ALBION – The Albion Police Department was recently awarded two separate grants from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to participate in the “Police Traffic Services Program” and the “Child Passenger Safety Program.” The statewide initiatives run from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.
The first grant awarded to the Albion Police Department totals $2,288.00 and will allow the department to participate in the statewide “Police Traffic Services Program.” This grant enables the department to conduct traffic details, check points and saturated patrols in areas where speeding and aggressive driving have been observed.
This grant also allows for the Albion Police Department to participate in the Buckle Up New York initiative in May-June of 2022. The goal of the Buckle Up New York campaign is to increase the usage of seatbelts and to educate the public on the importance of wearing your seatbelt.
The second grant awarded to the Albion Police Department totals $1,900 and allows the department to participate in the statewide “Child Passenger Safety Program.” This grant will not only allow the Albion Police Department to educate citizens on the proper use and installation of child safety seats in New York State, but it will also allow the department to provide limited child safety seats to families in need that could not afford to purchase a proper child safety seat otherwise.
Through these two grants, the Albion Police Department seeks to educate the public on safe driving techniques and proper safety procedures while operating a motor vehicle. With the cooperation and assistance of the community, the Albion Police Department hopes to further reduce traffic crashes and injuries related to those crashes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 September 2021 at 7:05 am
Due to a personal situation back home in Chautauqua County, I will be taking a short break full-time from the Orleans Hub. We will be posting more sports stories up front, and probably more press releases until I am able to return. I may be able to post a few things, but won’t be as available. I may not get back to email and phone calls.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 September 2021 at 10:03 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville goalie Zach Fike goes high to make a save to preserve the Mustangs shutout win over host Albion this evening.
Regaining the .500 mark in league action, Medina/Lyndonville blanked host rival Albion 3-0 this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game.
Wyatt Zelanzy scored what proved to be the game winning goal for the Mustangs just 12 minutes into the first half on a breakaway off an assist from Jackson Moreland.
Mason Moreland upped the Mustangs lead to 2-0 when he scored with just four minutes to go in the opening half off an assist from Sam Kingsbury.
Medina/Lyndonville’s Cole Seefeldt, right, battles with Albion’s Orion Groth for control of the ball.
Mason Moreland later netted the clincher when he tallied with 19 minutes to go in the second half as Roman Heinsler earned the assist.
Zach Fike made 7 saves to earn the shutout in goal for the Mustangs.
Medina/Lyndonville is now 2-2 in N-O action and Albion 0-5.
Roy-Hart 2, Wilson 1
N-O front-runner Roy-Hart edged visiting Wilson 2-1 to improve to 4-0 in league action.
Peter Martillotta scored the game winner in the second half for Roy-Hart off an assist from Landen Guild to snap a 1-1 tie.
Elijah Giroux scored in the first half for the Rams off an assist from Trent Choate.
Zach Walker made several key saves in goal for the Rams.
The loss drops Wilson to 3-2 in the league.
Medina/Lyndonville’s Wyatt Zelazny has his shot stopped by Albion goalie Jeffrey Brown as Kyle Kuehne supports for the Purple Eagles.
Photo courtesy of Rob Ortt’s office: State Senate Republican Leader speaks at Torrey Farms in Elba today.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
ELBA – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt today visited Torrey Farms, a member of the Grow NY Farms Coalition, and toured their 13,000-acre property ahead of the state Farm Labor Wage Board’s review of the 60-hour overtime threshold.
“New York’s agriculture industry has struggled with increased costs of doing business because of overreaching state mandates, and was further damaged due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ortt said. “Further decreasing the overtime threshold for employees on these generations-old farms will limit the opportunities available and force countless farmhands to look for more work in neighboring states.”
Later this year, the New York State Farm Labor Wage Board will revisit the 2019 Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act’s 60-hour overtime threshold for farmworkers and determine if a decrease to 40 hours will be necessary. Farmers are at risk of closing and not being able to pay any workers at all with the potential for an even more onerous overtime threshold.
During the tour, Leader Ortt and several state lawmakers had the opportunity to see the real implications of a lowered threshold through the eyes of farmers and farmworkers alike. After the tour, Leader Ortt reiterated his support for New York’s farms, farmers, and workers against Albany’s overreaching mandates.
“I want to thank the farmers and workers who offered their perspective today, and I urge the wage board to listen to those who will be directly affected – not the activists in Albany – before making their determination on the state’s overtime threshold,” Ortt said.
BATAVIA – The five school districts in Orleans County were among 30 districts across the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming County region today that attended the GLOW With Your Hands event.
Students interacted with dozens of businesses and other entities as they learned about workplace opportunities in various fields, including utilities, trades, advanced manufacturing and agribusiness among others.
GLOW With Your Hands organizers include the GLOW Workforce Development Board, economic development, workforce development, education, manufacturing, agricultural, & construction employers, and community leaders.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center and the job development agencies in the GLOW counties organized the 3rd Annual Glow With Your Hands Expo at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.
Today’s event included reduced attendance per school and all students were provided masks to ensure the safety of all participants. BMP America in Medina donated masks produced by the company.
Kendall students are at “Camp Hard Hat,” discussing why it’s ok be outside your comfort zone to find a career path.
The Expo included over 40 local companies providing hands-on experiences for potential career opportunities in the skilled trades and advanced manufacturing.
The participating businesses are recognizing the future demands of their respective workforces need to be addressed now, especially as the current generation of workers are retiring or planning retirement in the next few years.
“Whether our technicians are working on a residential mower for a homeowner, a skid steer for a builder or a combine or baler for one of our farmers the career path they’ve chosen allows them to feel fulfillment at the end of every day,” said Molly Haungs, LandPro Equipment Marketing Manager. “That is the message that we, as the GLOW With Your Hands Career fair committee we are working to get to our youth and their families. A career in trades offers opportunity for our youth to work hard, learn, continue education and provide a lasting and lucrative career that can combine passion with success.”
LOCKPORT – The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Niagara County Emergency Services, hosted a first responder step challenge on Sept. 11, 2021 – the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
First responders from Niagara County and beyond gathered at Whirlpool State Park in Niagara Falls, descending into the gorge and walking a total of 1,980 steps which is equivalent to climbing 110 stories. These numbers signify the climb for many first responders into the World Trade Center on that horrific day.
With over 250 participants, proceeds raised from T-shirt sales and registration totaled $3,383 and will be donated to “tunnel to towers,” a 9/11 specific charity.
“Terrorists took much from us on that day, but there’s one thing they could not take from us; our resolve, our strength and our commitment to duty,” said Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti. “The first responder step challenge on 9/11 was a fitting tribute and I can’t tell you how proud I am to be the sheriff of Niagara County, and how proud I am of all of the first responders who came out to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. thank you to all those who participated and supported this great cause. we will never forget.”
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Participants in the 2019 Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run head for the starting line last October. This year’s event will take on a different look, due to the Covid pandemic. For the 32nd annual 5K Walk/Run, participants are being asked to walk in their own neighborhoods and make a donation to the Knights-Kaderli Fund.
MEDINA – For 32 years, the community has gathered for a walk/run to support the patients living with cancer in Orleans County.
Last year, participants walked in their own neighborhoods for the 32nd annual 5k Virtual Walk/Run. The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to cancel in-person events. Registrants were asked to make a donation to the fund and were offered a Knights-Kaderli cloth mask in lieu of the usual race t-shirt
This year, we can gather again for the 5k on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. at the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. With only a few changes, the event will feel like we are getting closer to what supporters have experienced in previous years.
Registration (click here) will be online only to minimize congestion at registration. To keep people moving, we will have several check-in tables where registrants can pick up their T-shirt and race bibs. Participants are encouraged to participate in our basket raffle. This year we will have a special raffle of a donated item from the talented students in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering class at Orleans-Niagara BOCES.
Lunch will be served immediately following the race and guests may eat outside under the pavilion. When outside, participants are encouraged to use their discretion regarding mask-wearing. Whenever participants are inside the building, we ask that they wear a mask to protect young children, patients and other participants. The safety of our supporters is our top priority. Please remember to photograph your event and tag us on Facebook and Instagram for some fun prizes. #KnightsKaderli5K
The Richard Knights-Sue Kaderli Memorial Fund is a tax-exempt organization, under the Internal Revenue code section 501(c)(3), which is run by a board of directors. Money raised is used for the benefit of Orleans County cancer patients.
This foundation was founded in memory of our loved ones, Richard Knights and Susan Kaderli, two lifelong residents of Orleans County. We raise funds through annual events and various contributions made by individuals, organizations and memorials. Funds thus far have assisted families with nutritional supplements and prescriptions, as well as medical supplies and bills. Run by a board of directors, there are no administrative costs. Thereby allowing almost 100% of money raised to be used to assist Orleans County cancer patients and their families.
For more information or financial assistance, please contact: Mary Zelazny at 585-746-8455, Melissa Knights Bertrand at 716-983-7932 or Stacey Knights Pellicano at 716-998-0977.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2021 at 10:17 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Mitchell Kwandrans, owner of the Hemp House in Medina, presented posters full of information to the Medina Village Board on Monday evening, urging the village to opt in and allow marijuana dispensaries.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board heard from many community members on Monday evening during a public hearing about whether Medina should opt in or opt out of allowing legal marijuana dispensaries.
Gregory McCarthy, a local resident, was the first speaker during a public hearing and said the dispensaries would allow regulated products to be sold without unknown dangerous products, such as fentanyl.
A local dispensary would also allow close access for people currently going out of town for medical marijuana sites, he said.
Mitchell Kwandrans, owner of the Hemp House in Medina, said his store is popular for CBD oil and other products. He said marijuana could be a big tax revenue generator for the village with Medina getting a 3-percent tax on the dollar.
He estimated that could be $300,000 annually for the village, based on 20 percent of the county’s 40,000 residents spending about $2,500 per year annually on marijuana. That comes out to over $600,000 a year in tax revenue in Kwandran’s projections. He expects Medina would get half with another community the other half.
The state has approved a 13-percent excise tax on marijuana with a breakdown that includes 9 cents for each taxable sale to the state, 3 cents to the municipality that has the dispensary, and 1 cent to the county.
Village Trustee Owen Toale said the figures from Kwandrans were projections that couldn’t be counted on. It is also unknown if there would be increased demand on the Medina Police Department if the dispensaries were allowed, Toale said.
Village Board members said they want more time to study the issue, and see if the state comes through with any regulations for the dispensaries. The state has empowered municipalities to opt in or out, but hasn’t provided details about the dispensaries.
That bothers Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman.
“They are forcing our hand and I’m disappointed in that,” she said about the state.
The state has given municipalities until Dec. 31 to opt in. But if they opt out, they could always opt back in. But if they opt in before Dec. 31, they can’t then opt out.
Mayor Mike Sidari said he is still reading information about the issue, and isn’t ready to make his own decision. He expects the board will decide possibly next month. By then, there might be regulations from the state.
“I want to opt out until I see what the rules are,” he said. “If it’s something we can live with, I’ll opt in.”
Gregory McCarthy tells Village Board members there are many benefits to the dispensaries, including a regulated product with tax revenue for the village. He said many residents would benefit from having the product legally available for anxiety, pain management and other medicinal purposes.
Residents still urged the board to move forward with opting in, saying the state regulations will be similar to the many other states that have already allowed dispensaries.
Tim Zeiner said Medina could use the revenue to help push down a very high tax burden on local property owners.
Bryan DeGraw said marijuana has long not been regulated. The state regulations will be forthcoming. He said the village needs the revenue, even if that total can’t be predicted for certain.
Several others spoke in favor of the dispensaries, saying it would be a safer product and would help people with pain management and other issues.
Kwandrans, owner of the Hemp House, said there are 24 locations in Medina where alcohol can be legally purchased. He said alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana, with a large role in criminal activity, violence and car accidents.
Kathy Bogan, an attorney with an office on Main Street, said she is concerned about the impact a dispensary could have on the downtown, which boasts numerous small, family-owned businesses. But the lack of fine print from the state is a major concern, she said.
“There are many why I’m against this, but the biggest reason is there are no state regulations for this,” she said during the hearing.
If Medina decides to opt out, village residents could petition the village to put the issue to a vote in a public referendum. They would need to turn in a petition by at least 10 percent of qualified voters within 45 days of the Village Board’s decision to force a public vote.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2021 at 9:23 am
Provided photos: Orleans County Chamber of Commerce and Village of Albion officials joined Dan Conrad, owner of Toyz n Kandy, in celebrating the grand opening of the store on Monday on East Bank Street. Pictured from left include Conrad’s daughter Ryleigh, Chamber director Darlene Hartway, Conrad and his son Carter, Mayor Eileen Banker, Trustee Stan Farone and Conrad’s niece Eleana Coley.
ALBION – A toy and candy store has relocated to East Bank Street in downtown Albion after being open for four months at the Arnold Gregory Office Building on South Main Street.
Dan Conrad, owner of Toyz n Kandy, said the store is off to a good start and looks to grow more with the location on East Bank Street.
He is running the store full-time and sells lots of sweets and old-fashioned toys such as whoopee cushions, Friendship Bracelets, toy harmonicas, chalk and game balls. Conrad offers other activities – without electronics – for kids. The site has air hockey and foosball tables and the space is available to be rented out for parties.
Conrad has expanded his merchandise in the new location. He is offering deals on bundles of Halloween candy.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 September 2021 at 8:14 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Class of 1961 from Medina High School met at the White Birch in Lyndonville Saturday to celebrate their 60th reunion. Seated, from left, are Russell Young, Raissa Zolin Semanchu, Jessie Eckerson Green, Jackie Gardner Nicolay, Margo Riemer Schuner and Linda Hudson Hansler. Second row, from left, are David Green, Dale Bacon, Paul Barnes, Don Pritchard, Dianne Pask Domoy, Joyce Hill Cook, Ellyn Keller MacCornell, Ward Crafts, Charles Slack and Marvin Sills. Third row, Richard Hellert, Sue Bliven, Nicki Rogers Fredericks, Marlo Neal Huer, Patty Waters Blackburn, Dave Ehrenreich and Bob Young. At rear are John Slack, Jack Beedon, Everett Harmer, Arnie Canham, Ron Thomas and Peggy Hart Nelson.
MEDINA – The Medina High School’s Class of 1961 has remained a close knit group since they graduated, getting together every five years to renew friendships.
On Saturday, 29 members of the class and their guests met at White Birch in Lyndonville to celebrate their 60th reunion.
Dave and Jessie Green of East Shelby became class sweethearts in seventh grade, and have been together ever since, she said. They, Nicki Fredericks, John Slack and Peggy Hart Nelson have been to every reunion.
There were 138 original members in the Class of 1961. They have lost 38. Robert Crafts was president, Dick Stimson was vice president, Susan Albright was secretary and Jessie Green was treasurer. Edward Devlin was principal at the time.
The class boasts the first Foreign Exchange student in Medina, a boy nicknamed Chico from Italy. He lived with the Jim DiGuilio family. On Saturday afternoon, the class was delighted to contact him on Zoom.
The classmate who traveled the farthest to the reunion was Bob Young, a missionary from Africa. Others came from Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Texas.
The committee who organized the reunion has done it every year. They included Dave and Jessie Green, Nicki Fredericks, Patti Blackburn, Diane Domoy, Ellyn MacConnell, John Slack, Linda Hansler and Ron Thomas.
“This is a very good class,” Jessie Green said. “Everybody gets along.”
Dave and Jessie Green, seated, look over a yearbook from when they were in school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2021 at 6:52 pm
2 counties report nearly 200 new cases since Thursday
Genesee and Orleans counties today are reporting nearly 200 new cases of Covid-19 since the last update on Thursday afternoon. The new cases include 94 in Orleans and 103 in Genesee.
The number of active cases in the two counties is at 339 today, which is up from 295 on Thursday and 257 a week ago.
The 94 new positive cases in Orleans include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 90s, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
There are currently 3 Orleans County residents hospitalized due to Covid.
The county also has had 81 more recoveries or previous positive individuals who have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.
In Genesee, the 103 new positive cases include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
Genesee currently has 13 residents hospitalized due to Covid.
Genesee is reporting 125 more of the positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.
Genesee has passed 6,000 Covid cases during the pandemic since March 2020. The two counties are nearing 10,000 cases during the pandemic – 6,092 in Genesee and 3,783 in Orleans.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) expressed outrage today as the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers takes effect, forcing countless healthcare employees throughout the state to resign from their positions.
Many of these healthcare workers have for months now been on the front lines of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and have been left without recourse in the face of a mandate that does not permit regular testing of unvaccinated healthcare workers.
“Taking jobs from healthcare workers who have been working harder than anybody to combat the Covid-19 pandemic is a slap in their face, and I am incensed by the governor’s willingness to cast aside a group of highly-skilled people who have saved the lives of so many New Yorkers,” Hawley said. “The valuable experience these professionals have in fighting Covid-19 will be squandered, and the ones who will pay the price for this decision are those who need the highest quality of care possible to save their lives.
“I am vaccinated and would encourage anyone who wishes to be vaccinated to do so, but I also believe in personal choice, and with no option for unvaccinated healthcare workers to elect for frequent testing, this mandate will only harm our ability to help patients who need care most.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2021 at 8:53 am
Photos courtesy DeSales Catholic School
LOCKPORT – Arthur Barnes, an Orleans County artist, donated a painter’s box of late Nunzio Maiorana to DeSales Catholic School in Lockport, which will be opening a new art center next month as a memorial to Maiorana.
Barnes found the painter’s box at a yard sale years ago. He used the box in his own art studio.
Barnes noticed the signature inside, Nunzio Maiorana (dated Aug. 14, 1956) and resolved to someday find and give the painter’s box to Maiorana’s family.
Barnes read about construction at DeSales for the Nunzio T. Maiorana ’58 Art Center and wanted to give the box to the site. DeSales reached out to Nunzio’s children, David and Ann-Marie, to return the box.
“Thank you, Arthur for bringing us this most wonderful gift!” said Kim Knuutila of DeSales.
The dedication for the Nunzio T. Maiorana Art Center will be on Saturday, Oct. 16th, from 1 to 3 p.m. at DeSales, 6914 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Lockport. Guests will have to RSVP to Mary at (716) 870-4340 by Oct. 4th. Ribbon cutting will be immediately followed by dedication and reception.
Maiorana was a long-time Medina educator. He was a popular teacher and school administrator at Medina as well as the athletic director.
DeSales Catholic School is renovating an area on their campus to create the Nunzio Maiorana Art Center, in honor of a beloved alumnus who graduated from DeSales in 1958.
Maiorana was a highly respected leader in both education and athletics throughout Niagara and Orleans counties.
He was also an accomplished self-taught artist who specialized in pen and ink drawings of historic lighthouses and buildings from across the world. Each of his drawings was hand-drawn using jeweler’s glasses and each art piece contained over 500,000 fine lines and dots. He won his first art show in 1957 sponsored by the Lockport Industrial Management Club.
After graduating from DeSales High School, Maiorana went on earn his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Detroit. He began his teaching career at the Diocese of Detroit at St. John Berchmans School. In 1963 he came back home to WNY to teach at Medina Senior High School.
This was followed by multiple roles throughout his tenure in Medina starting as a teacher and retiring as superintendent of curriculum and finance. He started in Medina in the fall 1963. His career spanned over 36 years until his retirement in 1998.
At Medina, Maiorana taught pre-vocational studies, English, and history; served as an assistant high school football coach, assistant principal, director of athletics, director of maintenance, grounds, and transportation; principal of Wise Middle School; and superintendent of curriculum and finance. He also sat on state and national committees for athletics and academics to ensure safety, wellness, and rigorous academic instruction for all students.
He remained an influential educator up until the day he passed away on Jan. 22, 2018.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2021 at 7:31 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ashley Roesch, an employee with Circle B Winery, sells some of the fruit wines from Circle B on Sunday in Albion. Pamela Jenks of Pretty Sweet Bakery is in back at left. They are among about a half dozen vendors at the Albion Farmers Market.
The market, which debuted on June 13 in the downtown, has moved south to the Main Street Store parking lot across from Hoag Library.
The vendors on Sunday said the new location is working better, with more people stopping by. The site has easier parking and is more visible.
“It’s not tucked in as much,” Roesch said.
Amanda Mrzywka and Katie Mann, right, of Navarra’s Farm Market & Greenhouses were selling a variety of fruits and vegetables. This was the second week at the new location.
Mrzywka likes that the new spot has wheelchair accessibility and more parking.
The market continues on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 17.
The Albion Merchants Association is the organizer of the market.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
QUEENS – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt last Thursday joined New York City Council Members Joe Borelli and Bob Holden at the entrance to Rikers Island to decry the latest pro-criminal, anti-victim legislation to come out of Albany under One-Party Rule.
The previous Friday, Governor Hochul signed the “Less is More” bill into law, and despite the bill not taking effect until March, ordered the blanket release of nearly 200 criminals from Rikers Island. Earlier last week, the release of 17 criminals — including a suspected hatchet murderer – in Monroe County sparked outrage from law enforcement officials who were not even notified.
“Under One-Party Rule, Albany continues to quadruple down on extreme pro-criminal, anti-victim, and anti-law enforcement policies that jeopardize public safety and put New Yorkers at risk – even as we see a rise in violent crime in our communities across the state,” Ortt said. “It’s time to end the madness, give our law enforcement the resources they need to keep New Yorkers safe, and put the rights of victims and law-abiding citizens above those who break the law.”
The “Less is More” law is the latest in a long line of disastrous policies advanced under the guise of “reform,” and have put New Yorkers at risk — starting with so-called “bail reform” in 2019.
In July, Leader Ortt penned a letter to the Office of Court Administration (OCA) and New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) requesting a thorough and transparent analysis on the correlation between changes to New York State bail laws in the 2019-2020 State Budget and the increase in violent crime across the state since those laws went into effect January 1, 2020.
The Senate Republican Conference plans to introduce legislation, co-sponsored by Leader Ortt, to require OCA to collect and publish data to show the full ramifications of the bail reform law, including:
The number of individuals that were charged with crimes that no longer qualify for bail, and a breakdown of those charges;
The number of individuals released pending trial because the offense no longer qualifies for bail; and
The nature of crimes committed by re-offenders awaiting trial.
While One-Party Rule in Albany continues to move forward with a dangerous pro-criminal agenda, Senate Republicans have put forward common sense proposals to give law enforcement the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively, protect victims rights’ , and fix New York’s broken parole system.
“We are well past the time to restore common sense and public safety in New York State. We need to put an end to these radical, pro-criminal policies that have caused a rise in violent crimes and put New Yorkers at risk,” Ortt said.
