Going to $15 per hour in upstate in 2024, then 50-cent hikes in 2025, ’26

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the FY 2024 Budget agreement includes a transformative plan to help low-wage New Yorkers keep up with the rising cost of living by increasing New York’s minimum wage for three years and then tying future increases to inflation.

On January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase to $16 in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, and to $15 in all other parts of the State. In 2025 and 2026, the minimum wage will increase by an additional $0.50 in each year, after which the State’s minimum wage would increase at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region — the best regional measure of inflation. Raising New York’s minimum wage to keep pace with inflation will benefit hundreds of thousands of minimum wage workers across the state.

“In the face of steadily rising costs and inflation, this historic plan to overhaul New York’s minimum wage will ensure that the wages of those hit hardest by the affordability crisis – including women, single mothers, and people of color – keep pace with the cost of living,” Hochul said. “This is a win for workers and for businesses: indexing the minimum wage to inflation will help hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers maintain their purchasing power, contribute to the state economy, and support our small business community.”

Following three years of set growth in 2024, 2025, and 2026, beginning January 1, 2027, New York State will increase its minimum wage by the three-year moving average of the CPI-W for the Northeast Region. An “off-ramp” is available in the event of certain economic or budget conditions.

Indexing the minimum wage to inflation will help to maintain the purchasing power of workers’ wages from year to year. And increasing the minimum wage would overwhelmingly benefit low-income workers, particularly women and people of color who comprise a disproportionate share of minimum wage workers.

Eighteen other states either currently tie their minimum wage to inflation or some other economic formula or are slated to do so, including three states which have minimum wages at or above $15 in 2023. Economic research shows that raising the minimum wage can lead to reductions in poverty, reduced social assistance spending, stimulative spending, improved worker productivity, and other benefits.

Press Release, Kendall Central School

Melissa Strelick starts July 1 as Kendall Junior/Senior High School principal, following the retirement of Carol D’Agostino.

KENDALL – The Kendall Board of Education has approved Melissa Strelick as the next Junior/Senior High School principal. She will begin her new position on July 1.

“It was apparent throughout the interview process and this past school year that Melissa’s ability to lead instructionally, make connections with staff and students, and her ‘all in’ mentality made her a wonderful fit for the position,” said Superintendent Nick Picardo. “I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”

Strelick is currently the assistant principal for Grades 7-12 and athletic director for the district, and she has served in both positions since July 2022. Prior to that, Strelick served as an administrator for three years in the Fort Mill School District and as a secondary science teacher for 16 years in the Webster Central School District.

“I am extremely humbled to be introduced as the new principal of Kendall Junior/Senior High School,” Strelick said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to honor the legacy of the school and contribute to the culture of excellence and care. I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to continue our strong tradition of respect, creativity and achievement at Kendall.”

ALBION – The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District was able to secure nearly $200,000 in state funding with grants through the NYS Grown & Certified Program.

The funds will assist four farms in installation of conservation projects. The grants are each for about $50,000 and cover about 75 percent of the costs.

The grants will go towards the purchase of two Quantum Mist Tower Sprayers for the precision application of pesticides on orchards. These sprayers are part of the farming operations Integrated Pest Management Plans, said Katie Sommerfeldt, Soil & Water district manager in Orleans County.

“The new Quantum Mist Tower Sprayers will be integrating new technology of applying pesticides to orchards by targeting the trees and fruit that need the application and applying the pesticides using low velocity fans that reduce pesticide over spray and drift,” she said.

(Left) One of the Soil & Water grants will be for an Agrichemical Handling Facility similar to this one. (Right) Soil and Water also was awarded funds for installation of micro-irrigation systems.

Another grant includes installation of a micro-irrigation system that works by strategically placing irrigated water within the root zone of a newly planted orchard,” Sommerfeldt said.

“Currently, the farm is irrigating their orchard by using overhead irrigation,” she said. “Overhead irrigation results in excessive water input and waste, excessive field runoff, and the possibility of produce contamination.”

Some of the advantages to installing micro-irrigation include water conservation, easy automation, more efficient fertilizer use, and reduction in runoff and erosion, plus the irrigation water never touches the fruit so the possibility of contamination through irrigation water is eliminated, Sommerfeldt said.

Another grant will assist a farm with installation of an Agrichemical Handling Facility. This facility will give the farm a safe place to store and mix pesticides indoors with an impervious floor, Sommerfeldt said.

“This building is designed to contain 125 percent of the volume of the farm’s largest sprayer, so if there is a spill in the building all the pesticides will be contained and not allowed to runoff into the environment,” she said.

Press Release, International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board

Heavy rain in recent days across the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River basin has led to rapid increases in Ottawa River flows and rising Lake Ontario water levels.

Lake Ontario levels have been rising at a rate of approximately 2 cm (0.8 in) per day and are expected to reach 75.30 m (247.05 ft)  today (May 2) while levels of the St. Lawrence River at Pointe-Claire (Montreal) have risen above 22.20 m (72.83 ft).

Continued wet weather and runoff from the recent rains may result in flooding of vulnerable areas along the Lake Ontario shoreline as well as downstream along the St. Lawrence River, including Lake St. Louis and Lake St. Pierre.

At this time, the water levels of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River are expected to remain below the record-highs observed in 2017 and 2019.

The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board is monitoring the situation.  The Lake Ontario outflow into the St. Lawrence River continues to be adjusted in accordance with the Plan 2014 F limit.

File photo by Tom Rivers: These deer are pictured on Nov. 20, 2014 when they were close to the road on the west side of Route 279 in Gaines, just south of Route 104.

The number of deer harvested in New York State increased 10 percent in 2022 to an estimated 231,961, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation reported.

The deer harvested in Orleans County followed the statewide trend with Orleans seeing a 9.7 percent increase, from 4,103 in 2021 to 4,503 in 2022, according to DEC data.

The harvest numbers among nearby counties for 2022 includes:

Total includes 4,503 in Orleans County  4,103

• Orleans, 4,503
• Genesee, 5,769
• Erie, 6,182
• Niagara, 3,430
• Livingston, 7,378
• Monroe, 5,157
• Wyoming, 5,295

“DEC established several new deer hunting opportunities in 2021 and hunters took greater advantage of these opportunities during the 2022 season, including another safe, successful youth hunt,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Increased hunter success combined with recovering deer populations contributed to an overall increase in total deer harvest.”

The 2022-23 estimated deer take included 116,425 antlered bucks and 115,536 antlerless deer. Statewide, this represents a 5 percent increase in antlered buck harvest and a 15 percent increase in antlerless deer harvest from last season, the DEC reported.

In the press release, the DEC said Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) affected areas of the Hudson Valley and eastern shores of Lake Ontario in 2020 and 2021, resulting in reduced deer hunting success in these areas. Increases in buck harvest, which DEC tracks as an index of deer population abundance, during the 2022-23 seasons indicate that deer populations in affected areas are recovering.

The DEC also said hunters took greater advantage of several new deer hunting opportunities established in 2021. More than 2,000 antlerless deer were taken during the mid-September antlerless-only season, a 9 percent increase from 2021. This season was established to increase harvest of antlerless deer in wildlife management units where deer populations need to be reduced based on DEC’s deer population objectives.

Nearly 2,300 deer, a 38-percent increase from 2021, were harvested by youth hunters during the Youth Hunt Weekend, the DEC said. The increase was due in part to increased success of 12- and 13-year old hunters participating in the second year of a pilot program established by the State Legislature that allows hunters aged 12-13 to hunt deer with a firearm, the DEC said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jeanne Crane, president of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs, welcomes the group to their annual luncheon at Zambostro’s on Monday. Seated, from left, are hospital Foundation director Megan Johnson, hospital CEO Marc Shurtz and longtime member Sandra Madejski.

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs met Monday at Zambistro’s for its annual luncheon and business meeting.

President Jeanne Crane welcomed the almost two dozen who attended and introduced guests, Orleans Community Health CEO Marc Shurtz and OCH Foundation director Megan Johnson.

Secretary Trish McAdoo read the minutes of last year’s meeting, and recapped some of the things she reported last year. This included a letter written to the Twig organization more than 60 years ago asking them to plan a fundraising card party for the hospital.

Treasurer Sandy Smith reported a balance of $38,422 in the checking and savings accounts, which the membership voted to spend on projects for the hospital. It was customary for the Twigs to make a significant gift to the hospital every year from proceeds of the hospital Gift Shop, which Twigs ran.

Since Covid and closing of the Gift Shop, however, the Twig’s ability to make money has been restricted to profits from the vendor machines and sale of popcorn in the lobby.

Items which the hospital is requesting (some for the North Wing Long Term Care) include a leather recliner, 10 bedside tables, sit-to-stand lift, wheelchair scale, medication chart, 30 visitor chairs, four rocking chairs for the lobby and miscellaneous other items for patient comfort and activities. Shurtz added they want to purchase privacy film for the hospital windows along the sidewalk, mainly in the kitchen area. This will not only provide privacy but will block out UV light.

The Twigs voted to let the hospital have the balance in their accounts and use it as far as it will go to buy the things they need most.

CEO Marc Shurtz  told about the progress being made at the hospital. He said the community needs this hospital, the Albion Walk-In Clinic and lab draw sites. In recent months, surgeon Dr. Misiti has moved his office in the hospital and been joined by another surgeon, Dr. Todd Prier.  Podiatrist Dr. Canzoneri does surgery and has hours in Medina hospital one day a week. Outpatient cardiology is available with Dr. Harry McCrea. Volume in the Albion Walk-In Clinic has almost doubled since the addition of local provider Cheryl Kast. The Wound Care Center was recently recognized with a national award as a Center of Distinction.

Shurtz continued to say a recent patient satisfactory survey was returned by more than 100 patients.

“We will use that information to celebrate and look at where we can do better,” he said.

He added 94% of people who come to Medina hospital get treated there. Only six percent are transferred.

“We did very well in 2022,” Shurtz said. “We are on track to more than double our patient base on the second floor. Our patient base in short-term sub-acute rehab has increase by 50 percent.’

He also said patient revenue was the highest in 2022 since 2014.

“Our goal is to keep services here and local,” Shurtz said.

Twig member Jan McCloy had a friend who was in transitional care on the second floor, and said the care was excellent.

“This is wonderful if you live alone and need help after surgery,” McCloy said.

Shurtz said all the rooms on the second floor are private and TV is free.

OCH Foundation director Megan Johnson reported their gala was a success. She said they have raised the majority of the $150,000 to buy 60 new IV pumps for the hospital, and the Foundation will make up the rest of what they need.

“These are really going to make a difference in the community,” she said.

She reported on the gala to support the hospital, which 80 people attended.

“It was a wonderful event,” Shurtz said. “A lot of the people stayed to dance.”

He shared that the hospital had reached out to the public about the time of Covid asking for input on what they wanted at their local hospital. The majority wanted a maternity ward. He said they had corresponded with another hospital, who said the break-event point for a hospital maternity ward is 400 babies a year.

The luncheon concluded with a drawing for assorted gift cards.

‘This massive spending spree will be paid for by funds stolen from local governments, driving up New Yorkers’ already sky-high property taxes.’ – Rob Ortt

State Assembly members Steve Hawley of Batavia and Mike Norris of Lockport both oppose a $229 billion state budget that is more than a month past the April 1 deadline.

Hawley issued this statement: “Our state budget has finally passed, only a month later than it should have. Not only were there numerous empty seats on the side of the Majority as we trudged through the debate and voting process, but this budget is prepared to spend $229 billion worth of taxpayer dollars. That’s double the budget of Florida and Texas, despite New York having fewer residents than either of those states.

“Spending indiscriminately and passing the costs over to taxpayers almost unilaterally is not the way to attract or retain people or business to this state, and I fear it will continue the downward trend of New York’s economic strength.”

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

Norris issued this statement: “State spending has increased $64 billion in just five years under one-party rule. This increase is more than 35 state budgets in our union.

“For the fifth year in a row, I voted against the entire state budget as New Yorkers cannot sustain this out-of-control spending and these burdensome taxes. Individuals continue to show their frustration as New York leads the nation in population loss as they simply can’t afford to live here any longer.

“In every dark cloud, there is a glimmer of hope. Priorities matter, and I continue to believe that New York must invest more in our infrastructure. That’s why I am pleased to see an additional $60 million in funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) for our roads, bridges and culverts and that $34 million remains intact for our library construction aid. However, this is just a drop in the bucket when considering the overall state budget.

“New York, like our businesses and households have been forced to do, must start tightening its belt and focus on getting back to basics in enhancing infrastructure, schools and workforce development, and I will continue urging this approach for our future.”

Norris represents the 144th Assembly District, which includes portions of Erie and Niagara counties.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “The state budget crafted by Albany Democrats ignores the priorities of New York residents. The least transparent budget in recent memory failed to address the affordability crisis, does nothing to improve public safety, and imposes more big government mandates that threaten our economy.

“A first-in-the-nation, unconstitutional ban on natural gas hookups in new construction will drive up utility bills and increase housing costs. The language changes to cashless bail laws are less than meaningless and will do nothing to curtail rising crime. Burdensome new mandates and billions in new MTA taxes will cripple our small businesses and family farms. And this massive spending spree will be paid for by funds stolen from local governments, driving up New Yorkers’ already sky-high property taxes.

“The Governor and Legislative Leaders have repeatedly stated it was more important to have a good budget than an on-time budget. Unfortunately for New Yorkers, they got neither. The end result of this disastrous budget deal will be more crime, fewer jobs, and continued out-migration to more affordable states.”

Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle

ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle joined with representatives from Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York in issuing a call to action on women’s reproductive healthcare rights.

This comes in response to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ attempt to suspend the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of mifepristone – a common drug used safely in medical abortions for over 20 years – which would effectively implement a national ban on abortions.

“What we are witnessing is the culmination of a yearlong coordinated attempt by Republicans to strip away the healthcare rights of millions of women by imposing what amounts to a national ban on abortion,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Women should never have to question the right to make their own healthcare decisions, and medical professionals must be able to provide the appropriate standard of care without judicial interference. This case underscores the urgency of our work in Congress—we must stand united and carry on the fight to establish strong federal protections for reproductive healthcare.”

In a politically motivated attack to further restrict access to reproductive healthcare, 5th Circuit Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, ruled to revoke FDA approval of mifepristone—a decision which, if upheld by the Supreme Court, would upend access to medical abortion nationwide, including states like New York where it is currently legal. Congressman Morelle has been warning about these consequences ever since the Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked exactly one year ago today.

Congressman Morelle and his colleagues have filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to support keeping mifepristone available and protecting access to women’s healthcare. He also co-sponsors and continues to advocate for the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify the provisions of Roe v Wade into federal law and protect access to abortion nationwide.

“Although it has been presented as a safety issue, the Alliance case has always been a harmful, politically motivated attack on reproductive rights,” said Michelle Casey, President of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York. “We know that the goal of extreme anti-abortion actors is to ban abortion, birth control, and other sexual and reproductive health care nationwide. Simply put, they want to fully control what people do with their bodies. The truth is that medication abortion is incredibly safe and effective. It expands abortion access, reduces abortion stigma, and empowers patients to make their own private medical decisions. Mifepristone has been used by more than five million people in the United States since 2000 to safely end their pregnancies and treat miscarriages. At Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, we will continue to provide essential health care – including medication abortion. Everyone deserves the right to decide what is best for their body, their health, and their future.”

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney  

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), co-chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, today introduced the Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act to defund President Biden’s overreaching executive order that threatens the safety and security of American elections.

This legislation ensures American elections are transparent by prohibiting federal agencies from engaging in partisan voter operations at taxpayer expense.

Reps. Bill Posey (R-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Andrew Clyde (R-GA) co-sponsored the House version of this bill, while the Senate version was introduced by Senator Tedd Budd (R-NC).

 Specifically, this bill would prohibit actions ordered under President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) 14019 from being initiated by federal agencies. This would prevent federal agencies from entering into agreements with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to use their power, influence, resources, and federal funding to conduct voter registration and other mobilization activities. America’s civil service should be non-partisan and federal agencies should not be using taxpayer funds to actively engage in partisan Get Out The Vote operations that have nothing to do with their core missions.

“President Biden’s EO 14019 allows the federal government to use its power and your taxpayer dollars to influence our elections,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act ensures that federal agencies remain non-partisan and are not engaging in partisan voter registration and mobilization efforts on the taxpayer dime. As the Election Integrity Caucus co-chair, it is my privilege to introduce this legislation to restore transparency and confidence in our democratic process, while keeping federal bureaucrats and the swamp from deliberately tipping the balance of our elections.”

The legislation prohibits the use of federal funding to carry out activities directed under EO 14019, including:

• Soliciting or entering into an agreement with a third-party group to conduct voter registration or voter mobilization activities on federal property anywhere in the country, or on any federal agency website;
• Implementing strategic plans to carry out activities directed under EO 14019 until at least 180 days after submitting to Congress a copy of the plan, unless those activities are required under federal law; and
• Engaging in any voter registration activities outlined in Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), until at least 180 days after providing Congress a copy of the agencies’ strategic plan to do so under EO 14019, or in the case of those agencies that did not create a strategic plan under EO 14019, only after they have certified to Congress that no such plan exists.

Tenney is the founder and co-chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus in Congress. With more than 60 members, the Caucus is dedicated to preserving the sanctity of our elections and boosting confidence in the democratic process.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – The high school Diversity Club and National Honor Society teamed up to bring Blankets of Hope to members of the community.

Blankets of Hope is an educational nonprofit that helps students practice empathy and kindness in an impactful service-learning experience. The organization ships blankets to schools for free, then students participate in a 30-minute kindness workshop. Students then write handwritten notes of encouragement and deliver the blankets and notes to those in need.

Students from both clubs brought 60 blankets to the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen where they were quickly distributed. The Diversity Club has a long-standing relationship with the kitchen, as students have frequently spent time helping with meals in the past. The food pantry and community kitchen serves meals every Thursday evening with different local groups stepping up to serve and provide.

Diversity Club members with staff show off this year’s signed banner.

The service project was part of diversity week in the high school. The week culminated in the annual banner signing during lunches where students were encouraged to pledge to embrace diversity and stand against racism. Every year, the banner is displayed in the library until the next year’s is complete.

The Diversity Club has been successful in bringing speakers, authors and events to the district in an effort to celebrate our differences and make sure every person of every background is welcome in our schools and community.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dylan Coyle of Albion tosses a frisbee at a basket at Bullard Park this morning. The village Department of Public Works put in several of the baskets today as part of a nine-hole disc golf course.

Coyle has been pushing for a disc golf course in Albion for several years. He lives right around the corner from Bullard.

Coyle is up close and tries a frisbee that functions like a putter for short-range tosses. Coyle also has frisbees for mid-range distances and then a driver for long throws.

The new baskets are funded with a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. The Orleans County YMCA received the grant is spearheading nine-hole courses at Bullard and also at Gulf Street Park in Medina.

The grant covers tee boxes, signs and baskets that are mounted in small concrete foundations – 8 inches wide by 20 inches deep.

Coyle said he plays at courses around the region, including one at Lakeside Beach State Park. He said the sport is fairly inexpensive with the specialized frisbees available for $20 or less.

“There are no green’s fees,” he said. “It’s a great activity to get out into nature and have fun with your friends.”

Village of Albion Department of Public Workers employees put in one of the baskets for the disc golf course. From right to left include Charlie Ricci, Scott Bradshaw (in orange shirt), Shawn Stephens and Jeff Arnett (in backhoe).

The DPW expects to finish putting in all nine baskets on Wednesday.

One of the signature holes for the course has the basket nestled back in the woods along the bank of Sandy Creek.

The creek passes by this hole. One of the hardest holes has a tee-box from the top of the sledding hill.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Betty Sue Miller, Hoag Library director, discusses how the library is making efforts to meet the needs of the community.

ALBION – Hoag Library is a busy place, even as the circulation for books goes down.

The library, at its annual meeting on Monday, reported a total circulation of 40,082 in 2022, with 28,927 from books being checked out and 11,025 non-books. Prior to the Covid pandemic, the circulation was about 90,000. Circulation was at 46,270 in 2021.

Hoag sees lots of demand from the community in other ways, said Betty Sue Miller, the library director.

The meeting rooms were used 1,598 times in 2022. There were 12,260 WiFi sessions for internet use, 3,531 computer sessions, 971 Fax services, 654 reference questions, and 463 notarized documents.

There were 555 programs hosted by the library in 2022 with a total attendance of 5,433. There were 4,695 items from Hoag taken out through the inter-loan library system with 6,274 items borrowed through that program run by the three-county Nioga Library System.

The library last year also started hosting blood drives for the American Red Cross, AAA defensive driving courses, hot spots for the internet and welcomed a piano in memory of Jared Fearby.

This year the library has started a new concert series. Kinloch Nelson opened the series on April with about 75 attending the concert. Ricardo Saeb is the next performer this Saturday at noon.

Veronica Morgan was elected as a trustee on Monday. She received 25 votes as the lone candidate on the ballot. The board then re-elected the same officers for the new year with Linda Weller as president, Mary Covell as vice president, Dawn Squicciarini as secretary and Rachel Hicks as treasurer.

“This isn’t just a library but a community base,” Weller said. “I believe in the vision of this library to provide the services it does to the community.”

The library paid off its mortgage in 2021 following several large donations from Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay. Their contributions totaled $1 million.

When the mortgage was paid off, the money the library sought from taxpayers through the school budget vote dropped 10.3 percent from $724,260 in 2021-22 to $648,964 in 2022-23. The amount requested with the upcoming May 16 vote will be $683,100.

Betty Sue Miller is shown giving blood during a blood drive at Hoag Library on Dec. 17. She gave blood for the first time that day.

Provided photos: Frosty and Friends has held several community events and fundraisers to support local charities in the past year, including a recent visit from the Easter Bunny. The group is planning a 40-mile motorcycle ride to support Justice for Children Advocacy Center.

ALBION – A motorcycle group that raises funds for non-profit agencies and also gives toys to hundreds of local children is planning a 40-mile motorcycle ride on May 13 to benefit the Justice for Children Advocacy Center.

Frosty and Friends will be escorted by Orleans County Sheriff’s Department on the ride. Frosty and Friends is looking to assist Justice for Children, an organization based in Batavia that serves children who are victims of abuse.

“We will be doing a lot more in the future to support them,” said Sean Paul, Frosty’s director. “At Christmas time we donated over 100 toy rescue pets for them to give to the kids during intake interviews.”

Justice for Children provides forensic interviews, victim advocacy, medical exams, mental health counseling and other services.

Frosty and Friends during the Christmas holiday distributed toys out to nearly 1,000 kids and helped five other nonprofits during an event at the Arnold Gregory Office Building. The bikers for charity motorcycle group has an office at Arnold Gregory, 243 S. Main St., Suite 235.

The ride on May 13 starts at the Arnold Gregory site and ends at the Old Crow Motorcycle Club at 2355 Peter Smith Rd. in Kent. Emelio Sebastian, pastor of Jubilee Christian Church in Brockport, will offer a bike blessing before the ride.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with music, food and drinks, games, vendors and bike blessings. To ride, the cost is $20 for the bike and $5 for a passenger. At the Old Crow, for those not on the ride, admission is $15 per adult and $5 per child.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. with kick stands up at 12:15 p.m. to head out for the ride around the county.

The Old Crow in Kent will host the end-of-ride party with food, drink, live music, vendors and raffles.

Provided photo by Loretta Clark: Lyniah Winn graduated last month from the Iroquois Job Corps.

MEDINA – A student at Iroquois Job Corps got her wish to graduate in cap and gown, thanks to the staff at Job Corps.

Lyniah Winn, a resident of Rochester, arrived at the Iroquois Job Corps in July 2022. Since then, she has earned her Penn Foster High School diploma, her driver’s permit and completed the certified nursing program.

Since Covid in March 2020, the Job Corps has not held actual graduation ceremonies, said Jeanette Barr, senior administrative assistant.

Win expressed sadness she wouldn’t have any pictures of her in cap and gown to share with her loved ones and to have for herself, said Marissa Aldaco, Iroquois Career Transition Services clerk.

“I called around to see how I might be able to help her,” Aldaco said. “I found and borrowed a cap and gown and helped her get the permissions needed to invite her mother to the center to have pictures taken with her. Lyniah is the first student I have encountered since the ceremonies were halted during Covid who had said she wanted photos in a cap and gown, so I really wanted to help her.”

A week ago, Winn and her mother returned to the Job Corps to have her picture taken in her cap and gown.

“She and her mother were beaming with pride,”  Barr said. “We are all proud of her.”

This summer, Winn and her mother will be invited back to the Iroquois Job Corps for the first in-person graduation celebration since Covid.

Winn plans to work with her mother at St. Ann’s Community Senior Living Center in Rochester.