ALBION – The Village of Albion has been informed by the state Department of Transportation that the scheduled closing of the Main Street life bridge will not occur on Oct. 17.
The new date will be publicized once it is known. The DOT is working hard to make sure that when the bridge is closed, work will be done on the bridge and not just sitting idle.
The bridge is expected to be closed for 18 months for a major rehabilitation of the site.
UPDATE: The state Department of Transportation issued this statement: “The New York State Department of Transportation is working with our contractor to finalize their required contract documents and plans for the rehabilitation of the State Route 98 bridge over the Erie Canal in the Village of Albion and we will alert local officials and the public when a closure date has been determined.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 October 2022 at 8:23 am
MEDINA – Seniors who attended the October dinner meeting at the Senior Center Monday got a lesson in how to stay safe and avoid scams.
Guest speaker for the luncheon meeting was officer Dustin Meredith of the Medina Police Department, who gave a presentation on the various scams that are targeted to seniors.
Meredith has been employed in Natural Resource Conservation, animal control with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and now as the School Resource Officer at Medina Central School.
He explained “fraud” as any criminal deception intended to obtain financial gain.
One area scam artists work in is healthcare, and Meredith said everyone should treat their Medicare number like their Social Security number. Don’t give it to anyone but your doctor or trusted family member.
“We don’t have much success in apprehending these types of scammers,” the officer said.
To prevent credit card scams, Meredith recommends reviewing bank accounts and credit card statements regularly. And never allow a website to remember your credit card information, he said. If a credit card is lost or stolen, call the bank and have it deactivated immediately.
Wire fraud is another type of scam targeting seniors. A senior will get a call saying it is their grandson or a lawyer for the grandson who is in jail and needs $5,000 to get out.
“In cases like that, we are not going to call you on the phone,” Meredith said. “I’ve been in Medina a couple of years now and have dealt with that scam multiple times.”
As school resource officer, Meredith said he has seen students who lost money through Facebook because they befriended someone they didn’t know. He said everyone should be aware if they get a friend request from someone they are already friends with, it is a scam.
Romance scams are also a big problem. A man contacts a lady and gains her trust, often hurrying the romance along. Then they ask for money, for example, for a plane ticket to come and see her, and then they vanish. Meredith has also seen several local cases like that.
Meredith also offered suggestions for home safety. Always lock all the doors and windows to your home, car and garage, he said. Make sure no valuables are visible in your vehicle. Several seniors just recently had their purses stolen out of their cars in the Senior Center parking lot.
Install cameras if possible, Meredith said. Make sure the exterior of the home is well lit. A simple deterrent is the installation of motion lights. He also said people should realize if they leave their garage door opener in their car and it is broken into, the thief can now get into the house.
Criminals like the dark, Meredith said, so keep trees and shrubs around the house trimmed.
“An unkept property looks inviting to a criminal,” he said.
He also advised residents who go away to inform their police department or ask a friend or neighbor to keep check on their home. If requested, the police department will make regular checks on the home to make sure it is all locked up.
“If you come home some day and your door is unlocked, don’t go in,” Meredith said. “Call the police and have them check it out first.”
Information was also shared on calls telling seniors they have won money or a prize and asking them to submit an amount of money to receive it. In no instance, should someone pay money to receive a “free” prize.
Meredith concluded his presentation by sharing risk factors which reduce a senior’s ability to drive, such as side effects of medications, epilepsy, diabetes and aging, which increases reaction time. He suggested having hearing and vision checked regularly and to be aware of weather conditions.
The Medina Police Department is hoping to give this presentation to senior living complexes and interested groups in the Medina area. Anyone who would like Meredith to share this program may contact the Medina Police Department at 798-5602.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 October 2022 at 9:18 pm
Photos contributed: Creekside Floral decorated their window with these Mustang-themed panels.
MEDINA – First-time efforts to involve downtown stores in Homecoming Week was a great success, said Melissa Valley, president of the Mustang Sports Boosters.
The Sports Boosters urged stores to decorate their windows to show their Mustang spirit, and five participated – The Coffee Pot Café, Just What the Doctor Ordered, Shirt Factory Café, Creekside Floral and Tapped on Main. The Coffee Pot Café received the most votes of the 1,600 cast.
Businesses who participated with Mustang specials during the week were Tapped on Main, Just What the Doctor Ordered, Fitzgibbons, Rosenkrans, Rudy’s, Shirt Factory Café, the Coffee Pot Café, English Rose Tea Shoppe, Downtown Browsery and Hometown Wellness.
The Print Shop did the banner to hang over Main Street and village employees, especially DPW superintendent Jason Watts, were very helpful in putting it up, Valley said.
“The businesses who participated were really on board and got into the spirit,” Valley said. “They were grateful to be included, and we hope that it grows every year. You could really feel the energy throughout the week. It was exciting and not only did the kids have fun, but I think the community really enjoyed it too.”
In addition, the Sports Boosters recruited Case-Nic Cookies to bake Mustang cutout cookies and Della’s Chocolates to make chocolate mustangs. Sales were great and 80 dozen cookies were sold to benefit the Boosters, Valley said.
Valley said she hopes support for Homecoming Week grows each year.
The Coffee Pot Café on East Center Street was voted the best decorated window during Homecoming Week. Shoppers cast 1,600 votes for their favorite window.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2022 at 5:34 pm
Jeff Smith
SHELBY – Jeff Smith has resigned as the Shelby town supervisor, effective at 5 p.m. today. Smith cited a “scorched earth policy” from “the anti-wind people” in pushing him out of office.
Smith’s resignation follows the departure of Deputy Town Supervisor Ryan Wilkins about two weeks ago.
“I have always been honest, and ethical in my dealings,” Smith said. “The negative comments and innuendos directed towards me have caused me to reevaluate my position on the board. I tried to stick it out and keep doing the much-needed work, but finally my sense of duty has been overcome by all the negativity.”
Borrego Energy has proposed two wind turbines at 633 feet tall on land owned by the Smith family on Route 63. Smith has recused himself from town deliberations on the matter. The issue has been divisive in Shelby and drawn a packed crowd to recent town meetings. Many have faulted Smith for a conflict of interest.
Smith said he and Wilkins have been subjected to personal attacks from many residents because of the turbine issue. Wilkins has been leading the town meetings when the turbines are discussed at board meetings.
“These attacks resulted in Councilman Wilkins resigning,” Smith said at Tuesday night’s board meeting, when he read his resignation letter. “This is very unfortunate because he was an active, hardworking young man, exactly the type of person the board and the town needs.”
Smith named Steve Seitz as the acting town supervisor. He is joined on the board by John Pratt and Edward Zelazny.
Smith said he hopes the three can work together especially as Shelby confronts many other issues besides the turbines, with the town budget among the most pressing.
The board, while it has three members, will need a unanimous vote for any resolution to pass. It takes three votes at a minimum to approve a resolution.
Smith, a recently retired fruit farmer, joined the Town Board in April 2018 to fill a vacancy for town councilman following the death of Dale Stalker in December 2017. About six months later Smith was appointed by the other board members to be town supervisor following the resignation of Ed Houseknecht on May 31, 2018. Smith was appointed by the other board members on June 9, 2018.
“I am not special, nor am I a hero,” Smith said. “I did not seek the position, really did not want it, but felt it was my duty to stay while Covid disrupted everything.”
Smith said the town has been working on many other issues besides the two turbines proposed by Borrego, including an ambulance contract, the town budget, weed and brush law, anti-littering law, improvements to Shelby and Millville lighting districts, recruiting and hiring a code enforcement officer, pedestrian bridge on Maple Ridge Road near Mariachi, hiring engineer for potential projects at Medina Business Park, negotiating PILOT and host community benefits package with for solar project with Barre, hiring a town attorney, reviewing sewer discharge from STAMP site in Alabama into Shelby, negotiating water rate with Village of Medina, reviewing public water expansions in the town, as well as lighting at Furness Parkway.
“The wind turbines are not the only important thing going on in our little town,” Smith said. “It is my sincere hope that those who have actively opposed the turbines, and those who support the project will seriously consider becoming members of the Town Board. Our town needs people willing to pitch in and do the work needed.”
The town welcomes applications to fill the vacant town councilman from Wilkins’ resignation. People interested can send a letter and resume by Oct. 26 to Town Clerk Darlene Rich by email darlenerich@townofshelbyny.org.
Seitz is scheduled to be sworn in as acting supervisor on Thursday. The board has yet to discuss how to fill Smith’s vacant spot on the board.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 October 2022 at 1:48 pm
Community Action is cooperating with the New York State Health Department to bring free Covid booster and primary vaccines and flu shots to residents. Covid vaccines available will be adult Pfizer and adult Moderna.
From 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 17, free vaccine shots will be offered at 157 South Platt St., Albion, in the municipal parking lot.
In Holley the free shots will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Holley Community Center, 75 Public Square.
These free vaccines are provided under Community Action’s new Axis of Care program.
“Staying up-to-date with vaccines is the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from illness,” said Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. “Our partnership with the Department of Health to bring free vaccination clinics is just another way our agency contributes toward a healthier community through our ‘Axis of Care’ concept.
“We strive to help people become self-sufficient, and wellness is a foundational need in achieving that,” Hungerford said. “Everyone deserves to have the best health possible, and Community Action wants to do what we can to help make that happen. We are just getting started, so stay in touch for new and exciting things ahead.”
There is no income requirement, and clinics are free for anyone in the community.
Press Release, NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced it has started mailing additional financial relief to eligible New Yorkers.
The Tax Department is issuing $475 million in additional New York State child and earned income tax payments to about 1.8 million people. Most of the checks should arrive by the end of October.
The checks are automatically being mailed to those who received the Empire State Child Credit or the Earned Income Credit, or both, on their 2021 state tax returns. No action is required by taxpayers.
“We’re delivering these relief checks to hardworking New Yorkers who’ve been feeling the pinch of inflation,” said Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Amanda Hiller. “The average payment is about $270 for each recipient, which will help address rising costs associated with the pandemic and inflation.”
Eligible New Yorkers must have filed their 2021 New York State resident income tax return by April 18, 2022, or had a valid extension of time to file. They will not need to report the payment on their income tax return.
New Yorkers are entitled to a payment if, for tax year 2021, they received at least $100 for either or both of the following credits from New York State:
an Empire State child credit
a New York State earned income credit (or noncustodial parent earned income credit)
For more information, click here to visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance webpage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2022 at 11:39 am
ROYALTON – A Medina man is among the four people who were killed in a two-vehicle collision on Tuesday afternoon in Royalton, State Police said.
Simon P. Fox, 20, of Medina was the front seat passenger of a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze that was in a collision. Fox was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two others in the Cruze – the driver Austin W. Wilson, 20, of Wilson and a rear passenger, William Bernadt IV, 21, of Newfane – also were killed. Both front seat occupants were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision, State Police said.
Wilson was driving the Cruze westbound on Slayton Settlement Road at about 3:15 p.m. The vehicle was struck by a 2002 Bear Recreational Vehicle that was traveling south on Orangeport Road and failed to stop, State Police said.
The operator of the RV, Michael H. Duffy, 81, of Sommerton, SC and the passenger, Linda E. Duffy, 80, of Sommerton, SC were transported to Erie County Medical Center in critical condition. Linda E. Duffy succumbed to her injuries at ECMC, State Police said.
The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2022 at 9:27 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Oak Orchard Health cuts the ribbon on a new mobile dental unit that will be going to the five school districts in Orleans County – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
The unit is currently based at Oak Orchard’s Albion site on Route 31.
Pictured from left include: Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Karen Watt, chairwoman of the board for Oak Orchard; Karen Kinter, interim CEO for Oak Orchard; Rachel Nozzi, chief of dentistry for Oak Orchard; John Craik, program officer for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (which provided $650,000 for the project); and Erica Wenner, director of constituent services for State Sen. Rob Ortt.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation reached out to Oak Orchard about funding the new unit because the organization wanted to target dental services for children in a rural area, Craik said. The $650,000 more than covered the cost of the new unit and some of those funds will go towards staffing.
“New York State has been lagging behind in oral health, especially in the rural areas,” Craik said.
Craik commended the Oak Orchard staff for running the program and providing the service.
“You guys are the real heroes who are doing the work,” he said during the ribbon-cutting.
Denise Beardsley stands inside the new mobile unit, which replaces one from 2005. Beardsley has been coordinator of the program since it started 17 years ago.
The mobile unit hasn’t been to a local school since March 2020, when the Covid pandemic hit. Beardsley said the last day the unit was in action was March 13, 2020.
The mobile unit includes two treatment rooms (operatories), an X-ray station and a wheelchair lift. Children will be able to get teeth cleaned and get fillings. If there are many cavities, they will likely be referred to a pediatric dentist.
Karen Kinter, interim CEO for Oak Orchard, said Oak Orchard is grateful for the new mobile dental unit and looks forward to bringing the service back to local school districts. Albion will be the first stop in late October. In the past the site has been at Albion for about two months before going to the next district. The schedule for all five isn’t set, and depends on the demand at each district.
Oak Orchard will distributing flyers to students in the elementary school at Albion with consent forms for parents and guardians.
The cost is typically covered through Child Health Plus, Medicaid or other health insurance. A sliding-scale payment plan also is available for adults who may have access to the mobile unit in the summers or through the new dental office opening next month in Albion. Oak Orchard has taken over the former All Smiles site at the corner of South Main Street and Allen Road.
Denise Beardsley, left, gives a tour of the new mobile unit to Kevin Watson, a principal at Kendall Central School, and Sharon Smith, superintendent of Lyndonville Central School.
The new unit is also drive-able where the previous one had to be towed to each site. The unit will be parked outside the elementary schools at the local school districts.
Brian Bartalo, Holley school superintendent, is pleased to have the program return this school year.
“We’re excited to have it back,” he said. “We excited for the partnership.”
Nick Picardo, Kendall school superintendent, also is thankful Oak Orchard is bringing the service right to the school districts so families don’t have to travel for dental care.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2022 at 5:17 pm
MEDINA – Takeform will be back in this year’s Parade of Lights and the former grand champion isn’t aiming for the top award.
The company is building a float to carry Santa and Mrs. Claus. The 16-foot-long creation will include a sleigh, five reindeer including Rudolph with a glowing red nose, an illumined moon and recognizable Medina scenery – Bent’s Opera House, the Presbyterian Church and a train highlighting the Medina Railroad Museum. (The Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Medina’s Rotary Park have visited the Takeform shop on Maple Ridge Road to offer insights on a well designed sleigh, including a spot for the sack for presents.)
Company owner Bill Hungerford and the employees are working on a spectacular float with lights and animation.
Takeform is making the float and donating it to the village to be used annually in the parade.
The company is paying for the materials and utilizing its employees to create the float. The company designs and creates signs, architectural graphics and interpretive displays, as well as other products.
Takeform won grand prize in 2017 for a Medina-themed float and then in 2018 for a tropical-themed display on a trailer. The company hasn’t been in the parade since then, but has been part of Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration. It creates ornaments each year, and last year made a gratitude display at Rotary Park. It makes the large letters at Rotary Park wishing the community a Merry Christmas and other messages about the season.
Takeform offered a peak at the float today. The company has been brainstorming the design since March and the pieces are being manufactured with assembly to come.
Takeform isn’t showing the full design but allowed a photo of the sleigh today. The company wants to keep an element of surprise for when the float heads down Park Avenue and Main Street on Nov. 26 for the big parade.
The sleigh is on wheels. It has a seat for Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the spot for the big bag of presents. The sleigh will be painted red. The five reindeer will look like they are taking off in flight. Rudolph will lead the float and will overhang from the trailer.
The float has a “Night before Christmas in Medina” theme.
“We wanted to keep it classic,” said Shannon Dent, design coordinator for Takeform. “This will be built to last.”
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer G. Wakefield as Executive Director of Workforce Development for The Business Employee Skills and Training (BEST) Center.
Leaving her previous role as Director of Development and Alumni Affairs with The GCC Foundation, Wakefield will begin her new role on Oct. 17.
“I’m passionate about workforce development and improving the lives of others and the community as a whole,” Wakefield said. “This new role will allow GCC to offer education and training to fill the middle skills gap in a timely manner. I look forward to working with local businesses and workforce partners to help our community thrive even more.”
Wakefield brings to the role over 25 years of experience in nonprofit organizations, migrant education, and workforce development. Originally from Ohio, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts from The University of South Dakota.
Among her previous roles, Jennifer was a program coordinator in The BEST Center. During that time, she managed new open-enrollment courses, workforce development programs and events for professionals in Western New York. She developed courses in Precision Agriculture, Mechatronics, a Survival Spanish Speaking Series, Supply Chain for Managers Certificate and established a professional development certification for K-12 educators.
Wakefield began her career in higher education at The Ohio State University’s Office of International Programs in Agriculture housed in the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. She managed grants and contracts from USDA, USAID, World Bank, and non-governmental agencies for short-courses and training for academic professors from around the world.
One of these programs included The Ohio Program, a well-respected international practical training program which places both international and American students in internships on agribusinesses, greenhouses, golf courses, dairy farms and vineyards.
“Jennifer already has great relationships with local businesses and workforce leaders throughout the GLOW region,” said Dr. Craig Lamb, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at GCC. “Her strong vision for new initiatives will further expand opportunities The BEST Center provides for businesses and individuals in Western New York as the region continues navigating the ever-changing landscape of career opportunities.”
Wakefield has served on local community organizations and currently serves on the GCASA Board of Directors in Batavia. She resides in Warsaw with her husband, Tom. They have three children, Tanner, Quentin and Meryl.
The BEST Center at GCC is the recognized regional leader in developing the skilled workforce that powers local economic growth. The Center serves individual employees as well as businesses large and small with seminars, workshops and trainings designed to improve the performance of people and processes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2022 at 11:13 am
MEDINA – Multiple people were stabbed in an argument that escalated to a physical altercation early Sunday morning at 610 Main St.
There were five people either cut or stabbed. All of the people who were stabbed are in stable condition, Medina Lt. Todd Draper said.
There was an unrelated death in the village on Sunday that was due to a medical situation and had no connection to the stabbings, Draper said.
The Medina PD was dispatched to the scene at 1:35 a.m. on Sunday for a stabbing. Medina Police arrived on scene at 1:36 a.m. and were advised of multiple stabbing victims including a person bleeding severely from a leg wound.
Officers requested additional units and emergency medical services while administering first aid, placing a tourniquet on the leg of one of the victims, Draper said.
Additional resources responded to the scene including the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, State Police, Medina Fire Department Ambulance and COVA Ambulance. Multiple victims were transported by both ambulance and private vehicle to Medina Memorial Hospital and Erie County Medical Center, according to a press release from the Medina Police Department.
The initial investigation determined that all parties involved knew each other, Draper said. The incident started as a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation in which a subject used a knife against multiple people.
The subject in this incident is known to law enforcement and he is wanted for questioning. There have been no charges filed at this time as the investigation is still ongoing.
Anybody who has information regarding this situation is encouraged to contact the Medina Police Department immediately at 585-798-5602.
This incident is being investigated by Medina police officers Richard Messmer and Jonathan McManus.
The Medina Police Department would like to thank all law enforcement and EMS agencies that responded, along with Orleans County Dispatch for their assistance, Draper said.
