RIDGEWAY – The Town of Ridgeway will continue to hold in-person town meetings with masks required, and will also offer the option to call in via telecommunications.
Until further notice the public may call 585-798-0730 and dial 401 (PIN number 1234#) to connect to the meeting at the Town Hall. There will be no video, but anyone may listen and comment when appropriate.
Return to top
Photo by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer speaks during a news conference on Aug. 16 in Holley’s Public Square. He is joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and other officials from Orleans County, the Village of Holley, Town of Murray and Community Free Library.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer has again visited all 62 counties in the state this year – for the 23rdtime since he has been senator.
He did it in 2021 despite his increased demands as Senate majority leader and the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Schumer said he is the first state-wide elected official to visit every single county in New York each year he has been in office.
Schumer was in Orleans County on Aug. 16 when he met with local elected officials to highlight $8 million in American Rescue Plan funds going to Orleans and Niagara counties to close high-speed internet gaps.
“Twenty-three years ago when I made the promise to visit every county every year, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine doing it as Majority Leader, let alone in the midst of a global health and economic pandemic,” Schumer said. “Although I’ve gained a new title as Majority Leader this year, my favorite two remain: New York senator, and more importantly, New Yorker.
Over the course of the year, Schumer made 93 county visits to Upstate New York and Long Island. He visited counties in the Capital Region 14 times; Western New York 7 times; Central New York 10 times; the Rochester-Finger Lakes 14 times; the Southern Tier 10 times; the Hudson Valley 14 times; the North Country 9 times; and Long Island 15 times. In addition, due to Covid travel restrictions, which greatly reduced the number and frequency of visits this year, Senator Schumer also conducted countless virtual meetings with groups and residents across New York.
“As New York continues to feel the impacts of a global health pandemic, visiting all 62 counties pushed me to fight even harder to help New Yorkers recover and build back stronger,” Schumer said in a news release. “Over this year, much has changed – the American Rescue Plan I led to passage provided New York the robust Covid relief needed to help jump start our recovery. To name but two elements, we passed a historic Childhood Tax Credit that cut child poverty in half, and we passed billions for Save Our Stages, which provided a vital lifeline to all our cultural organizations and performance spaces that were the first to close and last to open. We passed the largest investment in infrastructure in our nation’s history, which will repair and upgrade New York’s road, bridges, highways, transportation, broadband, and water systems like never before.”
In addition to the broadband funding for Orleans, locally Schumer highlighted his assistance in helping to convince Plug Power to build a $290 million electricity substation and state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel production facility at the STAMP park in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County.
He also noted to secured VA approval for a $10 million expansion of the WNY National Veteran Cemetery in Pembroke.
In recent years some of Schumer’s stop in Orleans County included:
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bill Robinson of the Albion Lions Club took a two-hour shift this afternoon at Tops in Albion, ringing the bell for the annual Red Kettle campaign. Lions Club members have been there throughout the day.
Last year there weren’t bell ringers due to Covid concerns. Instead, residents were encouraged to give to the campaign through counter-top kettles that were placed in many local stores.
This year the bell ringers are back.
The proceeds from the Red Kettle campaign go to serve people in crisis in Orleans County. The campaign usually raises about $25,000 which is administered by Community Action.
Return to top
The number of active Covid cases is down below 500 in Genesee and Orleans counties to 458 today, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.
That is down from 534 on Monday and 620 a week ago on Dec. 9.
Orleans County also reached a milestone today with its percent of positive Covid tests falling below 10 percent to 9.8 percent. Genesee is at 11.2 percent, which remains near the top in the state, exceeded only by Allegany at 11.4 percent, Oswego at 11.6 percent, and Lewis at 12.8 percent. The state-wide rate is 5.1 percent in the past seven days.
Since Monday Orleans has 95 new positive cases, and 116 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
Orleans currently has 12 people hospitalized due to Covid. The Health Department said there is another death of a community member from Covid, a person over 65. That is the 100thCovid death from Covid in the county since the pandemic started in March 2020. Last year there were 62 deaths and this year there are 38 so far.
Genesee is reporting 159 new positive cases and 197 more recoveries. The county also has 33 people hospitalized due to Covid and has had two more residents die from Covid, one under 65 and one older than 65. Genesee has now had 151 die during the pandemic.
Return to top
Photos by Tom Rivers: Julie Christensen hugs Linda Rak, a retired reading teacher at Kendall. Rak was among current and former teachers and staff who celebrated Christensen during a retirement reception on Wednesday evening at the school.
KENDALL – Julie Christensen said she has attended 500 Board of Education meetings in the past 20 years, which includes 15 years as Kendall’s school district superintendent and five years as an assistant superintendent at gates-Chili.
Wednesday was her final meeting as school superintendent at Kendall. She is retiring on Dec. 31. She was honored during a retirement reception prior to Wednesday’s board meeting.
“She has done a phenomenal job for us,” said Lisa Levett, the Board of Education president.
She praised Christensen for leading the district through major capital projects, curriculum and technology changes, and the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic the past two years. Kendall was able to offer in-person education all five days for all students during the 2020-21 school year when many other districts were on a hybrid or remote schedule.
Kaitlyn Catone, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Kendall, chats with Julie Christensen at the retirement reception.
Catone is a Kendall graduate and returned to teach in her hometown.
“I have nothing but good things to say about her,” Catone said. “She is always warm and welcoming. She made it easy to come back home.”
Christensen is holding a book with 200 suggestions on how to spend retirement. The book includes ideas from students, teachers and staff.
Christensen also was given a wooden artwork display made by teacher Jeff Decker and student Evan Levett. It was made using wood from the old school bleachers.
Julie Christensen laughs with teachers and staff at the reception.
Heather Tomasino, the Kendall faculty Association president, praised Christensen for steady leadership and pushing student achievement.
Tomasino said Christensen led the district for deep state aid cuts in 2010, and was able to maintain programs for students. Christensen was able to reduce taxes for the community while spearheading technology upgrades and overhaul of the school campus.
“She has kept the tax rate low for community members and still provided opportunities for our students,” said Tomasino, a middle school special education teacher. “All of our students are on 1 to 1 devices and many rural schools have that.”
Christensen led the district through $40 million of capital construction projects in the past decade, as well as lofty academic standing. Kendall is routinely recognized by the U.S. News and World Report for its academic performance and the district typically has a 100 percent graduation rate.
Teachers and staff stand and applaud Julie Christensen for her service to the Kendall community.
Nick Picardo will take over superintendent on Jan. 1. He started at Kendall 16 years ago as a social studies teacher and boys soccer coach. Christensen encouraged him as he became a school administrator, first as the coordinator of Student Services and chairman of the Committee on Special Education at Kendall. He is currently the executive director for Student Services and Athletic Director.
“She has provided me with an opportunity and had faith in me,” Picardo said.
He praised her for mentoring other administrators, including former Kendall Elementary Principal Sharon Smith who is becoming Lyndonville’s interim school superintendent and Elba Superintendent Gretchen Rosales, who was Kendall’s instructional support specialist and middle school department chair.
Picardo said Christensen leaves the Kendall district in great shape with strong support from the community.
“I want to just continue with what’s been built here,” he said. “We have great staff and kids.”
Lisa Levett, the BOE president, thanked Christensen for a “phenomenal job” at Kendall.
Christensen, in her remarks at the reception, said she has hired the majority of Kendall’s current staff. They have proven to be student-focused.
She thanked the community, teachers and staff for a joint effort in creating a caring and successful school district.
She said she won’t miss the frequent red tape and often changing guidelines from the State Education Department, Health Department and government agencies.
“The people and the kids, that’s what matters at the end of the day,” she said.
Return to top
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Cameron Richardson, custodian at Community Action in Albion, stands in a hallway full of boxes he taped together and helped fill for families at Christmas.
ALBION – The holiday time is incredibly busy at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
As Christmas day rolls closer, staff at Community Action have been taken applications for holiday assistance, packing boxes of food for families and filling bags with presents for children.
The halls in the office at 411 East State St. are lined with food boxes and offices are piled high with bags full of gifts.
On Tuesday afternoon, Community Action was involved in a very special donation.
For four years, the Albion Correctional Facility has adopted a family and provided enough toys and gifts which Santa would admit would fill his sleigh.
Yeshua Nunez-Rexach, 16, and his brother Yelian will receive gifts and toys for Christmas donated by Albion Correctional Facility.
This year, the correctional facility chose to help the family of Cristal Nunez-Rexach, the 33-year-old mother who was killed Oct. 15 on Route 104 in an accident with a tractor trailer.
Nunez-Rexach left behind two children, Yeshua, 16, and Yelian, 13.
Her story is heartbreaking for Michelle Figueroa, emergency services case worker at Community Action.
“We had become good friends,” Figueroa said. “I helped her get clothes and an apartment when she first came to the area.”
Figueroa explained Nunez-Rexach moved locally after Hurricane Maria devasted her home in Puerto Rico.
Stephanie Peruzzini, offender rehabilitation coordinator at Albion Correctional Facility, said they were blessed to have been able to provide this family with a Christmas they truly deserve.
“We love sharing our experience working with you guys, which has over the years has resulted in others in our families and our friends helping contribute with us,” Peruzzini said. “This is honestly something we look forward to each year, knowing we can help others in need, especially with all that is going on in the world.”
Annette Finch, soon-to-be-retired emergency services coordinator at Community Action for 30 years, said Albion Correctional Facility is a great friend to Community Action. She said last year they adopted a family with young children who didn’t have beds and were sleeping on the floor.
“The Correctional Facility went all out last year,” Finch said. “With help from the Emma Reed Foundation, we got beds for all three girls and the Correctional Facility bought clothes and toys for all of them.”
This year, in addition to clothes and toys for the Nunez-Rexach children, the Correctional Facility purchased the family a large television.
Return to topPress Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs
BUFFALO – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) and his wife Martina welcomed a new daughter, Jane Pamela Jacobs, at 6:43 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2021 at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo.
“Martina and I are excited to announce the birth of our daughter, Jane Pamela Jacobs,” the congressman said. “Both mom and baby and are healthy and doing great, additionally, our eldest daughter Anna is very excited to become a big sister.
“We are incredibly grateful for the love, well wishes, and support we have received from our family, friends, and community as we welcome this newest addition to our family. We are also grateful for the excellent care received at Sisters Hospital from all the doctors, nurses, and staff.
“This time of year is already one filled with loved ones and special memories, today we get to add another. From our family to yours, I wish everyone a happy and joy-filled holiday season.”
Return to topPress Release, Assemblyman Michael Norris
Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) has written to Gov. Kathy Hochul encouraging her to sign bipartisan legislation (A.7734) into law. The bill would create a temporary commission to examine why childhood drownings are so prevalent in New York state, and take action to help protect children from drowning – including by increasing access to swimming lessons.
Michael Norris
“It is shocking to learn that drowning is the number one cause of death in young children still today. This is an issue that all of us care about, and that’s why I took the issue to a Democratic colleague from Queens, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, and we worked together to get legislation sponsored and passed in both houses in just one session,” said Norris. “I am so glad my colleagues came together on this bill, which passed unanimously. It’s now on Gov. Hochul’s desk awaiting her signature – but there are only a few more days left in the year for her to act to make this a law. I am calling on the Governor to signs this legislation so we can know we’ve all done everything we can to prevent childhood drownings.”
All legislation requires the signature of the governor before it can become law. If not signed into law, the bill would need to be repassed by both houses next year before it could be considered again. Norris said he is hopeful that Hochul will sign the bill before the year ends.
Norris originally introduced the legislation (A.6141) and worked cooperative with Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato on a revised bill (A.7734).
“Here in Western New York with the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal and so many opportunities for wonderful fishing and watersports, there are a lot of reasons to want New Yorkers to be educated about water safety and know how to swim,” Norris said. “It’s not just about going to the beach or a swimming pool – anyone can fall into a body of water at any time and need to know how to safely get back to shore. That’s why this legislation is so important, so vital to New Yorkers’ public safety. This Commission’s work will no doubt save many lives of New Yorkers for decades to come.”
Return to top
Provided photos: Nick Callahan receives a pin from a model after being inducted into the The Order of Towman during the 32ndAnnual American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Md.
HOLLEY — The owner of a towing company in Holley has been inducted into The Order of Towman by American Towman Magazine.
Nicholas Callahan of Callahan Towing was awarded the Cross of The Order with a Maltese Cross with a unique towing icon. Receiving the Cross of the order puts Callahan into an elite organization of towing professionals nationwide. He was presented the honor last month at the 32ndAnnual American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Md.
Sarah Callahan
He was nominated for the recognition by Harris Reed, fire chief of the Murray Joint Fire District. Reed cited Callahan’s community involvement and his work with accident-related tows when dispatched by law enforcement and fire departments.
Nick and his wife Sarah Callahan moved Callahan Towing from Batavia to 106 Geddes St. in Holley about two years ago. They have the contract for emergency towing in eastern Orleans County in the towns of Kendall, Murray and Clarendon.
The Callahans respond to numerous automobile accidents and stay busy with other towing jobs, including emergency roadside assistance and moving vehicles for an auction company.
Both Nick and Sarah operate the tow trucks, and they respond to calls at all hours of the day.
Nick was 18 when he started working for a towing company. At the time his car broke down and he needed to be towed. He talked with the tow operator on scene and even helped to get the car hooked to the tow truck. Soon he had a job with the towing business.
He enjoys the challenge of the job and helping people who are often in distress.
“You need to be able to think on your feet and do it fast,” he told the Orleans Hub during an interview last year.
He knows it is an inconvenience for other motorists when a road is closed due to an accident or incident with a vehicle off the road. He tries to work quickly, while preserving as much of a damaged vehicle as possible.
Callahan Towing in March organized a “Slow Down Move Over Brigade” with tow operators travelling from Rochester to Buffalo. The group of tow trucks traveled about 25 miles per hour so drivers would pay more attention to tow operators on the road.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Sarah and Nick Callahan are shown in this photo from October 2020 when they were preparing for an open house with the community featuring tow trucks and fire apparatus.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson stands next the plaque in Medina Memorial Hospital which pays tribute to his great-great-grandfather, George A. Bowen, who founded the hospital in 1925. Robinson just accepted the position as director of marketing, communications and outreach at Community Partners.
MEDINA – Working at the hospital his great-great-grandfather founded is something Scott Robinson never thought he’d be doing.
Robinson is the great-great-grandson of George A. Bowen, who in 1910 decided there should be a local hospital in the area. His son had been trampled by a horse and spent time in a Buffalo hospital, which prompted Bowen’s idea to have a hospital here.
Then employed by S.A. Cook in Medina, Bowen spent the next 15 years fundraising. He obtained a home at the corner of Prospect and Eagle streets, which was purchased and remodeled into a hospital. It opened in 1925.
Robinson, who with his wife Alix Gilman are two of the four owners of the Shirt Factory, had been working remotely in Washington, D.C. as director of public affairs for a non-profit in the construction industry.
“It was a fun job, but there was nothing personal about it,” Robinson said. “I left in September. I thought there were a couple of jobs in this area that would intrigue me. Then this job just appeared. I went downstairs, checked my computer and received an e-mail about this job.”
His family has a long history with Medina Memorial Hospital, other than his great-great-grandfather. He said he had multiple relatives throughout the last 100 years who had connections to this hospital. His About 30 years after his great-great-grandfather served as president, his grandfather Jack Zimmerman was president of the board. His grandmother was a nurse there for many years.
Robinson is excited about his new position. He takes over for Jessica Capurso, who is moving out of the area. Robinson said she has been extraordinarily helpful during the transition.
Robinson is determined to see that the public knows how much Medina Memorial Hospital has to offer.
“Even I didn’t know all we offered here,” he said. “It falls on me to reach out to those people who drive an hour for medical services rather than come here.”
He explained Orleans Community Health encompasses five locations, the hospital in Medina, dialysis centers in Medina and Batavia, a walk-in clinic in Albion and a lab at Dr. Stahl’s office in Middleport.
“This hospital is a cornerstone of Medina, like the Medina Railroad Museum and our vibrant downtown,” he said.
He explained the hospital employs more than 300 people, 100 of whom live in Medina. Sixty-one percent live in Orleans County and 18 percent come from Eastern Niagara County.
“This is very much a local community hospital,” Robinson said.
Robinson reiterated the state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment Medina Memorial Hospital has available. Their breast screening machine is one of the top in the industry and usually found in a much bigger hospital. They offer the best in CAT scans, cardiology and lab work.
“We are a critical access hospital,” he said. “How lucky to have this hospital in our back yard.”
As part of his new job Robinson is dedicated to showcasing the employees who work at the hospital.
“One thing I will definitely focus on is making sure people feel a part of the hospital,” he said. “Its employees and the community are personal to me. For every person who has one reason why they won’t go to Medina Memorial Hospital, I want to make sure they hear five reasons why they should. In many ways we are one-stop shop.”
He said you can’t view the hospital as a building. It is its people who make it what it is.
He praised CEO Marc Shurtz, who has said he plans to be there until he retires.
“He’s committed to the hospital,” Robinson said.
Return to topThe National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory from 9 a.m. Thursday until 1 a.m. on Friday for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee, Erie, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.
There will be southwesterly winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” the Weather Service said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few isolated power outages may result. Trees or tree limbs damaged in the storm on Saturday may be blown down.”
Today is forecast to be cloudy with a high of 50, followed by a high of 66 on Thursday before dropping 30 degrees to a low of 36 overnight Thursday. Friday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 43.
Return to topKENDALL – The Kendall Faculty Association is bringing back Supper with Santa on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
The KFA also will have its annual Christmas Sale during the school day and then again from 5 to 7 p.m. Both events raise money for the KFA scholarship fund.
Last year’s Supper with Santa was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. It’s back this year and organizers will be following Covid protocols to keep families safe, said Heather Tomasino, KFA president.
Supper with Santa is at the elementary school cafeteria and costs $5 per person or $20 max for a family and includes pizza, a cookie and drink as well as a a visit with Santa.
“We will have a little craft for each child as well as a little game that they can play while waiting for their turn to see the big guy,” Tomasino said.
The Christmas Sale will be held in the elementary school auditorium. It has been a long-standing event put on the KFA. Students can shop during the day to purchase gifts for their family members. Items cost between 25 cents and $3 and the KFA donates $1 to each student so nobody is left out.
“This is the first year that we are opening it in the evening so that families can bring their littlest ones in to shop as well,” Tomasino said.
Return to top
Photo by Ginny Kropf: These are some of the 100 gifts provided by 18 employees of Orleans Community Health, who adopted 35 area children so they would have a memorable Christmas morning.
MEDINA – Supporting the children of families struggling financially is something employees of Orleans Community Health have been doing for five years.
Through the Action Angel’s program of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, 18 of the hospital employees purchased and donated nearly 100 gifts. The employees adopted 35 area children, and these gifts will ensure they have a memorable Christmas morning.
Between Orleans and Genesee counties, Action Angels provide Christmas gifts for several hundred families each year.
Return to topALBION – In an effort to keep our roadways safer this holiday season, local law enforcement agencies will actively participate in the STOP-DWI Holiday High Visibility Enforcement Campaign from Dec. 17 to January 1, Sheriff Chris Bourke announced.
As the anticipation of attending gatherings to celebrate this holiday season, local law enforcement will be out to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving and to have a “Sober Plan” while traveling to prevent injuries and save lives, said Bourke, who is also the county’s STOP-DWI coordinator.
Although STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol related fatalities, there are still too many lives lost due to DWI crashes, Bourke said.
People who are drinking alcohol should plan for a safe way to get home, and should consider calling for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi or Uber driver, Bourke said.
Return to top
Provided photos
CARLTON – Multiple fire departments responded to a house fire late last night at 1375 Waterport Rd. in Carlton.
The Carlton Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to the scene at 11:52 p.m. with other nearby departments soon called for mutual aid.
No one was injured from the fire but the house is a total loss. The Orleans County Department of Public Works is assisting with heavy machinery to safely take down the structure.
UPDATE at 10:28 a.m.: The home was owned by Scott Foley. Brad Chasey and Hailey Falls were living in the house but were not home at the time the fire started. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Carlton, Lyndonville, Medina Albion, COVA, Ridgeway Shelby, Kendall, Orleans County Emergency Management, Orleans County DPW, the Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit, and Orleans County Sherriff’s Office all responded to the scene. East Shelby, Murray and Barre were all placed on standby to cover calls across the county.
The fire is still under investigation by the OC Fire Investigation Unit.
