Local churches are teaming for joint services to help the community observe Easter.

In Albion this evening at 7 there will be a Maundy Thursday Ecumenical Service at the Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church. That service is being organized by the Albion Ministerium.

The Albion Ministerium also has planned a Good Friday Ecumenical Service at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

In Medina, the Cross Walk will begin at noon outside City Hall on Main Street and then go to seven stops in the village, with participants reading scripture and singing hymns, with some of the group carrying a large wooden cross.

There will be a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. at Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship, 5329 South Gravel Rd. (Route 63) in Medina. That service is organized and led by several church leaders in the PACT group (Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation.)

There will also be a sunrise service on Easter morning at 6:30 a.m. at Boxwood Cemetery in a service led by the Medina Area Association of Churches.

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: The Easter Bunny meets with Carla Woodworth. Lions Club members Wes Bradley and Nicole Spohr have hot dogs ready.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville United Methodist Church and the Lions Club teamed for a celebration on Saturday for an Easter Egg Hunt and hot dog roast.

The Easter Egg Hunt has been a long-standing tradition for the church. This event was originally started by the Reverend Jennifer Green in the early 1990s and has continued for the last 30 years under the direction of Reverend Tim Schultz and the United Methodist Christian Woman’s Group.

The Lyndonville Lions have been involved in this event for over 15 years providing the hot dogs and refreshments. Lyndonville Lions member John Belson has been a longtime participant and stated that  “it was nice to see the event return to its usual form after the lifting of Covid restrictions that have played a role the last two years.”

Over 2,000 Easter eggs were filled with candy, prizes and Christian-based messages that reveal the true meaning of Easter. The eggs were then hidden in a maze erected by the church congregation in the high school gymnasium.

Over 150 children searched for the eggs and the Easter Bunny also made a special guest appearance.  At the culmination of the Easter Egg Hunt, parents and children were treated to over 200 grilled hot dogs and beverages supplied by the Lyndonville Lions Club.

Carla Woodworth, who is one of the many church member participants, stated: “The collaboration between the church and Lions Club has made this event very popular in the community and well attended.”

The Orleans Sheriff’s Department provided child car seat checks and photo registration of children at no cost. This information is held at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and can be used to find missing children. Sheriff Chris Bourke stressed the importance of these two services and how they improve children’s safety here in Orleans County.

The Lyndonville United Methodist Church and the Lyndonville Lions Club would like to thank those people that attended this year’s event. Both organizations extend their wishes for a joyous holiday season and a Happy Easter.

220 schools, including Lyndonville and Medina, targeted with ‘swatting calls’ in past week, forcing police response

Provided photo: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer spoke at Brockport on Wednesday and announced a three-point plan for the federal government to target perpetrators of false calls at schools, claiming there will be a mass shooting.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

BROCKPORT – Standing at Brockport High School, after a terrifying wave of 36 “swatting” incidents across New York falsely reporting a mass shooting spurred police to respond to 226 schools, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he is demanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation launch a full investigation into this latest unprecedented wave and launching his push for more resources to crack down on “swatting.”

Schumer said these hoax calls directly hit both Brighton, Brockport High Schools, and most recently Spencerport Schools in Monroe County, terrifying students, teachers, and parents, and that the feds need to step up to hold criminals accountable and curb attacks like this. (In Orleans County, Medina and Lyndonville received the calls.)

First, Schumer revealed that he has personally called and written to the FBI to emphasize the need for a full investigation working with New York State Police to get answers and hold those responsible accountable.

Second, the senator said that we need to supercharge our federal cyber investigative capabilities to stop threats like this, and said he is now launching a push for over $10 million for the FBI to specifically tackle the growing problem of swatting.

Third, Schumer said with this style of attack growing, including potentially from foreign actors, it is imperative that the FBI start tracking “swatting” incidents as its own crime and issue a report so that the dangers and pervasiveness of these attacks can be properly assessed so they can be curbed going forward.

“These swatting attacks are dangerous, disturbing and downright terrifying for our Rochester students, teachers and parents,” he said in Brockport. “We need all federal hands on deck to support local law enforcement and hold perpetrators of these disturbing hoax calls accountable, which is why I personally called the FBI to say this issue needs to be a top priority and I am pushing for more funding and data to counter unique threats like this.”

Schumer explained that “swatting” has been a growing trend in recent years in which a phone call or false report is made to unsuspecting resident’s home, a school, or other public place in order to evoke a police or SWAT team response.

On the morning of Thursday, March 30, 2023, New York saw an unprecedented series of swatting attacks leading to police having to respond to over 220 K-12 schools across the state after they received false reports of a mass shooting.

In Monroe County, Brockport and Brighton were both forced into lockdown with students and staff sheltering in place until law enforcement confirmed the threats were not credible. For Brockport, students and staff were in lock-down for close to an hour, not only disrupting the school day but also causing panic and emotional turmoil throughout the school.

“The ongoing swatting threats are dangerous, terroristic and causing emotional trauma in our schools,” said NYSUT Board member Andrew Jordan. “We join Senator Schumer in his call to bring the full weight of the federal government into investigating and cracking down on attacks like these. Ensuring students and educators are safe in school is, and always will be, our top priority.”

Schumer said these false alerts are not only terrifying for the victims, but they can also cost law enforcement thousands of dollars, delay response to actual emergencies, and tragically have even resulted in injury or death of innocent bystanders. In 2014, on Long Island, one fake swatting bomb threat ended up costing police nearly $100,000.

The threat in Brockport was responded to by three police departments, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Brockport Police Department, and Campus police from next-door SUNY Brockport, wasting the time and resources of all three departments as they worked expeditiously to respond and ensure the safety of students and staff.

 The senator said these attacks are a serious threat to the safety of our students and schools and that is why he is calling on the FBI to launch a full investigation. Schumer explained New York State Police and local law enforcement are already working alongside the FBI to investigate the incident on March 30th. With public reporting, however, that this string of “swatting” hoaxes may have come from outside the U.S. and similar incidents taking place in multiple other states in the same week, it is imperative that a broad investigation be completed with all due speed to determine the origins and any linkages between these attacks.

“The bottom line is that Americans need to know who is committing these attacks and ensuring that criminals know that if they commit these heinous acts that they will be held accountable is one of the strongest deterrents,” Schumer said. “That starts with making sure the FBI has the resources it needs bring people to justice swiftly and that the data is being collected to curb this unique disturbing trend.”

ALBION – A store has opened inside The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center making new and gently used items available to residents for free.

Sandy’s Boutique opened last week with a variety of clothing, jewelry, hats, shoes, and other items to put around their rooms. Residents enjoy shopping there and picking out items at no charge.

Donations are welcome from the community, with the current greatest need slip-on footwear, men’s pull-on pants, summer bonnet-style hats and baseball caps.

People can drop off donations at the front door. If those donated items aren’t needed, they will be passed along to other agencies such as Community Action, the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and the PAWS animal shelter, as well as churches.

Eric Flugel, the nursing home’s administrator, had the idea for the store, and received lots of help from family members and friends to bring it to reality.

Eric’s daughter Autumn, mother Sandra, nieces Liana and Alayna Flugel, aunt Sherry and Madison Watts all helped get the store set up.  Other friends and cousins who joined the effort included Felicia Beach, Chantee Johnson, Melissa Olles, Ryan Olles, Sean Yantz, Michelle Ashton, Cass Dezarn, Lindsey Dezarn, niece Madeline Tabor, along with Jennifer Watts, Eli Howard, Christina Tilbe and Eric’s father Ray Flugel.

The new store is named Sandy’s Boutique and opened last week.

CARLTON – A Lockport man killed his 14-year-old son and then shot himself on Sunday in an orchard along Kendrick Road in Carlton, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said this morning.

Henry Frank Spoon Jr., 39, of Lockport killed his son Shawn Spoon, 14, of Lockport, by shooting him in the head and cutting his throat with a knife, Bourke said.

The elder Spoon then attempted to cut his own throat, and then turned the rifle on himself, shooting himself in the head, the sheriff said.

“The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to piece together the history of events leading up to this tragic incident,” Bourke said.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with several agencies on this investigation including: the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and the Major Felony Crime Task Force, the Lockport Police Department, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, the State Police, and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office completed autopsies on both the father and son.

Law enforcement was called to the scene on Sunday after a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in an orchard on Kendrick Road in the Town of Carlton. Deputies arrived and located a vehicle approximately 75 feet off the roadway in the orchard.

Upon further investigation, the two individuals were located in the orchard, deceased, approximately 400 feet from the vehicle, the sheriff said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office (585) 589-5527 and ask for Investigator Colonna, Pahuta or Marsceill.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County legislator Skip Draper, center, presents a proclamation for “April as Donate Life Month” to Pam Boyer (left), deputy county clerk at DMV, and Nadine Hanlon, the county clerk.

The County Legislature urges residents to join the New York State Donate Life Registry.

“In New York State there are approximately 8,100 people waiting for an organ transplant which represents the third highest need in the nation; and there are an estimated 400 New Yorkers that die every year while waiting for an organ transplant,” county legislators stated in the proclamation. “A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others.”

County legislators also issued a proclamation celebrating March 1-7 as “Weights and Measures Week.” Weights and Measures Director Ron Mannella accepts the proclamation last week from County Legislator Don Allport, right. Paul Pettit, the public health director, is at left.

Mannella serves as Weights and Measures director for both Orleans and Genesee counties. The two counties have had a shared program for four years which officials say has saved $200,000.

Weights and Measures is responsible for the annual assurance of accuracy and design for over 1,200 commercial weighing and measuring devices in more than 200 businesses.

“The efforts and determination exemplified by Weights and Measures to resolve any price or product discrepancies for the advancement of equality does not go unnoticed,” legislators stated in the proclamation.

County legislators also issued a proclamation for April 3-9 as “National Public Health Week.” That proclamation was presented to Paul Pettit, the public health director.

“Public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, including—disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other disasters, including those caused by human activity and public health emergencies,” legislators stated in the proclamation.

Megan Johnson

MEDINA – The local community has an opportunity to dress up for an elegant night out and support Medina Memorial Hospital.

Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health’s foundation, has announced a fundraising gala from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 29 at Bent’s Opera House.

The theme is “Light up the Night,” and will feature gourmet food stations, a fun party band and exclusive silent auction.

The Foundation already sponsors Treasure Island in November, a cash raffle and golf tournament in the summer.

“We were looking for a different event to do in spring,” Johnson said. “The theme will be different every year.”

Entertainment will be provided by Something Else, a popular rock band from Rochester.

While this is a formal event, Johnson said it is not your traditional black tie requirement. It is considered “creative black,” she said, meaning men can wear a bright tie with their suit and women can wear a dressy dress or jumpsuit.

Lawley Insurance and Bent’s Opera House have already stepped up to be sponsors, and other sponsorships are available, Johnson said.

The silent auction will feature only five exclusive items, including a 10-year-old bottle of Pappy Rip Van Winkle bourbon. The liquor online sells for more than $1,000 a bottle, with some bottles priced at more than $5,000. It was donated by Main Street Liquor. Winners must be in attendance to claim their prize.

The evening will also include a short presentation by hospital CEO Marc Shurtz, who will share how far the hospital has come and his vision for the future.

Tickets for the event are $150 per person and can be purchased by visiting SupportOCH.org/event/gala. Tickets may also be purchased by sending a check to OCH Foundation, Attention Megan Johnson, 200 Ohio St., Medina, NY 14103; stopping in the Foundation office in the lobby of the hospital; or calling (585) 798-8426 to reserve and pay over the phone. Attendance is limited to 100 people.

In addition to Johnson, the Events Committee includes Cindy Hewitt, Barb Jantzi, Gloria Brent and Peter Bartula.

Fourteen agents with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Zambito Realtors and Western New York Properties have been named among the best in the international network for 2022 at the company’s annual sales convention in Las Vegas.

Individuals receiving awards include Cynthia Petkus-Barna, Deborah Carpenter, Tammy Fearby, Brian and Sichel Cignarale, James Soliday, Diane Ziehl, Renee Schuner, Michael Manning, Michael Bartlett, Nathan Fox and Mandy Gotham, as well as the ownership.

The awards recognized the network’s top 18, 12 and 6 percent of sales professionals who exemplified great sales measures in closed GCI (gross commission income) or closed units during the past year.

Real estate professionals from across the globe attended the annual business conference to network, educate and celebrate the success of the network, said Mark Zambito, broker/owner with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Zambito Realtors and Western New York Properties.

Also attending the conference was Zambito’s sister Mandy Gotham, who runs the Orchard Park office.

“We applaud these amazing individuals for earning these awards among more than 50,000 agents worldwide in a very challenging market that was 2022,” Zambito said. “It is a remarkable achievement and is a testament to their dedication to the industry. Their knowledge, strong work ethic and natural leadership culminates their service to the local market. We strive to provide the best possible real estate experience for all of our clients, and these agents went above and beyond.”

Zambito Realtors entered the real estate industry in 2007 and joined Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices in February 2021. Since that time it has earned a host of honors, including Top Office in the region for 2022.

The global real estate brokerage franchise of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is boldly focused on building a personally connected future through relationship-driven business, with best-in-class leadership, mentorships. Business tools and a worldwide network that’s committed to making a lasting impact through lifelong relationships, Zambito said.

More information on the company can be found on their website at www.bhhswny.com.

Mark’s mother Rita Zambito started selling real estate 25 years ago, earning her real estate broker’s license one year later. In 2007 she decided it was time to go on her own with Mark and opened Zambito Realtors on Main Street in Medina with just four agents.

Since that time, the business has grown substantially, and today, consists of four offices in Western New York with more than 50 agents.

“We are family owned and have experience in selling all types of property,” Mark Zambito said. “Whether it be residential, waterfront, multi-family, commercial or foreclose properties, whatever your real estate needs, we have a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices realtor available to help find what you’re looking for. “

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Zambito Realtors has offices in Medina, Batavia, Lockport and Orchard Park.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney   

Claudia Tenney

BATAVIA – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today kicked off the first stop of her Farm Bill listening tour in Western New York with an open-door roundtable meeting in Batavia.

During the event, Tenney heard directly from constituents, including many area farmers, about the challenges they are facing and their priorities in Congress.

Tenney held the open-door roundtable as part of her Farm Bill listening tour, which she kicked off ahead of Congress’s consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill later this year. The Farm Bill is considered by Congress every five years and sets comprehensive policies that guide agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies across the country.

This was the first of three stops Tenney announced as part of her listening tour. Additional roundtables will be held for constituents in Oswego on April 5 and in Phelps on April 6.

“Thank you to the many farmers from across Western New York who attended today’s roundtable discussion,” Tenney said. “New York’s 24th District is the largest agriculture district in the Northeast, home to some of the nation’s finest family farms and agricultural enterprises. As Congress begins to craft the 2023 Farm Bill, this was a great opportunity to hear testimonies directly from our farmers, who are hurting because of Democrat policies in Albany and Washington. I am bringing their feedback with me to Congress to ensure their voices shape the legislative process. I will always be a tenacious and compassionate advocate for our region’s farmers and hardworking families.”

At today’s roundtable event, Tenney was also joined by State Senator George Borello, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and a representative from the office of Satte Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

Following today’s roundtable, Tenney visited Sweet Dream Maple Farm to meet with the owners of this family-owned business and learn more about the needs and priorities of our region’s maple farmers. Tenney is co-chair of the Maple Caucus in Congress.

“I want to thank Congresswoman Tenney for hosting this important listening session and applaud all of the individuals involved in our local agriculture industry for taking the time out of their busy schedules to discuss the future of farming in our nation with us,” Ortt said. “New York’s family farms are quite literally the backbone to our economy – making up 90 percent of our state’s agriculture industry. Forty-year high inflation, record-high fuel prices, severe worker shortages, and the overtime threshold passed by Albany bureaucrats has severely impacted this industry.

“Each year, we lose more and more of these family farms directly due to their detrimental policies,” Ortt continued. “I can confidently say, on behalf of the NYS Senate Republican Conference, that we will continue the fight for common-sense legislation that protects, supports, and enables our family farms to succeed.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson speaks at last week’s Legislature meeting in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators are well aware of the effort among towns and villages in the county to receive more of the local sales tax.

But uncertainty with the state budget – the potential cost shifts and added expenses to the county – have the Legislature in a guarded position with finances, said County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson.

“Until the governor’s budget goes through we’re in limbo,” Johnson said during last week’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

The county could see a $1 million hit in Medicaid expenses if the state opts to keep all of the federal funding used to help pay for that program. Those federal funds have helped prevent a cost spike in Medicaid from the county in recent years. But county officials say it could be a $1,059,034 hit to the county budget, resulting in a tax increase locally of 7.5 percent.

Hochul also is proposing to increase the hourly rate for assigned council from $75 to $119 an hour.  This would cost the County approximately $200,000 per year.

“I don’t want you to think we’re hoarding the sales tax,” Johnson told the town and village officials last week.

The local sales tax revenue has increased significantly in recent years with online sales being taxed and inflation fueling more in sales tax collections.

The county took in $22.5 million in local sales tax in 2022, up by $4.8 million or by 27 percent from the $17.7 million in 2019.

The 10 towns and four villages have been frozen at $1,366,671 since 2001. That year there was a small increase after the town and village share hadn’t been changed since 1996.

Many of the towns and villages have passed resolutions asking the Legislature to boost the percentage given to the villages and towns to at least the 14 percent in 1996. That year the local sales tax was $9,499,138. It has more than doubled since then.

To get to 14 percent of $22.5 million, the county would have to increase the amount to towns and villages to $3,150,000 – a $1,783,329 increase.

The towns and villages say the added revenue is needed to help them offset rising expenses and maintain services, without putting it all on the property tax.

Johnson said some of the money has been used by the county to get caught up on infrastructure projects, from the county buildings to maintaining roads and bridges. This year’s infrastructure budget is a record for the county at $19 million.

Provided photo: After an article was published stating the Medina Lions’ had a need for a children’s wheelchair for their Medical Loan Closet, one was donated, along with enough money to purchase a second one. They are shown here next to a regular size wheelchair.

MEDINA – On March 10, the Orleans Hub ran a story detailing the Medina Lions Club’s need for a child-size wheelchair to be shared through the Medical Loan Closet.

A short time after the article ran, a used children’s wheelchair was donated, in addition to enough money for the Lions to purchase a second child’s wheelchair, according to Jim Punch, Medina Lions’ president, who oversees the Medical Loan Closet.

There was also enough money donated to enable the Lions to purchase other items to shore up the Loan Closet’s stock of items for children, such as crutches and walkers.

“Our community always comes through to help those in need,” Punch said. “We are all very lucky to live in a place with people who are so generous and caring.”

Punch said they have had several requests for children’s wheelchairs in recent weeks, and were very disappointed not to have been able to fulfill the requests.

The Medical Loan Closet lends medical items to anyone who needs them, and has had an ample supply of commodes, hospital beds, walkers, crutches and other medical equipment.

Anyone who has need to borrow medical equipment or has items to donate may call (585) 205-3502. The address to send donations to the Medina Lions is P.O. Box 511, Medina.

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

This week, April 3-9, is National Public Health Week. The goal of National Public Health Week is to recognize the contributions of public health, the workforce and highlight issues that can improve the health and well-being of our communities.

The primary purpose of public health is prevention, protection, and improving the health of the entire population.

“Many of the leading causes of death for individuals in our community result from chronic conditions, which are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health challenges,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

GO Health supports and implements programming and interventions that address emerging health issues and topics including, but not limited to, chronic diseases, overdose deaths, suicides, communicable diseases, substance use disorders, adverse childhood experiences, trauma, maternal and child health, a safe environment, and social determinants of health.

“At GO Health, we have an enthusiastic staff that aims to protect and improve the health of residents in our community,” Pettit said. “We thank them for their service and dedication.”

However, we know that we cannot make a difference without building effective working relationships with partners in healthcare and other sectors. As Chief Health Strategists, GO Health collaborates with partners outside of the health sector, including city planners, transportation officials, educational officials, legislators, and private businesses, because we recognize that other sectors can influence health factors and outcomes.

“We would like to take this time during National Public Health Week to thank our partners,” Pettit said. “We could not make the impact and improve the lives of our residents without the tireless work and effort our partners and volunteers put into our communities.”

This Public Health Week, GO Health encourages residents of Genesee and Orleans Counties to help celebrate the week by participating in activities to help improve your health and make our community healthier, stronger, and safer. Some suggestions include:

• Eat less processed foods and drinks.
• Quit smoking and vaping. Call the New York State (NYS) Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 for free patches and more.
• Be active. Take a walk or bike ride along the canal, on a trail, or in a village.
• Make sure you are up-to-date on routine screenings for colorectal (colon) cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
• Make sure you and your children are up-to-date on routine immunizations.
• Stay away from wildlife, including injured animals and pets that aren’t yours, to reduce your risk of rabies. Love your own, leave the rest alone.
• Keep your pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccination.
• Learn how to administer Naloxone (Narcan).
• Volunteer at a local service organization that contributes to the health and well-being of our community.
• Read to your children, every day.
• The only way to find out if your children have been exposed to lead is through a blood test. Get your children tested for lead at ages 1 and 2.
• Make sure your children sees his or her doctor for routine well-child visits to monitor their growth and developmental milestones.
• Be prepared and make a family emergency plan. Practice your plan with your family/household and make sure your emergency kit is stocked with essential items. For more information, visit ready.gov/plan.
• Practice mindfulness or try yoga to help relieve stress.

For more information on GO Health Programs, visit www.GOHealthNY.org.

Albion businesses also doing Easter Hop with 29 spots

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Easter Bunny hugs Joshua Bennett, 4, of Albion while his mother Jamie Bennett gets a photo after the egg hunt on April 9, 2022. There were 3,000 eggs last year at the event, and will more than triple that on Saturday.

ALBION – It will be a big Easter egg hunt on Saturday on the Courthouse lawn with 10,000 plastic eggs with treats inside scattered about the property.

The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is planning the event after last year’s debut hunt with 3,000 eggs, including nine golden eggs with tickets for bigger prizes, such as bicycles and scooters. The golden eggs will be back on Saturday.

The Masonic Lodge also will be serving free hot dogs and French fries. Last year the Masons served up 500 hot dogs and 600 orders of French fries.

“We just want to love on the children of the community,” said Pastor Al Wilson of the Royal Body Shop.

There will also be 600 baskets available for free for kids when they go hunting for the eggs.

The egg hunt starts at 1 p.m. and will be in three different age groups: 1 to 5, 6 to 9, and 10 to 14.

There will be food served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wilson also reached out to a barber, Mr. FineLines, who will be giving haircuts for free from noon to 3 p.m.

There also will be face painting and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Saturday also will be the Easter Hop with 29 Albion businesses and organizations offering treats.

The Easter Hop runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The North Point Chapel donated 288 baskets. The hop starts at either Toys n Kandy, Pretty Sweet Bakery, and Bloom’s Flower Shop. They will provide a basket and map of the locations which include the downtown, Arnold Gregory Office Building, and spots on Route 31 and spots on South Main Street. The Easter Bunny will be at the Wild Flour Deli & Bakery.

The hop is coordinated by Dan Conrad, owner of Toyz n Kandy, and Heidi Peterson, an employee at The Coffee Joint.

Medina and Lyndonville school districts were among about 50 in New York State that received a generic, non-specific bomb threat through email this morning. The threat was investigated by law enforcement and deemed not credible.

The Medina Police Department was able to quickly determine it wasn’t a credible threat in Medina, so the schools didn’t need to be cleared out, said Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent.

Medina is currently on break anyway but some students are there each day for spring sports.

“Unfortunately, there are individuals in our society who continue to send threatening messages to school districts across the country,” Kruzynski said in a message to the community. “In situations like this we will always work with our law enforcement partners to analyze the threat and determine the level of response. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is now further investigating these email threats.”

Update at 10:19 a.m.: Lyndonville also received one of the threats by email and it was found to not be credible. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, contacted the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the threat.

“In situations like this, we will always work with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and their law enforcement partners to analyze the threat and determine the appropriate level of response,” Smith in a message to the community.

Lyndonville cancelled athletic practices and sent staff home, Smith said. All offices will be open and activities will resume tomorrow, she said.

Update at 4:31 p.m.: Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement about the threats:

“More than 50 school districts across New York have received disturbing ‘swatting’ threats today including in Central New York, Long Island, the Southern Tier and the North Country. I want to reassure parents that their children are safe at school – swatting threats are false and intended to cause panic and scare students, teachers and families.

“I have directed the New York State Police to investigate these threats and work closely with all levels of law enforcement to identify the perpetrators, hold them accountable, and restore the sense of safety and security our children deserve. Since the first round of swatting incidents occurred last week, State Police has been working closely with the State Education Department, county leadership and local school boards to provide support and any necessary resources to address these incidents. My top priority will always be the safety of New Yorkers.”

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – The Genesee Community College Foundation invites nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community. The Foundation will induct the next class of nominees in Fall 2023.

GCC introduced the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007 to recognize those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community. In over 16 years, the college has recognized 45 outstanding graduates in a variety of professional fields from law enforcement, healthcare and economic development, to name a few.

The criteria for nominating an individual to the Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual’s contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College. Nominees must be well-established in their professional lives, completing their GCC degree at least ten years prior to nomination.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. A selection committee will choose honorees. New inductees will be honored at a reception on campus, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building.

Nomination forms are available on GCC Foundation’s website (click here) or contact the Foundation office at (585) 345-6809.