Photos by Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – There was a roundtable discussion this morning in Spencerport with Gov. Kathy Hochul and some school officials in the Monroe II-Orleans BOCES district. Next to Hochul at left is Dr. Tom Putnam, district superintendent for Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES; and at right, Adam Bello, Monroe County executive. Karri Schiavone, Holley district superintendent, is in back row at far right.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

SPENCERPORT – Governor Kathy Hochul held a roundtable with Finger Lakes region school leaders, parents and students to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall.

The roundtable included representatives of Monroe-2 Orleans BOCES, Rochester City School District, Greece Central School District, Holley Central School District and Spencerport Central School District — all of whom have already finalized their distraction-free policy.

Today’s event follows previous roundtables held by the Governor this summer in New York City, the Capital Region and Central New York, with additional roundtables to come before the start of school.

Governor Hochul also highlighted that, as of today, nearly 950 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES across New York State have submitted their distraction-free policy to State education officials — representing 86 percent of the 1,098 total districts and schools covered by the statewide requirement.

The nearly 950 policy submissions to date include nearly 650 policy submissions from public school districts across the state. Additional districts and schools are expected to finalize their policy in the coming days at upcoming school board meetings scheduled for August.

“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to provide the resources and support to ensure that every school finalizes and publishes their distraction-free policy in the coming days.”

The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.

Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

• Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
• Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
• Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
• Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
• Preventing inequitable discipline

Holley Central School Superintendent Karri Schiavone makes a point during the discussion. Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of the Rochester City School District, is next to Schiavone.

Holley Central School District Superintendent Karri Schiavone said, “We want to acknowledge the governor’s efforts and thank her for listening to how Holley will support students and families during implementation of this new policy. We are proud of the thoughtful and comprehensive plan we developed locally with extensive input from our community and staff members.”

Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Putnam said, “Students deserve environments that support focus, creativity and meaningful connection. In developing our policy, we gathered feedback from nearly 300 students, staff and family members. The final result reflects shared priorities of safety, learning, equity and consistency while honoring calls for flexibility, compassion and transparency.”

Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

Monroe County School Boards Association Executive Director Amy Thomas said, “Limiting the unsanctioned use of smartphones and personal internet-enabled devices during the school day is a meaningful step toward improving student engagement, focus, and well-being. We appreciate the policy’s comprehensive framework, which includes dedicated funding for implementation, opportunities for parent and educator input, and clear guidance to ensure equitable and thoughtful application across all districts. Importantly, the policy allows for flexibility at the local level and includes appropriate exemptions to support students with medical, academic, or family-related needs.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: These people ride jet skis through the Oak Orchard Harbor on Thursday afternoon on their way out on Lake Ontario.

A stretch of intense heat will start Saturday in Orleans County with five straight days near 90 or higher.

Today is forecast for a high of 87, and that follows with 89 on Saturday, 92 on Sunday, 92 on Monday and 93 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The high temps then back down a little to 88 on Wednesday and 84 on Thursday.

ONRAB “Ultralite” bait will be distributed by airplane and helicopter in parts of Genesee and Orleans counties this month.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Genesee and Orleans counties, along with other regions in New York State, are once again participating in a nationally coordinated effort to stop the spread of raccoon rabies across 13 states.

As part of this initiative, ongoing field assessments of the oral rabies vaccine (ORV) known as ONRAB will take place in the following counties: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming.

Weather permitting, ONRAB baits will be distributed by airplane and helicopter in Genesee and Orleans counties between Aug. 13 and Aug. 24. These areas were selected due to existing collaborations with Quebec and Ontario, Canada, as part of the continued effort to combat rabies. The goal is to protect both human and animal health while reducing the significant costs associated with managing rabies across wide geographic regions.

“Rabies is a serious public health concern, as it is almost always fatal if left untreated,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

This map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the areas where oral rabies vaccines will be delivered in WNY.

In the United States, the costs associated with rabies detection, prevention, and control exceed $500 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90% of reported rabies cases occur in wildlife. Efforts are primarily focused on controlling raccoon rabies, which continues to account for the majority of wildlife rabies cases nationwide.

Raccoon rabies is present in all states east of the established Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) zone, which stretches from Maine to northeastern Ohio to central Alabama. Continued access to effective oral vaccines and bait options for all target wildlife species is critical to the long-term success of rabies control efforts.

The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the vaccine.

To attract wildlife, the blister pack is coated with a sweet-smelling mixture made from vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavoring, and a dark green food-grade dye.

The bait is not harmful to humans or pets, and rabies cannot be contracted from contact with it. However, if you come across a bait packet, leave it undisturbed. Most baits are consumed by wildlife within four days, and nearly all will be gone within a week. If you come into direct contact with a bait, wash the affected area thoroughly with warm water and soap.

Do not attempt to remove a bait from your dog’s mouth. The bait is not harmful, and trying to take it away may result in being bitten and exposed to the vaccine.

If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 268-2289.

This shows the proposed plan for ONRAB Bait Distribution in three regions of New York during the summer 2025.

Thurman Brothers played music from Allman Brothers at State Street Park

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Thurman Brothers, a band from Niagara Falls, played to a crowd of 1,200 people in the Blue Thursdays finale for 2025.

The Print Shop and Orleans Renaissance Group have teamed up to organize the concerts since their debut in 2022. The lineup includes eight bands, some of the top blues performers in the Rochester and Buffalo region.

The concerts draw big crowds to State Street Park on Thursday evenings.

This trio is the driving force behind the concert series. Pictured from left include Micheal Fuller of The Print Shop, Chris Busch of the Orleans Renaissance Group, and Dameon Heslor of The Print Shop.

Busch books the bands, and he said many of the top performers in the region reach out to ORG to be in the series.

“Not only has this series become established in Medina, but it has become established in the Western New York blues community,” Busch said.

It was about a year ago when Ken Daluisio, owner of the Print Shop in Medina, died unexpectedly. Daluisio helped promote and run the concerts.

Fuller and Heslor are the owners of The Print Shop and they have continued Daluisio’s passion of the concert series. The Print Shop put up 1,500 signs within a 25-mile radius of Medina, promoting the concerts. They also sell Blue Thursdays merchandise and run raffles to help promote the series.

Fuller said they have also hired a professional sound person for the concerts which has helped the music resonate deeper into the sprawling crowd.

Fuller said there is a shortage of parking for the event. The park fills up by 5:45 p.m., before the start of the concerts at 6 p.m. A shuttle service could help with that issue, he said.

The concerts typically bring in 600 to 800 people, but Thursday’s finale had about 1,200.

The band had some of the people up on their feet and dancing.

About a dozen vendors sell food and merchandise at the concerts, including Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza.

Most of the concert-goers bring their own lawn chairs and listen the music on the lawn at the park.

Lights and equipment installed to create a Northern Lights effect on lighthouse

Photos by Tom Rivers: Chris Manaseri, president of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum, holds one of the four larger light fixtures that will be installed in the ground at each corner of the lighthouse, with each capable of illumining two sides of the building. There will be 192 smaller lights up top on the lighthouse on the parapet around the light.

POINT BREEZE – A team of volunteers have spent the day installing lights and computer equipment at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse so the iconic site at Point Breeze can display a light show resembling the Northern Lights.

The first half-hour show is expected to go on after the sunset this evening around 9 p.m. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum wants the first one to be tonight on National Lighthouse Day.

The OOL Museum received a $5,000 grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council to hire IlluminFx Lighting Systems in Rochester for the display. That company has created lighting displays for the Alamo, a battleship in Wilmington, NC and the nearby Churchville dam in Monroe County.

A.J. Hetzke, owner and general manager of IlluminFx Lighting Systems, programmed a show that will create the swirling green, purple and blue lights of the Aurora Borealis. He also programmed about a dozen other displays for holidays, including a orange-themed one for Halloween, green for St. Patrick’s Day, pink for Valentine’s and several others.

Hetzke said the lighting projects add “immeasurable value” to sites that are already much loved by their communities.

A.J. Hetzke (left), owner and general manager of IlluminFx Lighting Systems, hands off a string of 48 lights to go on the west parapet near the top of the 32-foot-high lighthouse. Museum volunteer John Vandemortel, right, installed the lights along strips of metal that were placed on the parapet on Wednesday. They are up in the top of the lighthouse which was built in 2010.

John Vandemortel, left, and Board VP Larry Albanese work on getting the lights secure at the top of the lighthouse.

Albanese said the light show should bring more attention to the lighthouse as well as Point Breeze.

“It’s an opportunity to bring people up here who haven’t been here before,” Albanese said.

David Giacherio, left, and Chris Manaseri dig one of the four holes for the corner lights. It was tough digging with a hard ground.

The lighthouse was built in 2010 as a replica of one from 1876. That original lighthouse toppled from a windstorm in 1914.

Manaseri said he is eager to see the light show.

“It will be vibrant and changeable,” he said. “It should mimic the effect of the auroras.”

The museum board plans to have the half hours shows nightly through the end of October. The board will consider feedback from the community. After the half-hour light shows, the building will be illumined all night with a low-level white light.

A.J. Hetzke of IlluminFx Lighting Systems meets with museum volunteers this afternoon in the main room of the lighthouse. They discussed their plan for installing lights and digital equipment. Clockwise from right of Hetzke include Larry Albanese, Gregg Squicciarini, John Vandemortel and Chris Manaseri.

David and Cheryl Giacherio work on getting another hole dug. Cheryl Giacherio pushed to get the lighthouse illumined after seeing photos of the lighthouse during a breath-taking Northern Lights display from May 10, 2024.

Cheryl Giacherio said the new light show will allow more people to feel the wonder of the Northern Lights, even if it’s recreated through the light show.

“Seeing the photos of the Northern Lights at the lighthouse was our inspiration,” she said. “We thought wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone could see and experience it.”

The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is shown on May 10, 2024 during a dazzling display of the Northern Lights. The spectacle in the sky has inspired the lighthouse’s board of directors to pursue a light show on the structure.

Sept. 6 open house will discuss efforts to support cavity-nesting birds

Photo by Dan Rosentreter: These are examples of cavity-nesting birdhouses made by Dan Rosentreter.

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County is partnering with AviNest to launch a hands-on conservation effort that protects native birds, restores local habitats, and gets the community involved—starting with a new Bluebird Trail at the fairgrounds.

Cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens are losing safe places to raise their young, but a local AviNest is stepping in to help.

AviNest, led by Medina business owner hobby conservationist Dan Rosentreter, is now part of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Together, they’re expanding efforts to protect native bird species, restore habitat, and get the community involved in hands-on conservation work.

AviNest started with a simple idea: build and maintain safe nesting spaces for birds that need a little extra help. Today, Rosentreter maintains a network of 47 nest boxes across Medina, including in State Street Park, Pine Street Park, Lyons Park, Gulf Street Park and Boxwood Cemetery.

Now with support from CCE, AviNest is preparing to offer community classes and workshops covering topics like bird banding, nest box clean-outs, chickadee nest monitoring, invasive species management, working with 4-H youth, experimenting with new bird box designs, and eventually setting up a live-streaming bird box camera at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.

AviNest is also developing a new Bluebird Trail at the Fairgrounds and is currently seeking volunteers and donations to help bring the project to life.

“What began as a personal hobby with birds has grown into something much bigger,” said Rosentreter. “Now it’s about building community, supporting local wildlife, and making a real impact.”

Photo by Dan Rosentreter, Hi-Res Wildlife Photography: An Eastern Bluebird arrives at a nest box.

In addition to leading AviNest, Dan is a director of the New York State Bluebird Society and a talented wildlife photographer. His photo of an Eastern Bluebird taken right here in Western New York reflects the heart of AviNest’s mission—giving birds a safe place to call home.

The AviNest Open House is happening on Sept. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, meet Dan, and learn more about how to support cavity-nesting birds in our region.

For questions, to get involved, or to donate, contact orleans@cornell.edu, call 585-798-4265. (Click here for more information to donate through PayPal).

Daniel Quatro of Albion took this photo of a starry night with an Erie Canal bridge. The photo, entitled “Star Trails,” won second place in the “Classic Canal” category of the annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest in 2024.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit up to three images that capture the canals’ beauty, vibrancy, and character. Winning photos will be featured in the 2026 Erie Canalway Calendar. Entries must be submitted or postmarked by Aug. 29.

Images will be judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Celebrations & Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges will select first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions.

Submitted images must be horizontal format and taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York. It encompasses the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities.

Download official contest rules and an entry form at www.eriecanalway.org/get-involved/photo-contest.

Jules Hoepting, formerly of Albion and now a Perry resident, received an honorable mention in 2024 for this winter scene of the Erie Canal in the Gaines Basin. Her photo is entitled, “Winter Sunset.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The yellow grass on the lawn of the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion is shown on Wednesday.

Orleans County isn’t officially in a drought, despite sparse rain in the past month and scorching temperatures.

The U.S. Drought Monitor every Thursday morning updates the intensity of drought around the country. Orleans has been listed as “abnormally dry” in recent weeks and continues at that designation.

No where in the state is considered to be in a drought, even at the moderate level. Click here to see the map.

However, the abnormally dry conditions spread in New York State, from 9.9 percent of the land mass in the state last week to 23.1 percent in today’s map.

In the U.S., there are drought conditions out west and southern Florida.

Map from U.S. Drought Monitor: The areas in yellow are considered abnormally dry. In WNY, the abnormally dry conditions include Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Niagara and most of Erie counties.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Hochul today released new data on the expected impact of President Trump’s trade war on New Yorkers’ wallets.

On the Aug. 7 tariff deadline, Trump is overseeing historic price hikes on everyday essentials, forcing families to spend an estimated $4,200 in additional federal taxes — all against the backdrop of a national affordability crisis.

“As Trump rings in his Aug. 7 tariff deadline, everyday New Yorkers know today is no cause for celebration,” Hochul said. “Consumers are bearing the brunt of his reckless and costly trade war, squeezing families’ wallets from the produce section to the back-to-school aisle.”

Here’s what New Yorkers are up against:

• New York State imported $160 billion of goods in 2024. Now, consumers face a new effective tariff rate of about 21 percent on most of these imported goods, according to DOB calculations.

• Consumers and businesses would need to pay nearly $33 billion in additional import taxes to continue buying the same amount of foreign goods with the tariffs rates announced as of July 30. This is nearly $4,200 in additional federal taxes per household in New York.

• New York imported $12.5 billion worth of computer and electronic products last year. A study by Yale university projects that prices for these products will go up by more than 18 percent because of tariffs.

• New York imported $10.8 billion worth of apparel and accessories last year. The same study projects prices will go up by more than 37 percent on everyday items like shoes and clothes, which are predominantly produced outside the United States.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “The level of cruelty being imposed by the federal government is truly alarming. While we have worked tirelessly to make New York more affordable, our progress has been undermined by the reckless tariffs enacted by the Trump administration. It’s time for New York Republicans to step up and truly defend our state. Instead, they continue to align themselves with Trump’s disastrous economic agenda, leaving hardworking families in New York to shoulder the burden while vital services are stripped away.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Residents of The Willows and their families enjoyed a picnic supper on Monday evening with a bounce house and ice cream truck, visible in the rear.

MEDINA – Residents and their invited guests enjoyed a picnic Monday night with a bounce house for young visitors, an ice cream truck, special bicycle rides and musical entertainment.

More than 100 RSVPs were received for the event, said administrator Jacquie Morgante. That is double last year’s attendance, she said.

Personal care aide Mary Ellen Donovan bends down to hug resident Joan Roberts at the Monday night picnic.

The 17 residents were allowed to invite family and friends, who enjoyed a buffet supper of chicken barbecue by Chiavetta’s, and  baked beans and cheesy potatoes prepared by The Willows cook, Mary Schaal.

“Mary has been our head cook for more than a decade,” said Jordan Banaszak, administrative assistant. “Before that she worked in catering. She is an amazing cook and we are lucky to have her.”

A food truck was also on site, providing ice cream for dessert.

A bounce house was set up to entertain the younger visitors, while the adults were treated to bicycle rides by Susan Walders of Albion, who leads Cycling Without Age in Orleans County. She started the organization more than a year ago, and it is a popular attraction at senior events. Her special bicycle seats two, while she pedals from behind.

The first picnic was organized last year by Morgante.

“She has great ideas,” Banaszak said. “It was a hit last year, so we were excited to do it again this year, amped up with more activities for the kids and the ice cream truck. We had double the turnout from last year, so that was amazing. The Willows family is growing. Our residents have been looking forward to it all summer and they all have said how lovely it was. Even a couple of resident’s family members we’ve seen since the picnic commented how fun it was. And everyone loved the music and the dancing.”

Mary Lou Blount has been a resident for three months. Her husband Bob and daughters Roberta “Gilly” Keirn and Shawna Baldwin also joined her for the picnic.  Baldwin said her mother is happy that they always have a lot of activities going on. Mary Lou likes the old-fashioned religious services with the old-time hymns, Baldwin said.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by Brian Beaudry of Nerds Gone Wild, who sang and played guitar.

Residents and guests also enjoyed lemonade and iced tea.

“We will continue to do the picnic annually and look forward to seeing it grow each year,” Banaszak said. “Our residents truly are our family, so having a family picnic just made sense.”

Bob Matthews and Joan Roberts, residents of The Willows, get a ride in a special bicycle pedaled by Susan Walders of Albion.

Mary Lou Blount, right, with her husband Bob is joined at The Willows’ picnic by her daughters Shawna Baldwin, left, and Roberta “Gilly” Keirn.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina has been awarded a $50,000 state grant to evaluate the current condition of the wastewater treatment plant to replace aging equipment.

The grant for Median was among $20 million in Clean Water grants announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday. The funding comes from two key programs that support clean water initiatives across the state: the Green Innovation Grant Program and Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants.

This funding provides critical support to communities working to affordably modernize water infrastructure, protect public health, and enhance resilience to extreme weather. The awards are announced during National Water Quality Month.

The study of Medina’s sewer plant also will include a report to recommend and prioritize improvements, including resiliency and cyber security enhancements. Implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for Oak Orchard Creek, stated a press release from the governor.

“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe water, and we’re making that happen by investing in smart, affordable infrastructure upgrades,” Governor Hochul said. “From planning to construction, we’re supporting communities every step of the way so families across the state can count on reliable water systems for years to come.”

Close to Orleans County, the City of Lockport in Niagara County was awarded $1.4 million for Phase 2 of a streetscape improvement project that will incorporate green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in the Erie Canal.

Flotsam performs for 500 in Medina, headed east on Thursday to Brockport

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Flotsam River Circus performed from a ramshackle raft this evening to about 500 people in Medina. Many watched under umbrellas along the bank at the Canal Basin.

Flotsam will be performing at Erie Canal towns as part of the bicentennial celebration of the canal. The troupe of eight performers also will be performing at Hudson River communities in New York City as part of its tour which started Aug. 1-3 in Buffalo and ends in NYC on Sept. 14. On Thursday the group performs in Brockport at 6:30 p.m. at Harvester Park along the canal. Click here to see the full schedule.

Camille Swift, a Chicago-based circus artist, is among the performers for Flotsam.

Jason Webley (right), a musician based outside of Seattle, leads Flotsam. He performed today while wearing a fish costume.

“It’s a hard time for humans and a glorious time to be an invasive mutant fish,” he told the audience.

The floating circus started in 2019 and has performed in 13 states and traveled over 2,000 river miles. Last year Flotsam traveled the entire Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Paducah.

Webley said the group embraces being different.

“I think there should be more weird, amazing stuff in the world,” he said.

The troupe members this year include performers skilled as gymnasts, puppeteers, balance artists, hair suspension and aerial hoop, juggling, clowning, sword swallowing and playing music.

Webley played the accordion while singing and proclaiming during the show. Other members played the fiddle and trombone.

“Don’t eat the fish. All it takes is one bite for it to be a real long night,” Wembley told the audience.

Flotsam drew a big crowd to the Canal Basin to see an unusual performance from a floating circus. The show was slightly delayed and curtailed by the rain.

Danila Bim impressed the crowd with her fast spinning while suspended by her hair.

Some of the troupe members walked the plank and interacted with the crowd during the performance.