Photos courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: A helicopter was damaged in an open field in Kendall on Wednesday night. The pilot sustained minor injuries.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bouke

Kendall, NY – At approximately 8:33 PM on July 30, 2025, deputies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a helicopter incident involving an experimental aircraft in an open field near Creek Road in the Town of Kendall.

The aircraft, a RotorWay EXEC 162F helicopter bearing tail number N843WB, sustained substantial damage after reportedly experiencing a rollover during a low-altitude hover maneuver.

The pilot, who is also the registered owner of the aircraft, was not present at the scene when deputies arrived. He later reported that while attempting a lateral hover, one of the helicopter’s skids contacted the ground, resulting in a dynamic rollover. The pilot sustained a minor injury and was treated at a local hospital.

Deputies secured the area and conducted an initial assessment, noting significant damage to the rotor system, airframe, and skids. No fire, fuel leak, or hazardous materials were observed at the site.

At this time, there is no indication of foul play or any threat to public safety. The incident has been referred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for further investigation. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to assist federal authorities as needed.

Investigator Kevin Colonna, a licensed helicopter pilot, led the investigation for Sheriff’s Office.

Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

BATAVIA – There are 241 students from Genesee Community College on the Provost’s List, including many from Orleans Copunty.

Students honored on the Provost’s List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

The students from Orleans County include:

• Charlene Schiavone of Kendall
• David Garrow of Medina
• Evan Horn of Medina
• Steven Kage of Medina
• Leah Knab of Albion
• Amanda Greenough of Albion
• Fjolla Bela of Albion
• Ethan Hofmann of Albion
• Leanne Hofmann of Albion
• Rowan Hofmann of Albion
• Derick Marr of Albion
• Autumn Schaefer of Albion
• Melanie Kuhmann of Albion
• Sophia Smith of Albion
• Luke Gregoire of Albion
• Jacklyn Botello of Holley
• Michelle Murphy of Holley
• Aaron Arnett of Waterport

Owner of property says he wants townhouses at site on West Oak Orchard Street

Photos by Tom Rivers: James Nashwenter, left, and Dan Dunn, right, share their concerns about a housing development on West Oak Orchard Street that would be close to their homes at Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park. Nashwenter said he doesn’t want to see low-income housing at West Oak Orchard.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has approved a zoning change for 46 acres of property at 450 West Oak Orchard St., which will allow a mix of housing types through a “planned residential community.”

Several residents spoke out about the zoning change, saying they were concerned the zoning change could usher in low-income housing that could potentially reduce the values of other nearby properties.

The speakers want to know specifically what types of housing will be on the property. Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale owns the site. He said his plan is for townhouses.

But he has held off on incurring the expense for precise plans until the property was rezoned from light industrial, which doesn’t allow housing, to planned residential community.

Michel was advocated for R-3 zoning to allow more than single-family housing, but the Village Planning Board pushed for the “planned residential community” zoning which gives Medina more control on how the property is developed.

Local resident Scott Carlton said there has been too many unknowns with the potential development. He said the minutes from a County Planning Board meeting state the site could potentially have up to 400 units.

But Dan Gardner, the village code enforcement officer, said there haven’t been any numbers proposed for units at this time.

“We don’t know how many units of anything,” he said. “We’re not at the site plan stage.”

Jim Nashwenter, a resident of the nearby Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park, said there is too much “mystery” about what could be coming to the 46 acres. Nashwenter said the Lakewood Village community “vehemently opposes” lower-income housing. Lakewood Village ois for residents 55 and older.

“We worked our asses all our life to enjoy a quiet peaceful retirement,” Nashwenter told the board at Monday evening’s meeting. “This is a non-starter. It will destroy the park.”

Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants to use 46 acres for housing. He said the main goal is for townhouses on the property. Now that the property is rezoned, he will work with engineers are more precise details for the property.

J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, responded to concerns that the property may be contaminated. He said the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) shows there is no contamination on the vacant land. There was a spill from Fisher Price but a monitoring well hasn’t detected any contaminants in about 40 years, Swedrock said.

At a Village Board meeting last month, J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, said there needs to be a mix of housing with some townhouses to allow more units so a project would be economically feasible.

Swedrock works for Michel, the owner of the property. Michel wants a mixed-use option with single-family houses as well as multi-family town houses.

The Village Board approved the zoning change, and Mayor Marguerite Sherman said there would be public hearings in the future as plans are developed.

Village attorney Matt Brooks said the village can’t make decisions about housing and zoning based on the income, gender and ethnicity of residents.

“We can’t discriminate against this group,” said village trustee Scott Bieliski. “We can’t just shoot it down.”

The zoning change “just opens up the possibility” for the land to be developed for housing, he said.

“At the end of the day this is his property and it will give him some options,” Bieliski said.

Nashwenter asked the Village Board to keep the public apprised of any developments with the property.

“I’m not a meeting person but this thing has lit a fire under my butt,” he told the board in a packed meeting room.

Two representatives from the United Way, executive director Nyla Gaylord and board member Dean Bellack, attended last month’s board meeting and urged the board to make the zoning change. They said the area has a significant housing shortage that is a factor in the county’s decreasing population.

The housing shortage is threatening the community’s ability to grow. For businesses to come to Medina, there needs to be more housing for their workers, she said.

Orleans County overall needs more housing options from single family construction, to affordable rentals for young adults and senior citizens, Gaylord said.

“We have some scary data for our community if we don’t allow more property to be developed for housing,” she said.

Municipalities used to each have equal vote, but weighted system diminishes clout of smaller members

ALBION – The first 50 years of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., each member county or city had the same vote per municipality, regardless of the population.

But about two years ago, the OTB board changed to a weighted-voting system with more populous areas getting more votes. Orleans, instead of an equal seat at the table, ended up with the least power.

Orleans and five other counties sued over the changes. The State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, on Wednesday dismissed the case.

Orleans was joined in the lawsuit by Genesee, Niagara, Livingston, Wyoming and Seneca counties. The case was initially filed and argued in Orleans County.

The State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul approved the weighted voting changes with the state budget in 2023-24, citing improprieties and mismanagement at the WROTB.

The six counties that sued said the change violated the “one county, one vote” model of WROTB with a population-based model that effectively consolidates the power to manage and operate the WROTB in Erie County, Monroe County, the City of Buffalo, and the city of Rochester. Those four members have 62 of 99 votes in the weighted system.

The weighted vote system includes the following votes: Erie County, 24; Monroe County, 20; City of Buffalo, 10; City of Rochester and Niagara County, 8; Chautauqua, 5; Oswego, 4; Steuben, Wayne, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, 3; Livingston and Genesee, 2; and Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, 1.

The Appellate Division sided with the State of New York, which asserted that the six counties lacked capacity to bring a suit to invalidate state legislation. The Appellate Court said the changes in the weighted voting doesn’t affect the revenue that will go to the smaller counties.

The court noted that WROTB’s funds vary by year, depending on the wagers placed and WROTB’s operating expenses. Those funds are not in immediate possession of the member municipalities, but are distributed regularly at intervals determined by the board.

Orleans and the other counties in the lawsuit were represented by former attorney general Dennis Vacco, now with Lippes Mathias LLP. In a March 27, 2024 court appearance in Orleans County before State Supreme Court Judge Frank Caruso, Vacco said the case is a very important challenge, showing smaller rural counties standing up to a “power grab” imposed by the state.

“I’m a little emotional about it because I think they receive these types of shenanigans from Albany all the time,” Vacco told the judge in court that day.

The municipalities in WROTB fronted the money to start WROTB in 1973, which has returned more than $250 million in profits to the municipalities.

Joe Terragnoli, representing the Attorney General’s Office, appeared in court on March 27, 2024.

“It’s been a very lucrative deal,” he told the judge. “They gave loans and they were paid in full.”

That contribution never guaranteed an equal vote for perpetuity. The money didn’t purchase voting rights, Terragnoli said.

The state has the right to restructure the board with a weighted vote, he said.

Vacco said the smaller counties never would have put up the money if they had such a small voice at the board table.

Press Release, UConnectCare

ALBION – UConnectCare Behavioral Health Services is pleased to invite the community to an Open House at its Women & Children’s Residence on Wednesday, August 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The new residence is at 3597 Butts Rd. in Albion.

This special event offers an opportunity for community members, partners, and supporters to learn more about the vital services offered to women and children in need of support for substance use disorder and behavioral health care. A

Attendees will have the chance to tour the residence, meet the dedicated team, and learn how UConnectCare is making a meaningful difference in the lives of families in our region.

An informational presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., providing insight into the program’s goals and future plans. Refreshments will be served.

“This open house is not only a chance to showcase our facility, but more importantly, to connect with the community we serve,” said Kathleen Hodgins, chief executive officer of UConnectCare. “We are proud to offer a safe, supportive environment where women and children can heal together and build stronger futures.”

Community members are encouraged to RSVP by August 6. Guests may click here to respond.

Photo courtesy of Susan Starkweather Miller: The tower at Mount Albion Cemetery is a memorial to 463 Orleans County residents killed during the Civil War.

ALBION – The Orleans County Historical Association will host a series of cemetery tours during the month of August, all focusing on the county’s bicentennial, according to Sue Starkweather Miller, village of Albion historian.

• The first tour on Aug. 3 will be at Mount Albion Cemetery on Route 31 with Miller serving as a guide along with Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian.

“To commemorate our county’s bicentennial, we will focus on several prominent pioneers around the tower area, including Nehemiah Ingersoll, and hear the story of how Albion became the county seat,” Miller said.

Guests may enter through the main gate, park at the chapel and walk to the tower, or drive to the area and park in the woods behind the tower. It is short walk up a slight incline to the tower.

• The tour on Aug. 10 will be at Robinson Cemetery, Route 237 and Glidden Road, Clarendon, with guide Melissa Ierlan, town of Clarendon historian.

• On Aug. 17, town of Shelby historian Alice Zacher and Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper will lead the tour of Millville Cemetery, 4394 East Shelby Rd., Medina.

Highlights will be a visit to the wooden chapel/memorial vault and a tour of some of the impressive monuments, including the gravestone of Asa Hill, a Civil War soldier who suffered amputation of a leg, yet returned to run the family farm a few short miles west of the cemetery.

• The tour on Aug. 24 Greenwood Cemetery, 16670 Roosevelt Hgy./Route 18, Kendall, will focus on the first Norwegian settlement in the United States in 1825 in Kendall. Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper will lead this tour.

• Aug. 31 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 581 East Ave., Albion, will conclude the series of tours. Catherine Cooper and Sue Starkweather Miller will lead the tour, which will include a visit to the chapel to view the beautiful interior stained glass windows, and stops at several prominent gravesites.

All tours begin at 6 p.m. and are free, although donations are gratefully accepted.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A Medina Fire Department ambulance heads out for a call on Monday evening.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has set a special meeting for Aug. 20 for the discussion to focus on the future of the Medina Fire Department.

Board members say they highly value the work of firefighters, but the board is concerned about the costs of running a department with 17 full-time paid staff. The board recently reduced the paid staff from 21 to 17.

Trustee Debbie Padoleski, a retired clerk/treasurer for the village, said it is imperative for Medina to get more financial help from neighboring towns for the fire department services, which includes running the primary ambulance service for western Orleans County. The fire department responds to about 2,500 calls a year and about 90 percent, more than 2,200, are EMS/ambulance calls.

The towns of Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates each contribute $35,000 a year to Medina towards the ambulance service.

“That doesn’t even begin to pay for our firemen, the ambulances, fuel, and wear and tear,” Padoleski said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.

The other seven towns in Orleans County contract with Mercy EMS for ambulance services. The amount varies and is based on call volume. Mercy will be paid $250,000 this year for staging two basic life support ambulances in central and eastern Orleans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, plus an advanced life support fly car that would be available 24-7.

The contract calls for the seven towns to pay the following in 2025: Albion, $93,000; Barre, $11,000; Carlton, $18,500; Clarendon, $28,000; Gaines, $38,500; Kendall, $12,750; and Murray, $48,250.

Medina village officials also need to decide soon about whether it will proceed with an addition to the fire hall to accommodate a new ladder truck due to arrive in December.

Medina will be paying $1.7 million for the ladder truck. A one-bay addition to the fire hall is expected to be just over $1 million. Medina is pursuing a state grant for $1 million to help pay for the addition, but Padoleski said she worries about the difference in the final cost and what a grant may cover. She said village taxpayers are already stretched to the limit.

The Aug. 20 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. whether at the Ridgeway Town Hall or the Medina Senior Center. The location will be posted soon, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The county also is doing a study for EMS/firefighting services throughout the county. Village Trustee Scott Bieliski said village officials already know Medina is a cornerstone for the service in western Orleans, and often providing mutual aid in central Orleans as well. The big issue is getting more revenue to Medina for the service that often goes outside the village boundaries, he said.

“They’re doing a study, but we know we are taking care of a lot of the county,” Bieliski said.

Provided photos and information from Eileen Williams

ALBION – The Albion Class of 1972 held another Class Picnic at Bullard Park on Saturday, July 26.

Front Row: Marita DeLuca Dumrese, Sue Pilon, Brenda Staines Bierdeman, Barb Chappius Papili, Sharon Smith McAllister, Ann Gemeo Tower, Patti Smith Buckner, Joey Fiorilli Conlon and Vickie Condoluci Wheeler

Middle Row: Cindy Downey Troy, Candy Hockenberry Fasano, Robert Moore, Marilee Tokotch, Flugel, Marge Colonna Burgio, Eileen Williams, Colleen Murphy McKenna, Rex Hults, Faye Hollenbeck Stowell. Howard Ward and Velma Snell

Back Row (left side only): Joanie Peters, Robert Neilans, Dennis Allis and Kim Standish.

Howard Ward is essential for these picnics as he provides his own super delicious barbecue chicken for everyone to enjoy.

It was a potluck picnic, and many delicious salads, fruits, and heavenly desserts were provided by classmates. Eileen Williams has organized the picnics for several years, along with much help from Howard Ward and Marita DeLuca Dumrese. Eileen also enjoys arranging class lunches as often as possible at various restaurants.

Our wonderful class really has enjoyed various gatherings since we graduated. We are very fortunate and grateful to spend time together and share old and new memories whenever we can.

The Class of 1972 also has a Reunion Committee consisting of Bob Capurso, Howard Ward, Ann Germeo Tower, Marita DeLuca Dumrese, Eileen Williams, and Patti Smith Buckner. All have been instrumental in getting the class together for reunions for many years.

Pictured include: Ann Germeo Tower, Eileen Williams, Howard Ward, Patti Smith Buckner and Marita DeLuca Dumrese.

Provided photo: County Legislators Skip Draper, Lynne Johnson and John Fitzak are shown outside the U.S. Capitol building last week.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

Scott Buffin, deputy emergency management director for Orleans County

ALBION – A local delegation from Orleans County joined U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for the First Responders Summit on Thursday, July 24th in Washington, DC.

The summit provided in-depth information about supporting the wellbeing of first responders and their families, fostering community engagement, and grant writing.

“This summit was a great opportunity to discuss a broad array of issues on how we can support our first responders and provide critical services to our residents,” said Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson. “Plus, there are unique challenges for rural communities like ours when it comes to first responders so being able to share information between similar counties is very helpful.”

Johnson was joined at the summit by County Legislators Skip Draper and John Fitzak as well as Scott Buffin, deputy director of the Emergency Management Office.

 Over the course of the summit, representatives from law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency management departments across New York shared their expertise and best practices. The summit featured speakers from the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, amongst others.

County representatives plan to use the information shared at the summit to provide the best law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency management services for our county residents.

“The discussions on first responders and family well-being brought some new ideas to incorporate into what we are already doing for our first responders in Orleans County,” Buffin said. “The opportunity to network with other first responders at the summit was invaluable.”

To conclude the summit, county representatives spoke with Sen. Gillibrand and her staff where they shared ideas about the areas for growth and support of Orleans County.

“I thank the representatives from Orleans County for making the trip to share their expertise and enhance the quality of our larger discussion,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “I hope that the First Responders Summit provided information to enhance the quality of life of the constituents of Orleans County.”

ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church this morning arraigned an Albion man on multiple charges, including first-degree rape.

Allan Bieber, 22, allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at St. Joseph’s Park on South Clinton Street on April 25. It was dark at the park at about 9 p.m. when the alleged rape occurred.

Bieber also has been charged with third-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child.

Judge Church set bail at $5,000 cash, $15,000 bond or $30,000 partial secured bond.

Bieber is to next appear in County Court on Aug. 13.

File photo: Jesse Cudzillo, left, and Dean Bellack are shown in this picture taken last year at the YMCA while Cudzillo was director. He has recently stepped down to accept a position in a new online telehealth company founded by his brother.

MEDINA – Jesse Cudzillo has announced his resignation as executive director of the Orleans County YMCA.

Cudzillo is stepping down to pursue a new venture as chief executive officer of Neneu Wellness Club, a next-generation wellness company he has launched with his brother and founder, Nicholas Cudzillo.

“This is an opportunity we saw to really help people, and this seemed like the right time,” Jesse said. “I am filled with gratitude for my time at the YMCA. The mission, the people and the impact we have made together in this community will always be part of who I am. The YMCA stands for strengthening spirit, mind and body – and I have witnessed firsthand the real change it creates in people’s lives.”

Cudzillo led the Orleans County YMCA through significant programming expansion, community partnerships and youth development initiatives. He credits the organization with preparing him to take the next step in his professional journey, building upon the foundation of health, wellness and community.

“Jesse Cudzillo will be greatly missed,” said Dean Bellack, former board chair who is serving as chief volunteer officer until a decision can be made how to replace Cudzillo. “He has accomplished many new community partnerships, including the Christian Bow Hunters Archery Program, building the teen center and kitchen and bringing Kwandrans’ Tae-Kwan-Do into the Y. He established himself as a community leader and grew membership in our Orleans County branch. On behalf of the staff and board members in the GLOW YMCA, we wish him success in his new venture.”

“We have launched Reneu Wellness Club to take our mission one step further,” Cudzillo said. “Reneu is a physician-aligned telehealth and functional wellness platform focused on personalized care, advanced peptide therapies, hormone optimization and lifestyle coaching. Our mission is to deliver transformative, medically-responsible wellness to individuals across the country – starting right here in Western New York.”

Reneu Wellness Club aims to blend cutting-edge medicine with heart-centered coaching to help people feel, look and live better, Cudzillo explained. The company operates through a concierge telehealth model, offering care that is proactive, not reactive.

While stepping away from the YMCA is bittersweet, Cudzillo said, he emphasized that his admiration and support for the Y’s mission remains as strong as ever.

“The YMCA will always have my respect and appreciation,” he said. “I am proud of the work we did together, and I am excited to continue serving our community in a new way.”

Appointments can be made by logging on to www.reneuwellnessclub.com.