Saint-Gobain ADFORS will tout the product, FlexScreen

Press Release, Saint-Gobain ADFORS

Photo courtesy of Saint-Gobain ADFORS: The FlexScreen product is manufactured by Saint-Gobain ADFORS. The company, which is headquartered in Grand Island, does not currently make the product at its Albion location on Route 31.

ALBION – Saint-Gobain ADFORS will be featured on tonight’s episode of Shark Tank, airing on ABC at 8 p.m.

The episode is part of the Shark Tank Update segment on FlexScreen, which originally was featured on the Shark Tank’s Episode 10 in Season 11. Since this initial appearance, Saint-Gobain ADFORS has partnered with FlexScreen to exclusively sell FlexScreen products within the retail and dotcom channels.

FlexScreen, the ‘Shark Tank’ winning industry disruptor, is innovative in design, strength, and ease. Built with high-performance spring steel and damage-resistant frames, FlexScreen offers residential and commercial consumers the most efficient and effective method for installing window screens.

Saint-Gobain ADFORS is headquartered in Grand Island, with a manufacturing facilty located in Albion NY and is the industry leader in retail for insect screen.

The Shark Tank episode can be watched the following day streaming at https://abc.com/shows/shark-tank and on Hulu.

About Saint-Gobain ADFORS

Saint-Gobain ADFORS is a division of the Saint-Gobain Group that is focused on the construction and industrial markets. ADFORS offers solutions based on a complete range of textile and coating technologies using fiberglass yarns, synthetic fibers, and natural fibers.

ADFORS is the reliable and innovative global leader in technical textiles, offering the most adapted solutions. The Saint-Gobain Group is established in 66 countries and is the market leader in each of its core businesses.

Todd Eick among 11 finalists for NY agricultural educator of the year

Provided photo: Todd Eick, Medina FFA advisor and agriculture teacher, is shown with some of his students while visiting a fruit orchard. Eick has been named the Golden Owl winner for District 9, which includes about a dozen FFA chapters in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming and Erie counties. He is one of 11 finalists for NY agricultural educator of the year, which will be announced in May at the State FFA Convention.

MEDINA – The school’s FFA advisor has received one of the inaugural “Golden Owl” awards given to top agricultural educators in the state.

Todd Eick won the award for District 9 and is one of 11 finalists for the state-wide award that will be announced during the FFA state convention in May.

The New York FFA Association offered the award for the first time this year to recognize ag educators. Community members, students and the district nominate the honoree.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Todd Eick talks with students in this photo from October 2014. They are inside a new barn built for the FFA program.

“Mr. Eick is such an amazing teacher,” Monica Silversmith, a Medina parent, wrote in her nomination for Eick. “He is compassionate and is such a great leader for these young people. He teaches them the importance of Agriculture. Our young people and children need this so much! He is such a great instructor and for being from such a small school, I don’t think he gets the recognition that he deserves!”

Eick has led the Medina FFA program since 2010. He teaches classes on animal sciences, plant and food sciences, Ag engineering and production, youth leadership, and other introduction courses. He also is the varsity lacrosse coach.

Eick said he appreciates the support for the FFA and agriculture programs from the community, the school district and the students. The Golden Owl award is a nice surprise.

“I’m very humbled and honored,” he said this morning. “It means a lot. As teachers we always wonder how we’re doing. It’s the kids you’re affecting and effecting that matter the most. With FFA, it’s not plows and cows anymore. It’s also beakers and speakers.”

During Eick’s tenure, the FFA program has grown. In 2014, the district used a $25,000 grant to add a “living laboratory” for the FFA with a small barn, pasture and a hydroponic system that produces about 80 pounds of a feed a day.

When people drive down Mustang Drive in recent years, they would often see llamas, sheep, a goat and a calf out munching on grass in the fenced-in pasture.

Eick’s students would tend to the animals and do the farm chores, hauling feed and water. He wanted take students out of the classroom for more direct hands-on learning and less PowerPoint presentations.

Todd Eick leads the Medina FFA in the Parade of Lights in this photo from Nov. 28, 2015. The FFA chapter is a frequent participant in medina’s big parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

With the Covid restrictions keeping students off campus after mid-March last year, Eick brought the FFA animals to his home so they would be cared for. This year, with a hybrid schedule and many students fully remote, the animals – 6 alpacas, a llama and about a dozen rabbits – have stayed at the Eick home with Eick doing many of the chores. His son Mason has also been a big help, Eick said.

The Medina FFA in recent years also has hosted a big animal appreciation day with more than 1,000 students stopping by the FFA in the high school. That event has been sidelined due to Covid.

The FFA also has been a part of the Medina Parade of Lights and worked on community projects, including restoring a 13-foot-fish used by the Tourism Department to promote the local fishery. The FFA also has built several little libraries that are placed around the community.

Evie Schultz, a Medina FFA member, was among the nominators who wrote to the state FFA in support of Eick for the award.

“Mr. Eick is an inspiration to our chapter and his wisdom spreads throughout our school district,” she wrote. “I speak for many of my peers when I say that we would not be the people we are today without his guidance, patience, and kind heart.”

Topics covered the spectrum – toilet paper, engines, origami, and hot cocoa bombs

This screenshot shows Grace Batt, 9, of Albion, who made her first “real” Public Presentation this year entitled: “My Best Made House in Minecraft.”

Press Release, Orleans County 4-H Program

KNOWLESVILLE – For the first time, 4-H Public Presentations in Orleans County were held virtually Feb. 6, 13 and 20. The decision to go to an online only format this year was made to ensure the and health and safety of both participants and evaluators during the ongoing pandemic, said Kristina Gabalski, CCE Orleans 4-H Program Coordinator.

Nearly 40 youths, ages 5-18, took part and adapted well to the new format.

“They did an amazing job, whether they needed to set up for a demonstration or decided to use slides or PowerPoints, the presentations were excellent,” Gabalski said.

Some presentations were especially well suited to the on-line Zoom format.

“Three youth presented on horse-related topics and were able to be with a live horse in the stable to help show and demonstrate what they were discussing, something which would be difficult in the Ed Center at the 4-H Fairgrounds where the event normally takes place in person,” Gabalski explained.  “Another youth, 12-year-old Amelia Barton of Middleport, did a make-up demonstration and Zoom allowed us to follow her up-close as she applied make-up to her face.”

4-H Public Presentations help youth practice the skills needed to present before an audience.  “Youth who participated this year were able to learn skills related to virtual presentations which have now become very common for both professionals and students,” Gabalski noted. “Youth can present on any topic of their choice, including an ongoing 4-H project.”

This year’s event covered a wide range of topics. Tresza Vinca, 11, of Holley did a recitation of the nonsense poem, “Jabberwocky,” by Lewis Carrol and was joined later by her 9-year-old brother, Marcus, for a dramatic interpretation of “The Owl and the Pussycat,” by Edward Lear. Their 14-year-old sister, Ariel, did a demonstration on how to make your own sewing pattern. Ariel explained that she is self-taught in the skill, utilizing books as a guide. She said she does have an interest in clothing design.

Luke Gregoire, 13, of Murray, chose a timely topic – “How Toilet Paper is Made,” and 13-year-old Carissa Klossner of Clarendon demonstrated the Japanese Art of Origami – making a bird out of paper.  She said sometimes she makes mistakes in the process, but that can lead to very interesting and unexpected creations.

This screenshot shows 18-year-old Will Gregoire of Murray. Will made his final 4-H Public Presentation this year on a topic that he says fascinates him: the internal combustion engine.

Several youth chose cooking-related demonstrations which included apple pie making by 13-year old Allison Merle of Holley and making hot cocoa bombs by 10-year old Jackson McGrath of Medina.

Adele Mathes, 9, of Barre changed her topic from Anne Frank to her grandfather, who passed away early in February. Adele spoke of how much she learned from her grandfather and how much she will miss him. She discussed his many talents including crafting historically correct shoes for Civil War re-enactors and family trips to the Adirondack mountains.

Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) were also part of the event. Their topics included making a personal pizza, Tae Kwon Do, and changing a baby diaper. Five-year-old McKenna Richardson of Barre demonstrated how to change a diaper on a doll, but she is getting some real-life experience with a new baby brother. When asked what might be the best diaper available on the market, McKenna responded, “My brother seems to prefer the expensive kind.”

“These are just a few of the dozens of topics covered,” Gabalski added. “We learned about playing the tuba, termites, woodworking, horse bits and so much more, the presentations were all very impressive.”

Youth work to improve their presentation skills from year to year and receive constructive feedback from teams of volunteer evaluators, Gabalski said.  “I can’t thank our evaluators enough, we could not do this without their help, and they bring so much expertise, knowledge and experience to the process.”

Participants will be able to move on to Western District 4-H Public Presentations in Erie County and Region 1 4-H Horse Communications (virtual) both planned for April.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

TOWN OF ALABAMA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced leading alternative energy provider Plug Power’s investment of $290 million to construct a state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel production facility and electric substation in the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the town of Alabama in Genesee County.

Plug Power has committed to creating 68 jobs at the new production facility which will pay an average salary of $70,000 with benefits, and construction is expected to begin this summer. Plug Power’s agreement to build its new hydrogen fuel production facility in New York is the result of a comprehensive state and local incentive package from the New York Power Authority, Empire State Development and Genesee County.

“After working for months with local and state officials on this project, I am proud to announce that shovels will hit dirt at the Science, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing Park this summer to construct the Northeast’s first hydrogen fuel production facility, and create almost 70 jobs in the process,” Hawley said. “This facility will use state-of-the-art techniques to create clean energy that will be used throughout the country, and I am hopeful it is the first of more job-creating projects to come for the STAMP site.”

Statement from Rob Ortt, Republican Leader in State Senate

Today’s health hearing once again proved that the Governor and his administration have no respect for the Legislature or the people we were elected to represent. The Republican Conference is renewing their request to the Majority: we need more public hearings with Commissioner Zucker and the Department of Health because many questions were left unanswered.

After repeated delays, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker managed to find time in his busy schedule to provide us with some very limited testimony. It’s unfortunate that his testimony was riddled with the same distortions, deflections, and political defenses we’ve heard for months.

In addition, we still need an independent investigation – with subpoena power – into the Cuomo administration’s disastrous handling of Covid in our nursing homes, vaccinations, and employee departures. We need a full accounting so these tragic outcomes never happen again.

Families deserve answers and accountability – they got neither today from the Health Commissioner.

Orleans reports a Covid-related death at nursing home in Medina

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported today there are 26 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties, bringing the total to 6,624 since last March in Genesee and Orleans.

In Orleans County there are 5 new positive cases reported today for a total of 2,405 confirmed cases since last March.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 50s and 60s.

Orleans is reporting 5 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There aren’t currently any county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The Health Departments is reporting a Covid-related death, a person who was a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

“We do not report any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family,” the Health Departments said in a news briefing. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad time.”

Albion Central School also is reporting a middle school student has tested positive for Covid-19. The student is a hybrid learner and was last in school on Feb. 12. Due to the 48-hour look-back period, the Department of Health determined that there was no need to quarantine any additional individuals, the district state don its website.

Medina Central School also is reporting today that a middle school staff member tested positive for Covid. The Department of Health has investigated and determined that no further school-related quarantines are required.

In Genesee County there are 21 new positive cases of Covid-19 reported today for a total of 4,219 positive cases since last March.

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 their 20s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 3 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 14 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Company will build new hydrogen fuel production facility and electric substation

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

TOWN OF ALABAMA – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that leading alternative energy technology provider Plug Power will invest $290 million in the construction of a state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel production facility and electric substation at the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park located in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County.

The Plug Power project is the first build at the STAMP site and will require that the company fund the construction of a 450-megawatt electric substation to support its expansion as well as future growth opportunities at the business park. Plug Power has additionally committed to creating 68 jobs at the new production facility, which will produce 45 tons of green hydrogen daily. The firm’s commitment to develop its new green hydrogen fuel production facility in New York is the result of a comprehensive state and local incentive package from the New York Power Authority, Empire State Development and Genesee County. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin this summer.

“New York State is committed to establishing itself as the leader in the national effort toward a more renewable future focused on green energy excellence, and we’re showing that protecting the environment and encouraging economic growth aren’t mutually exclusive,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Plug Power once again and applaud the company’s continued investment in the Finger Lakes region and to its commitment to creating top-quality green jobs as we work to foster new investment and job growth during a difficult economic time for many New Yorkers.”

The Plug Power expansion is part of a focused strategy to construct up to seven hydrogen production facilities across North America by 2022. In January, the Governor announced that Plug Power will be establishing a $125 million Innovation Center in Monroe County, creating 377 new jobs. That facility will manufacture hydrogen fuel cell stacks for its ProGen hydrogen fuel cell engines used to power a variety of electric vehicles, including material handling equipment, on-road commercial fleet vehicles, and drones. The company also operates a facility in Rochester’s Eastman Business Park and maintains its headquarters in the Capital Region.

Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh said, “Plug Power’s future rightfully revolves around building the green hydrogen economy. We are grateful our home state of New York supports aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives. And, that Plug Power’s green hydrogen solutions can make such an impact on positive environmental and economic climates in the state. Many thanks to the leaders of New York State for their continued support including Senator Schumer, Governor Cuomo, and many from Empire State Development, Genesee County Economic Development Center, and others.”

NYPA’s incentives for the project, which are subject to approval by the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees next month, will mark the first NYPA customer approved for economic development incentives under the Power Authority’s new green jobs criteria, announced by the Governor in December. The Governor is recommending that the NYPA board approve these incentives:

• 10 MW allocation of low-cost hydropower from the Niagara Power Project.
• $1.5 million from the Western New York Power Proceeds program.
• 143 MW of High-Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for Plug Power on the energy market.
• Empire State Development will provide up to $2 million in Excelsior Tax Credits in exchange for job creation commitments.
• Genesee County will provide additional local tax incentives, pending various approvals by the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Photo by Tom Rivers – This photo from 2015 shows a sign on Route 63 in the Town of Alabama advertising STAMP. The site is just south of Shelby.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Plug Power’s forward-thinking innovation and ongoing commitment to New York State are helping to advance Governor Cuomo’s clean energy vision. This hydrogen fuel manufacturing facility at the STAMP mega-site will strengthen New York’s green economy by creating top quality, high-tech manufacturing jobs.”

Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO, said, “The state’s clean energy economy is growing rapidly under the Governor’s leadership and Plug Power is seizing the plentiful opportunities for green energy companies to expand and flourish in New York. Leveraging NYPA’s carbon-free hydropower from the Niagara Power Project to attract a firm dedicated to the development of green hydrogen for fuel cell applications is an example of how we should address the climate crisis.”

STAMP is a 1,250-acre mega site located at the center of upstate New York’s largest population, research, and workforce training hubs. Connected with New York’s high-tech corridor by New York State Thruway, STAMP has completed all site-level design and engineering, and all-site level environmental and zoning approvals to house projects including semiconductor manufacturing, renewables manufacturing, biopharma manufacturing, and other high-capacity industries.

The mega site is strategically located in NYPA’s low-cost hydropower zone and will be serviced by high-capacity, 100 percent renewable, reliable power sources. STAMP has been validated as a regional priority project by the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and has been supported by local, regional, and state governments, as well as business, university, and utility partners.

Genesee County Economic Development Center President and CEO Steve Hyde said, “Efforts by New York State to invest in a mega site such as STAMP in collaboration with Genesee County, the town of Alabama, and the New York Power Authority, have resulted in a significant interest among advanced manufacturing companies across the globe at STAMP and Genesee County. The economic benefits of this proposed development at STAMP also underscores how this project contributes to New York State’s leading role in mitigating climate change, as Plug Power is an international leader in manufacturing clean hydrogen which can significantly reduce air emissions and in the process create good paying jobs for our community and region.”

Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of NYPA’s Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County. Niagara hydropower is linked to tens of thousands of existing jobs in the region. The NYPA funding award is made possible through net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at NYPA’s Niagara power plant and stems from power proceeds legislation signed into law by Governor Cuomo in 2012.

Alabama Town Supervisor Robert Crossen said, “I am encouraged by the interest that various advanced manufacturing companies, including Plug Power have in the Town of Alabama and STAMP. We have worked very hard to bring forward a site suitable for a project of this scale, and we look forward to achieving the important steps to develop and advance this project in our community.”

Roland Nenni has led Albion PD for nearly 10 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni speaks during a press conference on Dec. 11, 2020 with District Attorney Joe Cardone when they announced arson and reckless endangerment charges against an Albion resident after homemade fireworks badly damaged three houses in the village.

ALBION – Roland Nenni, Albion police chief for nearly 10 years, will retire on March 31 after working in local law enforcement for 29 years.

Nenni started his career in Holley in 1992 and joined the Albion Police Department in 1994. He also has served as the Holley police chief about five years in an intermunicipal between Albion and Holley. Albion will continue to provide leadership for the Holley PD until June 1.

Nenni also has served as the SWAT commander for Orleans County and teaches at the Rural Police Academy at GCC.

“I gave it everything I had and I’m proud of that,” Nenni said today. “I took the job very seriously.”

The Albion Village Board accepted his resignation letter on Wednesday evening. Mayor Eileen Banker praised Nenni for his commitment to the department. “He gave the job 150 percent,” she said.

Nenni pushed for community policing, working with about five different neighborhood watch groups in the village and co-leading the annual National Night Out at Bullard Park. That event drew about 1,000 people for games and activities with local law enforcement officers and agencies.

He pushed for close connections with the community before that was a mandate in police reform from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“Certain officials in government have given us a black eye and insisted on us doing things we’ve already been doing,” Nenni said.

Nenni is a Holley resident and former Holley fire chief. He said the experience as fire chief proved to an asset in incident command as police chief.

In his role as Albion police chief he pushed the department of 13 full-time officers (which includes the chief’s position) to be trained and prepared to respond to many different calls, including medical and mental health.

Albion and Holley Police Chief Roland Nenni, left, and Albion Lt. David Mogle helped direct traffic during the Flag Day parade in Holley that passed through the intersection of routes 31 and 237. They are shown on June 14, 2019. Mogle is the second-in-command of the Albion PD.

The Albion and Holley patrol cars all have Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) because Nenni said the officers are often the first on the scene in medical emergencies and the AEDs can save someone in cardiac arrest.

The police chief secured grant funding for the AEDs. He also was successful getting grants for traffic enforcement, child car seats, pedestrian crossing safety and awareness, and other public safety initiatives. He has been recognized for his work by AAA.

The Albion PD on Oct. 1, 2016 also was the first local police department in Orleans County to use body cameras on all officers.

Nenni said he tried to empower the Albion officers, with each being a trainer in a different aspect of police work. All were trained to field training officers.

He has worked closely with the Albion school district to have a school resource officer and to quickly respond to any threats at the district.

Nenni has a reputation for being very detailed and writing lengthy event action plans, whether for local festivals, parades, food distributions and even 5Ks races.

“I’ve never been a wing it guy,” he said. “I like to be prepared for when the ‘what ifs’ happen.”

The police chief, 49, said he is proud of the officers. In Albion, he hired all but two who are currently in the department.

“The sign of an outstanding leader is the performance of the people,” he said. “We’ve had really great officers.”

In retirement, Nenni said he would like to teach more at the Rural Police Academy.

The food distributions that started last April during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic will continue in March and through April.

At each distribution, held most Fridays, about 300 boxes of food are given away in the “Families Food Box Program” which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The distributions are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

The schedule for the next five weeks includes:

• February 26^th – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 NYS Route 31, Knowlesville. The line of cars needs to form south on Taylor Hill Road. There will be no entrance on Route 31.
• March 5 – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 NYS Route 31, Knowlesville
• March 12 – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 NYS Route 31, Knowlesville
• March 19, Community Action Main Street Store, 113 South Main St., Albion
• March 26, location to be determined

The distributions will continue through April but those dates and locations haven’t been set.

Organizers ask that people not line up before 8 a.m. due to possible winter weather conditions.  “We remind people not to block driveways,” said Melissa Blanar, director of the Office for the Aging, which helps organize the events. “We want to thank all the volunteers. Without them there would be no events. Please be patient and kind.”

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted on Wednesday to seek a $200,000 grant to continue a small business education program.

More than 500 people have graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program since it started in 1999. The 10-week program is offered in the spring and fall and gives small business owners tips in marketing, handling stress, computers, legal issues, bookkeeping and taxes – all factors that are key to running successful businesses. They also must complete a business plan.

The spring class that starts April 6 is already full. The class sessions are held at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex in Albion.

Medina urged to have more diversity on police force

MEDINA – The Village Board heard from two residents that its proposed police reform plan needs to do more to ensure Medina police officers are respecting everyone and not violating constitutional rights.

Michael O’Keefe, an attorney in Medina, said he sees body camera video from some of his clients that show officers are infringing on peoples’ rights.

He said videos posted on YouTube by local resident Ken Ortiz show some officers violating Ortiz’s rights. O’Keefe said officers broke down the door of Ortiz’s room at midnight about nine months ago and still haven’t repaired it. O’Keefe said breaking down the door on a harassment charge against Ortiz was too much of a reaction from police.

“Things right in front of us are being ignored,” O’Keefe said during a public hearing through Zoom videoconferencing on Monday.

He would like to see citizen review board to help oversee the Police Department. O’Keefe said the complaint process for the public about officers also should include a way for people to share concerns about the police chief. Mayor Mike Sidari said any complaints about the police chief can be addressed to the mayor and Village Board.

Ortiz, who is a frequent critic of the police on social media and through YouTube, said the Police Department needs to more quickly make body camera video available to the public and the police chief should also wear a body camera when interacting with the public. Ortiz said the mayor often isn’t responsive to his requests for information.

Ortiz said he continues to speak out because he said not all residents are being treated fairly by the Police Department.

“We need to have more ethical police officers,” he said during Monday’s hearing which was held through Zoom video conferencing. “There is never an officer who is held to the standard.”

He urged Medina to have a more diverse police force with women and Black officers. Ortiz also said Medina should have a drop box for people to dispose of weapons.

The comments from O’Keefe and Ortiz were made during a public hearing on Monday about a “Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan” due the state by April 1.

Medina formed a committee led by local business owner Scott Robinson that has updated and reviewed policies on use of force, mental health, body worn cameras, community relations, civilian personnel complaints, performance evaluations, handling deadly force incidents, use of firearms including taser and less lethal shotgun.

The committee has recommended establishing a Community Policing Board that would include a cross-section of the community and meet regularly. That community policing board would work towards forming better relations between law enforcement and the community.

“These relationships can be beneficial to convey information in both directions,” according to the report from Committee on Police Reform Collaborative. “This Board may also be tasked with aiding in community relations events.”

Some other highlights of the plan include:

• MENTAL HEALTH and PROCEDURAL JUSTICE – The committee in Medina also is recommending increased training for Medina police officers in mental health and procedural justice.

The regular mental health training schedule should seek out opportunities for crisis intervention training and mental health first aid.

Medina has already sent an instructor for certification in “Principled Policing.” That program covers areas such as History of Policing, Communication, Racial Bias, Decision Making, Trust Building and Core Values.

“Regular training in this area may help officers deal with the difficulties of modern-day policing,” the committee report states. “All of these training areas can be reinforced through reality based training, including interactive scenarios involving use of communication skills.”

• COMMUNITY POLICING/RELATIONS: The Committee recommends that the Medina Police Department take efforts to increase community policing and relations. The committee recommended the Medina Village Board put $10,000 in the next budget to assist with these community policing initiatives.

The committee recommended open community meetings hosted by the Medina Police Department. These meetings can be used to relay relevant information, and hear public concerns.

The Medina PD should also do an annual public survey to gather input from local citizens on police activities.

Some other ways to strengthen community interaction with the department could be more officers on foot patrol, bike patrol and community activities. The committee recommended an annual gathering open to the public where police officers can have positive interactions with the community.

Medina might also consider assigning a Community Policing Officer to focus on creating opportunities for positive interactions with the community.

• ACCREDITATION: The Committee recommends that the Medina PD attempt to obtain NYS accreditation status. The NYS Accreditation Program provides outside guidance and oversight to law enforcement to ensure performance in areas such as policies, procedures and training.

• FUNDING: The committee said funding should be increased at the local and state levels for law enforcement and mental health services. The Medina PD could pursue state grant funding for mental health, training and equipment.

The committee also said Medina should fund an investigator position in the Medina PD. “A designated position should result in a higher rate of case closures, which it is assumed will also increase public confidence,” the committee stated in the report.

Medina needs to submit a report to the state by April 1. Gov. Andrew Cuomo last June approved an executive order requiring all 500 municipal police agencies in the state to have the public involved in studying current police policies, with possible recommendations for changes. Those reports need to be submitted to the state by April 1 or Cuomo said the state will withhold funding from communities that don’t do the report, which needs to include public meetings.

Cuomo, in his executive order, said the communities with police departments need to go over their policies on use of force by police officers, crowd management, community policing, implicit bias awareness training, de-escalation training and practices, restorative justice practices, community-based outreach and citizen complaint procedures. The communities may find no changes are needed, Cuomo said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Firefighters from the Medina area were dispatched at 4:30 p.m. to the Country Club Family Restaurant at 535 Main St. for reports of a structure fire.

The fire was limited to an office in the back of the restaurant. Steve Cooley, Medina Fire Department lieutenant, said an alert bystander at the restaurant used a fire extinguisher on the flames and smokes and then shut the door.

“That was the perfect thing to do,” Cooley said.

That action contained the fire until firefighters arrived and sprayed water in the room. They encountered high heat and smoke in the office, Cooley said.

Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson said there is minimal damage from the fire, which didn’t spread beyond the room.

He expects the Country Club will be closed the rest of today and will have to do a “deep cleaning” tonight. The Orleans County Health Department is expected to have to give the OK for the restaurant to open.

Fire investigators from the Medina Fire Department and Orleans County Emergency Management Office are on the scene to determine the cause.

Firefighters entered the back of the Country Club Restaurant to get at the fire. They are shown getting ready to put away the hoses.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments today are reporting 33 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties, bringing the total to 6,598 in the two counties since last March.

In Orleans County there are 19 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,400 cases during the pandemic.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s,30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Orleans is reporting 3 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are currently two county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Correction for the West Region: an individual was removed who was not an Orleans County resident. The correct number of positives for Tuesday is one less at 2,381.

In Genesee County there are 14 new positive cases reported today for a total of 4,198 confirmed cases since last March.

The new positive cases reside in the 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 and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 23 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 14 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

This is each of the 10 regions 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days.

Statewide: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Covid-19 positivity rate was 2.85 percent yesterday, the lowest since Nov. 21.

On Tuesday there were 6,189 positive tests out of 216,813 test results for a positivity rate of 2.85 percent. There were 5,876 people hospitalized due to Covid in the state on Tuesday, which was down 101 from Monday. The hospitalizations due to Covid is down 698 in the past week in the state.

There were 99 deaths reported from Covid on Tuesday, bringing the state-wide total to 38,135 during the pandemic.

“New Yorkers have shown courage and fortitude in the face of this unprecedented pandemic, and it’s thanks to them that we’re seeing a decline in hospitalizations and in the Covid positivity rate,” Cuomo said. “The vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel and we’re continuing to aggressively expand our statewide network of distribution sites, but we need more supply to thoroughly vaccinate the population and begin our transition to a post-pandemic world.”

Press Release, United States Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. – Western District of New York

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced today that Giosdeivy Duarte Torresilla, 31, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2017, the defendant traveled with four co-conspirators from Miami, Florida, to Hamburg, NY. Torresilla then provided his co-conspirators with numerous counterfeit access devices, which consisted of gift cards that the defendant had re-encoded with account numbers for actual credit card or debit card accounts at multiple financial institutions, including banks and credit unions.

Torresilla obtained the account numbers unlawfully by “skimming” them from payment terminals at gas station pumps. The co-conspirators used 129 different counterfeit access devices to purchase gift cards at various Walmart stores in Erie, Niagara, and Orleans counties. After purchasing the legitimate Walmart gift cards, the co-conspirators sent the gift card numbers to a co-conspirator in Miami, Florida. The gift cards were worth $120,689.02.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Acting Thomas A. Braun.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 6 at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.