Cheryl Wertman/Contributed Photos – Roy-Hart’s Rhett Goodwin, left, and his Ram teammates will visit Fredonia at noon Saturday for the Section VI Class B3 championship game. Roy-Hart will be seeking its first sectional title since Bill Spencer, right, and his Ram teammates defeated Starpoint 51-46 for the 1969 Section VI Class A title.

Like Medina, Roy-Hart is also looking to end a very long sectional basketball title drought this weekend.

While Medina will be looking to end a 50 year long drought when the Mustangs host Lackawanna in the Class B2 final at 7 this evening, Roy-Hart will be looking to snap an ever longer, 52 year long drought when the Rams visit Fredonia in the Class B3 title contest at noon on Saturday.

Ironically, that last title for both Roy-Hart and Medina came with a victory over then Niagara-Orleans League rival Starpoint.

Roy-Hart captured the 1969 Section VI Class A championship with a narrow 51-46 victory over Starpoint as Bill Spencer scored 16, Tom Heath 13 and John Corser 11 to lead the Rams.

Interestingly, that Roy-Hart win started a run of four straight years in which N-O teams claimed a sectional title.

The following year Starpoint nipped Medina 58-54 for the Class BBB crown.

Medina though avenged that loss the following season in 1971 by defeating Starpoint 84-73 for the Class BBB championship which is the Mustangs only Section VI title to date.

Albion completed that N-O run by nipping Salamanca 67-66 in overtime for the 1972 Class BBBB title.

On Saturday, Roy-Hart will be looking to keep the momentum from Thursday’s  come-from-behind 65-56 home court semifinal win over Cleveland Hill as the No. 6 seeded Rams visit No. 5 Fredonia.

Rhett Godowin scored 22, Tom Ragonese 15 and Aiden Petrie 14 in that semi win as the Rams rallied from a nine point, 34-25, halftime deficit to outscore Cleve Hill 40-22 in the second half to claim the win.

Fredonia romped past No. 8 Wilson 70-34 in the other semifinal.

The N-O League will also be represented in the Section VI girls Class B2 title game at noon on Saturday as top seeded N-O champion Wilson will host No. 3 Southwesterm.

Orleans County Planning Board gives OK to project with new showroom, service area

Photo by Tom Rivers: George Bidleman (left), owner of Orleans Ford in Medina, and his business partner, Sam LaNasa, are shown in July 2018 after they acquired the Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion. They are expanding the site with two additions, including a new showroom and service area.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday evening voted in support of a plan to expand the Bidleman Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion.

George Bidleman, one of the partners at Orleans Ford, purchased the former Don Davis Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership on Route 98 about three years ago. Bidleman is co-owner of the Albion dealership along with Sam LaNasa, who works as general manager for Bidleman at Orleans Ford.

The new owners have dramatically increased the inventory and staff at the Albion dealership. Now they are looking to put in a new showroom and a new service area.

The Albion location was built in 1967 and opened as Nesbitt Motors. LaNasa and Bidleman have lots of space at the site with 22 acres at 4048 Oak Orchard Rd.

The new showroom will go on the north side of the building with the service area addition on the back end of the building for auto repair, maintenance and detailing. The current front office will become an administrative area.

The show room will provide much needed floor and display area for the sales staff, Bidleman representatives told the Planning Board on Thursday. Construction could start in July and take about six months.

Planners back sporting clay shooting site in Shelby

This map shows the area and layout planned for a sporting clay site in Shelby Center.

The Planning Board also recommended the Town of Shelby approve the site plan and a special use permit for an outdoor recreation facility at 11380 Main St. in Shelby Center.

William Keppler wants to open a sporting clay site with 10 stations in agricultural residential district near Alabama Street in the Shelby Center hamlet.

There would be about 150 to 200 feet between each station. The layout is designed so no shots fired would towards Alabama Street. The first four stations would have people shooting south, and then the other six stations would have people shooting to the east.

The 193-acre parcel is currently used as a hunting preserve and for agriculture.

Keppler said he anticipates 5 vehicles at a time, but could hold up to 30. There would be entrances from Alabama Street or Main Street. The perimeter goes from the hamlet of Shelby Center to the eastern boundary, which is a bend in the Oak Orchard River.

Foundation contributes $1 million in grants and donations to community in past 20 years

Photos courtesy of Orleans Community Health Foundation: Pictured fom left include Marc Shurtz, Orleans Community Health CEO; Darren D. Wilson, president of Lyndonville Area Foundation; Heather Smith, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation; Jeanne Crane, OCH Foundation Board president; and Suzana Galic, director of Lab Services.

MEDINA – The Lyndonville Area Foundation kicked off the Orleans Community Health Foundation annual fundraising campaign with a $40,000 grant for the purchase of a coagulation analyzer to be used in the lab at Medina Memorial Hospital.

Heather Smith, OCH Foundation executive director, acknowledged her appreciation and support the Lyndonville Area Foundation has provided OCH throughout the last 30 years.

Marc Shurtz, OCH CEO, Darren D. Wilson, president of the Lyndonville Area Foundation. Are shown next to new coagulation analyzer in Medina Memorial Hospital lab.

“They have been a major contributor to our organization on many of our larger projects,” she said. “Their continued support and dedication to the hospital is a true example that we are stronger together.

“Together We Are Stronger” is this year’s Orleans Community Health fundraising campaign in their efforts to raise $350,000 in support of their services and programs.

The coagulation analyzer is used to analyze the hemostasis system for proper coagulation (clotting) of the blood being tested. For some who have Covid-19, testing for clotting properties is a vital routine test that some may have to undergo as the virus is known to have an effect on the hemostasis system.

Suzana Galic, the lab director, has noticed an uptick in tests for clotting properties as a result of Covid-19 this past year. The Medina Memorial Hospital performs over 210,000 different lab tests for nearly 20,000 individual patients annually.

Darren D. Wilson, Lyndonville Area Foundation Board president, expressed his admiration and respect to the LAF’s entire Board of Directors noting that over the past 20 years – from January 2001 to January 2021 – the LAF’s board has voted to approve over $1 million in grants and donations in support of the communities of Lyndonville and the Town of Yates.

“This amount excludes what the Foundation provides in annual college scholarships along with our financial support in the construction of the Stroyan Auditorium to the Lyndonville Central School District,” Wilson said. “Should you include these last two items, the LAF’s distributions would be closer to $2 million over that same 20-year time period.”

“It’s a virtuous cycle,” Wilson said. “The community supports us and we, in turn, support the community. I can think of no better approach.”

The Lyndonville Area Foundation may be reached at PO Box 545, Lyndonville, New York 14098.

Severe thunderstorm warning also in effect this morning

Photos by Tom Rivers

A school bus and car travel on West State Street this morning in Albion. It is foggy to start the day in Orleans County.

Then it will get windy. There is a high wind watch in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Southwest winds 25 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph are expected.

“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” the National Weather Service in Buffalo said. “Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

UPDATE: A severe thunderstorm warning also has been issued for much of Orleans, Genesee and western Monroe counties until 8:45 this morning.

The traffic moves along Main Street in Albion this morning during foggy conditions.

Dollar General’s application for the new store shows this image for the new store in Lyndonville, which is in a historic overlay district on Main Street.

LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Planning Board this evening voted in favor of a new Dollar General store in downtown Lyndonville.

The Planning Board recommended the Village of Lyndonville accept the site plan for the project and approve three variances.

The Broadway Group in Huntsville, Alabama is the developer for the project. The company is proposing to demolish the Crosby Whipple building at 30 North Main St. and then build the new 7,600-square-foot store. That size store is the smallest model offered by Dollar General, said Tara Mathias, development manager. Most of the Dollar Generals are more than 9,000 square feet.

The parcel of land doesn’t give enough room for that size store. The developer is seeking a variance on the rear setback. The village code requires a 50-foot setback from the rear and Dollar General is asking for 30.5 feet, with a variance of 19.5 feet needed.

The Orleans County Planning Board supported that variance, as well as one allowing for a 9-foot-high retaining wall by the side of the building facing Johnson Creek. The code calls for a maximum height of 6 feet on a retaining wall. The size of the lot didn’t allow enough room to grade the space for a smaller retaining wall, Mathias said.

The code also calls for vegetative buffer as a visual screen, but that wasn’t possible on the east side of the building where there is a 20-foot easement for a waterline. There will instead be a 6-foot-high stockade-style fence on the rear perimeter of the property.

This aerial Pictometry photo shows the Crosby Whipple building in white, which would be demolished to make room for a new 7,600-square-foot Dollar General next to Johnson Creek.

The new store will replace a building that Mathias said is an “eyesore.” The Planning Board acknowledged the Crosby Whipple building could “age poorly” without proper maintenance.

Mathias said the company designed the new store in a way to fit in on a historic Main Street.

“Our development would beautify the area and it would be compatible with the historic district,” she said.

The store would have 8 to 10 employees and offer convenience for Lyndonville shoppers. Dollar General has another store 3.75 miles away at the corner of routes 63 and 104 in Ridgeway.

The project will go before the Village of Lyndonville Planning Board for a final vote.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

ROCHESTER – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that vaccine appointments scheduled for Friday, March 26, at the State-FEMA-run mass vaccination site at the former Kodak Hawkeye parking lot in Rochester will be postponed due to severe weather forecasted to affect the area. The appointments will be rescheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, March 27-29.

“Given the Friday weather forecast for Rochester and projected winds of up to 60 miles per hour, we are postponing vaccine appointments at the site of the former Kodak Hawkeye parking lot in order to protect New Yorkers getting vaccinated and site staff,” Governor Cuomo said. “This vaccine is about protecting public health — and we have to make sure everyone stays safe as shots are administered. As we have done before in the face of inclement weather, we are going to reschedule all Friday appointments for the site and make sure no one misses their dose.”

New Yorkers with appointments scheduled for Friday at the site will receive an email or text message rescheduling their vaccination.

All of these appointments are for second doses, and rescheduled appointment dates will be well within CDC’s guidance for the timeline for second doses. If that new appointment time does not work for an individual given the change in day, they will be provided with a contact number to identify a different time that may work better for the individual.

‘We understand the emotional toll that this community has experienced by being separated from their loved ones during a particularly challenging year.’ – NYS Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker today announced the release of revised nursing home visitation guidance to align with guidelines recently released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The guidance, which takes effect immediately, permits visitation at all times and for all residents with limited exceptions for unvaccinated residents in areas of high community spread and lower resident vaccination rates, residents with confirmed Covid-19 infection or those in isolation or quarantine. Facilities must still continue to adhere to strong infection control practices.

“From the very beginning we’ve used science and data to find the appropriate balance between protecting our most vulnerable populations in nursing homes and the importance of allowing safe contact with their loved ones,” Governor Cuomo said. “We now have three effective vaccines that are leading to significant decreases in long term care Covid cases and a robust staff testing system to limit community spread from entering a facility. Now is an appropriate time to take the next step and safely reconnect this community with their families.”

The number of positive cases in nursing homes have decreased more than 80 percent since peaking in mid-January during a second Covid post-holiday surge. DOH strongly recommends that all facilities offer testing for visitors as Covid-19 is still present in communities statewide. Compassionate Care visits, which had previously been allowed in all facilities at all times, will continue under this new guidance.

“We understand the emotional toll that this community has experienced by being separated from their loved ones during a particularly challenging year,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “We’re confident that these facilities can continue strong infection control practices that will allow for the safe visitation they have dearly missed.”

This guidance replaces the February 23rd guidance which required a facility to be Covid-free for 14 days.

There are 31 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported today in Genesee and Orleans counties bringing the total in the two counties during the pandemic to 7,114 cases.

In Orleans County there are 7 new positive cases for a total of 2,530 confirmed cases since March 2020. The positive cases reside in the Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 40s, and 50s. One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at Albion Correctional Facility, where there have been 23 confirmed cases during the pandemic, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Of the new cases, 3 were under quarantine prior to testing positive. Orleans also is reporting 2 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

No one from Orleans County is currently hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 24 new positive cases for a total of 4,584 positive cases.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. (Three of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Genesee County Jail where eight inmates have now tested positive for Covid.)

Genesee is reporting 10 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. There are currently 2 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Harry Papponetti has served as chief 16 years, plans to stay active with AFD

Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Fire Chief Harry Papponetti talks on the radio at a smoky scene on Route 31A on Dec. 11, 2016.

ALBION – Harry Papponetti, a long-time leader for the Albion Fire Department, will be stepping down as fire chief in May.

Papponetti, 69, has been fire chief the past 6 years and has served in the role for 16 years overall during his 51 years with the Albion Fire Department.

He informed the Albion Village Board on Wednesday evening that he decided against another year as the fire chief. Rob Conner will take over as chief in May.

Papponetti said the AFD is fortunate to have a group of younger, dedicated firefighters in the leadership ranks, including his son John Papponetti, the county’s DPW superintendent. Jim Perruzzini is in line to be deputy chief, the second in command.

“You have a nice group of guys coming up,” Harry Papponetti told the Village Board. “I’m still going to work hard with the guys.”

Papponetti said he plans to oversee equipment for the department and respond to calls.

He was praised by the Village Board for his many years of service in the department.

“Thank you so much for all you’ve done,” Mayor Eileen Banker told him. “You’ve always gone above and beyond.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have two Pfizer vaccination clinics with appointments available for residents from Genesee and Orleans counties.

All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives. We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic.

Vaccine is now available for people age 50 and older along with the existing priority groups (click here to see the eligibility).

Pfizer is a 2-series dose series, 21 days apart (3 weeks), and is recommended for people aged 16 and older. It is important to note that you must be able to return for the second dose 21 days after the first dose at the location you received your initial vaccination. You will be making that appointment after you are vaccinated. If you cannot make that date, please do not make an appointment for a 2-dose series until you can make both appointments.

Visit the Health Department’s vaccination web page (click here). There are direct links to the 1st dose Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination clinics:

• GCC in Batavia on March 29 (click here to register)

• Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina on March 30 (click here to register)

Orleans Community Health – Medina Memorial Hospital also has 3 clinics planned at 200 Ohio St, Medina:

• March 26 (Click here to register)

• March 30 (Click here to register)

• April 1 (Click here to register)

If you are interested in making an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccination, now is the time to do it locally!

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

Photo by Tom Rivers: Madison Schultz, 2, of Medina sits on the lap of Sami Lynn Denniston, 7, of Middleport during National Night Out on Aug. 7, 2018. Children were welcome to sit in the pilot’s seat and get a close up of the Mercy Flight helicopter which is used to transport people with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

ALBION – It is with deep regret that we must announce that the 2021 National Night Out Event scheduled for August 3 is being cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns.

Last year’s event was postponed from its original date of August 4, 2020 and rescheduled to October 6, 2020. The event then had to be cancelled.

The National Night Out Committee hoped that the risks associated with Covid-19 would be mitigated by August. However, the reality is that it is unknown as to when large gatherings will be safe. While we as a community have done an amazing job to control the infection rate, we cannot guarantee that our event could be held in a manner to keep people safe.

This is very unfortunate as the event helps connect people in need with resources that can be life changing. This at a time when those resources are needed more than ever. The National Night Out committee is committed to bring back the event in the future and make it better than ever.

Any donations that were made to the event will be applied to next event unless they are requested to be refunded. The next event will be held on August 2, 2022 at Bullard Park.

Below is a list of past participants that may can be contacted if anyone needs that assistance that they offer to our community:

• Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition Tobacco Free GLOW
• Parent Network of WNY
• Oak Orchard Health
• OCALS Learning Services
• Catholic Charities Friendly Phones & Home Visitation Program Orleans County YMCA
• Care Net Center of Greater Orleans
• Light of Victory Church
• Albion Free Methodist Church Youth & Kids Ministry
• MHA of Genesee & Orleans County
• Orleans County STOP DWI
• ABCD at Holley
• Orleans County Child & Family Services
• Orleans Community Health
• Orleans County Department of Mental Health
• Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC)
• The Arc of Genesee/Orleans Rainbow Preschool
• Community Action of Orleans & Genesee Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Orleans • • County Health Department
• Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition
• Fidelis Care
• Genesee/Orleans Ministry of Concern- Just Friends Youth Mentoring Program
• Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse- Prevention
• OC Valor MRC
• Hoag Library
• Orleans County Chamber of Commerce
• PACT
• Early Head Start Child Care Partnership
• ACT – Helping Youth ACT Responsibly
• Albion Lions Club

Photo by Tom Rivers: David Green, second from left, is presented a “Special Recognition Award” from Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick and an award from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York by Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator. Debbie Taylor, the East Shelby fire chief, joined Green at the County Legislature’s chambers for the awards for his 60 years of service with the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

ALBION — David Green, a retired Orleans County sheriff and fire coordinator, was recognized during Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting with a “Special Recognition Award” for his 60 years of service to the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

“Through you selflessness and extreme commitment as a firefighter in your community your efforts have provided a positive impact on the health and safety of the residents of the fire district,” the citation stated from the Legislature.

Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator, also presented Green with a proclamation from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York for the 60 years of volunteer service.

The County Legislature also recognized Charles Ralph for his 50 years as a member of the East Shelby Fire Department. Mr. Ralph wasn’t at Wednesday’s Legislature meeting.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) was joined by Congressmembers Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), and Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) in calling on New York State Assembly Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to eliminate proposals to raise state taxes for the new fiscal year.

“Our state has suffered from decades of irresponsible and self-serving public policies, laws, and regulations that have made living, working, and running a business in New York incredibly expensive,” Reps. Jacobs, Stefanik, Tenney, Zeldin, and Garbarino wrote in a letter to Heastie and Stewart-Cousins. “The exodus from our state due to these flawed policies has only been exacerbated during the COVID crisis. Many of those individuals and businesses that are being taxed at high rates have a greater ability than ever before to move from New York and are doing so. Increasing taxes in the midst of our recovery from the pandemic would only accelerate that trend.”

Last week, both the NYS Senate and Assembly passed budget proposals that would increase taxes in New York State by roughly $6.5 billion – this through raising income and corporate franchise tax rates, as well as a new surcharge on income derived from capital gains.

In addition to the $12 billion New York State received from the recently passed American Rescue Plan, New York has also received over $7.5 billion in direct funding to the state and certain local governments, over $50 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans to New York small businesses, and $8 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from previous COVID-19 packages, among other additional funds.

“Congress recently provided over $12 billion to New York State to relieve the fiscal burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding, along with other provisions, should be more than enough to balance the state’s budget without burdening New Yorkers with more tax increases,” the Representatives wrote. “Instead of increasing taxes, New York State can improve its fiscal standing by undertaking meaningful reforms to improve the functioning of the state government and our economy.”

On Tuesday, 250 New York business executives also sent a letter regarding this proposal, stating that such increases would harm our economic recovery and force companies and residents out of the state in search of a lower cost of operating and living.