Photo courtesy of State Sen. Rob Ortt’s office: Rob Ortt speaks at a press conference on Friday at the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt’s Office

LOCKPORT – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Senator Pam Helming and Senator George Borrello, and several sheriffs from across New York on Friday joined together to call for the passage of the bipartisan PROTECT Act (Senate Bill S.2282A) introduced by Senator Helming of Canandaigua.

The bill, developed with input from law enforcement and community faith leaders, provides judges with a tool to evaluate whether violent offenders should be held pretrial or released.

For years, Democrats’ failed public safety policies have left New Yorkers less safe by removing judicial discretion and putting dangerous individuals back on the street, Ortt said. The PROTECT Act is a bipartisan solution that restores balance to the justice system and helps keep communities safe.

“Albany Democrats would rather handcuff our judges instead of criminals and this has resulted in more dangerous individuals in the community instead of in jail,” said Ortt, leader of the Republican conference in the State Senate. “Just recently in Buffalo we saw a young mother murdered at the hands of someone who should have been behind bars, but thanks to out of touch policies that favor violent felons – this man was allowed to roam free. The PROTECT Act is the first step to restoring sanity to our communities.”

The PROTECT Act (Pretrial Risk Overview for Threat Evaluation Custody and Treatment) creates a judicial risk-assessment tool to help judges determine whether individuals charged with violent crimes should be held pretrial.

The bipartisan bill was written in consultation with sheriffs, district attorneys, and faith leaders to restore fairness and protect public safety. The bill remains in the codes committee.

“Public safety is an issue that affects everyone, whether you’re 9 or 99,” Helming said. “My legislation, The PROTECT Act resulted from a collaborative and bipartisan effort of people who believe our state government must prioritize your safety, your family’s safety, and the safety of our communities. I’m determined to make the PROTECT Act the law in New York State and I invite everyone to join us.”

“The men and women in uniform risk their lives to protect the public,” said Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke. “The current system is failing them and failing victims. The PROTECT Act is a practical step toward fixing that failure and ensuring justice works for everyone.”

Photo courtesy of Albion Central School. Ashleigh Stornelli is the school resource officer at Albion Central School this year. She has worked as an SRO for Kendall.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion Central School is pleased to introduce Ashleigh Stornelli, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, as the district’s new School Resource Officer. She assumed her role at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. She has served as an SRO for Kendall Central School.

Deputy Matthew Prawel served in the role for Albion the previous three years.

Stornelli is a graduate of Lyndonville High School. She earned her associate’s degree in criminal justice from Genesee Community College and completed her law enforcement training at the Erie County Police Academy.

Her previous experience includes six years as Military Police in the U.S. Army National Guard, one year with the Holley Police Department and seven years in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

“A safe school environment is imperative for all,” said Mickey Edwards, Albion Superintendent of Schools. “Deputy Stornelli brings a wealth of experience and a passion for serving the community. We are excited to welcome her and support her as she leads safety initiatives in our buildings and establishes strong relationships within our school community.”

An SRO’s presence has a complex impact and benefits the school community in more ways than one.

“I look forward to serving as a trusted and approachable mentor, and educating on all facets of student safety while prioritizing a safe and secure campus,” Stornelli said. “It’s an honor to join the ACSD team and continue my career here. Serving as an SRO is extremely rewarding and I am eager to build relationships, navigate challenges together and make a lasting positive impact.”

Mary Mattingly transforming a barge on the canal into floating garden

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Federico Rosario of Medina and co-curator Karin Laanso of Rochester wait in front of the former NAPA Auto Parts store on North Main Street for the arrival of artist Mary Mattingly from New York City, who plans to transform a barge on the Erie Canal into a floating garden. The project is part of the Medina Triennial in observance of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.

MEDINA –  Medina Triennial has announced the inaugural edition of a new contemporary art triennial, which will take place June 6 to Sept. 7, 2026.

In preparation for the event, the opening of the Medina Triennial Hub Sept. 13-14 has been announced in the former NAPA building on North Main Street.

This barge docked in Medina’s canal basin is waiting for the arrival of Mary Mattingly, an American visual artist from New York City, who plans to transform the barge into a floating garden.

Also part of the Triennial is a barge docked in the Erie Canal Basin, which American visual artist Mary Mattingly of New York City is planning to transform into a floating garden. Mattingly, an ecological art pioneer, arrived last Saturday afternoon to begin assessing her project.

The inaugural edition next summer will feature more than 50 artworks at approximately 12 indoor and outdoor locations in Medina, highlighting Medina’s dynamic natural residency program and its education and welcome center, according to Federico Rosario of Medina, community engagement and program coordinator for the Medina Triennial.

The former NAPA Auto Parts building on North Main Street is a former sandstone hotel building in the heart of the village. The Medina Triennial is calling the building “The Hub” and it will be open this weekend for sessions about the art initiative.

Saturday Sessions

• 12 to 2 p.m. – Co-Artistic Directors Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo, architects Serweta Peck, and artist-in-residence Mary Mattingly introduce the Hub’s design and fall programming, followed by a tour of the building and Mattingly’s Floating Garden.
• 4–5 p.m. – “What is a Triennial?” Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo trace the history of the triennial format and discuss how the Medina Triennial reimagines it for a new context.

Sunday Sessions

• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Roundtable on Labor and Ecology: Mary Mattingly and agricultural educator Todd Eick discuss care and invisible labor across art, ecology, and community life.
• 4 to 6:30 p.m. – Floating Garden Orientation: Mary Mattingly invites neighbors to plan and plant for her floating food forest on the Erie Canal.

The Medina Triennial was initiated by the New York State Power Authority and the New York State Canal Corporation as part of a broader effort to revitalize the canal and highlight its contemporary significance.

This event will feature new work by local, national and international artists and collectives, to create a free, village-wide exhibition that will be the first of its kind in the region.

Renowned commissioned artists will be invited to respond to Western New York’s communities and ecosystems, often working in collaboration with local residents to create work rooted in context.

Visitors are invited to stop by from noon to 6 p.m. weekends (always on Saturday and some Fridays and Sundays).

Federico Rosario, Community Engagement and Program Coordinator for the Medina Triennial, stands in the newly-renovated space in the former NAPA building, which will house an art triennial June 6 to Sept. 7, 2026.

Crowd gets smaller but attendees say they’ll never forget

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion police officers, Orleans County sheriff’s deputies and chaplains recite the Pledge of Allegiance on Thursday evening during a Sept. 11 memorial service at the Courthouse Square.

The memorial was on the 24^th anniversary of the terrorists attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, including 60 police officers in New York City.

A giant American flag is displayed high over Main Street from Murray and Albion ladder trucks.

Firefighters stand during the service, including from right: Scott Buffin, deputy emergency management coordinator for Orleans County; and Steve Cooley, Medina fire chief.

There were 343 firefighters in New York City who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

There were about 75 people at the memorial service on Thursday. That may have been the smallest crowd for the annual service. One of the Albion firefighters said he was disappointed by the turnout, saying people seemed to have forgotten the horrors of Sept. 11, when four airplanes were hijacked.

The terrorists attack killed nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others. Terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and the other into a field in rural Shanksville, Pa.

Brad Nudd, second from left, and other members of the Honor Guard fire during a gun salute and then Taps was played during the service.

Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak spoke at the memorial service. He said Sept. 11, 2001 remains “one of the most tragic and defining days in our nation’s history.”

The country showed its strength, resilience and unity in the days that followed after the attacks.

“In the days and weeks that followed, we saw a nation come together – neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming family, communities standing as one. That spirit of unity is the legacy we must carry forward,” Fitzak said.

Doug Egling plays, “America the Beautiful,” on a wind controller AE30 Roland. Trellis Pore also sang the song during the service.

Scott Schmidt, Orleans County chief coroner and a funeral director for Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, served as the keynote speaker at the observance. Schmidt spent three weeks with the federal DMORT team and assisted in collecting and identifying remains, and interviewing family members searching for loved ones.

He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was there for 20 days, including a week at Ground Zero. Three of his colleagues on DMORT attended the service in Albion on Monday.

Schmidt noted that human remains from Sept. 11, 2001 continue to be positively identified by the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. As recently as Aug. 13, three more victims were identified, Schmidt said.

And the death toll continues to grow as more people die each year from their exposure to particulates while working at or near Ground Zero or from when then were fleeing the site where two skyscrapers collapsed.

“We mourn all these men and women,” Schmidt said. “We remember their lives equally. We remember their lives equally because in death, men and women of all socio-economic statue, people of all colors and creeds, of all walks of life, all men and women in death are equal.”

Fred Piano, an Albion firefighter, sounds the air horn from an Albion fire truck.

Scott Schmidt noted that an air horn was sounded when human remains were found in the rubble after the World Trade Center towers collapsed.

“That abrasive, harsh, stunning, loud, startling and mournful sound of an air horn is a real-time remembrance of the painful reality of that day,” Schmidt said.

Firefighters take down the giant flag that was displayed on Main Street across from te Courthouse. Fran Gaylord of the Murray Joint Fire District, left, and Jeremy Babcock of the Albion Joint Fire District were among the firefighters putting the flag away.

Provided photos

PEMBROKE – Keeler Construction in Barre had a crew paving in Pembroke today and the group proudly displayed an American flag in honor of the victims from the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks 24 years earlier.

Terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people after hijacking four planes and crashing two in the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Washington, DC and one at a field in rural Shanksville, Pa.

Keeler was out paving Route 77 in Pembroke. Driving the paver is Jason Bessel and standing on the back are Justin Windnagle and Ron Croft.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) World-renown Jack the Ripper researcher Michael L. Hawley and author Julie Berry hold copies of their books prior to the launch celebration Monday night of Berry’s latest novel, If Looks Could Kill. At right is Valerie Fleshauer, a former student of Hawley’s, who introduced him to Julie and her husband Phil. Hawley opened the evening with a short talk on his research of Jack the Ripper suspect Francis Tumblety. (Right) Berry and Hawley share a hug after their presentations at the launch party Monday night for Berry’s newest novel which was influenced by Hawley’s research.

MEDINA – Julie Berry’s launch of her latest book If Looks Could Kill brought out a crowd of more than 100 people on Monday to Author’s Note, the bookstore she owns at 519 Main St.

“Such a tremendous show of support from Medina and the surrounding communities, and from faithful friends of the bookstore,” Berry said. “The most amazing things at Author’s Note are the people who work here and the people who come here.”

She thanked the book club members who are so vital to the store’s support, and gave special thanks to her team, including Olivia Marchese and Erica Caldwell who worked tirelessly to create beautiful, festive and meaningful decorations to set a celebratory tone.

A New York Times’ Best-Selling author, Berry got the idea for her latest book while remodeling the book store after she had bought it.

“I started thinking about murder and exploring a murder story and violence against women,” Berry said. “It is shocking the percentage of women who will experience violence in their lives.”

Then she started thinking, “What if women had the ability to pay back men who hurt them?” That thought resulted in a Medusa image. Medusa is described as “representing a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.” Her famous feature is her hair of snakes.

“In the myth, Medusa had no power to control her power,” Berry said. “I wanted a Medusa for the 21st century, who could control her power – could turn it on or off and manipulate the extent of its effects. I went into this book wanting female revenge. But I don’t believe in discriminate or over-reaching justice. I believe everybody deserves the opportunity to heal, learn and change, but if I was going to move this story forward with the vengeance I still wanted, I needed a very bad villain.”

She picked lower Manhattan as the scene for her newest endeavor, and there was Jack the Ripper, she said.

“I was angry and Jack the Ripper was just what I needed for my book about where to find peace, hope and trust, especially in the darkest of times,” Berry said.

Author and Jack the Ripper researcher Michael T. Hawley gives a slide presentation on why he believes Francis Tumblety, who is buried in Rochester, was Jack the Ripper.

Then, through Lindy Hop dancing with her husband Phil, she met Valerie Fleschauer, a scientist at the University of Rochester’s laser lab, who had been a student of Jack the Ripper researcher Michael L. Hawley. Fleschauer connected Berry with Hawley, who is an expert on Jack the Ripper, and in particular, the suspect Francis Tumblety.

Hawley has appeared on the Travel Channel, Ghost Hunter and History Channel, among others. He said every claim that Tumblety could not be Jack the Ripper has been debunked.  We don’t know if he was the Ripper, but Hawley believes the objections raised against him don’t stand up to the facts.

“To my mind, there is no reason to think Tumblety, who is buried in Rochester, could not be Jack the Ripper,” he said.

In concluding, Berry said Medusa is a power women can use and turn on and off.

“That is the power I want people to feel when they read this book,” she said. “Find your inner monster and ‘Medusify.’ Confidence makes a difference. Insisting you are going to be heard makes a difference.”

Scott Robinson and his wife Alix Gilman were among those who attended the launch.

“The launch of Julie Berry’s If Looks Could Kill at Author’s Note was a reminder of what makes Medina and Western New York so special,” Alix said. “Julie is an intoxicating trifecta of intelligence, talent and wit – but most of all, her heart and sense of justice and unparalleled. Events like this celebrate the incredible depth of talent and knowledge we have right here in our community, and the magic of gathering together to honor it.”

“This event was just the boost of faith, confidence and adrenaline I needed to take this tour nationwide,” Berry said. “That was Medina’s gift to me, and I’m grateful.”

Berry is now travelling on a 29-stop nationwide tour of her book. Click here for more on her book and the tour.

Photo courtesy of Orleans County: Officials from 18 counties gathered for a group photo after being recognized by New York State Association of Counties for money management. Jack Welch, the Orleans County chief administrative officer, is shown in back row, third from right.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

Orleans County was recognized at this week’s New York State Association of Counties Fall Seminar, held in Niagara Falls, with “cashVest 90+” Award.

This award is given to counties that receive a score of 90 or better for four consecutive quarters on several money management benchmarks. The honor recognizes counties that have taken proactive steps to maximize the value of every public dollar, strategically investing funds to generate new income and help ease the burden on property taxpayers.

“This award is really a testament to the hard work of County Administrator Jack Welch and Treasurer Kim DeFrank to mitigate risk while maximizing return on investment of public dollars that help fund county services,” said Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson.  “At a time when every level of government is faced with tight budgets, their sound fiscal leadership and ability to maximize revenue streams outside of tax dollars is more important now than ever.”

Orleans County was one of 18 counties across the state to receive the honor.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Doris Heydel holds a French frappe coffee at the Serenity Vitality Café, which she opened last week at 438 West Ave.

Heydel also is owner of Serenity Spa & Holistic Center. She opened that business in June 2023. She offers numerous services at the site, from massage, anti-aging treatments with facials and skin care, pain treatments, reflexology, meditation, yoga and holistic life coaching.

The new café fits in with her mission at the spa and holistic center. She wants to help people lead healthier lives.

“Health is 80 percent of what we eat,” she said. “We wanted to bring healthy choices.”

Doris Heydel is shown at the café which has plenty of space for people to relax. The café has a room available for meetings and small parties.

The new café offers smoothie bowls, toasts, smoothies, grab-and-go items (including gluten-free options), healthy soda and health shots.

Heydel’s husband Lionel is a chef and he said soups, including a daily vegan option, should be added soon to the menu.

The café is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3:30 on Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Wednesday.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning celebrated a grand opening Serenity Vitality Café. From left include Allison Barkowski from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s office, Chamber director Darlene Hartway, Doris and Lionel Heydel, Chamber social media director Courtney Henderson, and David Gagne, board president for the Chamber.

Hartway praised Doris Heydel for adding the café to the site, which already has a very popular spa and other holistic health services.

“It’s great to have more healthy options for the community,” Hartway said about the café. “It fits well with her business. It’s wonderful to have this option.”

Doris Heydel accepts a citation from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for opening the new café. She was presented the certificate from Allison Barkowski, operations and outreach director for Tenney.

ALBION – A Lyndonville man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Wednesday to felony aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Jason Dusett, 50, is being held in the county jail for a parole violation. In January 2019 he was sentenced to four years in state prison for first- and second-degree sexual abuse.

In the DWI charge, he was stopped on June 12 and a state trooper recorded Dusett’s Blood Alcohol Content at 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit. Dusett has a previous DWI in Victor in 2018.

He pleaded guilty in County Court on Wednesday and faces up to 6 months in the county jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 12.

In another case in county court on Wednesday:

Richard Kress, 37, of Albion pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and faces a maximum 1 to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 19.

Kress and a co-defendant, Daniel Fritz III of Clarendon, are accused of taking a safe from a  Clarendon home that had cash and jewelry inside. There will be a restitution hearing. District Attorney Susan Howard is seeking $5,000 in restitution for the victim of the crime.

Fritz has pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the third degree and could be sentenced to up to 2 to 4 years in state prison.

In cases in court last week, Joseph Reamer, 53, of Medina was arraigned on first-degree rape, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. He posted a bail bond for $20,000.

Charles Santiago, 37, of Albion also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for having a loaded Taurus handgun on April 13 without a permit.

Santiago faces a split sentence of up to 6 months in the county jail and five years of probation when he is sentenced on Nov. 19.

Photos courtesy of Melissa Ierlan

CARLTON – A historical marker highlighting the “Ancient Mound” built by the Algonkian Indians in Carlton has been refurbished with fresh paint.

Dave and Dar Krull are shown with the marker at their home on Oak Orchard River Road. They are with niece Kailah, and great-nieces Sidney, Shelby and Rylee Ierlan.

Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon recently stripped the marker down and repainted it. The marker notes Algonkian Indians built this Ancient Mound in the second period or Polished Stone Age. It was excavated in 1932-’33 by Charles Wyman Palmer. The marker was installed by State Education Department in 1932.

Located on Oak Orchard River Road about 1 ½ miles west of The Bridges. It’s at the south end of a long private driveway and not visible from the road.

Ierlan has refurbished about 40 historical markers in recent years.

These photos show some of the marker’s transformation before it received its final coat of blue and yellow paint.

Press Release, GO ART! 

Image courtesy of GO Art! – Bryan White created this sculpture of an owl.

BATAVIA – GO ART! is thrilled to announce an open call for submissions for the upcoming Art of the Rural exhibition, celebrating the creativity and perspectives of rural life.

This juried exhibition will take place at GO ART!  Seymour Place, located at 201 E Main St., Batavia, from Oct. 8 to Nov. 29. The opening reception will take place on Oct. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., at which time cash prizes will be awarded to selected artists.

Eligibility: This exhibition is open to all artists. All submitted works must be original and created by the submitting artist. Previous submissions are not permitted. All media are accepted, but works must not exceed 26” x 30” in size. (Very limited space for sculptures, call for info.)

Theme: The theme of the exhibition is Art of the Rural, inviting artists to explore and express the essence of rural life through their creations.

Submission Details: Artists may drop off their works at GO ART!  between Oct. 1-4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All entries must be accompanied by a completed submission form and the required fees.

• GO ART! members may submit up to 5 works for $30.
• Non members may submit up to 3 works for $30, with an additional $5 fee for each extra work (maximum of 5 works).

How to Submit:

• Download and complete the form from our website at goart.org/rural2025
• Email the form to jswaby@goart.org.
• Bring a hard copy when dropping off your artwork. The title of each work should be noted on the back of the piece.

Selection Process:  A jury of selection will review all entries and choose the winners. Cash prizes will be announced during the opening reception.

For more information, contact Jackie Swaby at 585-343-9313 or jswaby@goart.org.

Board needs to tackle budget, expects to appoint acting town supervisor next week

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Shelby Town Board met on Tuesday for the first time since July 8. Pictured from left include new town councilman John Misiti, town attorney Kathleen Bennett, and board members Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny.

SHELBY – For the first time in about two months, the Shelby Town Board was able to convene and hold a meeting on Tuesday.

The board wasn’t able to function after three of the five members resigned in mid-July, leaving the board without a quorum to conduct business.

John Misiti takes his spot on the Town Board. He was appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sept. 5 and gives the Town Board a needed third member to conduct town business and hold a board meeting.

It took a special appointment by Gov. Kathy Hochul to fill a seat and give the board a needed third member to vote to pay bills and tend to other town business.

The governor appointed John Misiti, a retired sales manager who also is chairman of the board for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Misiti, in his comments at the meeting on Tuesday, said he wants to put aside any in-fighting at town hall, and focus on the town’s finances while ensuring there isn’t a hostile work environment for the board members and employees.

“We’ve been in a state of paralysis here since essentially July 15,” Misiti said. “The acrimoniousness has to end.”

The board was unable to function following the resignations of Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz and board members Jeff Schiffer and Stephen Seitz Sr., who was also the deputy town supervisor. (The Town Board on Tuesday voted to accept those resignations. The board also approved a resolution to change the locks on the town supervisor’s office.)

Misiti joins Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny on the board. They said they would pick an acting town supervisor at their meeting on Sept.16, and that person wouldn’t be one of the current board members.

An acting supervisor is needed to certify the town’s budget for 2026, a document that needs to be finalized by Nov. 20.

The board met for 56 minutes on Tuesday, and there wasn’t a cross word exchanged the whole time. Residents commented they appreciated a shorter meeting focused on the issues facing the town.

John Parada spoke at the meeting and he said most of the previous board meetings often stretched past two hours.

About 40 people attended the Town Board meeting on Tuesday. The meeting ended after 56 minutes, far shorter than many of the meetings so far this year that often topped 2 hours.

Besides appointing an acting town supervisor on Sept. 16, the board also will work on the town budget for 2026.

Misiti said the board needs to get a handle on the town finances.

“The financial standing is the first priority to make sure we have money to finish the year out,” he said.

Town Justice Ed Grabowski thanked Misiti for agreeing to be on the board until Dec. 31 to allow town business to move forward.

Garbowski also shared with the board that Shelby has armed security officers for court nights. Three of those officers will be getting recertified next week for firearms.

The town pays the COPS security firm $56 per hour for security for a minimum of a four-hour shift plus mileage for the security officers.

Mark Wambach, left, and John Pratt III speak during Tuesday’s meeting. The two will face each other during the Nov. 4 election to fill one of the vacancies on the Town Board.

Wambach is backed by the Conservative Party while Pratt has the Republican line. The winner will get the final two years of Jeff Schiffer’s term.

Wambach asked the board if it would be presenting a list of priorities. Misiti responded that the finances are the immediate concern, and also accepting new flood maps for the town that were prepared by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). The board needs to finalize those so people in town are eligible for flood insurance.

The town will have a hearing on the flood maps at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Pratt thanked the three current board members for their willingness to serve the town.