Gas prices for regular unleaded increased 5 cents in the past week statewide for an average of $3.68 a gallon, while the average price for diesel jumped 40 cents to $5.52 a gallon, AAA reported.

In Orleans County, the average price for regular unleaded went up 2 cents to $3.67 a gallon. The national price decreased 3 cents to $3.89.

“The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down this week,” AAA stated in a news release. “The latest data from the Energy Information Administration shows that gas demand decreased nationally while total domestic gasoline stocks increased. Lower gasoline demand, amid increasing supply and fluctuating oil prices, has contributed to the national average moving downward.”

The average prices in Western New York counties include:

• Orleans, $3.673
• Genesee, $3.742
• Wyoming, $3.787
• Livingston, $3.715
• Monroe, $3.668
• Niagara, $3.565
• Erie, $3.732
• Chautauqua, $3.811
• Cattaraugus, $3.819
• Allegany, $3.777

Today’s average price for regular unleaded in New York is $3.675, which compares to $3.634 a week ago, $3.798 a month ago and $3.424 a year ago.

The average price in the state is at $5.519 today, compared to $5.116 a week ago, $5.151 month ago and $3.619 a year ago.

Ashlee Warren decides to give the vehicle to her dad, who is an ‘amazing father and grandpa’

Provided photos

MEDINA – The Tim Hortons in Medina celebrated Ashlee Warren, a long-time customer who is the only confirmed winner in the United States for the “Roll Up The Rim To Win” promotion. Warren won a new Ford Bronco.

Pictured, from left, include Joey Filippelli (owner of Tim Hortons in Medina), Jared Karbowski (owner), Ashlee Warren (the winning customer) and Jen Karbowski (owner).

Ashlee Warren is all smiles as the grand prize winner during an event Oct. 5 at the Tim Hortons on Maple Ridge Road. She said she is very grateful to have won the vehicle.

The “Roll Up The Rim To Win” promotion was held from March 7 to April 3.

Warren said she has been a faithful customer of the Tim Hortons since it opened in Medina and plays the promotional games.

“I never thought I’d ever be a person to win a brand new vehicle,” she said. “I happened to be going through emails and seen one that said Tim Hortons Roll Up The Rim promotion. Once I read it, I didn’t actually believe it. I responded back “is this for real?” I got an email back stating yes and I needed to send in some paper work.”

Warren took care of the paperwork and received a congratulatory email that she won the Bronco. She decided to give the vehicle to her father.

“He’s my hero and deserves everything great,” Warren said. “He’s a very hard working man. He is everything a man should be. He’s an absolutely amazing father and grandpa. No matter the job my daddy had always got it done. From showing me how to bat and throw a ball, to fixing a car, to fixing computers and showing me endless love from my very first breath. He deserves a brand new vehicle more than any one I know. He’s overdue for something amazing like this to happen.”

Ashlee Warren won a new Bronco through the promotion, which usually results in prizes for a free beverage or baked good.

There were only two potential winners out of 650 locations in the United States. So far the Medina customer is the only confirmed winner.

“She is a great customer,” said Jennifer Karbowski, chief operating office and managing owner of the Medina site. “She comes through the drive-through and is a very frequent customer. That chance is very slim, and to happen in Medina is a beautiful deal. I’m so happy for her.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – The United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest welcomed the community for its annual Apple Festival on Saturday in Knowlesville.

Church volunteers served 200 beef and weck dinners and also many apple and pumpkin pies.

Paul Dresser, left, and Kathy Luescher, right, were among the church workers who were busy in the kitchen making the dinners that included potatoes and salads.

The fellowship hall was filled with vendors. There were about 20 vendors total including Judy Szulis, who was selling Tupperware. She has been selling Tupperware for 15 years and was happy to show off new colors and sustainable products.

“It’s not your grandmother’s Tupperware,” Szulis said.

Annette Mrzywka of Holley was among the vendors. She and her mother Sue Lear and daughter Natalie Mrzywka team in “Stitched After Hours.” They make reading pillows, dog bandanas, stockings, bibs and other embroidered items.

Their most popular item on Saturday was a Buffalo Bills-themed dog bandana.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that corn production in September was down 8 compared to last year’s output, and soybeans are down 3 percent.

Corn production is forecast at 13.9 billion bushels while soybeans are forecast at 4.31 billion bushels.

Based on conditions as of Oct. 1, NASS reports corn yields are expected to average 171.9 bushels per harvested acre, down 4.8 bushels from 2021. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 80.8 million acres.

In New York, the yields per acre are down from 167.0 in 2021 to a forecasted 154.0 in 2022. The harvested acreage is down from 580,000 to 515,000 in New York.

Soybean yields are expected to average 49.8 bushels per acre, down 1.9 bushels from 2021. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 86.6 million acres, up slightly from 2021, NASS reported.

In New York, the soybean yields are down from 53.0 bushels per acre to 50.0 bushels, while the acreage is up from 320,000 to 345,000.

Soybeans on the left and corn on the right are grown in this field on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new actions to increase interagency vehicle and catalytic converter theft enforcements in high-theft areas by targeting unauthorized and illegal vehicle dismantlers, or “chop shops.”

The Governor also signed legislation (S.9428/ A.1940-E) to combat the theft of catalytic converters, which imposes restrictions on the purchase, sale, and possession of catalytic converters by vehicle dismantlers and scrap processers.

“Public safety is my top priority, and we’re taking an aggressive, targeted approach to deter criminals from stealing catalytic converters,” Governor Hochul said. “Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed across our state and nation, and these comprehensive actions double down on our efforts to keep New Yorkers and their property safe, protecting our communities and cracking down on crime.”

Catalytic converters are a key piece of a vehicle’s exhaust system, breaking down pollutants like smog that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Theft of catalytic converters is costly to auto dealers, as well as the driving public. It can cost a dealer $2,000 to $3,000 to replace a stolen converter in order to fix damage to a vehicle’s undercarriage, fuel line, and electric lines in the process of a theft.

Interagency cooperation and enforcement are key to addressing this statewide issue. New York State Police and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles are directed to leverage their existing partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement to increase investigations and crackdowns in high-theft areas. These investigations often involved organized theft operations that cross state lines.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which tracks crimes reported to insurance companies, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 52,000 in 2021 – an increase of roughly 1,215 percent from 2019.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “We have been working diligently on several fronts to address this issue of catalytic converter thefts. We are working closely with our partners in law enforcement and the auto dealership industry to address these thefts by distributing etching kits. We have held and will continue to hold press conferences across New York State to raise awareness among consumers and educate them on ways to safeguard their vehicles against these thefts.”

Catalytic Converter Theft Bill

The Governor signed legislation (S.9428/ A.1940-E), which amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to add catalytic converters as a major component vehicle part, which will require vehicle dismantlers to maintain records of them.

Every 60 days, those businesses must report the number of catalytic converters received during that period. Failing to maintain or produce those records upon request is a Class A misdemeanor and could include monetary penalties of up to double the amount made in taking in allegedly stolen converter components.

In addition, new motor vehicle dealers and other qualified dealers will be required to stock catalytic converter etching kits to put a unique serial number on the components so that they can be tracked back if they are stolen. Those kits will be provided at no more than the cost of the kit itself.

The Governor also announced $20 million is available to help local police departments and sheriffs’ offices invest in new technologies to solve, reduce, and prevent crime.

In mid-December, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services will seek applications for technology requests, including license plate readers, mobile and fixed surveillance cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles, gunshot detection devices, smart equipment for patrol vehicles and officers, and other kinds of public safety equipment.

To inform this procurement, DCJS has issued a request for information to obtain feedback from police departments and sheriffs’ offices on the types of technology they need; the agency will accept responses through Nov. 18.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Gates Keystone Club (Police Pipes and Drums) lead a procession into the Holy Family Parish in Albion on Sunday for the annual Blue Mass to honor and seek blessings on first responders in Orleans County.

This is the seventh year the parish held a Mass to honor and pray for law enforcement officers, corrections officers, coroners, firefighters and medics.

The Gates Keystone Club formed in 1998 to “for the purpose of honoring our fallen brothers and sisters and to participate at official ceremonial events.”

Knights of Columbus members Casimer Pruski, right, and Mike Rich get the American flag ready to be carried into the church sanctuary.

The Knights of Columbus has been leading the Blue Mass since 2016.

A blue wreath symbolized first responders killed in the line of duty, including Bruce Baldwin, Albion Fire Department; Richard Buongiorne, Kendall Fire Department; Lewis Grimes, Albion Fire Department; Matthew Phillips, Albion Fire Department; Martin VanWcyke, Carlton Fire Department; and David Whittier, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Father Richard Csizmar, pastor of Holy Family, also acknowledged the death in the line of duty of Rochester police officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was killed on July 21. His partner, officer Sino Seng, also was wounded that day by a shooter.

About a dozen first responders attended the Mass, including Mike Fuller (left) of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and State Trooper Doug Rich, right.

Jeff Johnson of Lyndonville, center, is a member of the Gates Keystone Club. Lieutenant Steven Fox of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, left, and State Trooper Steven Papponetti of Albion were among the first responders at the Mass.

Peter Sidari, an Albion firefighter, greets the attendees for the special Mass on Sunday.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Byron Neal joined his father Jeremy for a ride in a tractor on Sunday evening.

Press Release, Maison Albion

ALBION – Maison Albion will host a benefit on Nov. 13 benefitting Byron Neal and his family. Byron Neal is an 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in May 2022 and a Ganglioneuroma in his abdomen in August 2022. This event will help the Neal family pay for costs of their son’s treatment.

Byron is the son of Jeremy and Tina Neal. The Neal family operate Poverty Hill Farms, a dairy farm on West County House Road.

The benefit will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the historic Maison Albion ballroom and on the grounds at 13800 West County House Rd.

A Fall football food menu and drinks will be available from Blue Grove Coffee Truck, the Albion Masonic Lodge, and Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries. A band, DJs and lawn games will be available for guests to enjoy. There will be a projector and a large screen to show the Bills game.

There is no admission fee, but guests will have an opportunity to take part in a basket auction including 150 baskets, and high-end items. There will also be tours of the historic mansion.

All of the proceeds raised from the event will go to the Neal family. Please RSVP and share on the Maison Albion Facebook Event page so we can have accurate guest count for food and refreshments.

“The Neal family are our dear neighbors and friends. We are honored to host a basket raffle to raise funds for this amazing family and for Byron’s treatment,” said Kerri Glover, owner of Maison Albion.

“I am so enthused to be able to help this family and this courageous boy,” said Jodi Anstey, friend of the family and host. “We are looking forward to a fun, fantastic event!”

If you would like to donate a basket or make a donation to the family, please email Jodi at tmaamom4@yahoo.com.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 33

The transmission towers that run through the countryside are such a familiar aspect of the landscape that we take them for granted. But at the time, they dramatically altered the visual landscape, just as solar and wind installations do nowadays.

A 160-mile long power transmission line, which stretched from the Niagara River to Syracuse, went into service on July 7, 1906. It was operated by the Niagara, Lockport and Ontario Power Company and transmitted power generated by the Ontario Power Company from water taken from the Niagara River.

Blast on the powerline, Shelby, 1905

The Medina Tribune reported on Dec. 22, 1904, that a corps of engineers and workmen were surveying and laying the line from Lockport to Rochester and that the transmission lines were to be carried on steel towers instead of poles.

The men who erected these structures became known as linemen. Many were itinerant workers called “boomers” who travelled from city to city as new projects began. The work was difficult and dangerous. Often inadequately trained, the power linemen faced the hazards of falling and electrocution. It was estimated that one out of three-line workers died on the job.

Armed with a new Kodak camera, Scott Dunlap, then a young Shelby teen, photographed the power linemen who worked on the project installation just south of his family home on Dunlap Road in 1904-05. No doubt the project caused interest and commotion with its attendant blasting, digging, heavy equipment and teams of workers. We are fortunate that Mr. Dunlap recorded it, particularly since his photographs are remarkable for their clarity and composition. He captured the human element of the project, the faces of the men who did the work.

This group of power linemen are photographed with an M-3890 insulator which was developed to prevent flashover during lightning strikes. The middle and bottom shells had upward curving skirts referred to as a “lily-shell” design.

Power lineman poses with transmission towers in the background.

Group of power linemen, Shelby, 1905

Group of power linemen with cigarettes, Shelby.

Press Release, Medina Band Boosters

Victor Central School held a marching band competition on Saturday for Medina’s fifth competition of the season. A total of 13 bands performed in five different classifications.

The Pride of Rochester, a newly formed band, performed in exhibition. In SS1, Medina earned 1st place with a score of 84.15, followed by East Irondequoit at 83.85. Both of these bands are under the leadership of Medina alumni.

In SS3 Marcus Whitman earned 1st place with a score of 75.10 followed by Falconer-Frewsburg with 73.35 and Pioneer in 3rd at 73.10.

In LS3 Greece earned 1st place with a score of 79.10, followed by Hilton with a score of 76.15.

In LS2 Orchard Park earned 1st place with 81.6 followed by Webster with 81.45

There were three national bands competing and Victor earned 1st place with 88.80, followed by Lancaster in 2nd in with 86.80 and Jamestown in 3^rd with 85.30.

Medina will travel to Central Square on Oct. 22 and then onto the Dome Championship on Oct. 30 in Syracuse.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Debbie Fuller of Medina, left, her daughter Marie Phillips and granddaughter Mazie of Albion, brought the first donations of the season to Sherry Tuohey, second from left, at the First Methodist Church of Medina on Saturday for MAAC’s Christmas barrels.

MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches annual Christmas Barrel Program got its first donation of the season, thanks to a little girl who wanted a lemonade stand.

Mazie Phillips, 4, daughter of Dennis and Marie Phillips of Albion and granddaughter of Debbie Fuller and Pudgie Bale of Medina, saw a lemonade stand on YouTube and begged her mother all summer to let her have one.

Finally, the family agreed, and Fuller came up with the idea to make it a fundraiser. On Sept. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m., Bale let Mazie set up her lemonade stand at his vegetable stand on North Gravel Road.

Mazie’s mom made lemonade from real lemons and bought cider. Bale donated pumpkins. The family promoted the stand on Facebook, and people started making donations. When the afternoon ended, Mazie had made $600.

“When we started setting up in the morning, people were already stopping,” Fuller said.

Marie said Mazie helped with the whole event. Her mom cut up apples which Mazie dropped in the cider. She also put the sugar in the lemonade and stirred it.

“She took all the customers’ money and helped people pick out pumpkins,” Marie said.

They decided to use the proceeds to benefit the MAAC Christmas program. After the sale was over, Fuller took Mazie shopping and she picked out a lot of the gifts and the books, Fuller said. They bought sports equipment and ear buds for boys and makeup kits for girls, in addition to dolls and games.

Sherry Tuohey, who heads the MAAC Christmas Barrel Program, was delighted with their selection of gifts.

“Teens are the hardest to buy for and we are always short of gifts for that age,” she said. “We also have a need for books for ages 3 to 18.”

Fuller said she hopes other kids will follow Mazie’s lead and do the same.

“It’s important kids learn to give back to other people,” she said. “We have an abundance of opportunities given to us, so it is important to share with others.”

Mazie Phillips, 4, helps her mom Marie and grandma Debbie Fuller fill a MAAC Christmas barrel with $600 worth of toys her grandma bought with money Mazie earned from a lemonade stand.

“I’m so thankful they came up with this idea,” Tuohey said.

Mazie is in Pre-K in Albion and at the Tree House, her mother said.

MAAC’s Christmas program will start on Nov. 2 when Medina firefighters deliver 40 barrels to locations within the Medina and Knowlesville zip codes. The public is urged to help fill the barrels with toys, gifts, crafts, games, books, hat, gloves, socks and non-perishable food items.

To qualify to receive a Christmas box the applicant must be from the Medina School District, zip codes 14103 and 14479 (Knowlesville). Eligible individuals are children up to 18 years of age and their parents/guardians and senior citizens 62 and older. Sign-up must be completed during the second and third weeks of November.

Applications will be taken at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15; and at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, 11031 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina, from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 10 and 17.

Applicants will need to show proof of household (birth certificates or Social Security cards; proof of residence (utility bill); and one proof of income. (Department of Social Services award letter, SSED/SSI/SSP award letter, pay stubs, most recent tax return or SNAP letter.

For more information, contact Tuohey at (585) 356-8346 or (585) 798-6657 and leave a message.

KENDALL – The fire department has announced it will disband its ambulance service at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Kendall is the last volunteer fire department in Orleans County to run its own ambulance. It responds to about 200 calls a year. Clarendon, Holley, Carlton, Albion and Shelby have all disbanded their ambulances.

“This was a difficult decision that we did not take lightly. Due to lengthy transport times and lack of staffing, we are unable to offer a service that lives up to the standards we believe that Kendall, and the surrounding communities, deserves,” according to a letter to the community from Kendall FD President Bryan Hardenbrook and Fire Chief Dan Schultz.

Beginning Jan. 1, 911 calls in Kendall will still have Kendall personnel on scene to start treatment. An ambulance will respond and people will be transported, if needed, to a hospital, Hardenbrook and Schultz said.

The Kendall ambulance – a 2012 Ford F450 with 38,000 miles and a road rescue box – is for sale and the Kendall FD will accept sealed bids through Dec. 1. The ambulance comes with Stryker power stretcher including batteries and charger, and a Stryker stair-chair.

Those with questions about the ambulance or who want to inspect it, can contact Mike Schultz at Mschultz@kendalfire.com or call/text 585-354-2966.

Sealed bids can mailed to: Attn: Ambulance Bid, 1879 Kendall Rd., PO 387, Kendall NY 14476.

The department also will make records available for anyone served by Kendall EMS or transported by the ambulance. Call (585) 659-8082 to obtain those records.

Kendall FD continues to seek volunteers. Those interested in joining can reach out to a member, go to Kendallfire.com, or call 585-659-8082.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Canal Basin in Medina is shown this afternoon with the Horan Road canal bridge in the back.

The 198^th canal navigation season ended on Oct. 12. The season started on May 20.

The canal is two years away from the 200^th anniversary of the fully canal opening, going 363 miles and linking the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo.

For the sixth straight year, the Canal Corp. waived the recreational boating fees. Those tolls were normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – Corey Roger of Cheektowaga stands on the bank of the Oak Orchard River on Friday evening and casts his line, trying to catch a Chinook salmon. Roger already caught a coho.

There were hundreds of people fishing along the Oak on Friday evening, and the parking lot near the Waterport Dam included many out-of-state license plates.

Roger said he has been to the Oak in the fall for eight years. He expected to be down along the river at 4 a.m. today to get a good spot in the river.

He said this is the ideal time to be fishing in the Oak, before the crowds get bigger.

“Right now there are more fish than people,’ he said.

John Buck, 26, holds one of three Chinook salmon he caught on Friday. This one is about 18 pounds. Buck is spending a week fishing in Orleans County. He made a four-hour drive from Seilinsgrove, Pa. He said he will also try Sandy Creek and Johnson Creek. He said he’s been making the trek annually for the past eight years.

A line of anglers try to catch salmon at the Waterport Dam. The person in front is trying to reel in a big salmon.

A fisherman from Brooklyn tries to catch a Chinook salmon in the Oak Orchard River on Friday evening.

Fishing is big business in Orleans County, according to survey by the state Department of Environmental Conservation that put the total economic impact at $27,989,393 in 2017.

Out-of-state anglers account for 70 percent of the fishing economic output in Orleans County, $19,620,488 of the $27,989,393, according to the survey that was released in 2020.

County residents who fish accounted for $1,767,334 in economic activity while other New York state residents outside Orleans represented another $6,601,571.

Oswego which includes the Salmon River is the highest-ranked county with $192.7 million in total economic impact from fishing.

The Brooklyn fisherman said he hadn’t caught a fish yet on Friday but was thankful to be out in the great outdoors with the changing fall colors on the trees.

The Waterport Dam is a popular place in October with anglers trying to catch a big salmon or trout.

This fisherman has a heavy Chinook salmon on the line.

These two fishermen are ready to reel in a big fish at the Oak Orchard.