Photos and article courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – The school district broke ground on its capital improvement project Tuesday morning as construction is set to begin on the campus-wide upgrades.

Students Javier Lopez, Charlotte Bannister, Grace Nesbitt, Jaxon Lynch, Finnegan McCue and Julia Knight placed golden shovels in the dirt to officially kick off the project.

Board of Education President Wayne Wadhams, Superintendent of Schools Mickey Edwards, Business Administrator Rick Recckio II and Director of Facilities Tim Mercer along with Kevin Donaghue, Mike Ferreri and Terry Nothnagle from Campus Construction Management and Mark Azzarello, Tina LaRosa and Kirk Narburgh of King + King Architects were also on hand for the ceremonious event.

“We are excited to get construction underway and to improve our campus for all students, staff and community members,” said Superintendent Edwards. “We appreciate everyone’s patience during this process as we continue to make Albion schools safer and better.”

At the forefront of the project are safety and security enhancements to all three buildings, including security films, access controls, exterior and interior door replacements and notification systems. The elementary school will benefit from mechanical upgrades, sidewalk replacements and a reconfigured entry vestibule. At the middle school, there will be an improved drop-off loop, gymnasium renovations, new pool shower areas and plumbing and mechanical upgrades.

The high school will receive new lockers, improved sidewalks, renovations to the gymnasium, new hot water heaters and lines, renovated locker rooms and mechanical upgrades. Additionally, improvements will be made at the bus garage and the football, soccer and softball fields will be replaced with a multi-purpose artificial surface.

The district’s capital improvement project was approved by public vote in December 2021. Construction will continue through 2024. For all updates and information on Albion Central School District’s capital improvement project, click here.

Students Javier Lopez and Charlotte Bannister from the elementary school, Grace Nesbitt and Jaxon Lynch from the middle school, and Finnegan McCue and Julia Knight from the high school used golden shovels during a ground-breaking celebration.

Claudia Tenney

BATAVIA – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will have three roundtable discussions with the agricultural community next week as part of a Farm Bill listening tour.

Tenney said she wants to hear from farmers in the 24^th Congressional District about their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.

“As your voice in Congress, it is essential that I hear directly from you about the issues facing our community,” she said. “Our sprawling district, the largest agriculture-producing district in the Northeast, is home to so many hardworking farmers who feed our community, state, and nation. I am committed to hearing from them about their top priorities as we prepare for the consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill. I will always be a tenacious advocate for our region’s agriculture community.”

The sessions include:

• Western New York Farm Bill Roundtable

Tuesday, April 4, 10 a.m. Old Courthouse

7 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020

• Central NY & North Country Farm Bill Roundtable

Wednesday, April 5, 10 a.m. Oswego County Legislative Chamber

46 E Bridge St., 4th Floor Oswego, NY 13126

• Finger Lakes Farm Bill Roundtable

Thursday, April 6, 10 a.m. Phelps Community Center

8 Banta St., #100, Phelps, NY 14532

Every five years, Congress passes Farm Bill legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies.

New York’s 24th District is the largest agriculture and dairy district in the Northeast, producing dairy, beef, grain, wine, apples and other crops.

Those interested in attending one of the discussions can click here to use a link to RSVP. Those who can’t attend in person also can use the link to submit a comment.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Wednesday announced that New York State will receive $100 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the American Rescue Plan to expand high-speed internet.

This is the largest targeted investment in affordable housing connectivity in the nation. New York estimates this funding will allow them to connect 100,000 homes and families to affordable, high-speed internet across the state.

“Affordable, reliable broadband access is essential to connect New Yorkers with work, education, and government services, but still out of reach for far too many families,” Governor Hochul said. “This critical funding to unlock high-speed internet for thousands of New York renters will build on the success of our ConnectALL broadband initiative while supporting the goals our five-year plan to build and preserve more affordable housing. Thanks to the Biden administration and New York’s Senate and Congressional delegations, New York will continue to lead the nation in bridging the digital divide and making broadband available to all.”

The new federal investment comes from the $10 billion in the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF), a program designed to address the challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in rural America, Tribal communities, and low- and moderate-income communities.

A key priority of the CPF is to make funding available to help ensure that all communities have access to high-quality modern infrastructure, including reliable, affordable high-speed broadband needed to access critical services.

New York’s Affordable Housing Connectivity Program is a competitive grant program designed to fund high-speed, reliable broadband infrastructure to and within low-income housing buildings. CPF funds will be used to upgrade internet access in affordable housing units.

The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved represents 29 percent of the state’s total allocation under the Capital Project Funds program. New York submitted plans for the remainder of their Capital Project Funds and these applications are currently under review by Treasury.

Provided photos: Jennifer Coburn shares about her book, Cradles of the Reich, during a presentation on March 20 at Author’s Note in Medina.

By Julie Berry, owner of Author’s Note

MEDINA – “Why does a nice Jewish girl want to write a book about the Holocaust?”

So began San Diego author Jennifer Coburn’s presentations this week at both Author’s Note in Medina and the Woodward Public Library in Leroy to rapt – and packed – audiences, eager to hear her describe the research that went into her new book, Cradles of the Reich, a fictional exploration of Lebensborn, the Nazi breeding program conceived with the intention of producing a “racially pure” “master race” to populate Germany.

Jennifer Coburn signs a copy of the book for a patron of the bookstore in Medina.

Fifty-two people attended Ms. Coburn’s lecture on March 20 at Author’s Note, the bookstore on Main Street in Medina, and another 40 people attended the same lecture the following night at the historic Woodward Memorial Library in LeRoy.

20,000 infants were bred through the Lebensborn program, with another 200,000 infants and children captured and kidnapped from combatant nations, if they possessed the desired Aryan characteristics (blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin tone, and a certain size and shape to facial features).

Over half of the children were kidnapped from Poland alone, ripped by soldiers from their mothers’ arms, and then the parents murdered. Children were brought to Germany and put through a process of “Germanization” that included teaching them German and essentially brainwashing them to forget their past lives. Some of the older children, particularly boys, who proved stubborn and defiant in the face of these efforts, were ultimately removed to concentration camps and killed.

Coburn explained how she stumbled upon a mention of the Lebensborn program and decided she had to find out if it was real. As she researched, she realized that, while there were nonfictional accounts of the program, no novel had yet been written, so she decided to write the book she would have liked to read, examining the program through the lens of the women involved, and their relationships.

Some women were coerced into the program, especially if already pregnant, but most participants were eager to be involved. Applicants were screened for racial features, and their family trees examined for race and for physical and mental health history. Only 40% of the applicants were admitted to the program. Political fervor may have motivated some participants, but the promise of abundant food, milk, recreation, and rest probably motivated more of them, especially during a time of rations, poverty, and hunger for most Germans.

The Lebensborn program ran from 1935 to 1945, and was the particular project of Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel (or SS, the “Protection Squadron” that began as Hitler’s bodyguards and swelled to become a paramilitary organization throughout Germany). Himmler hoped to breed 10 million “racially pure” children for Germany and place them by adoption with “suitable” German families.

Each infant in the program was presented with a silver mug inscribed with their name, and with a message from Himmler, their “godfather.” Less than 20% of the children of this program ever knew their origins. For many of them, discovering a silver mug in a trunk in the attic after a parent’s death and wondering, “Why is Himmler my godfather?” was their first step toward discovering their true stories.

Himmler, one of the most powerful men in Germany during the Reich, was also one of the chief architects of the Holocaust, with direct responsibility for the concentration camps. Death camps and breeding houses might seem very different, Ms. Coburn explained, but they’re two sides of the same eugenics coin to create an Aryan race.

Jennifer Coburn speaks to a group at Woodward Memorial Library in LeRoy on March 21.

Cradles of the Reich follows three women: Gutti, a university student and classic Aryan beauty who is recruited (and essentially forced) into the program as an unwed pregnant mother. Unbeknownst to the program officials, she is carrying the child of her Jewish boyfriend, and is secretly a member of a Resistance movement. Irma, a nurse, is a bystander to the Nazi atrocities, willing to look the other way.  And Hilde is a “true Hitler girl,” delighted to be chosen to sleep with an SS officer and bear his child.

Regarding Hilde, Coburn explained, “I don’t want readers saying, ‘What’s wrong with this woman?’ but ‘What happened to her?’ I wanted to dissect how a civilized and cultured country descends into madness. What propaganda was Hilde fed? Can we recognize the signs today, and reach out to people similarly affected with compassion and understanding?”

It was hard, she explained, to “crawl into the skin of people who truly believe the world would be a better place without me or my family in it.” She described the propaganda that was fed even to children in the form of children’s books and board games. One book entitled Der Giftpilz, The Poisonous Mushroom, compared Jews to mushrooms, explaining that “they may look harmless, but will destroy you just the same.” The board game Juden Raus! or “Jews Out!” had families together expel six Jews from Germany. Such indoctrination, starting at an early age, was chillingly effective.

Comments and questions from the audience showed that the message of Cradles of the Reich resonated deeply with the attendees, who drew comparisons, both in Medina and in LeRoy, to rising antisemitism today, and to the actions of Vladimir Putin, orchestrating the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, labelling them orphans, and placing them with Russian families.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller shakes hands with peter Huth, second from left, and Ronald Poss, left, after Miller read a proclamation during Tuesday’s Orleans County Legislature  declaring March 29, 2023 as “Vietnam War Veterans Day.”

The day recognizes the 50^th anniversary since the departure of the last American troops from Vietnam.

County legislators urged the community to honor the service of the Vietnam War veterans, who often weren’t treated well in their return home.

Fred Miller reads the proclamation from the County Legislature honoring the service of the local veterans who served in the Vietnam War. Nancy Traxler, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, is at far left.

Governor Kathy Hochul today also issued a proclamation declaring March 29, 2023 “Vietnam Veterans Day.”

“Vietnam Veterans deserve the utmost respect and recognition for their immense service to our state and nation,” Governor Hochul said. “In New York, we work each day to ensure that their duty and sacrifice is commended and remembered, and it is my honor to celebrate New York’s 207,000 Vietnam Veterans on this Vietnam Veterans Day.”

An estimated 207,000 Vietnam War Veterans currently live in New York State, and 4,119 New Yorkers died during the war in defense of this nation and the values for which it stands. Their names are among the 58,276 names listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

MEDINA – Owen Toale completed a 12-year tenure on the Medina Village Board this week. Toale, the deputy mayor for the past seven years, attended his final meeting as a village trustee on Monday.

He chose not to seek re-election. Diana Baker will take his spot on the board starting April 1.

Toale, the former editor and managing editor of The Journal-Register in Medina, praised the board members, villages employees and department heads, and many dedicated citizens for their commitment to the community, and pushing Medina forward.

Toale, who is currently being treated for cancer, relished a role as a taxpayer guardian, and enjoyed sharing anecdotes and asking penetrating questions during the meetings. Mayor Mike Sidari joked he expects the meetings will be about a half-hour shorter without Toale on the board.

The mayor said Toale brought much wisdom and discernment as a trustee, and also was a key negotiator for the village in union contracts.

Sidari presented Toale with a proclamation at the end of Monday’s meeting, declaring March 31 as “Owen Toale Day.” Sidari urged the community to celebrate Toale’s “lifetime of service to the Village of Medina.”

The mayor noted that Toale also has been an active volunteer with the van service that transports veterans to medical appointments. Toale urged the community to help keep that effort going so veterans can get their needed care.

Before the Village Board on Monday, there was a cake and other refreshments in celebration of Toale’s service on the board. He is joined by Mayor Mike Sidari and Trustee Marguerite Sherman.

Toale stood up during the meeting and complimented the four other board members, who he said all bring different strengths to the board.

Trustee Jess Marciano, who is finishing her first two-year term, was praised by Toale for showing so much eagerness in learning about the village government and community.

“She is like a sponge absorbing information,” he said. “She has accomplished much and will continue to be an asset.”

Toale sits next to Trustee Tim Elliott and Toale said Elliott’s mind is always working.

“Tim has contacts and ideas,” Toale said. “He represents the board well. Plus, he passes me notes at the board meetings to give me something to think about.”

Toale praised Trustee Margueite Sherman as a prodigious note-taker, who likes to be educated on issues before firing off an opinion.

“Thank goodness for Marguerite and her notes,” Toale said. “She takes down everything, mulls it over and digests it before making a decision.”

Owen Toale thanked the other Village Board members, department heads and village employees, and many dedicated citizens for their efforts to improve Medina.

Toale worked on the board with four mayors. He said the general population doesn’t realize the effort Sidari puts into the position, devoting many hours per day to make sure the village is running smoothly.

“He works with the various agencies, always promoting our village and working for the betterment of every resident, taxpayer, business owner and visitor,” Toale said. “I admire him, his work ethic, business sense and creativity.”

Toale also commended former Trustee Todd Bensley, who attended the meeting on Monday. Toale said Bensley has stepped up in a big way to upgrade Boxwood Cemetery and also promote the history of Medina.

Toale also gave special mention to retired Village Clerk and Treasurer Deb Padoleski and her successor, Jada Burgess, for keeping him on track with some of his ideas to rein in the tax rate while preserving services. Toale said he would offer sometimes to “rob Peter to pay Paul” and those ideas were squashed because they weren’t quite proper. He called the two clerks “tough watchdogs of the village’s money.”

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Congratulations to the Culinary Arts team of students Ella Dahlhaus (Medina), Jake Muessigbrodt (Orleans County Christian School), Rylee Hallows (Royalton-Hartland), Emily Clifton (Lockport) and Autumn Windham (Newfane) who took home first place at the New York State Restaurant Association’s 2023 ProStart Competition.

ProStart is a two-year high school curriculum that introduces students to career opportunities in the restaurant industry and teaches them basic culinary and management skills.

The event was held March 24-25 at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. The students, taught by Chef James Atzrott at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, competed against over 100 student competitors in New York and Vermont showing off their skills in the kitchen.

The team wowed the judges with their menu of homemade Blanc formage, pan seared trout and a dessert of sautéed pineapple. They had to prepare their three-course meal in 60 minutes using two butane burners, and without access to running water or electricity.

They were judged on presentation, taste, food safety and sanitation, teamwork, knife skills, food costs and professionalism.

Ella, Jake, Rylee, Emily and Autumn will be heading to Washington, D.C. with Chef Atzrott May 2-4 to compete in the National ProStart Invitational against 400 student competitors in the hopes of bringing home the trophy and scholarships.

ALBION – A Holley man was sentenced to 9 months in the Orleans County jail today by County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Brandon Belski, 27, of Holley received the maximum sentence as part of a plea deal for first-degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony.

He admitted previously in court that on April 1, 2022 he pointed a shotgun at someone in a car and discharged the gun, hitting tires on the passenger side of the vehicle.

In other cases in court today:

• Darren Wilson, 62, of Lyndonville pleaded guilty to possessing a sexual performance of a child, and could face up to six months in the county jail and 10 years of probation.

Wilson admitted he possessed images showing sexual conduct of a child under age 16. Wilson said in court he knew it was pornography and shouldn’t have had it.

He will be sentenced on May 17 and could face an additional $1,000 fine and could become a registered sex offender, Judge Church said.

• Kreisandra Colon, 32, of Lyndonville was terminated from a treatment court option and after failing to meet conditions of the court. She acknowledged she used cocaine and attempted to bring in urine for a drug test so her urine wouldn’t show she had been using cocaine.

Colon said she wants to stop using drugs, but has struggled.

She will be sentenced on May 31 on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. She allegedly had been using drugs in front of a child. The judge ordered her to be held in jail until sentencing.

The temperatures will take a sharp plunge today, going from the high 40s in early afternoon to the high 20s tonight.

The National Weather Service said a strong arctic cold front will plow through western and north central New York between 4 and 8 p.m. Initially, a band of moderate to heavy rain showers along with some thunderstorms will develop. These showers and storms will have the potential to bring strong wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph.

Then there could be snow showers and possible snow squalls with a burst of moderate to heavy snow will be accompanied by gusty winds in excess of 40 mph, the Weather Service said.

“The most impactful heavy snow, blowing snow and near whiteout conditions for the Buffalo and Rochester metro areas as well as the western Southern Tier will be between 5 and 7 p.m.,” the Weather Service said.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – In a lot of ways technology has brought great advantages to us all, but it has also opened the door for putting us at risk.

Children especially are being exposed to harmful interactions like bullying and harassment as well as engaging with someone online who might not be who they appear to be.

Medina Central School District’s Mustang Parent Academy is offering a workshop entitled “Staying Safe Online: Internet Safety for Everyone” on Tuesday, April 11, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Oak Orchard Primary, 335 West Oak Orchard St. Childcare will be available for school-aged children and we are providing Case Nic Cookies for refreshments.

Julie Webber, director of curriculum and instruction at Medina, is working in tandem with school resource officer Dustin Meredith.

“In this day and age, we feel it is imperative to educate parents/guardians and the community of a variety of topics that impact our youth, especially navigating the digital world,” Webber said. “By making parents more aware of the dangers online, we are trying to assist them in helping their children out of potential or damaging situations before they escalate.”

Officer Meredith said he spends time collaborating with staff at the district’s schools about internet safety and the importance of being vigilant on where students are going on their electronic devices.

“It’s important for parents to know that those horrible stories you see on the news, happen right here in Medina,” he said. “Social media and the internet are fraught with dangers that can be prevented if parents are monitoring and regulating their usage.”

Oak Orchard Primary School Principal Jennifer Stearns said she believes it is never too early to talk about digital safety.

“Elementary school children are spending more time on devices than ever before and are vulnerable to risks online,” Stearns said. “I think it’s important to give their parents the tools to help keep them safe.”

For anyone unable to attend the session, you can also access it live online from your computer or phone with the meeting ID: meet.google.com/kuj-hdki-whe or at (US) +1 413-961-2517, PIN: 905 524 588#. The session will be recorded and it will be available for viewing at a later date on the school district webpage at www.medinacsd.org.

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

Provided photo: A corrections officer sustained two fractures in the face.

ALBION – An inmate, serving a 25 years-to-life sentence for murder, viciously attacked an officer inside of one of the housing dorms at the medium security correctional facility last weekend.

The assault occurred on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. An officer was making routine rounds in the dorm when an inmate became verbally abusive to him. The officer returned to the officer’s station and notified a supervisor of the incident.

The officer ordered the unruly inmate to the officer’s station. Initially, the inmate walked to the officer’s station. As he approached the station, he ignored the officer and ran towards the dorm bathroom despite several orders by the officer to return. The officer followed the inmate into the bathroom where, as he entered, the inmate punched the officer in the face.

The officer immediately exited the bathroom into the dayroom where the inmate followed and lunged at him. The officer attempted to utilize his OC spray, but was only able to administer half an application, which had no effect.

When the inmate lunged at the officer, the officer fell backwards to the dayroom floor.  The inmate jumped on top of the officer and began striking the officer multiple times in the face and body.

Despite the attack, the officer was able to activate his alarm and apply two applications of OC spray with no effect. Two officers arrived at the dorm and observed the inmate still on top of the officer striking him repeatedly in the face and body.

The two officers were able to pull the inmate off the officer. The inmate continued to be combative and attempted to punch both responding officers. He was unsuccessful, and was put in a body hold by both officers and forced to the wall. The officers were able to force both arms behind his back and apply handcuffs to the inmate.  Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant.

The inmate was escorted off the dorm after the attack to be decontaminated.

The injured officer was taken to the facility infirmary and transferred to Millard Filmore Suburban Hospital for treatment. He was diagnosed with a fracture to his left maxillary bone and a fractured nasal bone. In addition to those injuries, he sustained a three-inch laceration from his lip to his cheek that was consistent with a cutting style weapon, two lacerations to his forehead, and swelling and bruising under his left eye and back of his head and a separated shoulder.

A search of the area where the officer was attacked and the inmate’s cube did not turn up a weapon.

The two responding officers sustained minor injuries subduing the inmate. One officer was treated at United Memorial Medical Center for hand and shin injuries. The second officer was treated at the facility for back pain. Both officers remained on duty.

The inmate, 44, was convicted in 2004 in Kings County for Murder 2nd and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd. He was transferred to Attica Correctional Facility after the attack.

“Another day passes and more officers assaulted at the hands of convicted felons. This officer at Orleans was attempting to verify the safety for staff and inmates alike and was beaten and slashed for doing his job by a convict with no fear of repercussions,” said Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President. “We are days away from a possible budget where the legislature is poised to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars. They need to look at pictures of assaulted officers like this one and realize they can must do more to protect the men and woman that walk into these state correctional facilities every day-our lives depend on them and Repealing HALT doesn’t cost the taxpayers a penny!”

ALBION – Veterans in Orleans County have a new option for accessing their healthcare, thanks to a new service which is now available at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s Main Street Store at 131 South Main St.

On Tuesday, Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action; Katrina Chaffee, director of CAOG’s Community Services and Reporting; Cassie Eagle, manager of the Main Street Store; Paul Galantowicz, Facility Telehealth coordinator for the VA of Western New York; and Paul Pettit, director of the Orleans/Genesee County Health Department, announced a partnership between their agencies to bring Orleans County veterans access to VA Hospital services via telehealth.

Using virtual technology and a safe and secure VA Video Connect app, veterans can reserve time to connect to their VA providers using a soundproof booth located in the training room of the Main Street Store.

Plans for providing such a service began at the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments prior to the Covid pandemic. The health officials participated in a program to develop telehealth and an axis of care, Pettit said. In 2017, the health department received a grant from the Kresge Foundation and Pettit began searching for a place to set up a telehealth booth.

“We had nothing like that here for veterans,” Pettit said.

Previously they had to travel to VA health centers in Batavia, Canandaigua or Buffalo for medical visits.

Pettit first reached out to the American Legion in Holley, but that fell through. Then he contacted the County Veterans’ Office, but that did not work out. Hoag Library was also unable to accommodate the service.

So, knowing about the Axis of Care program Hungerford had developed for Community Action, Pettit contacted her and learned there was, indeed, space available at the Main Street Store.

Telehealth visits are conducted from a soundproof booth with a computer which connects to the veterans’ medical provider. The booth, which Pettit had purchased in 2019, is four feet by four feet and provides a private space where veterans can engage in their sessions. It is ventilated and has calming lights.

Galantowicz said veterans should talk to their medical providers to determine if their situation is suitable for telehealth visits.

“We will make providers aware we are here,” he said.

Pettit said the Covid pandemic changed everything in regard to telehealth.

“It is more widely accepted and used now,” he said.

Telehealth for veterans is made possible because of a program called Accessing Telehealth Through Local Access Stations (ATLAS), started by the VA to address healthcare to veterans in rural areas.

Phillips Medical out of Ohio supplied the equipment. To date there are only 15 telehealth sites for veterans in the country, and only two in New York state.

“I was fortunate to get one for Gowanda last year,” Galantowicz said.

The computer uses a program called VA Video Connect. Eagle will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to help veterans who wish to access the VA on the computer.  Veterans will be able to do blood pressure checks while the medical person at the VA watches or receive lab results.

“Telehealth is great for follow-ups,” Hungerford said.

“This program has been four years in the making,” Pettit said.

It will save veterans time and travel, while they remain close to home.

“It allows the VA to go outside its system to connect with a veteran,” Galantowicz said.

The VA will teach veterans how to use their Smart Phone to sign up for telehealth visits. Or they can contact Eagle at 589-1430 to help them, or Katie Leach, who coordinates the Orleans County Digital Literacy program at Cornell Cooperative Extension, at 798-4265. Veterans may also pick up a brochure at the Main Street Store explaining the program.

Photo and information from Tops

HAMLIN – Tops Friendly Markets celebrated the grand reopening on Tuesday of its Hamlin store at 1800 Lake Rd. This renovation marks the 31st location recently updated with a new look and a renewed focus on fresh departments, Tops officials said.

This store with over 47,000 square feet will offer enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products, and an enlarged fresh perimeter with new updated décor.

This store has been refreshed from top to bottom for a new and contemporary experience which includes new exterior paint with refreshed awnings, landscaping, energy efficient equipment and LED lighting both inside and out, Flashfoods, fuel station, solar powered efficiencies, expanded state-of-the-art self-check outs, renovated restrooms and bottle redemption room, and new interior décor.

MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday night voted unanimously to start the process to acquire a new ladder truck for the fire department.

The current apparatus is 27 years old, and is often plagued with mechanical issues. Mayor Mike Sidari said he is concerned the current truck may not last long enough until the new ladder truck is ready, which could be about three years away.

There isn’t a price yet for the new ladder truck. It is expected to top $1.5 million.

Sidari said the village will pursue a cooperative purchasing agreement and reach out to fire truck manufacturers. With that agreement, Medina can piggyback onto other fire departments seeking similar ladder trucks and use similar specs for the truck.

Medina is seeking a bigger ladder truck, a 100-foot ladder compared to the current one with a 75-foot ladder. The new truck will be longer and taller.

It is one factor in why the village is also seeking an addition to the fire hall.  The addition to the fire hall that would be approximately 62 feet, 8 inches by 88 feet, 8 inches. That expansion, plus repairs to the existing fire hall, would be about $4.5 million, according to a report from the Barton & Loguidice firm.

Because of the long lead time for the ladder truck, the board is getting that process started now. Fire Chief Matt Jackson said manufacturers of the trucks put the current time to build a truck at 35 to 42 months.

Mayor Sidari said the village will also begin to work on the financing for the truck and addition to the fire hall.

“We know the need,” Sidari said about the ladder truck and fire hall addition. “We just have to move forward with it.”

Trustee Tim Elliott made the motion to pursue the ladder truck replacement, and that was seconded by Trustee Jess Marciano. All five board members voted in favor of the resolution.

“This will start the ball rolling,” Elliott said.