Robin Zaczek sent in this photo of a Robin nest with eggs in a small tree next to her Albion home. “A reminder that despite the turbulence and uncertainty, nature can provide us with beauty and hope,” she said.

The forecast the next few days has lots of sunshine with highs near 70.

Today will be sunny in Orleans County with a high near 67, followed by a mostly sunny Saturday with a high near 70, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Sunday will be sunny with a high near 68, followed by mostly sunny on Monday with a high near 69, and mostly sunny on Tuesday with a high near 70.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that fully vaccinated adults don’t need to wear masks in indoor or outdoor gatherings, large or small.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced the new guidance and said it is based on new studies from people in Israel and the U.S. who’ve been vaccinated.

She said a federal mask requirement will remain in effect for people, whether vaccinated or not, who ride buses, trains, airplanes and when they are in stations and airports.

“If you are fully vaccinated against #COVID19, you can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, incl. local business and workplace guidance,” the CDC tweeted on Thursday.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state isn’t yet ready to adopt the CDC guidelines. He wants a review led by Dr. Howard Zucker, commissioner of the Department of Health.

“In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening,” Cuomo said. “We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with Dr. Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states.”

A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose Johnson &  Johnson vaccine.

The CDC issued these recommendations for fully vaccinated people with mask-wearing (this doesn’t apply to healthcare settings):

• Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible

GAINES – A Gaines man was killed on Thursday afternoon when his tractor overturned and he was pinned underneath, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

George W. Manning, 72, was attempting to use a Ford 8N tractor to pull out a small tree near his house at 13945 Ridge Rd. with a chain when it flipped over pinning him beneath. Manning was pronounced dead at the scene by Orleans County Chief Coroner Scott Schmidt.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene at 3:18 p.m. with report of a man trapped under an overturned tractor. Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies, Albion firefighters and C.O.V.A. Ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

The victim’s son, George Manning III, reported that he discovered his father pinned under a tractor and unresponsive. He summoned the neighbors to call 911 and assist him, Bourke said. The son, with assistance of a husband and wife team from next door, were able to lift the machine enough to pull the victim out from under the tractor. The son began CPR but was unable to revive his father.

The victim was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. State Police also assisted at the scene.

Nine people are facing drug charges in Orleans County, including an Akron man for criminally negligent homicide after a fatal drug overdose.

Anthony V. Abraham

The Orleans County grand jury on Wednesday handed up sealed indictments for 12 individuals following an investigation into the sale and distribution of various controlled substances in the county.

As a result, nine of the 12 warrants were executed by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Albion Police Department, the Medina Police Department and the Holley Police Department.

The following were arrested:

Anthony V. Abraham, 33, of Cedar Street, Akron, who was charged with 1 count of criminally negligent homicide, a class E felony, and 1 count of reckless endangerment in the first degree (class d felony).

He was charged as a result of a fatal overdose investigation conducted by the Medina Police Department with the assistance of the Major Felony Crime Task Force.

Cassandra McGuire, 31, of South Clinton Street, Albion, who was charged with 6 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, class B felonies, and 6 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, also class B felonies.

Johnny Sponaugle, 45, of Liberty Street, Batavia, who was charged with 1 count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Mathew E. Daugherty, 26, of Ontario Street, Lockport, who was charged with 1 count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in third degree and criminal possession of controlled substance in the third degree.

Heather R. Conley, 32, of Bates Road, Medina, who was charged with 2 counts each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Frederick M. Farro Jr., 44, of West Park Street, Albion, who was charged with 1 count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, which are class D felonies.

Gary R. Ettinger, 34, of Hamilton Street, Albion, who was charged with 1 each count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Thomas R. Brown, 54, of Thomas Street, Holley, who was charged with 1 count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Edward P. Symonds, 55, of Oak Orchard River Road, Waterport, who was charged with 2 counts each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

All of the defendants were arraigned in Orleans County Court by County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Farro was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $10,000 cash bail due to his previous criminal history. All others were released due to the state bail reform law. They are to return back to County Court on June 2 for further court proceedings.

This investigation is ongoing and further arrests are pending, the Task Force said in a news release.

The Genesee County Drug Task Force and the Batavia Police Department also assisted in this investigation.

Band also planning for scaled-down performance for parents

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Saleya Williams, one of the drum majors for the Albion marching band, leads the group on Saturday while they prepared to be filmed for an online competition hosted by the Sherburne-Earlville school district in Chenango County.

The Albion band, like the others in the area, has seen the parade competition season cancelled this spring.  Some marching bands took the season off. Mike Thaine, Albion’s marching band director, didn’t want to lose another season after the 2020 spring season was wiped out due to Covid-19 restrictions. That kind of a gap could make it more difficult to keep the program going once the pandemic subsides.

The Albion band started rehearsing through Zoom in January. It wasn’t much fun but the students still welcomed the chance to see each other.

“The kids more than anything still wanted to meet, so we met through Zoom,” Thaine said. “Add that to the list of things I never thought I’d do – teaching marching band on Zoom.”

The band enters playing “Old Town Road” and gets into formation for the online competition on Saturday.

The drum majors – Annalise Steier and Saleya Williams – went over commands, such as attention, mark time, forward march, parade rest and others.

“The kids got sick of Zoom quickly and so did the staff,” Thaine said.

Zoom did offer a benefit of the 50 band members getting to work on the music early. This year the band is playing the popular song, “Old Town Road.” That song is a hit with many of the students.

When the group finally was able to rehearse in-person for the first time on April 15, they were ahead of the normal schedule. They have been in-person on most Thursday evenings since then, with the sounds of the band reverberating around the neighborhood, a welcome sound after more than a year absence.

Mike Thaine inspects the band from the roof of the high school with help from Lyndsey Almeter, the elementary school band teacher.

Thaine and the band have focused on playing the music, without the demands of complicated marching formations.

He is enthused by the group of 50 students, with most expected to be key performers in upcoming years.

The band will keep meeting Thursday evenings through the end of May. They are scheduled to perform for parents on May 27.

Saleya Williams has been in the band since seventh-grade, playing the trombone before shifting to drum major this year as a senior.

“It was very fun for me,” she said about being the band. Even though every one was older than me (when I was in seventh grade), they made me feel welcome, especially Mr. Thaine.”

Annalise Steier, left, and Saleya Williams gets their drum major uniforms out before Saturday’s online performance for the marching band.

Annalise Steier, the other drum major, also is a senior. She is grateful the marching band was able to get together this season, even though there aren’t any parades or travel.

“The best part is all of the relationships – the people,” she said.

Steier started in the band back in fourth grade, carrying the Purple Eagle banner in the parades.

Thaine said he looks forward to getting back to normal in the near future.

“This year we were just trying to do something to keep the kids engaged,” Thaine said. “We didn’t want to lose them for next year.”

Holley and Kendall have a combined marching band led by Zach Busch, a Holley band teacher. The group has been getting together for a performance on June 16 for friends and family at the Hawk Stadium. This will be the band’s only performance because the parades were cancelled, Busch said.

Medina’s band just started rehearsing and is focused on the fall field band season. Medina won the state championship on Oct. 27, 2019, the last time the band performed.

“With the restrictions we were not able to prepare for anything this spring and there aren’t any performance opportunities,” said Jim Steele, the band’s director. “We are excited to be back into the swing of things and the Mustang Marching Band is looking forward to performances next fall.”

Steele said he is working on a way to honor the seniors before the end of the school year.

“We are sad for our great seniors as they had a uneventful and disappointing ending to their impressive career in the program,” Steele said.

The Albion drum line gave a high-energy performance on Saturday. These three include, from left: Abby Allen, Jacob Thom and Aubrey Boyer.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced the Help Wanted Act on Wednesday evening to help address the growing labor shortages reported in Western New York and around the nation.

“The jobs report released Friday shows what we warned would happen – the President’s policies have disincentivized work and made it more lucrative for individuals to stay home and collect enhanced unemployment benefits than seek employment,” Jacobs said. “Now we are seeing the effects. Businesses cannot find employees to keep up with growing demand, restaurants are having to turn customers away when they need them most, and commodity prices are skyrocketing as organizations cannot find labor to support their supply chains. This legislation addresses the root causes of this labor shortage to get Americans back to work and support our economic recovery.”

The legislation would accomplish three main goals. It would require every state to reinstate the “work-search” requirement for unemployment benefits. This requires unemployment recipients to show proof of a job search to receive benefits. During the pandemic, this condition was waived by many states. In addition, the legislation strikes a provision from the CARES Act allowing individuals to collect unemployment if they voluntarily left their job. Finally, the legislation would prohibit the use of generic concerns about Covid-19 as a reason for turning down offers of employment.

“With more than a year of complying with Covid protocols, vaccines available to all adults, and infection rates dropping significantly, it is time for us to fully reopen and get back to work,” Jacobs said.

The jobs report released Friday showed the economy only added 266,000 jobs, falling short of the almost one million projected to be added. In addition, the Buffalo News reported local restaurants and retailers are struggling to find employees, and as a result are being forced to limit service, turn away customers, and suffer financially.

The Help Wanted Act introduced by Rep. Jacobs and cosponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) and Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01).

“There are nearly 8 million job openings and 14 million Americans out of work. If the American economy is going to make a full comeback, we have to get folks back to work – Congressman Jacobs Help Wanted Act accomplishes that goal,” Rep. Johnson said.

“I have continually advocated for reopening our economy and getting people back to work,” said Rep. Mann. “At a time when small businesses and other employers are searching for workers, the federal government’s interference to normal order is not the right path. It’s time to take off the masks, reopen our businesses and schools, and get back on track.”

Press Release, Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Deputy Leader Andrew Lanza on Wednesday called on Governor Cuomo to suspend the New York State gas tax in the wake of a crippling ransomware attack that caused the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline.

The Colonial Pipeline supplies roughly 45 percent of fuel consumed on the Eastern Seaboard, carrying more than 100 million gallons of fuel per day between Texas and New York. The shutdown of the system since last Friday has already caused supply shortages and increased prices at the pump.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has already caused serious harm to our economy,” Ortt said. “The price of gas plays a major role in our economy, and in order to help our economy get back on its feet, it’s critically important to keep prices at the pump under control. New York’s gas tax is among the highest in the nation, and we implore you to suspend the gas tax immediately to provide much-needed relief to New York families and businesses.”

Earlier this week, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp temporarily suspended the gas tax via Executive Order to provide relief from rising prices.

The increased costs and supply issues from the Pipeline shutdown comes on the heels of a devastating proposal being advanced by Albany Democrats that would increase the cost of gas by as much as 55 cents per gallon, and increase home heating costs by more than 25 percent.

“Policies at the federal level have caused prices to increase on everything from food to household goods,” Lanza said. “Now gas prices are skyrocketing because of the foreign cyber terrorist attacking on our pipeline. New Yorkers can not afford this latest cost increase as they try to make ends meet. Governor Cuomo must deliver relief until this crisis passes.”

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina running back Lennon Meacham, here getting a block from Zach Oliver, and their Mustang teammates will host Southwestern in the Section VI Class C championship game Friday evening at Vets Park.

Looking to end a long 33 year sectional title drought, No. 2 seed Medina will host No. 4 Southwestern in the Section VI Class C football championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Vets Park.

Medina advanced to the title contest by romping past No. 3 Eden/North Collins 54-6 in the semifinals while Southwestern edged past top seeded Clymer/Sherman/Panama 24-21.

This will be Medina’s first appearance in the finals since 1988 when the Mustangs won their third Section VI title by downing rival Albion 14-7. Prior to that Medina also captured the sectional title in 1980 by downing Silver Creek 20-14 and in 1982 by besting Cassadaga Valley 26-7.

Southwestern brings a strong postseason record into the contest as the Trojans have won five Section VI titles (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019) and two state championships (2008 and 2009). The Trojans 2019 squad advanced to the state semifinals.

“Southwestern has a solid program and they have a number of sectional and state titles to back that up,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley. “They have a very athletic group of kids especially their quarterback Aidan Kennedy. He can really extend plays with his legs and his arm so we really need to bottle him up and contain him so that he doesn’t extend plays.”

Kennedy, who is a junior, has thrown for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns including 7 to senior Garrett Swan and 4 to senior Nate Johnson. Both receivers have over 350 yards in receptions.

On the ground, the Trojans are led by senior Zishan Munir who has rushed for 428 yards and 6 touchdowns and Kennedy who has picked up 203 yards and scored 4 TDs.

The Trojans also have a consistent place kicker in freshman Neves Hoose who has made 23 of 26 extra point kicks and 3 of 4 field goal attempts with the longest being 39 yards.

“Defensively they have guys who can play multiple positions and they give you multiple looks so we will have to be solid in our blocking schemes,” said Valley.

Offensively it is interesting that the Mustangs are likewise are led by a junior quarterback Xander Payne whose statistics are nearly identical to Kennedy’s as he has thrown for 938 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Senior Tyler Chinn has caught 6 of those TD aerials while senior Brian Fry has hauled in 3, juniors Joe Cecchini and Jarin Rhim 2 each and senior Corey Saj, and junior Iverson Poole 1 each.

Fry also leads the Mustangs ground attack with 628 yards and 7 touchdowns. Poole has added 3 rushing touchdowns, Payne 2 and Saj, who has rushed for 209 yards, has 1.

Defensively the Mustangs have allowed only 13 points in five games on one touchdown and two field goals.

That defensive unit has had plenty of contributors. In tackles Fry has 28, sophomore Noah Skinner 24, sophomore Chris Johnson 18, Saj 15, Cecchini 14, junior Zach Oliver 12, Chinn 10, Poole and junior Hayden Woodroe 9, sophomore Dominic Larabee 8 and senior Lennon Meacham 7.

Cecchini leads the team in sacks with 5 while Rhim has 3 and Oliver 2.

Woodroe, Chinn and Fry each have two pass interceptions.

Both teams bring 5-0 records into the title contest.

The Hustl House drops the ‘e’ for no excuses

The owners of The Hustl House are working to reopen the former Albion Fitness Center at 12 North Main St.  Opening day is set for May 17. The owners are all cousins from Lyndonville. They include, right to left: John Brabon, Nick Joy and Dawson Joy. The trio is putting down new rubber flooring and has added $10,000 worth of new exercise equipment.

ALBION – Three cousins from Lyndonville are putting their business expertise, passion for fitness and optimism in the area into a new venture: The Hustl House.

John Brabon, Nick Joy and Dawson Joy are co-owners of the gym that was the Albion Fitness Center at 12 North Main St. They will reopen the site on May 17.

They have sent $10,000 for new equipment, and are planning more upgrades, including tanning beds and possibly a sauna. They also have removed the carpeting and have put down rubber gym flooring.

With the gym’s name they dropped the “e” in Hustle “because there’s no excuses.”

Brabon, 29, works as a sales manager at Orleans Ford and has been the top seller for the dealership for many months. He sees an opportunity in Albion for the gym. The population of about 15,000 in central Orleans is currently underserved with options for a gym and fitness center, he said.

Nick Joy, 30, has his own business – the Shed Express – where he hauls sheds for the Amish community to locations throughout the Northeast. He has a master’s degree in exercise science and has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for professional athletes, including the L.A. Galaxy. His passion is fitness and his goal has been to open a gym.

He was getting a haircut next door at Zach’s Barbershop in Albion when Vinny Navarra came in a few months ago and urged Joy to make an offer on the gym and building.

Joy talked with his cousins and closed on the deal last Friday with Navarra, who started the gym and owns the building.

“I’ve always been into fitness and you never know when an opportunity will come up,” Joy said. “My goal is to help everyone be healthier, whether it’s high school athletes or anyone else in the community.”

The Hustl House has added more leg weights, lower-body equipment, a new squat rack, dead lift platform, leg press and machines to work the hip flexors, hamstrings and shoulders.

Dawson Joy, 22, has been working for a local fruit farm. Joy said he is a people-person and often he would only see a few co-workers a day in the orchards.

“I really enjoy connecting with people,” he said. “I’m excited to see all of the people who will be coming in.”

He will be the gym’s day-to-day manager. The site will be open 24-7 with a keycard access system.

The owners have lowered the monthly membership costs to $30. When they open next week, they will have about 75 percent of their immediate upgrades done. Brabon said there will be more improvements the next few months.

Gyms and fitness centers have been hurt during the Covid-19 pandemic with the state closing the sites for several months last year, and then restricting the capacity, or maximum number of people allowed inside. That capacity threshold will be raised from 33 to 50 percent on Saturday.

Brabon sees gyms as a good investment. He expects more people will be looking to strengthen their bodies and become healthier, especially after the stress and isolation of the pandemic the past 14 months.

Barbon praised Navarra for his upgrades to the building. Brabon is planning to turn the upstairs office space into six or seven apartments. Navarra did a great job creating those office spaces and making the building an attractive property, Brabon said.

The Hustl House will be posting updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Provided photos: Community Action has a new Sharing Table that will have food and some household items.

ALBION – A new program bringing food to community members is gaining popularity in towns across the nation.

Anna Cruz, who moved to Albion from Long Island, learned about the Sharing Table from an online university, Western Governors’ University. She said a woman in Seaford began one last March.

Its concept is that a table is made available to the public, laden with canned food, produce, pet supplies, cleaning supplies, linens or toiletries.

People are invited to take what they want and leave what they can, even if it’s nothing. There are no requirements or income guidelines for those who frequent the Sharing Table.

Cruz shared the idea with staff at Community Action in Albion, and they liked the idea.

“This is a whole new initiative,” said Annette Finch, director of emergency services at Community Action.

The table will be available at Community Action’s Main Street Store every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our goal at Community Action is to make people self-sufficient,” said Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action. “Our hope is if someone needs help, in time they can give back.”

From left, Community Action director Renee Hungerford, Anna Cruz, Main Street Store employee Mary Yockel and director of emergency services Annette Finch discuss a new program planned for the Main Street Store in Albion.

Cruz said they plan to start a Sharing Table Club, which will meet once a month. Members will get a meal basket, which will have different themes, for example, an activity basket with popcorn and a movie.

Similar tables are cropping up across the United States, said Cruz, a clinical coordinator for Western Governors University.  She saw a shoe table advertised on Facebook.

“I thought a Sharing Table would be great to do here,” Cruz said. “I saw the table out front and called Michelle to ask if we could use that.”

Michelle George is manager of the Main Street Store. The table Cruz refers to is a fruit/vegetable stand outside the Main Street Store, which is loaded with all kinds of items, much of it surplus from the Orleans Correctional Facility. They never know what they’re going to have on the stand, Finch said. One time a tractor trailer pulled up with an abundance of salad mix. It was gone in six hours. Another time it was half a truck load of limes.

Hungerford said no one needs to feel guilty about taking anything from the Sharing Table. If they can leave $2, that would be fine, or perhaps they would like to give back by volunteering two hours in the Main Street Store.

MEDINA – Medina’s Releaf Society met May 5 to discuss further tree plantings in the village.

Donations have been received for 12 memorial trees, to be placed in Medina’s six parks with accompanying plaques. Parks are Butts Park on South Main Street, Gwinn Street, State Street, Pine Street, Gulf Street and Rotary Park. Cost for a memorial tree with plaque is $300.

Releaf Society chair Kathy Blackburn said while the tree fund drive officially ended April 30, they still welcome donations. She said they could use money for bushes and shrubbery in Butts Park. They would also like to add some greenery along the south side of Rotary Park. In addition, Blackburn said trees are needed in Boxwood Cemetery to replace some of the many old ones which have or will be taken down in the cemetery.

Jason Watts, superintendent of the Village Street and Parks Department, said they won’t be planting any more trees until fall. While he has planted as many as 60 in previous years, he told Blackburn 40 was a more comfortable number.

Blackburn reported that Gary Kent of Albion had donated a variety of saplings, which Mayor Mike Sidari said could be used on the north end of Boxwood Cemetery. Plans are to plant them in the grassy area adjoining the town of Ridgeway.

Blackburn said she had learned from National Grid that they will reimburse the village $50 for any tree which meets its growth requirements for under wires.

She also reported trees were needed on South Avenue and Frank Street, and she would like the village to look at strategically planting some flowering trees, similar to those on State Street.

The Medina Releaf Society was formed last year to work with the Medina Tree Board. The Releaf Society is able to fundraise, while the Tree Board is not. The Releaf Society conducts fundraising, and then the Tree Board steps in and decides what kind and where trees can be planted  and which need to be trimmed or cut down.

Blackburn reminds residents that no one can cut down a tree within the village on the village’s right-of-way. That is the area between the street and sidewalk, she said.

She also explained that before any tree is planted, a sample of the soil is sent to Cooperative Extension for analyzing, to determine which trees grow best in that certain area.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Medina Releaf Society can send a check payable to Orleans Renaissance Group, P.O. 543, Medina, with a notation for Medina Releaf Society.

Members of the Releaf Society, in addition to Blackburn, are Bob Sanderson, Lisa Tombari and Jake Hebdon.

‘He has a great heart and he would help anyone’

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – About 200 T-shirts were distributed this evening to show support for Tom Drennan, a retired chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and longtime Kendall firefighter.

Drennan was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma and has completed two rounds of chemotherapy. He is awaiting a stem cell transplant and then faces more chemotherapy.

His friends – Steve Cooley, left, and Chris and Stacey Seefeldt – handed out the T-shirts this evening from the Kendall Elementary School parking lot.

Drennan is well-liked, especially in the Kendall community.

“Tom has been a great guy with the Fire Department and he was a great cop,” said Nathan Loescher, who was among the crowd who paid for a shirt as a fundraiser. “He has a great heart and he would help anyone.”

Loescher said he appreciated when the Kendall community rallied for his mother, when she had pancreatic cancer about five years ago. About 500 chicken barbecue dinners were sold to help her with her medical bills. “It was a huge help,” he said.

Kristen Ferris of Carlton also has felt the community support when there was cancer in her family. She wanted to help the Drennan family, and said Drennan has been a family friend her entire life.

The T-shirts include Drennan’s badge number of 145 on the front and the message “Team Drennan – You got this” on the back.

Besides the T-shirts, there was a basket raffle with the items sold with an auction through Facebook.

Chris and Stacey Seefeldt led the fundraising efforts, and managed to keep it a secret from the Drennans through a closed Facebook group.

The two families often go camping together, but that has been put off this year.

Photo courtesy of Debbie Prest

About 50 people walked from the school to Drennan’s home and surprised Tom and his wife Terri. They were presented with a check for about $11,000. A Kendall fire truck led the processional to the Drennan home.

People were eager to help the family while Drennan is off from working with Ludwick Paving & Concrete.

Terri Drennan, who works as the crime victims unit coordinator in Orleans County, posted on Facebook, thanking everyone for sending love, prayers and positivity.

“Finding out ALL OF YOU are supporting Tom’s journey means more than you can ever imagine…shirts, donations, baskets, cards, kind words…there is no way saying thank you can begin to capture how overwhelmed we are and how full our hearts are,” she said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state has authorized use of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds following the endorsement of the vaccine today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine has now been expanded to include people 12 and older, “effective immediately,” Cuomo said.

The CDC decision followed the federal Food and Drug Administration on Monday, which gave its emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to include people ages 12 to 15.

Dr. Howard Zucker, New York state health commissioner, and the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Force recommended the expanded use of the Pfizer vaccine.

“Children under the age of 18 now account for more than 20 percent of new cases in this country, and vaccine authorization for a younger population will allow the state to continue its tremendous progress towards winning the war against Covid,” Cuomo said in a statement. “More than 17 million vaccine doses have been administered in New York State to date.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: This banner on East Bank Street in Albion shows the portrait of the late Donald O’Hearn, who served in the Navy at the end of the Korean War.

ALBION/MEDINA – More banners recognizing soldiers from the Albion and Medina community will be put up in 2021.

Albion displayed 69 in the debut of the banners last year. There are 23 more going up for 92 total this year on Main Street, Bank Street and Route 31.

Albion Mayor Eileen Banker has been coordinating the effort. She would like to add more in 2022 and will promote that effort next February.

The banners are expected to be up until just after Veterans’ Day in November.

Medina is in its third year of the “Hometown Heroes” banners and this year will have 210 on display, including 131 new ones. Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, has spearheaded the effort.

“It’s building patriotism and celebrating the real heroes,” Woodruff said.

Families or loved ones of the soldiers pay the cost for the banners. The Department of Public Works in each village installs the banners.

Turtles will be on the move in May and June to lay eggs

Photo by Tom Rivers: This snapping turtle is shown last June after it managed to cross Route 31 in Fancher. Many snapping turtles were on the move crossing roads to find spots to lay their eggs.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are on the move in the months of May and June, and asked drivers to “give turtles a brake.”

In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when struck by vehicles while migrating to nesting areas. Increasing public awareness of turtles’ nesting behavior can help save this important species.

“A turtle’s shell provides good protection from natural predators, but it cannot protect a turtle from being hit by a vehicle while crossing a road,” Seggos said. “Vehicle strikes are a major cause of turtle mortality and New York’s native turtles are more active this time of year as they seek sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs, sometimes even near the side of a road.”

If a motorist sees a turtle on the road, drivers are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the vehicle can safely stop, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing.

Motorists are advised not to pick turtles up by their tails to avoid injuring the turtle. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up by the sides of their shell. Snapping turtles have necks that can reach a long distance and have a strong bite, so if motorists try to help a snapping turtle, they should pick it up by the rear of the shell near the tail using both hands or slide a car mat under the turtle to drag it safely across the road.

DEC reminds people to never take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit.

All 11 species of land turtles native to New York are in decline. Turtles are long-lived species and it takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Even losing one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population.