Photo by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – A dump truck from Shelby Crushed Stone lays on its side in a yard on Maple Ridge Road, about one-half a mile west of Shelby Basin Road, after overturning about noon Friday. The driver was not hurt.

This dump truck which overturned on Maple Ridge Road Friday at about noon. New York State police who responded said the driver came over the hill and couldn’t stop for a vehicle in the road. The road was closed to traffic for about a half hour.

If you’ve been around Orleans County, it’s a more colorful drive lately. The leaves have started to change to yellow, orange and red.

The local area is behind many parts of the state. In the Adirondacks, vibrant peak and near-peak leaves will arrive this weekend. Some near-peak foliage is also expected in parts of the Thousand Islands-Seaway region this weekend, according to I Love New York, the state’s tourism agency.

In the Greater Niagara region, foliage spotters in Springville predict 50 percent color change, with muted orange and yellow leaves, according to the state’s foliage report.

“In Genesee County, reports from Byron expect more than 25% color change and red leaves of average brilliance,” according to the report. “Orleans County spotters in Albion expect about 10% color change and bursts of red leaves.”

New York’s Fall Foliage Report offers a color report for the leaves in different regions of the state.

MEDINA – Replacing worn or missing markers from veterans’ graves in Orleans County cemeteries is something that has needed to be done for a long time, said Frank Berger, a veteran and Eighth District Past Commander and member of the American Legion in Medina.

For several weeks, two local veterans – Dave Walker and Tom Beach – have been visiting cemeteries in Shelby and Ridgeway to replace worn or missing markers on the graves of veterans who served in every conflict in which America has been involved.

Dave Walker, left, and Tom Beach hold markers which are placed on the graves of all veterans in Orleans County cemeteries who have served their country.

Their mission started last spring with they visited all the cemeteries to determine how many markers needed replacing.

“We walked every cemetery,” Beach said.

They found more than 40 markers without flags and more than 200 markers which needed to be replaced.

A fund in which the two towns and village of Medina contribute money covers the costs for the markers and flags. Once they are ordered there is a wait for them to arrive.

When they finally got here a few days ago, the two men began the task of placing them.

“The history lesson we got was incredible,” Walker said.

During their visits to the cemeteries, they found markers were needed on the graves of three Gold Star Mothers, four Revolutionary War soldiers, 45 Civil War soldiers, 25 Spanish-American War soldiers, 35 World War I soldiers, 50 World War II soldiers, 10 Korean War soldiers, 10 Vietnam War soldiers, five who served in the Marine Corps and five Daughters of the American Revolution.

“This is a labor of love and respect,” Walker said.

The relationship between Walker and Tom Beach began when Walker returned after serving two years in the Vietnam War.

“Tom was the first – and only – one to welcome me home, and we’ve been friends ever since,” Walker said.

The men said they saved two of the bigger cemeteries for last. After they finish St. Mary’s, the only one left is Boxwood.

Cemeteries in Albion and Holley are taken care of by the American Legion and VFW posts in those towns. The Houseman-Tanner American Legion in Lyndonville does the markers and flags in the town of Yates.

Press Release, Genesee County Health Department

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting the last free drive-through anti-rabies immunization clinic of 2021 on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on 5056 East Main St., Batavia.

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

“Rabies is a fatal, but preventable viral disease that can spread to people from pets if they are bitten and scratched by an infected animal with rabies,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “We encourage residents to take advantage of our last anti-rabies immunization clinic of 2021 and ensure their pets are protected against rabies.”

Face coverings are recommended and please follow all social distancing requirements. To save time, click here to fill out a registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: 585-344-2580 x.5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us.

Orleans goes over 4,000 cases during pandemic since last March 2020

The number of active Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties has topped 400. The two counties are at 423 today, with 206 in Genesee and 217 in Orleans.

Both are nearing their pandemic highs for active cases. Genesee hit a high with 269 on Dec. 7, 2020. Orleans peaked at 279 on Jan. 7, 2021.

The 423 cases in the two counties is up from 358 on Monday when there were 186 in Genesee and 172 in Orleans.

Orleans is reporting 97 more cases since Monday, while Genesee has 92 more, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The latest update since Monday puts Orleans past 4,000 cases during the Covid pandemic since March 2020.

The number of people hospitalized due to Covid in Orleans is up from 1 to 6 since Monday, while Genesee’s Covid hospitalizations are down from 11 to 9 since Monday.

Orleans also is reported 52 more recoveries and Genesee has 72 more since Monday. These are people who have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Ava Quintern drives the ball toward the goal as Maddy Satkowski defends for Lyndonville/Medina during this afternoon’s game at Kendall.

Snapping a four game losing streak, Kendall downed visiting Lyndonville/Medina 8-1 in a Genesee Region League girls soccer game this afternoon.

Kendall jumped out to a 5-1 first half lead as five different players contributed goals.

Goals in the first 10 minutes by the sister duo of Ava and Emma Quintern ignited the Lady Eagles scoring surge which also included goals by Mary Jones, T’Mia Kitchings and Grace Levett. Megan Gates had a pair of assists during that stretch.

Ella Lewis netted Lyndonville/Medina’s first half goal.

Levett later completed her hat-trick with a pair of second half goals. Alezya Brown followed up with a goal to round of the scoring for Kendall which improves to 6-5-1 in the league.

The goals were the ninth of the season for both Kitchings and Ava Quintern, the eighth for Levett, the sixth for Brown, the third for Emma Quintern and the first for Jones.

Holley 2, Oakfield-Alabama 0

Sam Bates and Alivia Wolf each had a goal and Layne Walker made 5 saves to help Holley earn a 2-0 G-R win over Oakfield-Alabama.

The Lady Hawks are now 7-2-1 in the league and 9-3-2 overall.

Boys Soccer

Newfane (2-3-1) and Akron (2-2-1) battled to a 3-3 tie in a Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game.

Lyndonville/Medina’s Lily Joe Carpenter works to keep the ball away from Kendall’s T’Mia Kitchings.

Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti

LOCKPORT – Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti along with the police chiefs in Niagara County would like to remind residents that the 10-Digit Dialing Transition is approaching.

On Oct. 24, 10-Digit Dialing will be required for local calls. We encourage you to begin using the three-digit area code on local calls and update your phone contacts.

This transition is needed due to the new designation of 9-8-8 as the Nationwide three-digit Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline which will be effective on July 16, 2022.

Any area code with the 988 prefix must be transitioned to the 10-digit dialing to ensure everyone is able to reach the new crisis lifeline.

Effective Oct. 24, all local calls dialed with only seven digits will be met with a recording stating it cannot be completed as dialed.

Emergency services in Niagara County and nationwide will not be disrupted. Residents will still be able to reach services using 9-1-1. Other services such as 4-1-1 will also be available as previous.

In addition to requiring a change in dialing habits, this transition will also impact any equipment or software programmed to make seven-digit calls. We recommend you update those phone contact lists, fax machines and alarm systems with a telephone connection, call forwarding

setting, speed dialing and voicemail services, to ensure the transition runs smoothly for you. We also recommend you update email signatures, stationary and contact information you may have on file with medical offices etc. with your full 10—digit contact information.

The National three-digit 9-8-8 Crisis Lifeline will not be available until July 16, 2022, anyone needing help should use their current contact number of 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK).

MEDINA – When the weather gets chilly, Jim Hancock gets excited.

“Then you start thinking about a parade,” he said.

The parade on his mind, of course, is the Parade of Lights, an idea he came up with 12 years ago and one which has attracted thousands of people to Medina the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The parade has become so popular, even with Covid last year, the Medina Tourism Committee didn’t want to give up the parade.

So they came up with the idea of a “reverse parade,” where the floats were stationary and spectators drove by. The floats were lined up throughout the Medina Central School Campus and the cars came – in long lines which stretched sometimes a mile down every street leading to the area.

This year, however, Hancock is happy to report the 13th annual Parade of Lights will return to normal, taking place Nov. 27 after Medina’s day-long Christmas in Medina celebration, sponsored by the Medina Area Partnership.

“This will be our lucky 13th Parade of Lights,” Hancock said. “Along with what we hope will be many floats, the fireworks over Main Street, the marching bands and the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting in Rotary Park will be back.”

Also back this year will be the village’s lighting contest, headed by Pat Payne, and homeowners are urged to start thinking about decorating their homes.

Last year, the Medina Tourism Committee, which sponsors the parade, gave away $3,000 in prize money.

Hancock is issuing a plea for clubs, businesses, organizations and individuals to not only start thinking about entering a float, but donating toward the parade expenses. Opportunities are available for corporate sponsors, he said.

More information is available and an entry form can be found on Christmasinmedina.com, or Hancock can be called at (585) 798-2118.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $125 million in state funding is now available to help landlords that couldn’t participate in the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program due to a federal requirement for tenants to participate in the application process.

Administered by the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and accepting applications starting today, the Landlord Rental Assistance Program provides up to 12 months of past-due rent to landlords who are ineligible for the federally funded program because their tenants either declined to complete an application or vacated the residence with arrears. Priority will be given to those landlords owning small-to-medium-sized properties.

“Getting pandemic relief money out the door to New Yorkers has been a top priority for my administration since day one,” Hochul said. “I am proud that our state’s rental assistance program has already provided much needed relief to tens of thousands of New Yorkers, but there are still many small landlords ineligible for that relief because of federal rules who also need our help. This funding is a critical tool to close that gap and help more New Yorkers recover from the pandemic.”

Eligible landlords must own units leased for at or below 150 percent of fair market rent for their location and must have documented the rental arrears accumulated after March 1, 2020 that are owed by a tenant who either vacated the unit or is declining to participate in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Priority is given to those landlords owning a building with 20 or fewer units and who apply within the first 45 days of the program’s opening date on Oct. 7.

Landlords that have applied to the state’s rental assistance program can complete an application for state funding through their existing account in the online portal or create a new account if they haven’t done so already. The assistance is first come, first serve, and specifically designated for arrears accumulated after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. More information can be found by clicking here.

Last month, Governor Hochul signed into law a moratorium on residential evictions through Jan. 15, 2022. The law set aside $125 million to help landlords with tenants who decline to participate or have vacated the residence with arrears.

In addition, Governor Hochul last month sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department requesting additional funding for New York’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program due to its shrinking balance and a continuing need for assistance throughout the state.

So far, the program has approved more than 63,000 direct payments to landlords, totaling $804 million in assistance. New York State has now obligated or paid $1.8 billion in rental assistance, ranking the state first nationally in obligated funding and among the leaders in direct payments, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which tracks the state-by-state implementation of ERAP. New York State’s ERAP provides approved tenants with eviction protection even if a landlord does not provide the information necessary to issue a payment or declines the awarded arrears.

Photo and info courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering students – Chris Kerr of Newfane, left, and Tanner Preston of Albion – work on some orders for a craft show on Nov. 20.

There will be over 50 vendors at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center at 4232 Shelby Basin Road in Medina. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A $2 donation would be appreciated to help fund activities for SkillsUSA students.  Masks are required for all vendors and attendees.

For more information call (716) 731-6800, ext. 2233.

Looking to remain undefeated, Medina and Albion will both face divisional football games this weekend.

Medina will visit Wilson in a C North Division game at 7 p.m. Friday while Albion will host Cheektowaga in a B North contest at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Medina is 2-0 in the division and 4-0 overall while Wilson is 2-1, 3-2.

The Mustangs are currently tied for the C North lead with Akron (2-0, 4-0) which visits Tonawanda (0-3, 0-5) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Medina will host Akron on Monday October 18. That will be the middle game of a regular season ending stretch of three home games in nine days which will also see the Mustangs entertain Tonawanda on Thursday October 14 and rival Albion on Friday October 22.

Albion (3-0, 4-0), which is currently tied for the B North lead with Maritime (3-0, 3-2), will be playing its second game of the week as the Purple Eagles also posted a 28-8 win at Burgard on Tuesday in a B North make-up contest.

Maritime will visit Maryvale (2-1, 3-2) at 7 p.m. this evening in another B North game.

Albion will visit Maritime on Saturday October 16.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Eighth-District Past Commander Frank Berger, left, swore in the officers of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina at their meeting Tuesday night. With Berger are, from left, Dave Kusmierczak, chaplain; Tony Vicnair, first vice president and membership chair; Glenn Whitmore, commander; Dave Morien, treasurer; and Jim Wells, second vice president. Absent is Peter Huth, adjutant.

MEDINA – Butts-Clark American Legion Post opened its October meeting Tuesday night with swearing in of new officers by Past Eighth-District Commander Frank Berger.

Officers for the coming year are Glenn Whitmore, commander; Tony Vicnair, first vice president and membership chairman; Dave Morien, treasurer; Jim Wells, second vice president; and Peter Huth, adjutant. Dave Kusmierczak is chaplain.

The members also discussed an ambitious project for which they have received village approval – the painting of a giant American flag on the south wall of their post at 305 North Main St.

The design will be an unfurled flag covering the entire end of the building.

“This will be a striking site to drivers coming down Main Street,” commander Glenn Whitmore said earlier in the summer, when discussions first began about the project.

Cost for the project is estimated to be between $3,500 and $4,000, and the Legion is asking the public to consider donating toward this patriotic mission. Checks may be made payable to American Legion Post 204, with the notation “American flag,” and mailed to 305 North Main St., Medina.

The Butts-Clark American Legion Post is undertaking an ambitious project to raise money to have a wall-size American flag painted on the south end of their building. Holding a picture of the design are past commander Frank Berger, Legion Commander Glenn Whitmore and second vice president Jim Wells.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Debbie Taylor, fire chief of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, poses with a poster showing the design of a tee shirt she has created to pay tribute to the fire companies with EMS departments in Orleans County. The proceeds from which will benefit the Knights-Kaderli Fund which assists people in Orleans County fighting cancer.

EAST SHELBY – A walk-run to benefit the Knights-Kaderli Fund has been an annual event at the East Shelby Fire Hall for many years, and this year when the date for the walk approached, East Shelby fire chief Debbie Taylor started brainstorming what she could do to help.

“Knights-Kaderli helped my in-laws, who have since passed, and my sister-in-law, who beat breast cancer,” Taylor said. “Our fire company just got done participating in a fundraiser with battalions from the west and one from the east to help Make-a-Wish, and that gave me the idea to incorporate firefighters into something to help Knights-Kaderli.”

Taylor got in touch with a guy who works at D&T Graphics in Lockport to see he could help her. Then she contacted all the fire departments to make sure it was alright to put their names on a tee shirt.

Albion, Carlton, East Shelby, Lyndonville, Medina, Shelby, Barre, Clarendon, Kendall, Ridgeway, Murray Joint Fire District and COVA EMS all agreed.

The design chosen is a skull with a firefighter’s hat, firefighters’ axes, a pink ribbon for cancer and the names of the fire companies and COVA.

The design is available on long- or short-sleeved tee shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. A face mask is also available.

The deadline is Oct. 31 and orders must be placed online at orleanscounty2021.itemorder.com. Orders will be shipped to the customer’s house. Taylor is working with fire company members to save money on their shipping.

“This shows support for Orleans County firefighters and helps Knights-Kaderli,” Taylor said. “It’s a win-win situation.”

Taylor, who is Orleans County’s first female fire chief, will complete her first year in office on Jan. 1. She already plans to run again for the office.

“It’s been a good year,” she said.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Nadia White tries to break the double team of Albion’s Leah Pritchard and Aurora Serafin during this evening’s key Niagara-Orleans League game ay Gasport.

Opening up a two game lead, Roy-Hart blanked runner-up Albion 2-0 in a key Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer game this evening at Gasport.

Kara Choate scored both goals for Roy-Hart in the second half.

First Choate broke a scoreless deadlock by tallying what proved to be the game winner 10 minutes into the half off an assist from Grace Parker. Six minutes later she added a big insurance goal, her 27th of the season, off an assist from Kaitlyn Mettler.

Reanna Perkins made 8 saves to earn the shutout in goal.

Roy-Hart is now 6-0 and Albion 4-2 in N-O action.

In the other N-O contest, Akron edged Newfane 4-3 as Ella Liss had two goals.

Albion’s Abby Scanlan works the ball up field with Cami London in support.