Photo by Philip Kamrass/New York Power Authority: Brian Stratton, director of the NY State Canal Corporation, greets boaters at Lock E2 on the opening day of navigation season today in Waterford.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the 2023 Navigation Season for the 524-mile New York State Canal system, kicking off the 199th consecutive opening of the historic waterways.

Locks and lift bridges on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals will operate daily today through Oct. 11, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and sightseeing to tourists, canal enthusiasts and all New Yorkers.

“The historic waterways of the Erie Canal and canals across the state have been an integral part of New York’s story that continues to support our local communities, small businesses and tourism,” Hochul said. “The Canal system is a hub of recreation and tourism, and as a longtime boater, I encourage all New Yorkers to explore the endless recreational opportunities and adventure available throughout the canal system.”

To prepare for the navigation season, the New York State Canal Corporation undertook an essential annual winter maintenance program that helps to ensure Canal infrastructure remains safe, operable, and in a state of good repair.

New York Power Authority Acting President and CEO Justin Driscoll said, “As we approach the third century of the Canal’s operation, we envision a system that celebrates its iconic past and is revitalized for future generations. We recognize that the Canal system continues to serve as an economic engine for Upstate New York, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to its continued success.”

The free On the Canals excursions program returns this year with new and expanded opportunities to experience the outdoors along the Canal corridor and Empire State Trail. This program, now in its fourth year, has driven substantially increased tourism along the Canal waters and Canalway Trails and last year attracted more than 13,000 participants.

Excursions this year include expanded accessible offerings allowing individuals of all abilities the opportunity to recreate safely, plus boat, kayaking, and walking tours, en plein air painting, water safety courses, pollinator hikes, birding, cycling, and yoga along the canal. The On the Canals website lists all the excursions as they become available over the summer and early fall.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “Whether you are looking to embark on an adventure or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, the state’s canals offer a unique and memorable experience for everyone. I am incredibly proud of our workforce that each day tirelessly ensures our infrastructure is safe, so that we can welcome boaters and offer so many unique ways to see and experience this remarkable waterway through the On the Canals program. I encourage every New Yorker to mark their calendars and take advantage of the adventure our canals and trails have to offer.”

This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the Champlain Canal, a historic landmark in New York State. Opened in 1823, the 60-mile-long first canal served as a vital link between Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, providing access to New York City for Upstate communities. With the addition of the Erie Canal in 1825, the Champlain Canal opened a water route to Buffalo and the Great Lakes, connecting Montreal, Canada, and Vermont with the rest of the world. Today, the canal plays an essential role in both recreational boating and commercial shipping.

Along the Champlain Canal, the Canal Corporation has once again joined forces this season with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to implement a rapid response plan to mitigate the potential spread of the round goby, an aquatic invasive species, to the Lake Champlain Basin. To learn more about these efforts and how you can assist in the preservation of the waterway for generations to come, click here.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. But breathing in high levels of radon can increase your risk of lung cancer even if you don’t smoke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and it is estimated to cause over 20,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is the reason it is so important to get your home tested for radon.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that seeps into your home through cracks in the foundation, walls and joints. It can be found in well water and in dirt floors. Whether your home has a basement, sits on a slab, is brand-new or old, radon can build-up and go undetected.

Testing your home with a short term radon test kit is a quick and easy way to determine if there are high levels of radon in your home. The Genesee County Health Department has a limited number of short term test kits available free of charge for Genesee County residents. These test kits are easy and quick to use.

“Testing for radon is one of the easiest preventative health measures you can take,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “If your radon levels are low, we suggest you test every couple of years. If your radon levels are high, we can give you information about how to mitigate the radon. Either way, you have made an important step to keep your family safe.”

For more information about radon and how to receive a free radon test kit in Genesee County, contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with law enforcement throughout the state, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will engage in the 2023 Click It or Ticket Campaign. This campaign will run from May 22–June 4, 2023.

The Click it or Ticket Campaign is a statewide enforcement campaign designed to save lives and reduce the severity of injuries by increasing safety restraint use.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee has set a strategic goal to increase the observed statewide seat belt use rate and to decrease unrestrained occupant fatalities in passenger vehicles. The strategies identified to accomplish these goal include high visibility enforcement, public information and education.

Photos courtesy of Jack Kohmann

HOLLEY – Scouts in Troop 59 of Clarendon on Thursday placed over 450  flags on the veterans’ graves at the three cemeteries in the Holley/Clarendon area in time for Memorial Day, which is on May 29.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Many Girl Scouts, Brownies and Daisies were part of the parade on May 29, 2017.

ALBION – Organizers of the Memorial Day parade in Albion are asking for participants in the May 29 parade and service to follow in front of the Albion Middle School.

The parade has typically included a procession of veterans, firefighters, the Albion Marching Band, scouts, the Knights of Columbus, and local elected officials.

The parade will form between 9 and 9:30 a.m. along North Main Street, facing south and on Park Streets on the east side of Main.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. south on Main Street to East Avenue, and then to the middle school.

The service will be held in front of the middle school at approximately 11 a.m. There is no rain date.

Those wishing to participate in the parade should contact parade co-chairmen Phil Warne and Matt Passarell by May 24, by sending an email to philwarne69@yahoo.com.

The Erie Canal will open to boating traffic on Friday for the 199^th navigational season on the historic waterway.

There won’t be any tolls or fees for recreational use of the canal system for the seventh straight year. Those tolls were normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.

The entire system is scheduled to open at 7 a.m. on May 19. The standard hours of operation are 7 to 5 p.m. daily until the season closes on Oct. 12. However, the lift bridges from Fairport through Orleans County to Lockport will be operational from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the peak navigation season from May 19 through Sept. 13.

There are seven lift bridges in Orleans County – Holley, Hulberton, Ingersoll Street in Albion, Main Street in Albion, Eagle Harbor, Knowlesville and Medina. There are 16 lift bridges on the canal and the seven in Orleans are more than any other county in the state.

However, the Main Street lift bridge is under construction in Albion and won’t be in service this year. The Brockport lift bridge also is getting a major rehabilitation.

The Canal Corporation said it continues to seek seasonal employees to staff the locks and lift bridges across the canal system. Those interested in applying for a position should visit the Canal Corporation’s website.

Traffic moves across the Ingersoll Street lift bridge. The bridge will be operational for the boating traffic from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. from May 19 through Sept. 13, and then 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 11.

Four musicals that were performed in March in Orleans County received many awards and recognition by the Stars of Tomorrow program through the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.

The Stars held its 25^th annual awards program last week and 32 schools in the Rochester region were able to perform a selection from their musicals on the RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre, including Albion, Lyndonville and Medina.

Those three schools, plus Holley, all received several recognition awards for their productions.

Lyndonville took home a top honor for “Excellence in Overall Production” for The Wizard of Oz.

Lyndonville and Holley are grouped in schools with population less than 500, while Albion and Medina are with larger schools with more than 500 students.

“I am so proud of our wonderfully talented Lyndonville kids,” said Jen Trupo, the Lyndonville director. “They have worked so hard and made our district proud. Not only that but Orleans County was well-represented in the program this year. It was great for the kids to support their friends in Albion, Medina and Holley. There is so much talent in our county!”

This year was the first in more than a decade where Lyndonville and Medina performed their own musicals. The districts had a shared program based at Lyndonville. Medina brought back its own theater program and performed Little Mermaid.

Seagan Majchrzak starred as Ariel in Medina’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. She has been nominated as one of the top 40 leads in the Rochester region and will perform again at the Auditorium Theatre on May 25.

Seagan Majchrak starred as Ariel in that musical. She is one of 40 female or male leads who will compete on May 25 for the chance to represent the Rochester region at a national competition in New York City in June. This is the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Annabelle Follman, who was the Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz, also is among the 40 to be featured next Thursday at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester.

Holley for the first time participated in the Stars of Tomorrow program with adjudicators coming to the production to judge Willy Wonka and offer critiques and highlight outstanding performances.

“The committee provides us with a report of what we did well and things to consider for the future – this report will help us each year as we shine brighter and brighter,” said Dustin Gardner, the Holley musical director the past two years.

Gardner was picked for one of four prestigious Impact Awards among the 37 districts in the Stars program.

Gabe Lindsay received a “Tip of the Hat” recognition for his role as Willy Wonka and the Candy Man in Holley’s production of Willy Wonka. Ava Quincey also was recognized for her performance as “Charlie Bucket.”

Holley students also were honored with awards for acting, singing and vocal performances.

“It felt awesome for Holley to be recognized,” Gardner said. “For the students, they put so much hard work into their performances, and they deserved each recognition given.

“For me, I was stunned. They began introducing the winner of the award before announcing the name and I thought in my head, ‘Hey, it sounds like they are talking about me!’ and sure enough, it was. I am incredibly thankful and honored. Did I cry? Possibly.”

Gardner said he wanted the Holley cast and crew to be a part of Stars and attend the show at the Auditorium Theatre to see the other schools.

“There are so many different schools out there that are doing some big things when it comes to the world of musical theater,” Gardner said. “We don’t always get to see those schools and their performances. This was a way to get a mini preview of all of the shows. It is important to celebrate those schools and their performances. The energy in the room was amazing!

The districts in Orleans County in the Stars program and their awards include:

Albion – The Addams Family

Natalie Baron received a “Tip of the Hat” recognition for her performance as the zany “Grandma” in Albion’s performance of The Addams Family.

• Excellence in student orchestra
• Excellence in production crew
• Special Recognition – Samantha Basinait for going above and beyond in the stage crew, including coming in on Saturdays and during February break.
• Round of Applause (for special involvement or performance) – Julia Button and Chloe Gray who were dance captains.
• A Tip of the Hat (for outstanding performances and special recognition in non-adjudicated roles) – Samantha Basinait, Flynn Morrison and Lucy Rivers in stage crew; Natalie Baron as “Grandma,” Willem DeRuysscher as “Lurch” and Chloe Gray as “Flapper Ancestor.”

Holley – Willy Wonka

• Excellence in dance ensemble
• Excellence in vocal ensemble
• Excellence in production crew
• Impact Award (one of four awarded) – Dustin Gardner as director of the Holley musical.
• Future Star – Addison Bevins, a 7^th-grader, who made her debut as Charlie’s friend, Matilda. “Addison’s vocals were a highlight in the show. Due to Addison’s vocal abilities, she was able to positively influence other performers to sing out and confidently.”
• Special Recognition – Ellie Quincey for taking her character, Violet Beauregarde, to the next level with a southern accent and for being a role model to other cast and crew members.
• Special Recognition – Gabe Lindsay portrayed the lead role of Willy Wonka, and often brought ideas on how to enhance his character. “He was a leader many could count on.”
• Round of Applause (for special involvement or performance) – Ava Quincey who starred as “Charlie Bucket,” Owen Schultz who was “Grandpa Joe” and Jayda Shampine who was “Veruca Salt.”
• A Tip of the Hat (for outstanding performances and special recognition in non-adjudicated roles) – Lance Babcock as “Grandpa George,” Gabriel Lindsay as “Willy Wonka” and Owen Schultz as “Grandpa Joe.”

Lyndonville – The Wizard of Oz

The four leads in the Wizard of Oz include Amir Huzair as the Scarecrow, Noah Fox as the Tinman, Elizabeth Whipple as Dorothy and Annabelle Follman as the Cowardly Lion. Follman was picked as one of the 40 top leads in the Rochester region and will perform again May 25 in Rochester for a chance to go to a national competition next month in New York City.

• Excellence in overall production
• Excellence in performance: Lyndonville Amir Huzair as Scarecrow, Annabelle Follman as Cowardly Lion and Elizabeth Whipple as Dorothy
• Excellence in vocal ensemble
• Excellence in acting ensemble
• Excellence in dance ensemble
• Excellence in student orchestra
• Future Star – Isabella Bresett, an 8^th-grader, was a standout performer in the ensemble with her singing, dancing and acting, and always eager to volunteer when something needed to be done.
• Future Star – Sarah Corser played the role of Glinda despite being only an 8^th-grader. She was one of five in the show who were able to fly with a harness and pulley system. “She challenged herself, took direction well and was fearless with her flying,” the Stars program states.
• Special Recognition – Kevin Travis, the flight manager who coordinated the five flying members of the cast. He did all of the safety checks to make sure the operators and flying performers were working smoothly. Travis, a senior, has been part of the crew since seventh grade.
• Special Recognition – Meagan Hardner, who played the Wicked Witch, and was “frighteningly wonderful on stage.” She also was a leader off-stage, helping with many aspects of the show.
• Round of Applause (for special involvement or performance) – Lorelei Dillenbeck for playing the saxophone in the pit orchestra, Amber Grabowski for “Emerald City Guard” and Amir Zimmerman for “Nikko.”
• A Tip of the Hat (for outstanding performances and special recognition in non-adjudicated roles) – Meagan Hardner as “Wicked Witch,” Laci Giarla as “Aunt Em/Ensemble,” Fantima Lieberman as “Munchkin Coroner,” Hannah Marker/Hanna Foz as “Crows/Trees” and Amir Zimmerman in the ensemble.

Medina – The Little Mermaid

• Excellence in performance: Seagan Majchrak as Ariel and Elaina Huntington as Ursula
• Excellence in student orchestra
• Excellence in production crew
• Future Star – Madelyn Elliott performed as Scuttle despite having a dislocated knee. She impressed the director and cast with her talent, work ethic and willingness to push herself.
• Special Recognition – Bailey Clare for her role as stage manager, helping to organize the cast, crew and props/sets.
• Special Recognition – Elaina Huntington who played Ursula, the villain in Little Mermaid. “Not only is she incredibly talented, she was also a support and positive role model for her peers.”
• Round of Applause (for special involvement or performance) – Theresa Biesinger for sound crew, and Bryson Costich and Ella Dahlhaus for stage crew.
• A Tip of the Hat (for outstanding performances and special recognition in non-adjudicated roles) – Ava Blount as “Flounder,” Elaina Bitsas as “Flotsam,” Bailey Clare as stage manager, Madelyn Elliott as “Scuttle” and Lilian Wilson as “Jetsam.”

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is disappointed that the Assembly Majority Conference blocked a referendum of his this week in the Local Government Committee without any debate or discussion.

Numbered A.1978, the referendum would have simply put a question to voters on the next statewide election ballot: “Do you support the division of New York into two separate states?” The measure was shot down, and Hawley knows exactly why.

“Our job as legislators should be to first and foremost ask our constituents questions about what they want to see us do. That is all this referendum would have done,” Hawley said. “I speculate the Majority prevented us from asking this question of all New Yorkers because they already know the answer: yes. The majority of New Yorkers are tired of the way things are, and any change, no matter how big, would be preferable to how things are right now.”

“Immigration crises, favoritism to downstate constituencies, the continued erosion of our farmlands and small businesses: these are the problems we face; infringements on 2nd Amendment rights, rampant pro-criminal policies and skyrocketing taxes and inflation. And these problems are consistently tied to the actions of a Majority spearheaded by a downstate coalition that has little regard for the rest of us. If they’re afraid of being told their actions are having a negative impact on some New Yorkers, they need a serious reality check,” Hawley concluded.

Hawley represents the 139th Assembly District, which includes parts of Erie, Genesee, Monroe, and Orleans counties.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) released the following statement after receiving reports that Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration was actively considering Upstate SUNY facilities to house illegal immigrants.

“My office has received information that Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration is actively considering using SUNY facilities across New York, including at SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Oswego, to house illegal aliens,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This is a misguided decision that will make our communities less safe and put an enormous burden on local governments and taxpayers, not to mention one that would negatively impact our students.

“Without extensive vetting, health screenings, funding, and background information, we have no idea who these migrants even are or where they came from. Just this week, yet another terrorist was apprehended crossing our border, this time from Afghanistan. This unmitigated disaster is a direct result of Joe Biden’s open border agenda and Kathy Hochul’s policies that have made New York a magnate for illegal immigrants.

“Governor Hochul should immediately clarify that SUNY facilities will not be used to house illegal immigrants and take further action to make clear that those who travel here illegally will not receive taxpayer-subsidized housing under New York City’s ‘right-to-shelter’ policy, which was never intended to be applied in this context. Upstate New York counties that stand for the rule of law should not be forced to pay the price for those that have embraced disastrous and illegal sanctuary city policies.

“My office is continuing to monitor the situation across the 24th District. I encourage anyone with information about illegal aliens being transferred into NY-24 to call our office at 202-225-3665.”

ALBION – Three people were sentenced to incarceration in Orleans County Court on Wednesday, including a former Lyndonville village trustee.

Darren Wilson, 62, will spend weekends in the county jail for four months also be on probation for 10 years, Judge Sanford Church decided at sentencing.

Wilson pleaded guilty on March 29 to possessing a sexual performance of a child. He was arrested by state police in May 2022 for child pornography and weapons charges. He had three unregistered pistols.

Wilson, who also served as president of Lyndonville Lions Club and president of the Lyndonville Area Foundation, apologized in court on Wednesday.

“The remorse and shame that I have is as deep as it gets,” he told Judge Church. “I put my family, my friends close to me and my community through Hell.”

Wilson has been receiving sex offender counseling and going to a psychiatrist, his attorney Herbert Greenman said.

He noted many letters have been submitted to court testifying about Wilson’s many good deeds in the community.

“He has accepted what he has done, he is ashamed of what he has done and he wants to get better,” Greenman said.

He asked for no incarceration for Wilson. As part of a plea agreement, Wilson could have faced up to six months in jail and 10 years of probation.

Church decided some incarceration was needed given that Wilson viewed pornography of underage girls and had three weapons he must have known weren’t registered. The judge gave him weekends so he could continue to receive counseling.

Wilson also was ordered to pay $2,425 in court fines and surcharges. The judge also set a hearing on Aug. 16 to determine what level of sex offender Wilson will be on the sex offender registry.

In other cases:

Paul Morrow, 43, of Medina was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 3 years in prison for felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Morrow was in an accident in the Medina school parking lot on Jan. 24. He has a previous DWI in 2016.

Patricia Capen of Lyndonville was sentenced to 364 days in jail for fourth-degree grand larceny. Capen admitted in court that on Jan. 25 she took 10 to 12 gel blaster guns from the Walmart in Albion which are valued at $1,470.

Capen is a first-time felony offender but has several other misdemeanors. She said a drug problem has fueled her crimes. She said Vivitrol can help to stop her drug cravings.

Noah Rowlett, 21, formerly of Albion was arraigned on second-degree rape for allegedly having sex with an underage female last summer. Rowlett answered the charge, returning from Arkansas.

Public Defender Joanne Best said Rowlett wasn’t absconding or fleeing the charge by going to Arkansas.

The judge set bail at $5,000 cash or $50,000 for a partially secured bond, and issued an order of protection.

Provided photos

FANCHER – Matt Passarell, left, of the VFW and American Legion in Albion holds a historical marker with Murray Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio. The new marker was unveiled on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by veterans, historians and local residents.

The Pomeroy Foundation paid for the cost of the new marker which is at the Fancher Curve on Route 31 and highlights the World War II memorial.

The monument is made of Medina Sandstone with a green mortar and four clock faces. It was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 as a monument to 10 young men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II. Those soldiers include John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, Floyd Valentine, John Kettle Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Camille Nenni, Richard Merritt and Richard Vendetta. They left the hamlets of Fancher, Brockville and Hulberton and went off to war and didn’t return.

“This was an underappreciated piece of property,” Sidonio said on Wednesday. “Now there is increased general awareness about what it is. This is a visual reminder that this is an important triangle. People should know it’s not just a municipal clock. It is a World War II monument.”

From left include Dan Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society; Ron Ayrault, an American Legion member who attended the memorial’s dedication ceremony as a kid on Aug. 14, 1949; and Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio.

Mawn also did the electrical upgrades to get the clock working again inside the memorial.

Veterans who attended the ceremony on Wednesday included Scott Galliford, the American Legion post commander in Holley; Jeff Brien, VFW Post commander in Holley; Mike Donahue, VFW Post commander in Albion; Ron Ayrault, Dave Cole, James Coates, Joe Sidonio, Kevin Foley, Chuck Eberhardt, Joe Gehl, Matt Passarell, Gary Dingle and Rex Hultz.

Joe Sidonio and Ron Ayrault spoke during the historical marker unveiling. Sodonio said the marker culminates two years of effort to restore the memorial and increase public awareness about the site’s purpose, that it isn’t just a municipal clock.

About two years ago the effort was jump-started by a phone call from Dr. Fred Fiorito, a Fancher native. He offered to help pay for restoring the memorial.

Sidonio also thanked Erin Anheier of Clarendon who wrote the application to get the site listed on the National Register of Historic Places last year.

ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson declared a state of emergency at 1:30 p.m. today over a possible arrival of migrants and asylum seekers.

“This situation is a threat to public safety,” Johnson wrote in her state of emergency declaration.

Genesee County officials also declared a state of emergency, concerned that New York City Mayor Eric Adams will send undocumented immigrants to upstate counties.

In her declaration, Johnson said Orleans County has been experiencing a housing crisis “due to an increase of 178 percent placement of homeless persons since July 2022.” That exceeds the county’s limited number of temporary and permanent emergency housing facilities.

“Orleans County does not have the capability to receive or sustain any number of migrants and/or asylum seekers,” Johnson wrote in the declaration.

The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless it is rescinded. Johnson said additional local emergency orders may be issues for the county during the state of emergency “to protect life and property and to bring the emergency condition under control.”

UPDATE at 9:05 a.m. on May 18: The declaration does not include farmworkers coming to work in Orleans County legally through the federal H2A program.