from proponents on the proposal on why it would be a good fit for the county. “I’m not in favor of this at all,” Fuller said.

Fuller is on the committee exploring a district court for the county but he said there have been few solid facts presented on what the new court would cost, where it would be located and the impact on the 10 town courts.

Fuller praised the 11 town justices for being close to the people in dispensing justice, and doing it in facilities that are already paid for.

The Magistrates Association estimates a district court would cost about $1 million a year for two judges, clerks, security and a facility.

“Orleans County is a poor, rural county that is already taxed to max,” Fuller said.

He said the 11 town justices include seven people who served as law enforcement or corrections officers. One of the justices, Ed Grabowski of Shelby, is an attorney who taught criminal justice classes. (Grabowski said he is concerned having a centralized court in either Albion or Gaines would be a hardship for some residents from the eastern and western ends of the county who would have to travel 10 to 15 miles to get there.)

Fuller said the justices go to training each year and have access to resources through the Office for Court Administration. The local justices follow state guidelines for sentencings and fines, Fuller said.

Other speakers, including Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon, urged the Legislature to rescind a resolution to put the issue on the ballot in November. Simon said more information is needed for the public to sees the pros and cons of the new district court. He urged a committee tasked with studying the issue to complete a report with the results to be shared with residents and officials.

The Yates Town Board last week voted in opposition of a district court because the town officials didn’t believe there is nearly enough information available, Simon said.

These speakers include, from left: Sherry Davenport, town justice in Summerhill in Cayuga County (past president of the NYS Magistrates Association); Richard DeCarlo, former Barre town justice; and Bruce Schmidt, former Gaines town justice and a member of the district court committee.

Sherry Davenport, a past president of NYS Magistrates Association, faulted the Orleans County Legislature for voting to put the district court on the ballot in November before there have been public hearings and detailed report about the issue.

“There seems to be a real rush to judgement here and I’m not sure why that is,” she said.

Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman, said the Legislature needed to approve a resolution for the public referendum by Aug. 7 in order to be on the ballot. She said more public hearings are forthcoming.

The Orleans County government website also has information about the district courts and will be adding more.

Joanne Best, the public defender, urged the town boards and town courts to supply more information to the committee about costs and cases so a more comprehensive report can be done.

Best and Cardone both said the towns haven’t been forthcoming in supplying requested information.

Richard DeCarlo, a former Barre town justice for six years, said he doesn’t want to see another layer of government. However, he sees where the state could mandate a centralized court. He said it may not be much of an advantage to form the district court ahead of a state mandate.

“I came in here tonight with questions and now I have more questions,” DeCarlo said. “That’s not how a public meeting should work. Let’s pause and think about this and get some good, hard numbers together.”

Bruce Schmidt, a former Gaines town justice who has worked for both the district attorney’s and public defender’s office, said he supports getting ahead of the likely state mandate for the centralized court.

He said there is shortage of attorneys in the county, a fact emphasized by Cardone and Best. The district court would be less burdensome for the DA and Public Defender, as well as law enforcement and probation which are trying to send personnel to 10 different town courts.

“I think it is in the best interests of the county to be ahead of the game,” Schmidt said.

These speakers include Dean S. Puleo, left, who is special counsel for the 8th Judicial District and works with town justices in the eight Western New York counties; and Dennis Young, a town justice in East Otto, Cattaraugus County. He is the current president of the NYS Magistrates Association.

Dean Puleo is a resource to the town justices in the eighth judicial district. He works as special counsel and assists justices with their annual training as well as questions they have, sometimes during an evening court session.

Puleo said the justices are all trained. If they don’t take mandated annual training, they are pulled from the bench until it’s complete.

He said the public should have confidence that the town justices are competent on the bench.

Dennis Young, a town justice in Cattaraugus County and president of NYS Magistrates Association, noted the “extensive” training for the justices through the Office for Court Administration.

He said town justices “are the very definition of a public servant.”

He also was critical about a lack of details on the district court proposal in Orleans County. He said it would be “fiscally irresponsible” for the county to go to a district court.

“No study has been done or shared with the public,” he said. “The committee hasn’t done its work. It has jumped to a conclusion.”

Cardone and Best both said they favor keeping the town courts, which would do landlord-tenant disputes, some civil cases and even some criminal matters.

The district court would handle the need for centralized arraignments in the county in the morning and evening, Cardone said. The state has required that for about three years. The county does those in the county jail every day, including weekends and holidays with a rotation among town justices.

If Orleans formed a district court it would be the third county with one in the state, after Nassau and Suffolk formed their courts in 1964.

Cardone said Orleans has shown it’s open to changes in its courts. He noted Shelby and Ridgeway share a courts facility, and also have an agreement with Yates where the judges in the three towns have jurisdiction in each of the towns.

Nine of the 10 towns have reduced the number of town justices from two to one in recent years. Only Albion has two because it has a higher caseload.

During Cardone’s tenure as district attorney over three decades, the villages of Albion and Medina both eliminated their village courts.

The changes have resulted in a reduction of local judges from 24 to 11, Cardone said.

“I have nothing but respect for our town justices,” he said. “We’re just proposing what we feel would be better for the community.”

If the public supports the district court in the referendum, Cardone said it could be two years or more before the court would be ready. The State Legislature would also need to pass legislation to allow the court in Orleans.

“This is the beginning of an arduous process,” Cardone said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Bullard Park was busy today for the annual carnival put on by the Village of Albion Recreation Program. For the second year the Albion Rec Program welcomed children from throughout the area.

There were five bounce houses brought by Best of Tymes Party Rentals.

John Grillo, the recreation director, estimated more than 500 children and their families attended the four-hour event.

Michelle Wiseman of Best of Tymes serves cotton candy. Best of Thymes also had popcorn, nachos and snow cones. They charged $5 per child for the food and for unlimited use of the bounce houses.

The Albion Masonic Lodge and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries also helped the Recreation Department put on the event today at the park.

The splash pad at Bullard remains a big hit about a year after it opened.

These kids throw the football around at Bullard on a day with many different activities.

Provided photo: Orleans Millworks owner Karl Driesel gives Assemblyman Steve Hawley a tour of the business in Kendall.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

KENDALL – Last week, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Orleans Millworks to tour the facilities and meet with owner Karl Driesel.

Orleans Millworks was founded in Kendall in 2016 and has three full-time and three part-time employees. The company uses industry-leading and cutting-edge manufacturing equipment to take on numerous projects throughout the region. These projects include the iconic East Garden Pergola at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, interior moldings at the Orleans County Courthouse and renovations to the Student Union at SUNY Geneseo.

“I was excited to visit Orleans Millworks, an unbelievably successful and innovative business that has done so much to make our community a better place to live,” Hawley said. “The owner, Karl Driesel, is a ‘homegrown boy’ and is a great example of someone who is living out the entrepreneurial spirit and the American dream. I want to congratulate Karl and the entire team at Orleans Millworks for their success and impact on the region.”

Orleans Millworks’ warehouse has stocked over 120,000 feet of lumber and has supplied over 2.5 million feet of trim since 2019. The company has experienced excellent growth over the last few years and has expanded its operations, including a new warehouse expansion in 2020.

Driesel is a 2005 graduate of Kendall High School and a 2009 graduate of Morrisville State College. He lives in Kent with his wife, Rachel, and sons, Joseph and Luke.

ALBION – The Orleans County Agricultural District will grow by nearly 1,200 more acres.

The county each year gives landowners an opportunity to join the ag district. This year, three different property owners asked to be included, representing 1,186 acres.

Darren Roberts, owner of a farm based in Kent, asked for 1,065 of those acres to be included. That land is in Carlton, Gaines and Kendall.

The Roberts land added to the district includes parcels in Carlton on Kent Road, Roosevelt Highway, Sawyer Road, Oak Orchard Road, Erway Sub Lane, Kenyonville Road and Transit Road. Roberts also asked for 105.5 acre son Ridge Road in Gaines and 91.2 acres on Carr Road in Kendall to be in the district.

Joseph Bringley also sought to have 82 acres on Telegraph Road in Murray included in the ag district and Gary Marciszewski asked for 39.3 acres on Lyndonville Road in Ridgeway to be added.

The County Legislature held a public hearing on Tuesday about the ag district additions. The Legislature voted to accept the changes, which were approved by the County Farmland Protection Board. The changes now go to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets for a final OK.

The county’s ag district now includes about 119,000 acres, which is 47.6 percent of the county’s total land area.

Next year will be the full review for the ag district where all 2,200 parcel owners in the district are notified by mail about staying in the district or removing land.

That is a very time-consuming and costly process for the county’s Department of Planning and Development, county legislators were told by Barry Flansburg, chairman of the County’s Farmland Protection Board.

File photo by Tom Rivers: A firefighter in turnout gear and an air pack battles a fire on June 15, 2022 when a truck with more than 400 used tires caught on fire next to the Albion Walmart.

ALBION – The Albion Fire Department has 24 air packs and those units used by interior firefighters all reach their 10-year expiration date on Dec. 31.

The Village Board voted last week to replace the 24 units for $229,000. Each self-contained breathing apparatus includes two bottles per pack and a mask.

The village has applied for a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to cover the expense. Albion used funds from the AFG program before to purchase new air packs, said Fire Chief Jeremy Graham.

There is about a 24-week wait with receiving the air packs from when they are ordered. Graham said the new units should arrive just in time before the old ones must be replaced.

The village expects to hear whether it will receive AFG money in about two months. If Albion doesn’t receive the grant, the board said it could use money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and also dip into the village’s reserve balance and fund balance.

ALBION – Orleans County’s registered voters will decide whether there will be a district court in the county. The Orleans County Legislature voted on Tuesday to put the matter as a public referendum on the Nov. 7 election.

The referendum will ask if “A Local Law to establish a District Court System in Orleans County” should be approved.

There will be a public meeting at 7 p.m. today in the legislative chambers at the County Office Building on Route 31 to discuss the district court. District Attorney Joe Cardone and Public Defender Joanne Best will go over how a district court could look in the county, and share the benefits of a district court.

Joe Fuller, an Albion town justice, also is expected to give a statement from the Orleans County Magistrates Association. Many of the local town judges have concerns about a shift to a district court, with the local justices seeing fewer cases.

Some of the town supervisors also have expressed concerns about a district court and a move away from justices elected solely within their town.

There will be at least one public hearing about a district court next month at a location and site to be announced.

The Legislature in April formed a committee to look at the potential implementation of a district court. The Legislature cited increasing complexities and frequent changes in state laws with the criminal justice system. Forming a consolidated district court could result in a more effective local court system, legislators said in authorizing the formation of a committee.

County Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, opposed putting the issue on the ballot. He said it’s too early to go to a public referendum.

“We should table until at least after the public hearing to hear what the towns and people think of this,” Allport said during Tuesday’s Legislature meeting. “To me this is putting the cart before the horse. It’s moving forward on this before you’ve had any public input on it.”

The other six legislators voted to put the issue on the ballot. The county has an Aug. 7 deadline to decide whether the issue will go to a public vote. The Legislature doesn’t have another meeting scheduled before Aug. 7.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, R-Lyndonville, said there will be opportunities for the community to weigh in on the issue and hear and the pros and cons of a district court.

“We will have public hearings,” she said. “All we’re doing is putting it on the ballot to let the people decide.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Luci Taylor-Welch was recognized during today’s Orleans County Legislature for her 35-year career with Probation. She started as a probation officer trainee. She served as the department’s director the past 23 ½ years.

County Legislator Don Allport, left, presents Taylor-Welch with a citation from the State Assembly and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for her “outstanding service” to the community.

County Legislator Skip Draper, right, presented a citation to her for “commendable service and dedication.”

Taylor-Welch, in a previous interview, said her career in probation combined her heart for the social work profession, wanting to help steer people to a better life, connecting them with services and support.

She also majored in criminal justice and believes consequences are needed for people breaking laws and putting the community in danger.

At probation she led a department with a probation supervisor and six probation officers. The department works with about 350 caseloads.

Sarah Osborne started as the county’s new probation director on July 10.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Goat superintendent Jamie Paratore talks to her husband Ben, who was doing some wiring for lighting and an outlet in the new judges’ booth of the animal barn.

KNOWLESVILLE – With only a few days left until the opening of the Orleans County 4-H Fair, staff and volunteers are in high gear with planning and preparation.

Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension director Robert Batt promises this will be one of the most exciting fairs, with nearly record-breaking entries, many new and returning vendors, exciting entertainment and unique events.

The 77th Orleans County 4-H Fair will officially open at 4 p.m. on Monday and run through July 29. Opening ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Education Center, featuring Orleans County veterans from all branches of service.

Batt said this will be the first time that three organizations dedicated to historic preservation have had a booth – the Cobblestone Society Museum, Medina Railroad Museum and the Medina Sandstone Society.

Also a first will be United Way of Orleans County promoting low-cost internet and a booth by Lake Ontario Fruit, hoping to not only support the fair, but recruit employees.

GO ART! is a new vendor this year, sponsoring an innovative fundraiser, Chicken Poop Bingo, a take on cow chip bingo.

Batt explained the Towpath Trading Post is a unique feature, located on the porch of the fair office and offering all kinds of merchandise specific to Orleans County.

Entertainment will include the Doc Magic Show, Jim the Balloon Guy and Wonderland Circus every day; Down Home Country Cloggers; Where’s Waldo activity of all ages in the commercial exhibits building; music by The Who Dats on Friday and Skycats on Saturday; and a karaoke challenge.

Leadership Orleans will be back with rubber duck races.

Food will include JCH Food Tent, Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, an ice cream truck, Dan Conrad’s Toyz n Candy, and Mann vs. Food Barbecue, in addition to the traditional waffles, fried dough, candy apples, Rob Renko with his homemade sausage and turkey legs, kettle corn and lemonade. A new addition this year are subs and donuts.

A new local vendor is Old Bear Candle Company from Lyndonville, whose owner Jason Helsdon is a former 4-H’er as well as fair king and prince.

The National Guard will be at the fair every day with a fitness challenge booth.

The midway opens at 5 p.m. Tuesday, with $30 wristbands available for unlimited rides.

On Wednesday noon in the Curtis Pavilion, Nutrifair will serve lunch for senior citizens, followed by entertainment by Craig Wilkins.

Thursday at 4:30 p.m. will be the annual chicken barbecue, featuring the famed Cornell barbecue recipe.

Nightly, visitors can watch or take part in the hay bale rolling contest, an event started to replace the greased pole when it had to be discontinued because of concerns from the insurance provider.

Friday night will feature a fireworks display at dusk.

(Left) Provided photo: Zachary Lord, 16, grandson of fair volunteers Gary and Dawn Marciszewski, paints the edging of the floor in the Senior Council stand. (Right) Photo by Ginny Kropf: Dawn Marciszewski watches her husband Gary apply sealer on the newly painted floor of the Senior Council stand, in preparation for the 77th annual Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Exhibits in the Trolley Building, animal shows, pony rides and psychic readings are among the free things to do.

Batt said 211 youths entered animals in the fair this year, not counting consumer science entries. In all, there are 1,288 entries in the animal division.

Youth from Monroe County are exhibiting at the Orleans County fair and staff from Monroe County Extension will be helping.

“We provide a 4-H experience for those 4-H’ers who don’t have a county fair, and I’m excited about that,” Batt said. “We also have a handful of 4-H’ers from Erie County who chose to exhibit here.”

Many of the fair’s vendors have been coming here for 30 years.

“They have formed friendships with us and keep coming back,” Batt said.

Admission to the fair is $3 for one day for 12 and older and $1 for 11 and under, or $5 per person for a week-long admission.

A full fair schedule is available on the Orleans County 4-H Fair website.

ALBION – The school district was given a flywheel from the lift bridge that will be on display for students in the future.

Tim Archer, a recently retired middle school teacher, accepted the flywheel on behalf of the district at last week’s Village Board meeting. Archer is continuing in a part-time role at the district next school year. He has worked with village officials on many service-learning projects during his career.

He took a few students down to the construction site last month. The lift bridge from 1914 is undergoing a major rehabilitation with many of the steel pieces being replaced.

The state Department of Transportation and the contractor approved giving the flywheel to the school district. The old lead paint was stripped off and the piece was cleaned.

Archer said the district will discuss how to best display the flywheel.

The Albion and Brockport lift bridges are both being rehabbed as part of a $28.3 million project for the two sites.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) recently cosponsored H.R. 841, the Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act. This legislation, named after Rochester native Gary Beikirch, guarantees that the widows of Medal of Honor recipients are eligible for the complete benefits earned by their spouses.

This bill was introduced in the House by Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY). Additional co-sponsors include Reps. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Andre Carson (D-IN).

Currently, spouses of Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients face a limitation where they can only receive either the MOH pension or the Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC), but not both. This provision not only deprives military families of their rightful benefits but also adds to their financial burdens, adding to the already challenging emotional circumstances they face. This legislation seeks to amend the current law, enabling surviving spouses of MOH recipients to receive all the benefits they qualify for without being forced to choose between the two options.

“America’s Medal of Honor recipients, and their families, have put so much on the line to defend our great Nation and safeguard our freedoms,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “It is only right that we ensure their surviving families receive the benefits they have earned and fully deserve. I am inspired by the Beikirch family’s dedication to this issue and thank them for working to support surviving spouses nationwide. I am honored to join Congressman Morelle in this fight to get this legislation across the finish line and ensure our Medal of Honor spouses receive the benefits they deserve.”

“Medal of Honor recipients are among the most selfless, courageous, and heroic men and women who serve our armed forces,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “We have a duty to honor their profound service and sacrifice by ensuring their families receive the full benefits they deserve. I am deeply grateful to the Beikirch family for bringing this issue to my attention—it is my hope that this legislation will right a longstanding wrong and bring peace of mind to surviving spouses across the country. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Tenney and our colleagues to swiftly pass it into law.”

“Speaking personally from the perspective of my family we are so grateful for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney joining to work alongside Congressman Joe Morelle in making this a bipartisan effort in moving this bill along,” said Stephanie Beikirch, daughter of Sgt. Gary Beikirch. “This important piece of legislation needs to be passed not only because it is a benefit that my father more than earned but also because it will give us the peace of mind that my mother will be cared for in the way my father would have wanted. My mother’s care was his top priority in his last days and the entire Beikirch family thanks Congressman Morelle and Congresswoman Tenney for advocating to right this wrong not only for us but all future Medal of Honor recipients’ spouses to come. The families of our best and bravest should not have to choose between two benefits that were so courageously earned and my father would be honored to have his name on a piece of legislation that protects not only his , but also other Medal of Honor recipients families that are left behind.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Morelle and Congresswoman Tenney for their time and attention on this bill. The absolute last people in the country who should be struggling to keep their homes are the widows of our Medal of Honor recipients,” said Monroe County Veterans Services Director Nick Stefanovic. “Gary Beikirch was a mentor and father figure to me and his only concern before he died, probably the only thing he ever asked for in his entire adult life was that his family be cared for after he’s gone. That’s a small price to thank someone who has given everything for this country. I hope this bill moves quickly so that relief can be provided to these deserving widows.”

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Marie Gabalski, nutritionist at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, holds an Instant Pot which is being given away as part of their Stone Soup nutrition program. Stone Soup is having a cooking contest at the upcoming Orleans County 4-H Fair.

KNOWLESVILLE – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension is announcing a unique and fun contest at the Orleans County 4-H Fair, scheduled July 24-29.

The contest is a Stone Soup Showdown Cooking Competition to support what people have learned from the Stone Soup Program.

Stone Soup is a program proposed by Community Action’s executive director Renee Hungerford, who got the idea when her husband Mark came home from helping at a food pantry with a box of food no one wanted. The box contained tamarinds and Mark said no one took them because they didn’t know what to do with them. Renee did some research and came up with several delicious recipes using the tropical fruit.

Last year, Renee began to wonder how many other people don’t take advantage of free food because they don’t know how to prepare it or have the necessary utensils. She contacted Cornell Cooperative Extension and with them applied for and received a $250,000 Highmark Blue Cross/Blue shield grant.

The grant-funded classes were called Stone Soup, and 26 people enrolled. It was taught by Cooperative Extension’s nutritionist Marie Gabalski, who taught them how to cook and provided them with utensils they didn’t have. In the end 21 people graduated from the class.

That spawned an idea to sponsor a cooking contest at the fair. It will take place July 29 at 12:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. Registration will be limited to 10 entrants, who must register by Thursday (July 20) and pay a fee of $10 at the fair office. Entrants can register by calling 798-4265, Ext. 139.

Contestants will have a hot plate and skillet to work with and have two hours to show their creative cooking talents. The winner will receive two fair passes and prize money.

Joining Renee in judging will be Lionel Heydel, a former French Culinary School chef.

MURRAY – An Albion man was killed in a car accident in the early morning today after striking a tree.

Kolin J. McKain, 27, was headed eastbound on Route 104 when he left the southside of the road between Carton and Norway roads and struck a tree at about 2 a.m., the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.

The property owner heard the accident, noticed that the vehicle was on fire and was able to extricate McKain, the sole occupant. The property owner was then able to extinguish the fire before first responders arrived, the Sheriff’s Office said.

McKain was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Monroe Ambulance, where he died from his injuries.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit. Preliminary investigation shows speed may have been a contributing factor, the Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.

The Murray Joint Fire District provided traffic control at the scene.