EAGLE HARBOR – The lift bridge in Eagle Harbor, a hamlet in the Town of Gaines, will be closed from Aug. 8 to Aug. 29.

The bridge from 1910 will be repaired during the closure, the Orleans County Emergency Management Office advised.

Press Release, FMC Corporation

MIDDLEPORT – FMC Corporation, which operates the agricultural sciences plant in Middleport, has honored two Royalton-Hartland High School graduating seniors with individual $1,000 FMC scholarships.

The scholarships were awarded to Justine Laverty of Middleport and Gabriella Smith of Gasport based on judging of their 300-word essays which addressed, “How you can help influence sustainability in your future career and why is this important.”

In terms of sustainability, FMC previously announced its goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. FMC is one of the first crop protection companies to commit to a net-zero goal, and among a select few companies across all industries to pursue an aggressive net-zero timeline of less than 15 years.

“As a company focused on sustainability and dedicated to our local community, FMC is proud to honor two outstanding Roy-Hart graduates with these scholarships and we wish them much success with their career studies in college,” said Katie Russell, FMC Middleport plant manager.

Justine Laverty, who plans to become a veterinarian and open her own small animal veterinary clinic, said she hopes to implement sustainable practices throughout that entire operation. A member of the National Honor Society and captain of the track and field hockey teams, she plans to study veterinary technology at Medaille College.

Gabriella Smith, who plans to enter the Museum Studies program at the Rochester Institute of Technology,  said she would like to create museum exhibitions that are more efficient and sustainable, and less costly through the use of advanced technology and better reuse of artifacts and exhibited documents. She was a member of the National Honor Society at Roy-Hart and captain of the JV field hockey team.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).

New York State Public Health Law requires all dogs, cats and domestic ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies after they reach the age of 4 months. Animals must also remain up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and owners can be fined up to $200 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date.

“Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Genesee County,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We remind all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up to date.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic. (The Genesee clinic is open to Orleans County pet owners and the Orleans clinics are open to Genesee pets.)

The next anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:

Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Sept. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Oct. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Orleans County clinics are at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 Rt. 31, Albion, NY)

• Saturday, Aug. 13, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Health Department services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call 589-3278 for Orleans County or 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County.

MIDDLEPORT – The Lake Plains Players has brought back its five-week summer theater program, and the effort culminates this evening and on Saturday with the performances of Disney’s Frozen Jr.

There are 50 cast members in Frozen. They are co-directed by Jennifer Trupo and Heather Rutherford.

Trupo is thrilled to have the summer children’s theater program back. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This summer’s program was capped at 50, which proved to be “an awesome number” for the production.

Trupo said the program is popular with the kids, and also their parents.

Show times are today at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Roy-Hart Auditorium, 54 State St. in Middleport. Click here for information on tickets.

Libby Adams of Roy-Hart, left, plays Young Anna and Aurora Avery of Lyndonville is Young Elsa. The two are young princesses who are inseparable and much loved in the kingdom of Arendelle.

Leah Kania of Albion is Anna and Jonathan Clarcq of Newfane is Prince Hans. They develop a romantic connection during Elsa’s coronation.

Ava Blount of Medina plays the role of Olaf, a snowman.

Hannah Coolbaugh of Albion, top left, is the bishop during the coronation of Elsa. Anna is thrilled to see her sister Elsa become queen.

The musical includes lots of magic, adventure, zany characters and plenty of humor.

The summer theater program is supported with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Services Inc.

These cast members embrace the cold after Queen Elsa accidentally sets off an eternal winter in the town of Arendelle.

Anna is joined by friends Kristoff, Olaf and Sven in trying to find Elsa and save the kingdom. Anna must fight villains alongside her friends to bring back summer.

Photo from Medina Fire Department

MEDINA – A fire this afternoon caused about $50,000 in damages to a house and destroyed a recreational vehicle at East Oak Orchard Street, the Medina Fire Department reported.

Firefighters were dispatched to 403 East Oak Orchard at 1:32 p.m. for reports of a vehicle fire. The first platoon firefighters issued a structure fire assignment due to the proximity of the RV to the house and the amount of smoke visible to crews leaving the firehouse, the Medina FD reported. Firefighters from the Shelby and Albion Fire Departments were then dispatched.

Responding firefighters saw the fire rolling up the side of the house and into the attic and soffits.

Medina police officer Jacob Zangerle forced entry into the house and rescued the homeowner’s dog. Zangerle confirmed to firefighters there were no occupants at home and closed the front door.

Firefighters knocked down the exterior fire as well as stretched a hose line inside the house to the attic. Shelby and Albion firefighters also assisted at the scene.

The Medina and Orleans County fire investigation units ruled the fire as accidental at this time.

The RV is a total loss and damage estimates to the structure are approximately $50,000. The family of four is being assisted by the Red Cross and other family members.

“We can not thank all our partners that assisted us today enough,” Medina Fire Department officials said. “A quick response by all agencies with an aggressive attack helped limit the damage today. We are so grateful for all our partners.”

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is urging lawmakers to consider options to reduce state spending following a report by the Division of Budget predicting the state will face projected budget gaps totaling $13.7 billion over the next five years.

Additionally, the assemblyman is imploring action be taken to ensure the state’s small business owners are not made to bear the burden of the Legislative Majority’s fiscal irresponsibility. To this end, he is sponsoring a bill (A.7211) that would suspend employer contributions to the interest assessment surcharge fund through 2023, a fund created to help the state repay money borrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic that business owners have been required to regularly contribute to.

This change in the Division of Budget’s economic forecast was spurred by an expected decline in tax revenue caused by recent downturns in the stock market and economy as a whole. For years, Hawley has criticized the Majority for their egregious spending, pointing to the fact that several of the state’s recent budgets have been larger than those of Texas and Florida combined, with this year’s record-breaking budget amounting to $220 billion in total spending.

“Just as millions of Americans are preparing to do in these next few months, it is high time our state tighten its belt and take a hard look at how we can cut waste while still taking care of our residents’ basic needs,” Hawley said. “Whether you look at red states like Texas or blue states like California, they spend far less per capita in their budgets, and I’m certain we could provide a similar value to our taxpayers. In any case, we must work to ensure that our state’s already-strained small business owners are not left to pick up the bill that’s accumulated after years of overspending by the Legislative Majority.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department is seeking information about the location of a dog and its owner(s) following a dog bite incident on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. The incident occurred on Jerome Place near East Main Street in the city of Batavia.

The dog approached a person on Jerome Place and bit the individuals arm. After the incident, the dog ran across Main Street in the westerly direction and was almost struck by a car.

The dog was described as a solid, dark gray dog with a bright blue collar. The dog resembled a pit bull or bulldog.

It is important to locate the dog to determine whether or not it is current on its rabies shot. If the health status is not identified, post-exposure rabies shots will be offered to the victim.

If you have information about the location of the dogs and its owner(s), please contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina posed with sign painters Thursday morning to celebrate completion of this giant flag mural on the south wall of the post. From left are Dave Kusmierczak, Dave Higgins, Carol Callina, Glenn Whitmore (commander), Dave Morien, Peter Huth and sign painters Mark Weld and Jeff Watkins.

MEDINA – The Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina will certainly catch the eye of drivers coming down Main Street with completion of a giant flag mural on the south end of the building.

The idea for project was born several years ago when Legion Commander Glenn Whitmore noticed a similar painting on the Post Office in Gasport.

“I thought it was beautiful and came back here and told Steve Johnson, our former commander about it,” Whitmore said. “I thought it would be awesome to have a flag on our post. We had just had the building painted and it looked wonderful. And we had this big blank wall and I knew then I was going to do whatever it took to get that done.”

Then the Covid pandemic hit and Steve moved away.

Whitmore didn’t forget his idea, however. The restrictions eased with Covid and this spring Whitmore, Carol Callina and Dave Kusmierczak started rethinking the idea of having a giant flag painted on the south side of their building. They contacted sign painter Mark Weld of Barker and his assistant Jeff Watkins of Newfane and put together the paperwork to present to the village for approval.

In June, the village approved the project and a week ago, Weld and Watkins began work.

It took a lot of prep work and six days to draw the initial outline and then paint it, Weld said. This is one of the biggest projects he has attempted, but it’s beautiful, he said.

“A lot of people have been pulling into the parking lot and commenting on it,” Whitmore said. “It’s the best sign I’ve seen on anything in my whole life.”

Underneath the flag are the words, “For God and Country.”

Whitmore doesn’t deny his patriotism.

“This is America,” he said. “That flag means everything.”

“We fought for that flag,” said Carol Callina, a Medina native who served four years active duty in the Navy.

Whitmore also served in the Navy for six years aboard the USS Forrestel.

“When our ship pulled into port and the sailors all lined up along the rail, nothing made you more proud than to arrive back in America with flags flying, a band playing and families waiting,” Whitmore said. “I want to do as much for Medina and this post as I can.”

Whitmore said the mural is latest improvement the Legion has made to their building. They recently added a patio with tables overlooking the canal. Legion members and their guests love to sit out there, have a drink and enjoy the breeze. Smoking is allowed out there, as well.

Whitmore said it is important to thank all the members of Post 204, the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and the village for their support in helping to make the project possible.

He also encourages anyone eligible to consider joining the American Legion.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its 17th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.

Images should convey people enjoying activities on the waterway and Canalway Trail or show the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 26. Winning photos will be featured in the 2023 Erie Canalway calendar.

Images will be judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges will select first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions.

Submitted images must be horizontal format and taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York. It encompasses the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities.

Download official contest rules and an entry form by clicking here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: John Bennett, executive director for GCASA, goes over the plan for a 25-bed women and children community residence, which he said will help women in recovery. The project will primarily serve women in the four rural GLOW counties.

ALBION – The Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse’s proposed 25-bed women and children community residence on Butts Road would be the first residential program for GCASA that serves women and their children.

The agency has seen more women in recovery and addiction programs with the opioid epidemic, with the prevalence of addictive painkillers, said John Bennett, GCASA  executive director.

He spoke during a public hearing on Wednesday at Albion Town Hall about the site plan for a proposed $4.6 million community residence, the first in the GLOW region for women in recovery.

About 12 years ago, women accounted for 23 percent of the GCASA census or people served by the agency. But by 2016-17, that percentage jumped to nearly 40 percent, Bennett said.

GCASA has residential programs for men, but doesn’t for women. The Albion site will allow women, 18 and older, to receive services to aid in their recovery while in a residential setting. Five of the 25 units will accommodate women with children younger than kindergarten. Up to two children can stay in those units. The property will include walking trails and a playground.

Keeping the mothers with the children eliminates a huge barrier preventing some women from going into acute recovery programs, Bennett said.

This project will be one of the few residential programs in the state that is solely for women with room for their children.

“Women have been neglected in residential programs,” Bennett said.

GCASA picked Albion for the project because many of the agency’s other residential and treatment programs are based in Batavia.

The project has been awarded a $4.6 million grant from the state Department of Health for construction of the residence. That grant doesn’t include the operation of the site, which will be staffed 24-7, including two employees at night.

GCASA will have 25 employees at the site, including mental health counselors, a nurse, peer counselors, aides, drivers, a child care coordinator, administrators and kitchen staff.

Bennett would like to break ground on construction this fall with the site opening in about a year.

Bennett said the site will be primarily self-contained, but the women will be encouraged to shop locally, and use the local library, gym and other services.

The Town of Albion Planning Board held a public hearing on the site plan on Wednesday. An environmental impact study is close to being complete. Because that isn’t done, the Planning Board voted to keep the public hearing open until Sept. 7. The board will accept comments until then.

Cassandra Irvine spoke during the hearing on Wednesday. She lives on Butts Road and said she didn’t hear about the project until recently. She said she is concerned about the site being so close to the Butts Road railroad overpass, which is often struck by trucks or vehicles will back up when they see the low clearance often using her driveway as a turnaround.

Planning Board Chairman Isaac Robinson said most traffic to the site would come off Route 31 and wouldn’t go near the bridge. (The residence would be just north of the Orleans Community Health center and south of the bridge.) Robinson said the board can’t tell people how to drive and observe signs.

He said GCASA has been meeting with town officials for about two years on the project. The meetings have been publicly posted, he said.

MEDINA – For the second straight week the blues concert set for State Street Park is being cancelled with the threat of rain.

The Dave Constantino Band was scheduled to perform this evening as part of the Blue Thursdays concert series. There won’t be a rain date because this band and the Growlers Blues Band from last week are booked solid, said Chris Busch, one of the series organizers.

Next week will be the finale for the series with Maria Aurigema.

Press Release, GCASA

BATAVIA – The GOW Opioid Task Force will be conducting the annual Overdose Awareness Day from 4 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 at Austin Park.

Task Force Coordinator Christen Foley said the event – started internationally in 2001 – is designed to help raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and remember the lives that have been lost due to an overdose.

“We will hear from speakers who have been affected by substance use and present information from local agencies,” Foley said. “Additionally, there will be live music, family activities, face painting and free Narcan training.”

Attendees also will be offered the opportunity to leave a note on the task force’s memory board for a deceased loved one.

Those interested in having a table at the event or to register for the Narcan training are asked to contact Foley at cferraro@gcasa.org.