By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2023 at 11:51 am
ALBION – Two women were sentenced to incarceration in Orleans County Court today by Judge Sanford Church.
Imani Williams, 33, an incarcerated woman at the Albion Correctional Facility, received a sentence of 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison for attempted assault in the second degree.
Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on March 22 and admitted she struck another inmate with her hand after being pushed by that inmate in the Albion Correction Facility. That person suffered facial lacerations and an orbital fracture, and suffered substantial pain from the injuries, said Susan Howard, assistant district attorney.
The judge issued an order of protection for the victim. Kathleen Casey, Williams’ attorney, said Williams has expressed her remorse and has been taking anger management classes.
The sentence will be served after Williams complete her current sentence in state prison for attempted robbery in the second degree.
Kreisandra Colon, 32, of Lyndonville was sentenced to 364 days in county jail for endangering the welfare of a child. She allegedly had been using drugs in front of a child.
She was terminated from a treatment court option after failing to meet conditions of the court. She acknowledged she used cocaine and attempted to bring in urine for a drug test so her urine wouldn’t show she had been using cocaine.
Colon said during a March 29 court appearance that she wants to stop using drugs, but has struggled.
In another case in county court, the sentencing of Joe A. Cortez, 40, of Batavia was delayed so Cortez could have a psychological evaluation. His attorney, Frederick Rarick, made the request which was supported by District Attorney Joe Cardone and ordered by Judge Church. Rarick said an evaluation by a phycologist may determine that Cortez is incompetent.
Cortez faces up to nine months in the county jail for second-degree criminal contempt for violating an order of protection.
Cortez is currently in Genesee County Jail. He faces first-degree rape and third-degree rape in Genesee County for allegedly having forcible sexual intercourse with a juvenile victim under the age of 17.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) announced to the people of the 139th Assembly District his mobile office hours for June 2023.
As a public servant, Hawley believes informing the public about his availability is one of his highest priorities. The office hours will be attended by Assemblyman Hawley’s staff members and they are ready to help any constituent with their needs.
“I want to encourage everyone to visit whenever they feel like. My office is ready to take your calls and help address your needs,” Hawley said.
The office hours are as follows:
Erie County at Newstead Public Library, 33 Main St., Akron, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6
Genesee County at GCC, Conable Technology Building, Room T124, from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6
Monroe County at Seymour Public Library, 161 East Ave., Brockport in the Ellwanger Room, from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21
Erie County at Newstead Public Library, 33 Main St., Akron from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27
Genesee County at GCC, Conable Technology Building, Room T124 from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27
Hawley represents the 139th Assembly District, which includes parts of Erie, Genesee, Monroe, and Orleans counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2023 at 9:08 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Miguel Velazquez, CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, speaks to the Orleans County legislature last week. Velazquez said the organization is making big investments in the RTS Orleans bus service in Orleans County.
ALBION – Ridership remains down significantly for public transportation in Orleans County from the levels just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
In the fiscal year from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, RTS Orleans had 43,532 riders. Three years later, in the 2022-23 fiscal year, ridership was 24,815, which is 57 percent of where it was just before Covid hit.
Miguel Velazquez is CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the parent organization of RTS Orleans. The RGRTA oversees the Regional Transit Service for eight counties. Velazquez shared the data with Orleans County legislators last week, and told the group that RGRTA remains committed to Orleans and is making investments in new buses, signs and other technology.
Public transportation providers across the nation are about 65 to 70 percent back to their pre-Covid levels for ridership, Velazquez said.
The RGRTA has 12 employees for RTS Orleans, operating six buses in Orleans County. The daily ridership is about 120. Denise Klos serves as operations manager for RTS Orleans.
There are regular routes Monday to Friday serving Albion and Medina with connections to Genesee and Monroe counites, and some service on Saturday. Dial-A-Ride is available throughout the county. The bus fares are $1, with rides for free for veterans. Since the free rides were made available for veterans in 2020, about 1,000 of those rides have been provided. The ride passes are coordinated through the local Veterans Service Agency.
RTS Orleans buses take people to stores, medical appointments, to work at businesses and for classes at Genesee Community College in Medina. The Dial-A-Ride service takes buses off a set course with advance notice.
“On behalf of the Legislature we can’t tell you how thankful we are to have transportation services for our residents,” said Lynne Johnson, the County legislature chairwoman.
RTS Orleans expenses were at $897,850 in the last fiscal year, with only $434,314 in revenue: with $263,817 from the county’s mortgage recording tax, $85,000 from federal aid, $30,244 from state, $30,103 from county, and $25,140 in fares and contracts. The service operated at $463,536 loss in the past fiscal year.
RTS Orleans officials highlighted recent investments in the Orleans operation. It completed a new transportation facility in 2018 with vehicle storage, office and maintenance space. It is seeking $250,000 from the federal government for an automated washing bay at the facility on West Academy Street next to the Orleans County DPW.
There is an electric vehicle charging station at the transportation facility. That charging station has been used about 600 times, saving more than 1,500 gallons of gas, Velazquez said.
RTS Orleans will be getting four new vehicles in 2023 – 26-foot-long vehicles with 18 seats that are ADA accessible. The remaining two buses will be replaced in 2024-25.
The service started in Orleans County 20 years ago as OTS – the Orleans Transit Service. RTS Orleans will be replacing 66 OTS bus stop signs with RTS Orleans markers. So far 20 have been replaced in Albion with the rest in Medina and Orleans County to be completed in 2023. They are being installed by the Orleans County Department of Public Works as a contracted service.
RTS Orleans buses also will be getting on-board technology. The procurement of a new computer-aided dispatch system is underway. It will allow for real-time information to customers and ability to expand into different service types, Velazquez said.
Jim Bensley, the county’s commissioner on the RGRTA board, praised Velazquez and the organization for their commitment to Orleans County. He said RTS Orleans strives for on-time performance, which can be challenging when bridges are under construction delaying traffic.
Pictured from left include Ceu Uk, Nathaniel Thompson and Thobee Osbourne.
Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle
ALBION – Three people have been charged after following a high-speed chase in the village, where the trio then fled on foot into a wooded area outside the village.
Just after noon on Memorial Day, the Albion Police Department was notified by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Dispatch of a stolen vehicle (2021 White Chrysler 300) that was headed northbound on Route 98 into the Village of Albion.
The vehicle was reported stolen out of the City of Tonawanda. Patrols were then advised that Sirius XM was now reporting the vehicle at another location in the Village of Albion. Patrols checked the location with negative results.
The vehicle was then located later on Ingersoll Street. As a patrol car confirmed the vehicle as the stolen vehicle, the car began to flee the area traveling south on Ingersoll Street and driving in a manner that was erratic in an attempt to flee from marked police cars.
The vehicle continued eastbound on East State Street traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Albion Police Department officers continued to pursue the vehicle. The vehicle then made a left-hand turn and traveled northbound on Butts Road.
The occupants of the vehicle eventually exited the vehicle in the area just south of Route 104 on Crandall Road allowing the vehicle to roll off the roadway and eventually coming to rest off the road.
The occupants of the vehicle fled into the nearby wooded area as an observant homeowner directed responding units to the area where the three occupants fled. A perimeter was set up in an effort to contain the suspects to the area.
As a result of the perimeter along with help from multiple K9 teams and New York State Police Aviation one of the suspects was taken into custody without incident. Due to the weather and terrain the search for the other suspects was called off and members from the Albion Police Department began investigating in an attempt to identify the two outstanding suspects.
Later in the afternoon another observant resident spotted individuals in the area of the original incident location. Resources were again directed to the area as the two individuals matched the suspects descriptions. After searching the area patrols were able to take the remaining two suspects into custody without incident. The two remaining suspects were apprehended about 3.6 miles from the original crash site and around 7 hours after the incident occurred.
The Albion Police Department investigated this incident and were assisted on-scene by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police out of the Albion Barracks, New York State Police Aviation Unit, Medina Police Department, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force, Orleans County Emergency Management and the Albion Fire Department.
The Albion Police Department would also like to commend the observant residents in the area as well as Brown Road Golf Course for use of equipment and other homeowners who provided patrols with equipment.
As a result of the investigation the following suspects were arrested:
• Ceu Uk, 20, from North Carolina who was determined to be the operator of the motor vehicle. Uk was charged with the following charges: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (E Felony), Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in Motor Vehicle 3rd (A Misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment 1st (D Felony) and multiple vehicle and traffic violations.
• Nathaniel Thompson, 22, formerly from North Carolina, now residing in the Albion area, was charged with: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (E Felony).
• Thobee Osborne, 21, formerly from North Carolina, now residing in the Albion area, was charged with: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (E Felony).
All of the following suspects were released with appearance tickets as none of the charges are arraignable offenses under NYS Bail Reform laws.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2023 at 5:34 pm
Patrick McMillan, left, and his father Marcus McMillan were charged in Albion.
ALBION – A father and son were charged last week when they were discovered to be in a stolen vehicle.
Police Chief David Mogle said an Albion police officer on May 26 stopped a vehicle for speeding. During the traffic stop it was determined that the vehicle was reported stolen out by a rental company out of Broome County, NY.
Patrick McMillan, 21, of Rochester was charged with speeding and criminal possession of the stolen weapon in the fourth degree.
His father Marcus McMillan, 38, of Rochester and Binghamton was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. He also is currently wanted by NYS Parole on a Parole Absconder warrant.
Patrick McMillan was processed and released with an appearance ticket according to NYS Bail Reform laws, Mogle said.
Marcus McMillan was processed and released with an appearance ticket according to NYS Bail Reform laws but was transported and held in the Orleans County Jail on the Parole Absconder Warrant.
The Albion Police Department was assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and NYS Parole, Mogle said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2023 at 2:29 pm
State Legislature changed voting power of 17 members, who all need to be reappointed
Ed Morgan
ALBION – Ed Morgan has been reappointed as Orleans County’s representative on the 17-member board of directors for Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. after the State Legislature stripped all 17 members from the board as part of the state budget approved May 2.
The state budget also implemented a new system of weighted voting based on the population size of 15 counties, and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.
Morgan, a county legislator and retired Murray highway superintendent, has been the Orleans rep on the board for nine years. He also was serving as the vice chairman of the body until the members were all knocked off the board.
Morgan said many have already been reappointed by their home counties. But he is waiting for when the board will be reconvened.
The 17 members used to all have equal clout, but that will change in the new system of weighted voting.
The new system gives the 17 members a weighted tally of 96 votes. Orleans, one of the smallest counties in the region, gets only 1 vote or about 1 percent of the total. Previously each of the 17 members had a vote worth about 6 percent of the total.
The weighted vote breakdown includes: Erie County, 24 votes; Monroe, 20 votes; City of Buffalo, 10 votes; City of Rochester, 8 votes; Niagara, 8 votes; Chautauqua, 5 votes; Oswego, 4 votes; Steuben, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, 3 votes each; Livingston and Genesee, 2 votes each; Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, 1 vote each.
Morgan said he prefers the old system, especially because the smaller counties had an equal seat at the table for the decision-making in running WROTB, which owns Batavia Downs, 12 OTB parlors and manages several EZ Bets at businesses around Western New York.
Batavia Downs turned in record profits last year, which boosted the amount returned to Orleans County to about $120,000, up from $35,000 a decade ago, Morgan said.
“Batavia Downs is doing fine,” Morgan said. “There is no emergency there.”
WROTB was faulted in an audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, where he said the organization’s leadership took $120,000 worth of sports and event tickets that were purchased by the company and diverted them for private use.
Morgan said there are stricter controls at WROTB. He said members no longer can get health insurance and their pay is capped at $4,000. Morgan doesn’t get a stipend from WROTB because he is appointed by the County Legislature and county legislators aren’t entitled to pay from WROTB for serving on the board.
Morgan said he enjoys being on the WROTB where he said there is great camaraderie among the members, despite different political affiliations.
“I don’t feel there is politics involved,” Morgan said about the board of directors. “We try to do what’s best for WROTB and our member counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.”
Morgan is chairman of the committees for Batavia Downs and Buildings and Grounds.
His biggest concern with the shift to a weighted voting system is a small minority of members could meet and make decisions about WROTB without the majority consent of the board. For example, just three members from Erie, Monroe and Buffalo have 54 of the 96 votes and could meet and have a quorum and make decisions affecting the operations and leadership of the organization.
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed important screenings and checkups. Let’s fix that.
By Shelby Rojas, NP, Speaks Spanish & English, Oak Orchard Health Batavia
If you’ve put off seeing a provider because of Covid-19, you’re not alone. Even though life looks a little closer to normal now, a lot of people are still holding off seeing their medical providers, or dentist, or getting important health screenings. But it’s important to make sure you’re headed in the right direction with your health.
Get screened to manage your conditions.
By checking in with your Oak Orchard Health provider, you can make sure that your medications are doing what they’re supposed to do and screen you for serious diseases. In some cases, it’s important to check in every three to six months, depending on your age and your challenges. For instance:
Over 40? You may be overdue for cancer screenings like mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, or others.
Diabetic? It’s important to get blood work done more frequently so we can assess your numbers. Especially if you’re on insulin. You also need to be checked on a regular basis for Diabetic Retinopathy, a condition that can affect your vision.
That’s also important for patients who have high cholesterol or thyroid disease. Know your numbers!
If you’re on blood pressure medication, it’s crucial to be checked on a regular basis.
Mental health is equally important. If you haven’t checked in with your provider or therapist, don’t wait any longer to make an appointment at Oak Orchard Health. We want to make sure you’re doing okay.
Keep your smile healthy, too.
Many folks couldn’t get regular dental checkups during the pandemic and now it’s time. Just know that dentists and dental hygienists are trying to catch up, too. So, when you make an appointment, they may not be available right away. And if your checkup is months away, make sure you mark your calendar, so you remember to keep your appointment.
We’ll help with your other healthcare needs, too.
Get a ride to your appointments—If it’s hard for you to keep appointments because of transportation, we can help. Oak Orchard Health can arrange a ride for you. Did you know we have our own van? We can help you get to appointments and to labs for bloodwork. And if you’re on Medicaid, there are transportation resources for you, too.
Connecting you to specialty providers—Your Oak Orchard primary care provider can do more than see you for a physical or sick visit. They can make sure you’re getting caught up on other important care, like routine eye exams, foot care for diabetics, and mental health support. Even if we don’t offer the service at one of our facilities, we can connect you to someplace that does. And if you have financial concerns, we can work with you to afford the care you need, too. Call (585) 637-3905 and ask for a facilitated enroller at your nearest OOH office.
Connecting you to community resources—Our staff are connected to other organizations in the community that can help you in different ways, from the Office of the Aging to Social Security to Medicaid. And if you don’t have health insurance, we can help you find the coverage you can afford.Contact the Patient Engagement Services at Oak Orchard Health at (585) 589- 5613 ext. 1062.
No judgment—just encouragement.
Covid-19 has been hard on everyone. People don’t always like to confide in others about their health problems. Whether it’s a history of drug use, a change in your weight, or some other sensitive personal issue, there’s no reason to feel embarrassed when you’re getting healthcare. Providers aren’t here to judge, we’re here to help.
Get started today.
Call your local Oak Orchard Health office to set up an appointment to get caught up. And if you’re in the Batavia area and your first language is Spanish, I’m a Spanish-speaking provider and I’m happy to communicate with you in Spanish. It can make the visit easier.
Provided photos: Wings from the airplane detached from the aircraft and landed in an orchard.
YATES – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has released the names of the pilot and his passenger from Sunday’s fatal airplane crash in Yates.
Earl J. Luce Jr, 70, of Brockport was pilot of the single-engine plane. It was a fixed wing hand-built experimental aircraft.
His passenger was Morris Wortman, 72, of Rochester. They were pronounced dead at the scene by the Orleans County Coroner’s Office.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate the crash that occurred Sunday at 5:42 p.m.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the wings of the aircraft became detached from the fuselage and fell to the ground landing in an orchard, Bourke said. The fuselage of the aircraft continued west approximately 1000 to 1500 yards before crashing into a pasture behind a residence.
Sheriff’s investigators and the NTSB will be on site today to continue the investigation.
“The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic event,” Bourke said.
Wortman was a prominent obstetrician/gynecologist in Rochester.
The death of Earl Luce is a major loss for the aviation community in the Orleans County area.
Peter Lockner of Batavia, flying instructor at Genesee County Airport and former instructor at Pine Hill, talked to Luce on Sunday morning during a pancake breakfast at Gaines Valley Airport, where Luce kept his airplanes.
Lockner had flown in for the breakfast and said Luce was giving rides in his favorite plane, a small, two-seat Buttercup. Luce was particularly fond of experimental aircraft and was instrumental in establishing the Experimental Aircraft Association at Brockport Airport.
Luce had built several Buttercups and developed a website – luceair.com – where he tells how Steve Wittman built the first Buttercup in 1937. He said Wittman died before creating plans to reproduce the aircraft, and Luce accomplished the task of putting the design on paper and offering detailed plans for sale to the public so they could build their own reproduction.
Lockner met Luce 20 years ago when he visited Luce at his furniture rental business in Brockport. He said Luce operated out of an old building on Main Street, where he made fuselages on the first floor, wings on the second floor and painted and assembled the aircraft on the third floor, except for the wings. The wings were put on at whatever airport Luce took the plane to, Lockner said.
“Luce was the guy to go to for information about aircraft,” Lockner said. “He was the kind of person who was happy to give you information any time.”
Lockner said Luce was an excellent pilot and a world of information.
“He liked to fly things when people didn’t know if they would fly or not,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2023 at 4:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Bob Meehan, back right, is joined by his grandchildren and other Sons of the American Legion in passing out 2,100 flags before the Memorial Day parade in medina. Meehan’s grandkids include Riley Meehan, left in red John Allen jersey; Tyler Meehan, front center; Ashton Erickson, back in blue shirt; and Julian Erickson, back in red shirt.
The Honor Guard carries the colors near the start of the Memorial Day parade which went from the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue to Main Street and then down East Center Street to State Street Park.
A casket draped with an American flag sent a powerful message about Memorial Day. Bill Maryjanowski of Medina drives a 1969 deuce and a half, carrying the casket.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari passes out candy along the parade route. Here he is on park Avenue in front of the fire hall.
Girl Scouts in 82094 basked in the bright sunshine.
Boy Scouts were well represented in the parade.
Dave Sevenski is joined by a friend in passing out treats for the Knights of Columbus.
These girls kept their pinwheels moving during the parade on a very sunny Memorial Day.
Levi Welker, 2, enjoys a lollypop and the view from his father Zack Welker’s shoulders.
The Medina Marching Band gave a high-energy performance for the home crowd.
The band marched in a precise procession during the parade.
The white plumes on the Medina Marching Band hats are shown as the band headed down East Center Street.
Josh Vacanti of Lockport, one of the stars of Season 21 of NBC’s The Voice, sang from a float during the parade. He was promoting an upcoming performance at 7:30 p.m. on July 22 for the Salt & Light Festival in Gasport.
Jim Freas reads the names of veterans from Medina who have passed away since the last Memorial Day. It was part of a service at State Street Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2023 at 3:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Al Hand of the Albion Marching Band plays Taps to start the Memorial Day Parade in Albion this morning with local veterans in the Honor Guard.
Isaac Robinson carries one of the flags as part of the Honor Guard in today’s parade that went down Main Street to East Avenue, ending at the middle school where there was a service.
Charlie Nesbitt, a former assemblyman and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, gave the keynote address during a service outside the middle school by the Vietnam War Memorial. Assemblyman Steve Hawley also gave remarks.
Mike Dalle of the Albion Fire Department mounted an American flag on a motorcycle.
Sophie Kozody carries the American flag for the Albion Marching Band today as the band lines up on East Park Street for the Memorial Day parade.
These three play the trumpet for the Albion marching band. From left include Al Hand, Dillon DiGiulio and Gabriella Dobo. This year’s theme for the marching band is Jersey Boys.
Jason Anstey leads the band as one of the drum majors.
The Boy Scouts joined the patriotic procession. Jax Gotte and Stryker Braley are carrying the flags.
Girl Scouts carried flags and waved to people along Main Street.
Camila Herzog, 2, watches the parade on Main Street with her family.
These members of the Ladies Auxiliary for the American Legion gather for a photo before the parade. They include, from left: Pam Taylor, Carolyn Gibson, Beverly Pualaski and Susan Befus. The auxiliary raised $1,626.55 through their poppy sales at Tops, Save-A-Lot and other businesses. The group will have its 5thannual American Legion Auxiliary golf tournament on Aug. 26 at the Brown Road Golf Club in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2023 at 8:38 am
It’s going to be a week of sunshine with high temperatures in the 70s and low 80s in Orleans County, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Today will be sunny and reach a high of 76.That is followed by a sunny Tuesday with a high near 81, and a sunny Wednesday with a high of 82.
Thursday also is forecast to be sunny with a high near 83, while Friday is mostly sunny with a high near 82. The forecast for Saturday includes another sunny day with a high near 78.
A boat passes through the Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze on Sunday evening.
The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to Sandusky, Ohio from May 26 to May 28 to participate in the Music in the Parks festival.
The band has not traveled outside of NYS since 2019. The festival was started in 1981 and is a day-long event held annually across the U.S. Music groups perform before adjudicators who rate the ensemble and then awards are issued.
Medina earned a superior rating and Seagan Majchrzak, a senior, received a special award for outstanding soloist.
The kids did a great job in their performance and as ambassadors of the Medina community. The chaperones are to be commended for all their diligence in keeping everyone on track with their busy schedule.
In addition to the competition the band also went to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and the Cedar Point amusement park. They perform today in Medina in the Memorial Day parade.
The band will next compete in Sherburne June 2nd and June 3rd.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2023 at 9:52 pm
CARLTON/YATES – The pilot and a passenger in a small home-made airplane were killed this afternoon when the plane had a mechanical failure and crashed into a cow pasture off Townline Road in Yates.
The names of the deceased aren’t being released right now pending notifications of their family.
The 911 dispatch center was called at 5:42 p.m. with reports of the crash. The two wings came off the plane and landed in an orchard on the eastside of Townline Road in Carlton.
The fuselage, the main body of the plane, landed in a cow pasture, missing a home with 11 children by a few hundred feet. The fuselage traveled about another 1,500 yards from the wings.
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said the plane left from the Gaines Valley Aviation airport on Route 279. The pilot was offering rides in the plane earlier in the day, Bourke said.
An investigator from the Federal Aviation Administration is on site as of 9 p.m. and another investigator is expected on Monday from the National Transportation Safety Board.
A spill team from the state Department of Environmental Conservation also is responding because of a fuel spill from the plane at the crash site.
The scene is being secured by deputies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. State Police, the Lyndonville Fire Department and Orleans County Emergency Management Office also have assisted at the scene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2023 at 2:23 pm
ALBION – A dance studio that has been part of downtown Albion for 17 years was honored as the “Organization of the Year” on Saturday by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts.
Dance Reflections by Miss Heather received one of the Genean Awards given by GO ART! Those awards are given to artists, arts supporters and organizations in Genesee and Orleans counties.
Heather Hapeman started Dance Reflections in 2006. It has grown to 127 dancers. The recital on May 13 drew the biggest crowd yet at about 700 people.
Hapeman works with dancers beginning at age 2 right through high school.
“My heart has always been with dance and teaching,” Hapeman said today. “I can see them grow up and their personalities come alive.”
Heather and her husband Jared have upgraded their downtown building at 50-52 North Main St., with new windows on the second and third floors that were previously boarded up. They have a new black steep ceiling in the dance room, and also remodeled an office and bathroom.
Dance Reflections was the lone winner from Orleans County during the genean celebration on Saturday. Other winners included:
Individual Artist Lifetime Achievement: David Burke, a painter from Bergen
Supporter of the Year: the late James R. Owen of Batavia (GO ART!’s library is now named in his honor at Seymour Place in Batavia.)
GO ART! Volunteer of the Year: Don Fryling, a photographer from Batavia
“It was really a wonderful experience,” Hapeman said about the awards event. “I commend GO ART!”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Heather and Jared Hapeman and their daughter Coraline, then 5, are shown in May 2021 in the dance studio that Mrs. Hapeman opened in 2006. Dance Reflections by Miss Heather has been a mainstay in the Albion downtown. They celebrated their 15th anniversary in 2021.
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed important screenings and checkups. Let’s fix that.
