Bishop will meet Sunday with parishioners from church after Mass at St. Mary’s

Photos by Tom Rivers: Firefighters check the back end of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyndonville after a destructive fire on Tuesday. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:41 a.m. This photo was taken at about 7:45 a.m.

LYNDONVILLE – The Diocese of Buffalo hasn’t made a decision about the next steps with the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church after a destructive fire Tuesday at the building on 36 Lake Ave.

“We are assessing the damage which is quite extensive,” said Joe Martone, communication manager for the Diocese. “It will be fairly substantial.”

The fire on Tuesday destroyed much of the back of the church and also left the inside covered in soot, peeling paint and wallpaper, fallen insulation and many melted and destroyed items.

Bishop Michael Fisher will be at St. Mary’s in Medina for the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday and will meet with parishioners from St. Joseph’s after the service.

“It’s devastating to the parish,” Martone said about the fire. “It’s an outreach we wanted to do to show our support to the people in Orleans County. All our churches are important to us in the Diocese.”

The sanctuary of the church used to be white but now is gray and black from the smoke and soot. Wet insulation that fell from the ceiling is on the pews.

‘We are here to make sure you get what you are paying for’

Provided images: The 2023 inspection seals are predominantly found on gas pumps and store register scales.

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Promoting a fair and equitable marketplace is the work of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, Department of Weights & Measures (GO Health W&M). This department protects open market transactions, ensuring fairness for both buyers and sellers.

Ronald P. Mannella

“The worth of county and state Weights & Measures departments are more valuable than ever,” said Ronald P. Mannella, GO Health W&M director. “Persistent price increases of everyday necessities are straining our communities and people are stretching their money to new levels. We are here to make sure you get what you are paying for.”

2022 included 470 inspections accounting for 1,211 devices in 209 businesses. These tests involved pumping more than 26,000 gallons of fuel and using more than 5.9 million pounds of test weight. The department handled 13 complaint investigations, confirmed 591 package weights & 300 item prices, and collected 132 fuel samples confirming fuel sold within both counties met a variety of parameters.

With support from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, GO Health has already confirmed over five times as many item prices compared to 2022. “This is just another way we are able to protect consumers. Pricing accuracy is a top priority for us going forward,” Mannella. said

2023 Audits (to date):

• 92 Overcharges (Prices at checkout were higher than shelf tags)
• 30 Undercharges (Prices at checkout were lower than shelf tags)
• 8 Missing shelf tags

Keep a watchful eye on your receipts to confirm prices match at checkout

Sharing Services, Reducing Costs

After recently celebrating 10 years of shared services between the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, GO Health W&M started its fourth year of the cross county collaboration. Savings have exceeded $150,000 in W&M costs alone.

Provided photos: Jason Klein observes students in Mrs. Duhow’s 5th grade class with their tower challenge: Oscar Lopez, Avery Twitchell and Amber O’Kussick.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – District Technology Integrator Jason Klein attended a professional development session called “Infusing STEAM into Today’s Instruction.” It inspired him and Julie Webber (Director of Curriculum and Instruction) to plan a day for Clifford Wise students of STEAM education.

Third-grader Jack Buondonno made this creation, Scarpkins, from recycled materials.

STEAM is an education approach to learning the uses of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics for guiding student inquiry, communication, and critical thinking.

“We decided to go “Full STEAM Ahead” at Clifford Wise Intermediate School,” says Klein. “We started the day with a school-wide presentation from author, illustrator and maker, Brian Yanish, where he encouraged students to think outside the box and reuse recyclables in new and innovative ways.”

After a fun filled and enlightening presentation, students worked with their peers to compete in a variety of STEAM challenges that encouraged problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork.

“Brian Yanish’s presentation inspired the students and really got their creative juices flowing,” said Klein. “They used that momentum in their STEAM challenges. The students were enthusiastic and excited and couldn’t wait to share their creations and solutions with their peers, teachers and family. I heard one student say, ‘Time really does fly by when you are having fun.’”

The STEAM challenges were broken down by grade. Grade 3 had the Scrapkins: Junk Re-Thunk Challenge where they had to design and build a character using recycled materials.

Grade 4 took on the Amazing Architecture Challenge where they built a home for their rubber duck using 50 marshmallows and 50 toothpicks. Fifth grade was assigned the Newspaper Tower Challenge where they used the engineering design process to design and build a structure at least 30” tall to support a basketball for at least three seconds.

Lastly the sixth graders had the Slo-Mo Marble Challenge where they used the Engineering Design Process to design and build the slowest marble run out of recycled materials.

“I believe that the students got a lot of out of this day,” Klein said. “Our goal was to inspire and empower lifelong learners through hands-on STEAM education that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for innovation. We hope students, and even teachers, take away that STEAM is about creativity, trial, error and having fun. If students are not ‘successful’, that’s okay because it is part of the process.”

Julie Webber added, “This opportunity truly allowed students to embrace and love learning through exploration. Statements like ‘I don’t want to go home’ and ‘No… The buses are coming!’  were heard from the students. Even the teachers and staff enjoyed participating with the students. Learning is not just about memorizing facts, it’s about applying the knowledge that we learn. Students had a great opportunity to do this!”

Jason Klein and Brian Yanish pose are shown with students from Mrs. Scott’s third grade class: Cai Ree Lorenz, Alexis Sherman and Jordan Hammonds with their Scrapkins.

Kole McMullen and Santiago Velez in Mrs. Lemme’s 4th grade class plan out an architecture challenge.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – The Medina School District will be hosting an information night on Thursday for families of incoming UPK (Universal Pre-Kindergarten) students.

The session will be from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at Oak Orchard Primary School, 335 West Oak Orchard St. Anyone wishing to attend or looking for more information is asked to sign up through this link.

The signup is also available on the school district website at www.medinacsd.org under the District News on the front page. School Principal Jennifer Stearns says RSVPs are appreciated to help plan for a successful event.

To be eligible for UPK, children must be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2023. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 2023.

Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. and the event will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. There will be a brief general session for adults in the auditorium, and then participants will visit scheduled locations throughout the building.

Please plan to arrive by 5:30 p.m. and stay for the duration, in order to receive all of the information prepared. Childcare will be provided for any children eligible to attend school in the 2023-24 school year.

Families interested in learning more about Medina’s UPK program are asked to complete the sign up, whether or not you are able to attend the information night. If you are unable to attend, information will be shared afterward on Oak Orchard Primary School’s website and sent to the email address provided on the sign up.

Timeline for UPK application, acceptance, registration and screening:

• Thursday March 2: UPK Information Night 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at Oak Orchard Primary
• March 2 – April 2: UPK applications accepted at the Information Night, by calling the Oak Orchard Main Office, or through our website, starting on 3/2.
• April 3: Families notified of acceptance into UPK Program or if program capacity is reached, that lottery is to be held.
• Week of April 3: Lottery held, if needed, and registration packets mailed.
• Week of May 1 – May 5: UPK Student Screening, applicants should bring all registration materials to the screening. A parent and the child are expected to attend the screening. Applicants will be contacted by phone to schedule their screening time.

Any questions can be directed to the Oak Orchard Main Office by calling 585-798-2700, option 3 and then 0, between 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Please be sure to register for the Information Night by clicking here.

Information for Kindergarten Registration to follow at a later date.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Starting today, registration is open for Albion Central School’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program.

To be eligible, children must be four years old on or before December 1, 2023 and must live in the school district. Parents interested in registering their child/children for the UPK program must fill out the form in full, including the application, transportation form and meal information.

UPK is held in two sessions. The morning session is held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The afternoon session is 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents may not choose which session their child attends.

Completed forms may be returned ASAP to the district office or elementary school office. Completed applications may also be mailed to:

Albion Central School District

UPK Program

324 East Avenue

Albion, NY 14411

Please contact the district registrar with questions at 585-589-2051.

CLARKSON – A Holley man has been charged with felony driving while intoxicated after an Irondequoit woman was killed in an accident on West Ridge Road on Saturday night.

Adam A. Foss, 43, of Holley was driving a pickup that collided with a sport utility vehicle operated by Sierra S. Gaddy, 24.

Gaddy was westbound and was attempting to pass other westbound vehicles just before 9:45 p.m., the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported. She ran into Foss’s eastbound pickup truck.

Gaddy was pronounced dead at the scene while Foss was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office said Gaddy was at fault for crossing into the oncoming lane, WROC in Rochester reported.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney  

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), announced that she has joined the newly formed “Northern Border Security Caucus.” The caucus is a coalition of 28 members of Congress who are concerned about the increased human and drug trafficking along the U.S.-Canada border.

The Northern Border Security Caucus, which all House Republicans and Democrats were invited to join, is supported by House Republican Leadership and the National Border Patrol Council, among other groups and organizations.

The U.S.-Canada border is the longest international border in the world. Recent news reports, along with data compiled over the past two years, show a surge in illegal migrant crossings and drug trafficking across the Northern border.

Specifically, in the North Country sector of the border, there has been an 846% increase in illegal border crossings. As the national security threat at our Northern Border continues to grow exponentially, there has been no corresponding increase in U.S. Border Patrol staffing, which is still at the same level as it was in Fiscal Year 2009.

“Under President Biden’s failed leadership, our borders are less secure and our communities are at risk,” Tenney said. “The Northern Border Security Caucus is needed now more than ever for members of Congress to come together with one voice to advocate against Joe Biden’s reckless policies and to focus on delivering the resources needed by our brave Border Patrol agents at our Northern Border to do their jobs effectively.”

North Border Fast Facts:

• Drug smuggling has increased by 596% along the Northern border since Fiscal Year 2021, including a 26% increase in fentanyl.
• Since President Biden took office about two years ago, there has been an almost 15 times increase in Northern land border encounters.
• There were only 997 Northern land border encounters in January 2021. But that number has increased each month since. In the month of October 2022, there were 15,938 Northern land border encounters. In FY2020, there were 32,376 border encounters. In FY2022, there were 109,535 encounters.
• Border Patrol staffing has remained flat since FY 2009. Since FY09, staffing levels along the Northern border sectors have been between 1,887 and 2,263 personnel. FY2020 Northern border sector staffing was 2,019.
• The longest international border in the world, measuring 5,525 miles, the U.S. Northern border has only 115 ports of entry with no performance measures to assess security between ports.

Inside of burned Lyndonville church shows extensive damage from smoke and fire

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – A statue of Joseph holding baby Jesus has soot and discoloration, even though it was a room and short hallway away from the sanctuary at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church which was extensively damaged from a fire today.

The church at 36 Lake Ave. suffered extensive damage after a fire destroyed much of the back of the building. The back holds a religious education classroom.

The pews have soot and soggy insulation on them. The walls have peeled the the former white interior is now gray and black after the fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:41 a.m. after a motorist on Route 63 saw flames coming from the building.

The fire is currently ruled as accidental and fire investigators are working to pinpoint the cause. They are trying to rule out a few possibilities in the area where the fire started, said Justin Niederhofer, Orleans County’s emergency management director.

The condition of front of the church belies the extensive damage inside. Paul Davis Restoration, a Rochester company, boarded up broken windows, doors and other openings in the church today.

Gary Daum, a member of St. Joseph’s for 42 years and the church’s maintenance supervisor, points to where rafters are charred from the fire.

The altar suffered from the intense heat and flames.

“This is just devastating,” Daum said. “Words can’t describe it. We’ll get through this, but it will take some doing.”

Daum served as the lecter of the last mass at the church on Saturday. That Mass was in memory of his wife Diane’s parents.

The Daums said the church has been going through a transition in recent years. The sanctuary holds 125 people, but attendance for Mass was down to about 15 to 25 people. The religious education program also was discontinued with young families encouraged to take those classes at St. Mary’s in Medina.

St. Joseph’s was about to shift to offering only one Mass a week, Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. after having three services – a weekday Mass, one on Saturday and one on Sunday morning.

Some of the beams in the roof have been burned from fire. The blades on fans have melted and face downward, and the sanctuary’s globe lights are all broken.

Wet insulation is on pews in the front of the church sanctuary.

“Everything has been scorched, bent or covered in soot,” Daum said. “It’s all dirty.”

The basement also is flooded from the water to douse the flames.

Daum said there has been a stream of people driving by the church today, many stopping to offer their sympathy.

Even though attendance was down significantly in recent years, Daum said many residents have attended weddings and funerals at the site. They also have fond memories of a chicken barbecue where not too long ago, St. Joseph’s served 800 to 1,000 meals on the third Sunday in July. Daum was chairman of the event for many years. That summer social included live music and was well attended by the community.

The stained glass window of Joseph in the front of the church has five or six hairline cracks after today’s fire.

An official from the Western New York Catholic Diocese was on site today and will assist the church in deciding what is salvageable and the next steps for St. Joseph’s.

These statues of Joseph and baby Jesus are covered in soot. These statues are near the altar in the sanctuary.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

GAINES – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office this morning charged Alexander C. Gelo, 31, of Albion following a traffic stop on Ridge Road in the Town of Gaines.

Alexander C. Gelo

At about 10:20 a.m. today, Deputy Cory Martindale initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle known to be operated by Gelo who has an active warrant.

Gelo was taken into custody without incident on the arrest warrant and charged with criminal tampering with a witness in the 3rd degree and aggravated harassment 2nd. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred on Feb. 14, when it alleged Gelo made threats to physically harm a witness in a criminal proceeding against Gelo.

The proceeding is related to two incidents that occurred in September 2022. Gelo was arrested and charged with attempted burglary 3rd and menacing 2nd while using a handgun while attempting to break into a greenhouse in the Town of Carlton, and another incident where he was charged with 11 counts criminal possession of stolen property 4th, and one count of criminal possession of stolen property 5th after stealing from vehicles, also in the Town of Carlton.

Law enforcement seized a defaced handgun, marijuana and cash.

Gelo was released on his own recognizance for those charges as bail was not able to be set per the NYS bail reform.

Pursuant to the warrant arrest this morning, deputies located a loaded 9mm handgun in Gelo’s possession. He was additionally charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, a class C felony; criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree, possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number a class D felony; and criminal possession of marijuana 4th degree for possessing more than 6oz of marijuana. Gelo is a previously convicted felon.

This incident was investigated by Deputy Cory Martindale, Deputy Jeff Cole, Sgt. Dave Foeller, Inv. Kevin Colonna, Inv. Devin Pahuta, Inv. Brian Marsceill, with the assistance of Officer Nathaniel Staines from the Albion Police Dept.

Gelo is currently being held at the Orleans County Jail pending an appearance in Orleans County County Court.

Sarah Martin (left), SNAP nutritionist, and Marie Gabalski, nutrition program coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension, clown around during a break in the first series of Stone Soup.

KNOWLESVILLE – A new program funded by a Highmark grant of $250,000 is teaching families with limited incomes how to eat healthy on a budget.

The grant was an idea developed at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee with assistance from Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Called Stone Soup, the first six-week classes at Cornell Cooperative Extension on the fairgrounds just ended with 21 graduates, said Cooperative Extension nutrition coordinator Marie Gabalski.

Each week, participants in the classes learned something different, such as food groups, fiber, fats and carbs, how to read food labels, fruits and vegetables and how to shop affordably, Gabalski said.

“We try to make it fun,” she said. “Twenty-six people registered for the first series of classes and 21 graduated. Classes for March and May are already full.”

Participants who attended all six classes and graduation received a kitchen kit which included a skillet, utensils, hot plate and an Instapot.

Many positive comments were received on the classes. One lady said, “I enjoyed learning how to pair healthy ingredients into a meal and knowing what and how to choose.”

Another commented, “What was important to me was being talked to and not ‘at.’The information was easy to understand.”

Yet another said she enjoyed learning about nutrition and healthy options. “I didn’t know the difference in types of fat before,” she said.

During July, the nutritionists are planning a similar program with school children. Registration for May classes is being prioritized for those who attend the meal program at Community Action’s center in Holley. Others will be placed on a waiting list for the Stone Soup program in the fall.

While Stone Soup was developed with low-income families in mind, there is no income requirement and anyone who wishes to sign up may contact Gabalski at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, (585) 798-4265.

Marie Gabalski, nutrition coordinator at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, hands out certificate of completion to Rosemary Fisher and Beth Williams. 

Members of the first graduating class of Stone Soup at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension get their free gifts, including an Instapot, hot plate and utensils. Marie Gabalski, Cooperative Extension nutritionist, left, hands out kits to Jane Read, Janine Parker, right, and Alicia Dingman, rear.

Press Release, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, members of the Senate Republican Conference, and statewide energy stakeholders on Monday unveiled a package of smart energy policies to pursue a cleaner energy future.

The plan puts affordability and reliability first for New York ratepayers, in sharp contrast to some of the radical proposals coming out of Albany.

“Albany’s radical energy proposals are unrealistic, unaffordable and unforgiving for the everyday hardworking New Yorker,” Ortt said. “At a time when our economy is unstable and many of our businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet, we should be focusing on providing much-needed relief, not extreme climate policies at the taxpayers’ expense. Seeking a cleaner energy future does not have to involve outright prohibitions on reliable, affordable energy. It should involve common sense, transparency, and affordability for all New Yorkers.”

Outlined in the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal, Albany’s radical climate agenda would completely prohibit the installation of natural gas, propane and fuel oil hookups in new and existing buildings no later than 2035. These devastating bans on reliable, affordable energy sources includes deadlines of:

• December 31, 2025 for new one family residential buildings of any height or multi-family residential buildings of three stories or fewer;
• December 31, 2028 for new multi-family residential buildings more than three stories or new commercial buildings;
• January 1, 2030 for existing one family residential buildings of any height or multi-family buildings of three stories or fewer; and
• January 1, 2035 for existing multi-family residential buildings more than three stories or commercial buildings.

In addition, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) would have authority establish an economy-wide “Cap and Invest” program for greenhouse gas emissions, which will mean new taxes and extra burdens on ratepayers and businesses.

To make matters worse, the Executive Budget’s “Public Renewables ‘Lite’” would give authority to the New York Power Authority to plan, design, develop, finance, construct, own, operate, maintain, improve, alone or jointly with other entities, renewable energy generating projects. This would effectively allow for all-government takeovers of private sector business projects, and chart a dangerous path where state government becomes the only supplier of electricity in New York.

The New York Senate Republican Conference has proposed several affordable solutions in pursuing a cleaner energy future, such as:

• Independent cost studies and full transparency;
• Supporting diverse energy sources;
• Keep needed power supply online to ensure reliability of our grid; and
• Repealing and opposing and anti-market mandates on consumers.

“I’m an engineer, not a politician – so I have a different perspective on New York’s energy plan than most of the people in Albany,” said Richard Ellenbogen, president of Allied Converters. “It’s more about the science and less about the money. But having been an engineer at Bell Laboratories in their power systems lab, and having run my own manufacturing business for over four decades, I have a fundamental understanding that without the money, you can’t do the science. I decarbonized my business and my home two decades ago. I have been living the electric lifestyle for two decades, which is where New York State is trying to go. While the state’s intentions are good, and I would love to see the energy plan succeed, unfortunately I can safely say that New York State’s plan is a disaster waiting to happen, because the math and the physics just don’t work.”

“While New Yorkers are willing to do their fair share regarding climate change, the current proposal to eliminate fossil fuels connections to new homes by 2025, and with reliance solely on renewables alone for home heating by 2035 lacks the reliability and safety New Yorkers deserve,” said Wayne Stritsman, founder of a family business, Best Fire Hearth & Patio. “Winters in New York are cold and unpredictable and power outages happen way too often and last way too long. Fuel choice offers us the opportunity for a backup heat source to protect our families when the unexpected happens. Homeowners want and appreciate back up heat. No one should be left out in the cold.”

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today joined a resolution expressing opposition to Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to steal enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (eFMAP) funds from local governments.

Hochul’s plan, which was released as part of her budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, would jeopardize the financing of Medicaid and pass along significant costs to New York’s 62 counties, which fund a large portion of the state’s Medicaid program.

Rep. Tenney joined U.S. Reps. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23) in introducing this measure.

Congress delivers federal funds directly to states to cover a share of their Medicaid programs and other healthcare initiatives. Congress intended eFMAP funds to be shared with the New York counties and local governments that sustain the Medicaid program.

However, under Governor Hochul’s 2024 budget plan, the funds would bypass counties altogether, with up to $1 billion in eFMAP funds going directly into state coffers. This will force counties to further raise property taxes on local taxpayers to cover the difference. This resolution clarifies that it was Congress’ intent for eFMAP funds to be shared directly with the county and local governments that cover the associated costs.

“Governor Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal amounts to an egregious theft of taxpayer dollars,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “She proposes that Albany Democrats steal federal funds that Congress intended to go directly to our counties. This absolutely reckless proposal will lead to a tax hike on working families across New York.

“Our counties shoulder a significant portion of our state’s Medicaid share, and they should therefore receive federal reimbursement. If Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats think they are entitled to these federal funds, they should shift the burden of funding Medicaid from our counties back to our state’s capital, as every other state in the country does. New York is the only state that demands local governments cover half of the Medicaid share. It is deeply unfair, and it must end.”

LYNDONVILLE – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church suffered extensive damage in a fire last night.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:41 a.m. after a motorist on Route 63 saw flames coming from the building at 36 Lake Ave.

The fire likely started in the rear of the building, where the church was heavily damaged. Fire investigators are on the scene this morning trying to determine the cause.

“It’s devastating,” said long-time church member Gary Daum. “There is so much damage. The walls are peeled. The back end is gone.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters are on the back side of the church this morning. They worked to open roof hatches and put out any smoldering fires in the walls.

Daum said officials from the Western New York Diocese will be on scene today to assess the damage and determine the next steps for the congregation, which is part of the Our Lady of Lake Parish with a church in Barker.

The fire could have been much worse, taking the whole building if it wasn’t from a quick response from local firefighters, said Dave Hydock, a deputy fire coordinator with the county and 45-year member of the Lyndonville Fire Department.

He said there were 15 to 20 Lyndonville firefighters on the scene within 20 minutes of the call, and then crews soon followed from Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway. Albion and Carlton also joined in keeping the fire from totally engulfing the church. Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 35 minutes, Hydock said.

“In another 10 or 15 minutes this would have been like a barn fire,” Hydock said this morning at the scene. “In all my years as a fire coordinator this was a very good stop in a large building.”

Hydock has been a fire coordinator for 19 years. He praised the firefighters for responding so fast after being awakened from sleep to fight the fire.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was built in 1917 as a mission church under St. Mary’s in Medina.

Provided photo: The fire in the back of the church can be seen in this photo taken that shows the front.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters were able to keep the blaze from totally destroying the church on Lake Avenue.

A winter weather advisory has been issued until midnight for Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties.

The forecast calls for 2 to 5 inches of snow with winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour. There will be periods of snow resulting in snow-covered roads and limited visibilities.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.”