Provided photos: Two teams of three incarcerated individuals are training dogs in a program that is a partnership between the Albion Correctional Facility and PAWS Animal Shelter.
Press Release, Albion Correctional Facility
ALBION – In collaboration with PAWS Animal Shelter, Albion Correctional Facility has been able to bring back the much-adored Canine Training Program.
We welcomed two dogs, Moxie (mastiff) and Tex (lab-mix), on August 9th from PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion. Two teams of three incarcerated individuals care for and train the dogs for approximately 12 weeks. This training is done under the support and supervision of a community volunteer and certified trainer, Tom Ryan.
Throughout the 12 weeks, Moxie and Tex are learning obedience training and socialization skills, making them more suitable for adoption. The incarcerated individual handlers have come a long way with their grasp of training and have helped the dogs come from almost no training, to mastering a number of different training techniques.
The program not only helps the dogs, but it also provides secondary social/emotional benefits to the incarcerated individuals.
Moxie, left, and Tex are taking obedience training from incarcerated individuals at the Albion Correctional Facility.
PAWS has been working hand in hand with the facility, ensuring that the dogs are properly cared for and through our time with them, we have nurtured a relationship that grows every day. We look forward to a long partnership with PAWS with this set of dogs and hopefully many more to come.
The graduation of Moxie and Tex is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 15, and they will be ready for their Forever Home that day.
The Canine program is having a positive impact on the facility environment, staff and population. The individuals working in the program have an opportunity to do something positive for others and the dogs. These lessons will be beneficial when the time comes for them to re-enter the community
Patty Coffee, along with dedicated staff, and the PAWS Shelter operate a wonderfully run shelter and have nothing but the best care for all of the animals they take in. Not only are Moxie and Tex going to be available for adoption, but there are many more animals cared for by PAWS that need to find their forever homes. If you are interested in adopting Moxie or Tex, or any of the shelter animals, applications are available at paws14411.com.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 October 2021 at 9:45 am
MEDINA – The Orleans County chapter of SCOPE is sponsoring a free seminar on must-know laws for all gun owners at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Medina Theater, 601 Main St., featuring District Attorney Joe Cardone.
“Due to the increased purchase of firearms by first-time gun owners and current owners, SCOPE of Orleans County thought it was a good time to refresh people’s understanding on the New York state firearms laws,” said David Thom, chairman of Orleans County SCOPE. “SCOPE is thrilled to work with the Orleans County DA team to bring this free seminar to the people of the area.”
Some of the items to be reviewed include New York state Article 35, obligation to retreat and more, Thom said. Those attending will learn when the use of force or deadly force is justified, where can a resident legally carry a gun and how should individuals interact with law enforcement.
Cardone said he was very happy SCOPE had asked him to share this information with the public.
The mission of SCOPE is to protect, restore and expand the gun rights of all New Yorkers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2021 at 7:55 am
ALBION – Orleans County has reached agreements with RTS Orleans and Medina Transport Taxi for transportation services for seniors in the county.
The Office for the Aging and County Legislature worked out the agreements after Community Action Transportation System (CATS) discontinued the service.
RTS Orleans in Albion will transport seniors, people 60 and older, from September 20, 2021 to September 19, 2024 at a cost of up to $75,000 for the first year. The county cost is up to $12,352.
Medina Transport Taxi LLC in Medina will provide medical transportation services for Orleans County residents 60 and older from Nov. 1, 2021 to Oct. 31, 2022 at up to $30,000 for the first year, with the county cost up to $5,250.
Melissa Blanar, the Office for the Aging director, said the agreements “give options for older adults to get to their medical appointments.”
Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a package of legislation to combat the gun violence epidemic and to address the scourge of ghost guns in New York communities.
Legislation S.13A/A.2666A prohibits the possession of unfinished frames or receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms. Legislation S.14A/A.613A prohibits the sale of ghost guns and requires gunsmiths and dealers in firearms to register firearms in their possession. Legislation S.7152/A.6522 adds firearms designed to resemble toys to the definition of a “disguised gun.”
“Gun violence is a public health and public safety crisis that must be dealt with aggressively,” said Governor Hochul. “Working with partners at all levels, my administration will continue to crack down on the distribution and possession of dangerous weapons and put an end to the gun violence epidemic.”
Legislation S.13A/A.2666A prohibits the possession and sale of unfinished frames or receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms. Unfinished receivers are used to form the lower part of a firearm and can be easily combined with other pieces, even by someone with little experience, to make a fully functioning semi-automatic weapon. It also prohibits the possession and sale of unserialized finished frames and receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms.
Legislation S.14A/A.613A prohibits the sale of ghost guns and requires gunsmiths and dealers in firearms to register and serialize firearms and unfinished frames or receivers they possess. Ghost guns are guns that are unregistered and do not have serial numbers, making them incredibly difficult for law enforcement to trace. These weapons often end up in the hands of purchasers with a criminal record or others who would not pass a required federal background check.
Legislation S.7152/A.6522 adds firearms capable of being concealed and designed to resemble toys to the definition of a “disguised gun” and prohibits their manufacture, design, or sale. Weapons capable of causing severe injury and death but that resemble toys are unjustifiably deceptive, and pose a clear threat to the safety of both children, who may mistake them for actual toys, and the public at large.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 October 2021 at 9:13 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Mia Herman drives the ball up field against Medina defender Alex Strong during the Lady Raiders sectional win over the Mustangs this evening at Williamsville North.
A lone second period goal proved to be enough to earn No. 2 seed Barker a narrow 1-0 win over No. 3 Medina in a Section VI Class C semifinal round field hockey playoff game this evening at Williamsville North.
In the other semifinal, top seeded Akron downed No. 5 Roy-Hart 7-0.
Akron and Barker will now meet for the Class C title at 6 p.m. next Tuesday at Williamsville North.
Roy-Hart’s Justine Laverty works to keep the ball away from the Akron duo of Alexandra Roland and Laicy Karczewski.
It will mark the 13th time in the last 20 years that the Lady Tigers and Lady Raiders have met for the sectional title. Barker holds a 9-3 edge in those meetings though Akron took a 3-0 victory last year. It will also mark the 19th time in 20 years that Barker has advanced to the final.
Rachel Sutter scored the Barker goal with 5:05 remaining in the second period off a scramble in front of the net. The goal was the eighth of the season for Sutter who ironically also scored the Lady Raiders lone goal in the Niagara-Orleans League season opening 1-0 win over Medina.
In fact, all three meetings between the Lady Raiders and Mustangs this season were decided by one goal as Medina won the rematch 3-2 in overtime.
Medina goalie Arianna Bloom made several big saves to keep the Mustangs in the game.
Akron broke its semifinal contest open early jumping out to a 4-0 first quarter lead on two goals each by Olivia McClaine and Lacey Berghorn.
The Lady Tigers led 6-0 at the half.
Medina goalie Arianna Bloom makes the save on a shot by Barker’s Alexa Zglinicki.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2021 at 2:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Isabelle Busch from near Jamestown casts while standing in Johnson Creek in Lyndonville today. She is just north of Main Street.
Several anglers were near the dam, and many Chinook salmon could be seen jumping out of the water. Johnson Creek itself had a chocolate color due to the recent heavy rain.
Nicholas Pannes of Jamestown tries to catch one of the big salmon. He had several on the line but they shook loose.
Pannes likes the smaller number of people on Johnson Creek, compared to the Oak Orchard River.
“We wanted to get away from the crowds and there are quite a few fish right here,” he said.
Nicholas Pannes and Isabelle Busch fish near each other in Johnson Creek. They made a three-hour drive to try to catch salmon during the annual fish spawning run, when the big fish migrate up the tributaries.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 October 2021 at 1:51 pm
Contributed Photo – The award was announced last year but because of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions the formal induction of former long time Holley High wrestling Coach John Grillo into the Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame was not able to be held until recently. Grillo is shown here at the awards dinner with his sons Ashley, Adam and Andrew. During his 44 years as a wrestling coach, most of which was served at Holley, he garnered over 780 wins. He guided his Holley teams to no less than 22 Genesee Region League and 12 Section V titles. He was named G-R Coach of the Year 15 times and Section V Coach of the Year six times. He becomes the third Orleans County coach to be inducted into the Hall of Fame joining Jim Sauberan from Kendall and the late Fred Large from Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2021 at 1:50 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County DPW workers continue to work on new sidewalks and steps in front of the Orleans County Courthouse, facing East State Street.
The top photo shows Dan Cook of the DPW using a bull float to smooth out the new concrete for the sidewalk.
Neil Bartel of the DPW smooths out the concrete in the new steps by the entrance near the street leading to a walkway to the courthouse.
Joe Gregor works on the stairs before the concrete was poured. They were in a frame with rebar.
A new main walkway has already gone in, which is slimmer than the previous one. Next week the DPW expects to put in new light pole bases.
These are part of several improvements at the site, where the building was constructed in 1858 and is the focal point of Courthouse Square, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2021 at 1:21 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – A new Dollar General has opened on Main Street in Lyndonville. The store opened on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. and had about 50 customers, an employee said.
Today the store opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 10 p.m. Those will be the normal hours of business. The store has nine employees.
The store is in the spot of the former Crosby-Whipple building, which was demolished and removed at 30 North Main St. to make way for the new Dollar General.
Harold Scribner walks into the store today. Scribner said the building is “beautiful” and the store is a welcome addition to the community, especially in the winter when people don’t want to travel too far.
“It’s in town and it’s a store the people can use,” he said. “The Lyndonville people will enjoy it and so will the people at the lake.”
The new 7,600-square-foot store is next to Johnson Creek. The project includes a retaining wall next to the waterway. There are also 29 parking spaces.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2021 at 9:51 am
Waterport woman recognized for years of volunteer service
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a citation from the Assembly to Jeanne Crane who was recognized for her many years of volunteer service to the community.
Crane was nominated for an award through the Office for the Aging. Normally the award winners go to Albany for a special recognition as part of Older American’s Day. Crane and the other winners will be recognized during a virtual ceremony on Nov. 5.
Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt presented Crane with the citations in person on Wednesday.
“Jeanne embodies what it truly means to volunteer and care for one’s neighbors,” Hawley said.
Jeanne Crane also received a special commendation from County Legislator Fred Miller, left, and Melissa Blanar, the director of the Office for the Aging in Orleans County.
Crane, a retired nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, has been a long-time volunteer for the hospital, the Orleans County Democratic Party and numerous other organizations and causes in the county.
She was nominated for the award by Cindy Perry and Dorothy Follman for her volunteer work with the hospital. She helps raise funds for the hospital through events such as Treasure Island, Mega Drawing and golf tournaments. These events support renovations to the hospital, purchase updated medical equipment and improve services to patients.
She also was instrumental in a recent campaign to improve the Long Term Care Residential Unit (North Wing) at the hospital. When the call came out for nurses to assist with Covid-19 vaccines, she stepped up and helped several days a week, all day to assist and eventually she was hired to help with the continued effort.
“You have donated and committed numerous hours,” Blanar said. “We appreciate all that you’ve done for Orleans County.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2021 at 9:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
POINT BREEZE – Workers from CP Ward in Scottsville are building a new boat launch at Point Breeze, a project that is 95 percent funded by the state through the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI).
The new launch will be raised about 2 ½ feet and will be more resilient in case of flooding and higher lake levels, said John Papponetti, the county’s DPW commissioner.
CP has put a new foundation in for the boat launch. On Wednesday, the company used a crane to set metal frames in the water to form a perimeter around the boat launch. Tarps will be added to keep out water, which will be pumped out in a cofferdam. That will allow CP Ward to build the new boat launch. The launch will be regraded and concrete poured for the new ramps and docks.
The ramps will be reconfigured and extended by 20 feet to 104 feet. The longer ramps will allow the launch to be used during times of lower water levels because the ramp will extend out to deeper water.
A crane is used to lower metal frames into the Oak Orchard River.
The project includes floatable walkways which will tie into a concrete ramp. The project also includes milling and paving the driveway and parking lot. CP submitted the low construction bid of $439,850.
The boat launch was closed after Labor Day to lessen the impact on boaters during the busier summer season. Construction is expected to continue through November to possibly early December.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2021 at 8:18 am
ALBION – Bullard Park has long hosted Albion youth football teams, but the park hasn’t had a working scoreboard for years.
That will change next season thanks to a donation from Burger King in Albion. Mark Cammilleri, owner of the local Burger King, agreed to pay for the $4,300 scoreboard which will be installed by volunteers with oversight from the Albion Department of Public Works.
The scoreboard will say Albion Purple Eagles on top and will include space below that with the Burger King logo, and also that the scoreboard was donated by Burger King.
Tim McMurray, one of the leaders of the local youth football program, presented a design of the scoreboard with a digital display to the Village Board on Wednesday.
The scoreboard will be given to the village. McMurray said Albion has been the only team in the league without a scoreboard and the team gets fined by the league about $50 every home game it doesn’t have one.
Not having the scoreboard also is challenging for spectators, players and coaches who often aren’t sure of the score and how much time is left on the clock.
The Village Board on Wednesday also agreed to spend $34,998 for a security system at Bullard Park. Linstar will install the system, which Albion police officers can access from their patrol cars. The board said the system should help reduce vandalism at the park which has been upgraded with a splash pad, amphitheater, new bathrooms, walking trail and new playground equipment.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 October 2021 at 9:59 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville’s Drew Sandolfini powers ahead for yardage during the Silverbacks loss to visiting Newfane this evening.
Trailing by 16 late in the third quarter, Newfane rallied for three unanswered touchdowns to edge Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville 30-26 in a season ending match up game this evening at Middleport.
The host Silverbacks built up a 26-10 lead after Drew Sandolfini scored on a two yard touchdown run with 6:53 to go in the third quarter. A 37 yard run by Jordan Terwilliger set up the opportunity.
However, the Panthers came battling back as quarterback Ryan Kramp scored three touchdowns on runs of 1, 1 and 4 yards to rally Newfane into the lead at 30-26, the last score coming with 3:46 to go in the final period.
Newfane took a 10-6 lead after one quarter on a 10 yard touchdown run by Chase Braman and an extra point kick and a 32 yard field goal by Ben Dickinson.
The Silverbacks first quarter TD came on a 1 yard run by quarterback Trenton Muck.
The Silverbacks then rallied into the lead at 20-10 by scoring two touchdowns in the final 1:16 of the second quarter on a 36 yard pass from Muck to Mikey Burrows and a 45 yard run by Jordan Terwilliger. Muck also hooked up with Jordan Terwilliger on a two-point conversion pass after the first TD.
A fumble recovery by Andy Hill set up the first TD opportunity.
Keeping the momentum, the Silverbacks upped the lead to 26-10 with a touchdown midway through the third quarter but the Panthers answered back with three unanswered scores to rally for the win.
The Panthers finish the season at 4-5 and the Silverbacks at 1-7.
Jordan Terwilliger breaks away for a big gain for the Silverbacks.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 October 2021 at 9:27 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Louis Conte scored the game winner in OT for Kendall
One lone goal proved to be just enough as No. 6 seed Kendall outlasted No. 2 Bradford/Dundee 1-0 in overtime in a Section V Class C2 boys soccer semifinal round game this evening at Canandaigua.
Louis Conte scored the game’s lone goal for the Eagles at the 108th minute mark off an assist from Zach Barrett. The goal was his 11th of the season.
Bradford/Dundee almost pulled out the win at the end of regulation time but had a shot rattle off the cross bar with two seconds to go.
Jorden Ostrander made 11 saves to earn the shutout in goal for the Eagles.
Kendall, which bested No. 3 seed HAC 3-1 in the quarterfinals, will face No. 1 Keshequa in the Class C2 championship game on Saturday. Keshequa defeated No. 4 Bolivar-Richburg 7-0 in the other semifinal.
Kendall is now 10-7-2.
Volleyball Sectionals Section VI Class C1
No. 6 Cleveland Hill defeated No. 11 Medina 25-15, 25-9, 21-25, 26-24
No. 8 Newfane defeated No. 9 Olmsted 25-6, 25-6, 25-12
Section V Class D1
Warsaw defeated Holley 25-14, 25-15, 24-14
Lyons defeated Lyndonville 25-9, 25-10, 25-20
Section V Class D2
Canisteo-Greenwood defeated Kendall 25-17, 24-26, 25-17, 25-20
