MEDINA – The Medina Village Board hired two full-time firefighters on Monday while accepting the resignation of another firefighter.

The two additions and one departure will bring staffing up to 16 full-time. That fills all of the positions except for a vacant fire chief spot. The department was at 21 – fire chief plus 20 other firefighters – until the department was reduced by four full-time employees during the recent budget process.

The new additions include David Pilecki of North Tonawanda, an EMS lieutenant with the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Company in Sanborn, and Frank Golojuch, who has five years’ experience as a firefighter and with EMS at Kodak Fire Department and Seabreeze Fire Department.

The board accepted the resignation of Nick Lee, effective Sept. 28.

Board members said they are concerned the fire department is already halfway through its budget for overtime, and that’s only after about two months of the village fiscal year.

Board members asked Lt. Steve Cooley for detailed reports on overtime due to fire and EMS calls, and also for providing community outreach through public events and fire prevention.

Trustee Debbie Padoleski would like to see the requests for community events, but she said she doesn’t want the board to be “micro-managing” the department.

“I don’t want to say no to everything but I don’t want to say yes to everything, either,” she said about the requests for firefighters to do fire prevention and attend other events.

The Medina fire chief would typically manage those requests for firefighters. Mayor Marguerite Sherman and the board said future budgets should have a line item for overtime for firefighters to do fire prevention and be at other events.

Cooley said the department is applying for a fire prevention grant that could help cover staff time for working with students and other community members on prevention.

Trustee Mark Prawel suggested volunteer firefighters could be part of the fire prevention and community outreach effort as well.

Rollin Hellner proposes to make 40-foot yacht available as Airbnb

Photo courtesy of Rollin Hellner: The owner of this 40-foot-long boat would like to make it available in Medina’s Canal Basin as a short-term rental for overnight stays.

MEDINA – Two weeks after approving a lease to allow a boat as an overnight rental in the Canal Basin, the Medina Village Board has received a new request in a similar arrangement.

Rollin Hellner wants to make a 40-foot-long yacht available as an Airbnb for short-term rentals. Hellner asked that the board agree to a lease that matches the one approved July 28 for Erie Floatel, LLC of Medina.

Erie Floatel can use of the floating dock on south end of the canal for $220 for the season, plus another $100 for electric and water consumption. Erie Floatel will be operated by Andrew Meier and Svein Lilleby. The lease runs from Memorial Day to Oct. 31, 2025. The Erie Floatel boat is 24 feet long.

The Village Board on Monday said it wants more time to consider the lease arrangement. Hellner asked that his boat be allowed in the Basin near the former NAPA building. But Mayor Marguerite Sherman said a large barge will be coming there soon as part of the Medina Triennial art initiative for 2026. She said other vessels also use the basin and she doesn’t want to see the basin get maxed out.

Medina may need to add more docks in the future, she said.

The board said Hellner’s boat would be better sited further east along Manilla Place, in an area close to the back of the Captain Kidz restaurant. That area is underutilized right now by boats. Hellner said that would work fine for his boat.

The board wants more time to consider the lease agreement and also reach out to the Canal Corp. for guidance in the matter. Sherman said the entrepreneurial interest is welcome at the Canal Basin. She just wants to make sure there is balance for other boaters and users.

She said the Village Board is working hard to accommodate the proposals and initiatives that will bring more vitality and economic activity to the village.

She said some people complained to the Canal Corp. about how the board handled the lease arrangement with the Erie Floatel, which the mayor said put a “black eye” on Medina with the Canal Corp.

“Moving forward I hope we can all be more supportive of each other,” she said.

Rollin’s Hellner’s father, Brian Hellner, runs the North Star Cruises business, offering boat rides in the canal. He shared concerns in village meetings about Erie Floatel, saying the boat should be inspected for safety before being made available to the public. Hellner told the board in recent meetings he didn;t think Medina had treated him fairly. He cited the village offering utilities to Erie Floatel and not to his business. The board has since said North Star could have access to utilities, too.

Brian Hellner said he doesn’t have any role with his son’s business proposal with the house boat.

Rollin Hellner said there is room for everyone to succeed in the basin. He said his boat will cater to a different market than the Erie Floatel. Hellner has a bigger, more luxurious boat that will accommodate more people and charge a higher price.

“There’s a lot of people who want to come to Medina,” Hellner told the board during Medina’s meeting. “It would be nice for Medina to have a yacht there. It’s different. It’s something new.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Thursday evening shows several boats tied up along the wall at Medina’s Canal Basin.

Organization seeks Multi-Generational Wellness Campus in Albion

Photos courtesy of Oak Orchard Health: Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, gave tours of the community health center last week in Albion to JW Cook, left, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley in Batavia.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

ALBION – Oak Orchard Health last week celebrated National Health Center Week with the theme “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.”

With 1 in 10 Americans using community health centers to get primary care, this statistic emphasizes the importance we play in the community. Oak Orchard Health cared for 34,184 patients in 2024 across all our health centers.

As part of our recent celebration, Oak Orchard Health had the honor of hosting two distinguished government officials for tours of our health centers, providing an opportunity to showcase our services, discuss current challenges, and share future plans.

August 6 – Visit from JW Cook, Regional Representative for Governor Hochul

JW Cook visited our Albion Health Center, where he presented a proclamation recognizing our contributions to the community. During the visit, we discussed the challenges we face regarding grant funding and potential budget reductions.

We also shared our application for a grant to support the development of a 28,000-square-foot Multi-Generational Wellness Campus at the Albion Health Center Campus in Orleans County. This initiative, in collaboration with community partners, aims to centralize care and improve access to essential services for rural populations.

Planned services include walk-in healthcare, behavioral health support for aging adults, preschool special education, a centralized Head Start program, daycare, recreational activities, and more.

Following the tour, we highlighted the critical role of our Patient Engagement Services team, which provides transportation, translation, and advocacy for individuals facing barriers to accessing care—particularly specialist services. We also emphasized the importance and planned expansion of our behavioral health offerings.

August 7 – Visit from Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Hawley toured our Batavia office, where we provide primary care, pediatric services, and behavioral health support. We discussed the ongoing challenge of recruiting qualified medical and dental professionals to serve our communities.

Additionally, we shared the success of our warming centers, which have served over 170 individuals at the Brockport Community Warming Center and more than 300 at the Orleans County Warming Center.

We extend our sincere thanks to JW Cook and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for taking the time to visit our facilities and engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of healthcare in our region.

Oak Orchard Health

Founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone in our communities. Currently serving over 34,000 patients at nine locations in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Medina, and Warsaw. We also have two mobile units for medical and dental services. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized NCQA patient-centered medical home, 501(c)3 nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center and has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval.

Press Release, FMC

Provided photo: Emily Livergood is pictured with Mikayla Jackson, Receiving Coordinator and Employee & Community Engagement Lead at FMC’s Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport.

MIDDLEPORT – FMC Corporation, which operates the Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport, has honored a Royalton-Hartland High School 2025 graduate with a $2,000 FMC Scholarship from the local plant.

The scholarship was awarded to Emily Livergood of Lockport based on judging of her 350-word essay in which students were asked to describe the field of study they intend to pursue and the career goals they hope to achieve.

FMC is committed to education and supporting students as they pursue their career aspirations.

“We’re very pleased to award this scholarship to Emily as part of the FMC For Good campaign focus area of Education & Opportunity: Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Agriculture and STEM,” said Barbara Pilmore, FMC Middleport plant manager. “At FMC, we recognize the importance of supporting young people who are pursuing careers in these areas.  It’s an important part of our commitment to this community.”

Emily Livergood will be continuing her education this fall at the University of Buffalo, majoring in chemical engineering. During her years at Roy-Hart, Emily was an accomplished scholar and athlete (tennis and volleyball), while also being very actively involved in student government, band and other extracurricular activities, in which she often took on leadership roles. She also actively participated in a wide range of community service projects.

Provided photo

SHELBY – Makenzie McGrath, 17, of Medina was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.  Presenting the award is Treasurer Kirk Myhill, left, and Makenzie’s grandfather, Gary Watts. Mr. Watts has been an active member of the company for 52 years and is a past chief.

Shelby Volunteer Fire Company awards an annual scholarship to a student who has shown enthusiasm and volunteered serving the fire company.

Makenzie McGrath is a member of the Shelby Auxiliary and has been an active participate in fire company activities from a very young age. With her great-grandfather, Sidney Watts, a founding member of the company, and many family members active, volunteering with the fire company seems to run in your blood, McGrath said.

She has volunteered at fundraisers, Mothers’ Day Chicken Barbecue, catered weddings and parties for many years. When old enough she became a member of the Auxiliary to support the fire company.

Makenzie graduated from Medina High School in the top 10 of her class and is involved in many other community-service activities. She is the daughter of Patrick and Julianne McGrath and plans to attend Nazareth University and major in Elementary and Music Education.

This site rendering from Fagan Engineers in Elmira shows how trucks would turn and enter the site to make deliveries. This plan was presented to the Village Planning Board and Orleans County Planning Board in May 2024.

ALBION – A plan to build a new Dollar General in Albion is back before village officials in Albion.

Dollar General in the spring of 2024 presented a plan to build a new 10,640-square-foot store in the village on Route 31 across from the high school.

The store would be next to the Cone Zone ice cream business, next door to the east. The Broadway Group LLC from Huntsville, Ala. would demolish an existing building, which has been used for selling cars, and put up the new store.

Dollar General needs a variance for the project to go forward. It is seeking to have 35 parking spaces instead of the required 53.

The Village Zoning Board of Appeals today set a public hearing for 4 p.m. on Sept. 9 for the variance.

The Orleans County Planning Board in May 2024 recommended the Village of Albion approve a variance request for the parking spaces for the store.

The village code requires one spot for every 200 square feet for a retail store. The Dollar General would need 53 parking spots under the village code, but The Broadway Group is seeking a variance to allow for 35 spaces.

The site is already tight for space and many of the customers come and go fairly quickly, Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board, said during the May 2024 county meeting.

Strong, a Town of Albion code enforcement officer, is handling the code enforcement duties for the project because the village code officer, Chris Kinter, is the owner of the site for the proposed store at 327 East Ave.

Dollar General previously said the store size proposed for Albion typically have 32 parking spaces. The company could add more, but that would result in more pavement and less green space, the Broadway Group wrote in its request for a variance.

The Broadway Group will provide a more detailed description of the store’s appearance and parking lot lighting when it seeks site plan review and a special use permit. First the company wants to make sure it will have a variance to have fewer parking spaces required in the code.

Dollar General sells general merchandise and food. It used to have a store in Albion on Route 31 across from the former GCC campus. The former Dollar General building is now used by a bottle redemption business.

Dollar General has several stores in Orleans County: 11273 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina; 11349 Ridge Rd. in Ridgeway; 30 North Main St. in Lyndonville; 16684 Route 31 in Holley; and 16669 Roosevelt Highway in Kendall.

Press Release, Catholic Charities

ALBION – Catholic Charities is gearing up for the new school year by hosting a Personal Care Item Drive to benefit families and individuals in need throughout Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

“The last few years, we have held a donation drive for new socks and undergarments, but this year, we’ve seen a shift toward clients needing greater assistance with personal care items like shampoo and deodorant, as well as cleaning supplies like paper towels, laundry detergent, and antibacterial wipes, so this year we catered our donation drive to where the biggest needs are,” said Kate DiSalvo, tri-county district director, Catholic Charities. “We hope our donation drive can give individuals and families – especially parents – one less thing to worry about this fall. Every donated item really is an answered prayer for our community members in need.”

Donations of new, unopened personal care items and cleaning supplies are being accepted from Aug. 11 – Sept. 15 at the following Catholic Charities offices: 25 Liberty St., Suite 7, Batavia; 243 South Main St., Albion; and 6470 Route 20A, Perry. The donated items will be distributed to community members.

Additional information about Catholic Charities’ services can be found at ccwny.org/services.

NY businesses feel impact of higher tariff costs, fewer Canadians crossing border

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was outside Brunner in Medina on Tuesday. The event was focused on his support for the Job Corps program, but Schumer also highlighted the negative impacts of U.S.-imposed tariffs on Canada. The U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports on  March 12 and then increased the tariff to 50 percent on June 4. That has significantly raised the costs for Brunner, which imports steel from Canada. Brunner manufactures brake systems for tractor trailers. The overall tariff on Canadian imports was raised from 25 to 35 percent on Aug. 1.

MEDINA – U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Western New York businesses have long enjoyed a rewarding and reciprocal friendship with Canada, a relationship that is being put to the test by the Trump Administration.

Trump has imposed hefty tariffs on goods from Canada and insults from the president, who repeatedly has urged Canada to become the U.S.’s 51^st state, are driving away Canadian tourists, Schumer said in Medina last week.

Schumer also highlighted the issue during a news conference in Niagara County. He said Trump has strained the relationship with the United States’ most important ally and trading partner. The overall tariff on Canadian imports was raised from 25 to 35 percent on Aug. 1. The tariff on steel is at 50 percent.

“We have a really strong relationship. We depend on all the cross-border traffic,” Schumer said in Medina about the US relationship with Canada. “All of these tariffs have hurt commerce that has thrived. The tariffs should be pinpointed and directed at countries doing bad things, not across the board.”

Chart: U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s Office. This chart shows land crossings along US-Canadian border are down about 1 million from February through June.

Schumer said cross-border travelers from Canada dropped by 975,000 from February through June, taking a big chunk of the tourism industry and threatening many small businesses who cater to tourists.

“I’m all for addressing trade imbalances, but Trump’s chaotic and ill-conceived tariffs are undermining these goals,” Schumer stated in a press release. “Turning our allies like Canada against us is devastating Western New York’s economy in ways we haven’t seen since the height of the pandemic.”

Schumer said he will force a vote in the Senate in September to the end the trade war in Canada. He said House Republicans from Upstate need to stand up to Trump and protect their communities.

“Western NY families and small businesses are paying the price for these chaotic tariffs out of their wallets, whether it be in higher costs at the grocery store or fewer tourists on our Main Streets,” Schumer said. “Trump’s tariffs are a tax increase on Western NY families, plain and simple, and we are here to say enough is enough.”

When the Senate reconvenes next month, Schumer said he will force a vote on ending “Trump’s reckless and costly trade war.”

If the high tariffs continue and Trump’s hostility towards Canada, Schumer said it would result in “a death sentence for restaurants, hotels, and shops across Upstate NY.”

Western NY families and small businesses are being hit harder than nearly anywhere else in the country, with tourism dropping nearly 975,000 travelers across the U.S.-Canada border since Trump took office and costs increasing for families by nearly $2,400 a year, Schumer said.

Canadians are canceling trips to the United States because of Trump’s tariff war and his insulting threats to annex Canada as the 51st state, Schumer said. Canadian tourism is nearly 40% of the overall tourism economy in Buffalo, and across Western New York, businesses are seeing the impacts of fewer Canadian tourists and panicking that it will get worse, he said.

Schumer highlighted Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, which is experiencing 30% less foot traffic than last year, with various stores in the mall seeing at least double-digit sales decreases.

The Aquarium of Niagara, which opened a major expansion in 2024 designed to enhance the summer visitor experience and attract more tourists, instead saw an 18% decrease in attendance in July.

Artpark, a popular event venue in Lewiston, is projecting at least a 60% total loss of Canadian visitors, equating to a minimum of $150,000 in lost revenue for the nonprofit organization.

The tariffs are hurting WNY businesses that depend on materials from Canada, Schumer said. He highlighted BNP Empowered Print, a print shop based in Buffalo that prints newsletters and mailers for major companies in Western New York like Tops Friendly Markets, Valu Home Centers, and Pet Supplies Plus. BNP purchases all of its paper from Canada, and it predicts an annualized cost increase for materials such as ink and printing plates of more than $225,000 due to Trump’s tariffs.

“The unnecessary trade war with Canada is creating significant stress on our Canadian print business, as we currently absorb 25% retaliatory tariffs in response to the Trump Administration’s actions,” said BNP Empowered Print President Thomas Majerski. “We fully support Senator Schumer’s efforts to put an end to this extremely harmful policy with our closest ally and number one trading partner.”

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz President Trump should work with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to mutually grow the inter-connected economies.

“I join Senator Schumer in calling for end to this needless trade war with Canada and then begin restoration of the prior friendly relations enjoyed by the US and Canada, a relationship built upon mutual respect, especially for each nation’s sovereignty,” Poloncarz said.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer greets Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman last week in Medina outside Brunner.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Holy Family Lawn Fete was a busy place on Sunday afternoon, with many activities for people of all ages. New to the event: a dunk tank.

The top photo shows Bernard Melucci, 9, of Lyndonville throwing a ball at the dunk tank target.

Behind him are tents for people to eat burgers, hot dogs, pasta and other food.

Bernard Melucci keeps his eye on the target – the bull’s eye on the dunk.

There were about 100 baskets up for raffle at the Lyceum.

Mary Louise DiGirolamo, right, makes a purchase from Deb Zicari, president of the Ladies of Charity. There were baked goods, fruit and vegetables for sale by the Ladies of Charity.

Eileen Banker and Jim Passarell ran the raffles for a 65-inch TV and for gas cards.

Issac Robinson is soaked and cold sitting in the dunk tank. He worked out getting the dunk tank for the Lawn Fete. Next time he hopes more people will sit in the booth.

Ava Ludwick, 17, of Albion throws a ball at the dunk tank target and hit it, sending Robinson into the chilly water.

Strickland VFW Post #4635 is located at 38 North Platt St. in Albion.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No.29

ALBION – On August 8-9, 1942, the first major naval engagement between the Allied Naval forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy took place in the South Pacific Ocean, near Guadalcanal.

Thus, this weekend marks the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Savo Island. It has since been described as one of the worst defeats in U.S. naval history. Three American cruisers: Astoria, Quincy and Vincennes and one Australian cruiser, Canberra, were destroyed. Almost 1,000 lives were lost.

Ensign Everett C. Strickland, 1918-1942, for whom the Albion VFW Post is named.

Ensign Everett Carlton “Carl” Strickland of Waterport was aboard the Astoria on the night of August 9. He was on the stern of the ship when it was hit by numerous torpedoes and gunfire from enemy planes.

Captain William Greenman, the ship’s captain, later reported that: “Ensign Strickland, in the heat of battle, recognizing the danger from the planes on the deck being hit by enemy shells, attempted to take off in one, but found that the mechanical releasing devices had been damaged. He then was attempting to shove the plane over the side with his own hands when he was fatally cut down by fire from a Japanese aircraft.”

Ensign Strickland had just celebrated his 24th birthday. Born in Carlton in 1918, he was the son of Everett Strickland and Elizabeth Tuttle Strickland. His father was employed by Bell Aircraft in Buffalo and his mother worked at the Albion State Training School.

Strickland graduated from the Waterport school in 1934, attended Lehigh University and enlisted in the Naval Reserve Air Force in 1941. He completed his training in Jacksonville, FL. in October 1941 when he received his gold wings and ensign’s commission. He remained at Jacksonville as an instructor for several months but requested to be transferred to active duty immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941). He spent a two-week furlough at home and was called into active service on February 1, 1942.

News of Ensign Strickland’s death in action “some time within the last two months” was not communicated to his parents until September. Reports of the incident did not appear immediately in the press. Analysis of the event continued for some time, as is evidenced by the following headline in The Buffalo News of December 7, 1946:

“Battle of Savo Island: Our Worst Sea Defeat, But Foe Muffed Victory”

Ensign Strickland had the rare distinction of having a U.S. Navy ship, a destroyer escort, named in his honor. The USS Strickland (DE-333) was launched in Orange, Texas on November 2, 1943, by the Ensign’s mother, Mrs. Everett Strickland and was commissioned on January 10, 1944. A plaque bearing a citation tribute to Strickland was placed on the ship and a photo of him was placed in the captain’s cabin. The USS Strickland was in service from 1944-1946 and from 1952-1959.

Ensign Strickland’s death was Orleans County’s first naval air force casualty of the war. An Albion post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars had been organized in 1946. On March 10, 1947, Thomas Hunt, Post Commander, announced that it would be named in Strickland’s honor.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jovannie Canales, lead pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, holds a flat-screen television that was given away at the end of the Family Fun Day at Bullard park on Saturday.

There were 90 volunteers from 11 churches that put on the event that included many activities, free food, the chance to win prizes and also get baptized. Canales said 24 people chose to be baptized during the event.

Anita Garcia, a deacon at Harvest Christian Fellowship, announces that many prizes would be given away.

There were 900 people registered for Family Fun Day but the heat and a Buffalo Bills game likely kept some people from going to the park. There were still at least 500 people for the three-hour event on Saturday afternoon. In addition to the church representatives, there were about 35 community organizations at Family Fun Day.

Sarah Ferguson, right, of Risen Café and Riley Angelucci served hot dogs for free. They had 1,000 ready and had go through at least 500 with about 45 minutes to go on Saturday.

Albion firefighter Fred Piano assists Christopher Bergeron, 7, of Albion in spraying water from a fire house at targets.

Tim Bourke, a balloon artist from Albion, works on an animal for Jessica Woodhams and her daughter Davina, 4, during Family Fun Day.

Melisa Canales, left, and her husband Jovannie serve as lead pastors at Harvest Christian Fellowship. The couple used to be the pastors at the Oasis Church in Medina, which started Family Fun Day. That church last year  merged with Harvest Christian Fellowship.

There were six Family Fun Days in Medina at Butts Park before the change to Bullard Park last year.

Lodge in Albion hosts event with bands, raffle baskets and food

Photo by Tom Rivers: This banner welcomes the public to the Veterans Memorial Run, a 110-mile bike ride on Saturday that started and ended at the lodge at 428 West State St.

ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge held a 110-mile ride on Saturday and they hosted an event at the lodge in a fundraiser for local veterans.

This was a first-time event and the lodge wants to do it the second Saturday every year. There were 17 bikes and three cars on the 110-mile trip.

Richard Robb, president of the Elks Riders in Albion, said the group will ensure the money goes to local veterans.

Photo courtesy of Richard Robb: The riders made three stops on the 110-mile trip on Saturday. Here they are shown at the Holley VFW. They also stopped at Maxwell Station in Olcott and The Grove 1848 in Kendall.

For many years the Elks Riders did a dice run as a fundraiser for the Jason Johnston scholarship. Johnson was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009. Johnston was a specialist and paratrooper in the Army. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.

His scholarship has more than $50,000 raised, Robb said. The $1,000 annual memorial scholarship that goes to a student pursuing a career in a helping profession, such as a nurse, doctor, firefighter, counselor or other social services.

With the scholarship well funded for many years to come, the Elk Riders decided they wanted to use the annual ride and fundraising event to go towards veterans in the community.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Todd Dawley, left, and Jeff Mosher worked the grill on a very hot day with temperatures near 90. The Elks recently upgraded that grill area making it enclosed in the back. The lodge also added a new fence and made other landscaping improvements to the property.

Nick Salvatore, lead singer of Salvatore, sings “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes. Salvatore followed the band, Bad Luck.

There were about 30 baskets and 25 gift cards up for raffle at the pavilion of the lodge.

Photos courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company from Buford McAdoo and Joleen Bessel

RIDGEWAY – A fire destroyed a barn in Ridgeway on Saturday evening at 11811 Portage Rd.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 6:17 p.m.

Medina Engine 11 with career staff arrived first to find a fully involved barn fire that had already partially collapsed, with exposure problems, and a house with melting siding, the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company stated on its Facebook page.

Ridgeway firefighters are shown at the scene of the fire on Portage Road.

Medina firefighters pulled a hose line to protect the residence. Ridgeway Engine 32 arrived minutes later and was instructed to “lay in” to Medina Engine 11, and 300 feet of 4-inch supply line was laid to supply Engine 11, the Ridgeway VFC stated.

More lines were then put into service to knock down the main barn fire and subsequent grass fires. Firefighters checked the residence for any possibility of extension into the garage or house, Ridgeway fire officials said.

Ridgeway Tanker 52 and Shelby Ladder 40 were staged and manpower sent forward. Albion’s FAST Team was held in quarters as there were no interior operations. Ridgeway firefighters were on scene for just over three hours.

Ridgeway thanked the following for their assistance: Medina Fire Department & Medina Fire Investigation Team, Shelby Fire Company, Albion Joint Fire District, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Communications and Road Patrol.