By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2021 at 5:54 pm
Main Street site will be torn down due to danger to public
Photos by Tom Rivers: The roof on the Pennysaver building at the corner of Main and Eagle streets in Lyndonville collapsed at about 7:45 this morning.
LYNDONVILLE – The Pennysaver building, a dominant structure on Main Street for more than a century, could be gone in the next 24 to 48 hours after the roof collapsed on the building this morning.
The Village Board met this afternoon and declared the building an emergency and a threat to the community.
“It’s a bad situation in a bad spot,” said Mayor John Belson.
The village has contacted the building owner. Robert Smith, a Lyndonville native who now lives in California, owns the building and three others on Main Street. He is working with his insurance company to determine if insurance will cover any of the knockdown and removal of the Pennysaver building.
The area near the building is blocked off to pedestrians and traffic.
Belson said the takedown is the responsibility of the owner and the mayor doesn’t want to wait long to have the building at least knocked in so it’s not in danger of toppling into the street. The village has cordoned off the area in front of the building and part of Eagle Street near Main Street.
The heavy snow and ice is the assumed cause of the roof collapse, but the site also had structural issues. Smith had grand plans for building with hotel rooms and retail space. He has been working to transform the block of four structures.
The building was last used by the Pennysaver Market. It closed in April 2013 after 35 years in business by Sharon Gray. She initially offered grocery items and then expanded to hardware, videos, a deli, finger foods and pizza.
Provided photo: This photo from the inside shows the collapsed roof on the second floor. The roof didn’t fall all the way to the first floor.
Lyndonville had its engineering firm, the MRB Group, come out this afternoon to inspect the building. The firm said it was an unsafe structure. Belson wants quick action by Smith and the insurance company.
The mayor said the building won’t be up for very long.
“In the next 24 to 48 hours that property will be in the ground,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2021 at 4:55 pm
There are 73 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans and Genesee counties in the first update since Friday afternoon. The two counties combined have now recorded 6,546 cases since last March.
In Orleans County there 14 new positive cases of Covid-19 since Friday afternoon for a total of 2,377 cases since last March.
The new 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, 60s and 80s. Of the new cases, 3 are inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison.
Orleans is reporting 20 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are currently two residents hospitalized due to Covid.
Albion Central School reported that 2 students, 2 staff members tested positive for Covid-19. The two are remote learners. One is from the High School and the other is from the Middle School. They have been learning remotely all year.
One of the staff members is from the Middle School who was last in the building on Feb. 12. The second staff member works in the Elementary School and was also last in the building on Feb. 12.
Due to the 48-hour look-back period, the Department of Health determined that, in all instances, there was no need to quarantine any additional individuals, the district said.
In Genesee County there are 59 new positive cases since Friday for a total of 4,169 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 the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Of the new cases, 7 are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.
Genesee is reporting 31 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Genesee also has 10 of its residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2021 at 2:16 pm
ALBANY – The Republican conference in the State Legislature held a news conference this afternoon, saying they will try again to end the governor’s emergency powers that were approved nearly a year ago at the start of the Covid-19 public health crisis.
Rob Ortt
Rob Ortt, leader of the Senate Republicans, said the time has long passed for the Legislature to be a co-equal branch in governing the state.
Cuomo has issued numerous executive orders that have shut down businesses, allowed some to operate at reduced capacity while placing other restrictions on churches, schools and public venues as part of his public health directives.
Ortt and Will Barclay, the Assembly Republican leader, intend to force a vote today to rescind Cuomo’s powers and “re-establish the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government.”
Ortt said Cuomo has shown “gross disrespect when he lies and when he withholds information.”
Cuomo faces increasing scrutiny about the nursing home deaths due to Covid and whether the state purposely distorted the number of nursing home deaths. Ortt said the increasing national media attention also has highlighted the governor’s “bullying” approach towards the Legislature.
Barclay, speaking at the news conference in Albany which was shown on Facebook Live, said the Legislature has shown it can meet and get together quickly if there are any emergency issues. That was the reason the Legislature agreed to giving Cuomo the emergency powers, so the state could quickly be responsive in the public health crisis.
But Barclay said some of the decisions haven’t been in the public’s interest and have resulted in a “tragedy” of deaths. He cited 46,000 Covid-related deaths in the state. Only California has more at 49,000, but that state has nearly double New York’s population.
Barclay questioned whether the governor used sound science in imposing restrictions on businesses, churches and graduations. Just last week Cuomo said indoor dining in New York City would be increased from 25 to 35 percent of a restaurant’s capacity. Barclay said Cuomo didn’t offer any compelling science for the 35 percent threshold.
“This is the time, we don’t need to wait any longer to take away the governor’s executive powers,” Barclay said
State Senator Tom O’Mara of the Southern Tier faulted Cuomo for “thwarting legislative oversight” and stonewalling freedom of information requests from good government groups.
“He hasn’t cooperating with the Legislature is any way, shape or form for 11 months now,” O’Mara said.
Assemblyman Andrew Goodell of Chautauqua County said the governor has been running the state for almost a year without any checks and balances from the Legislature.
“We have operated with one person dictating every action of our response to Covid,” Goodell said. “Our Constitution doesn’t envision a monarch or a dictator.”
Press Release and photos from Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – The teachers at Orleans/Niagara BOCES Career and Technical Education Centers are grateful for the strong business and educational partnerships that help them prepare their students for the workplace or to continue their education after high school.
Mike Schultz, who teaches Diesel Technology at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, says he was very thankful for a recent visit and educational opportunities that Monroe Tractor and SUNY Cobleskill provided to his students.
“Tom Lewis, Branch Manager of Monroe Tractor in Batavia and Edgar Wallace and Tim Gregoite, both Outreach Trainers for SUNY Cobleskill, brought in a brand new Case tractor and provided my students with some hands-on hydraulic training. They were even kind enough to leave the tractor with us to continue with some more training on their product. It has been incredibly beneficial to my classes.”
Schultz says that Monroe Tractor Service Director, Jerry Siconolfi, followed up their visit with one of his own and talked job opportunities with the students.
“Monroe Tractor has 13 locations in New York State and New England and provides equipment, parts and service in the agriculture and construction fields,” Schultz said. “We have always had a good partnership with Monroe and they have always allowed my students to shadow and internship there. I cannot tell you how important those work-based learning opportunities are. It allows the students to learn real world skills in a real world setting. The job exploration component and soft skills they learn are incredibly valuable for this class.”
SUNY Cobleskill is working with Monroe Tractor through a Diesel Technology and Power Machinery Workforce Development grant from the US Department of Labor to develop skilled members of the workforce and enhance opportunities for students. By visiting programs such as Orleans/Niagara BOCES, they can support initiatives to fortify the equipment distributor technician employment pipeline by establishing partnerships linking employers with technical educators and students. The hope is that it will increase job visibility, create new opportunities for dealers to sponsor students and lead to an overall improvement in the quality and quantity of students to pursue equipment distributor technician positions.
“It was a great opportunity for my students to be able to get this training and talk to the representatives about the job field,” Schultz said. “Visits like this enrich our curriculum and instruction. We are grateful to be able to work hand-in-hand with area business and educational leaders to prepare our students for their future.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2021 at 9:47 am
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 1 p.m. today for Orleans County and Western New York with another 2 to 3 inches of snow expected, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
“Most of the snow will occur through late this morning,” the Weather Service said. “Winds gusting as high as 30 mph resulting in patchy blowing snow in open areas.
Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions that will continue to impact the morning commute. The temperature should reach a high of 37 this afternoon.
AAA is reporting that today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.64, up 13 cents from last week.
One year ago, the price was $2.47. The New York State average is $2.70 – up 10 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.61, AAA Western and Central New York is reporting today.
In Western New York, Orleans County has the second-highest prices at $2.685 per gallon. Only Chautauqua County at $2.693 is higher.
The average prices in other WNY counties includes: Genesee, $2.632; Niagara, $2.600; Erie, $2.669; Wyoming, $2.653; Cattaraugus, $2.588; Allegany, $2.600; and Monroe, $2.673.
AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages around the state:
Batavia – $2.63 (up 11 cents since last week)
Buffalo – $2.65 (up 13 cents since last week)
Ithaca – $2.68 (up 12 cents since last week)
Rochester – $2.67 (up 12 cents since last week)
Rome – $2.72 (up nine cents since last week)
Syracuse – $2.66 (up 12 cents since last week)
Watertown – $2.72 (up nine cents since last week)
Pump prices continue to increase again this week. New York State average gas prices are on par with last year’s level. In the Western and Central New York region, many prices have increased 10 cents, or more, in just a week, AAA said.
The winter weather continues to impact Gulf Coast refineries’ ability to operate and gas supplies. Until refineries resume normal operations, supply is expected to remain tight in impacted areas, AAA said.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The statewide positivity rate, now at 2.99 percent, dropped below 3 percent for the first time since November 23.
The Governor also said the first case of the South African variant has been identified in a resident of New York State. The sequencing, involving a Nassau County resident, was conducted at Opentrons Labworks Inc’s Pandemic Response Lab, a New York City based commercial lab, and verified at the Wadsworth Center in Albany. Last week, a Connecticut resident who had been hospitalized in New York City was found to have the South African variant.
“We continue to see a reduction in positivity and hospitalizations throughout the state, which is good news, and this progress is allowing us to reopen the valve on our economy even further,” Cuomo said. “But with the discovery of a case of the South African variant in the state, it’s more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay vigilant, wear masks, wash hands and stay socially distanced. We are in a race right now — between our ability to vaccinate and these variants which are actively trying to proliferate — and we will only win that race if we stay smart and disciplined.”
Today’s data is summarized briefly below:
Test Results Reported – 221,157
Total Positive – 6,610
Percent Positive – 2.99%
7-Day Average Percent Positive – 3.44%
Patient Hospitalization – 5,764 (-213)
Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week – down by 829
Deaths – 75
Total Deaths – 37,851
This is each region’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2021 at 11:28 am
Horse gets out but turkeys, chickens, pheasants and rabbits don’t survive
Photo by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – A barn at 10320 Ridge Rd., just east of the Niagara-Orleans County line, was destroyed this morning by a fire.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 7:26 a.m. and arrived to see the barn completely engulfed with flames, said Kyle Morgan, the Ridgeway second assistant fire chief.
The fire also damaged the back porch of the house, but firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading beyond the porch and also to a neighboring home.
Kelly Waters, owner of the property, said a passerby banged on the door in the morning to say the barn was on fire. Waters said a horse got out of the barn, but other animals perished in the fire, including 10 turkeys, 30 chickens, 14 pheasants and four rabbits.
Waters, a former firefighter, said he took many precautions to keep the barn safe.
“Right now we’re not sure what happened,” he said about the cause of the fire.
Ridgeway firefighters were joined at the scene by Medina, Lyndonville, Shelby, Middleport and Hartland.
Morgan said a nearby fire hydrant was buried in snow. Firefighters had to shovel out near the hydrant before they could use it for water. Morgan urged people to clear snow from hydrants.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Christopher Bourke
MURRAY – On Friday at 8:57 p.m., the Orleans County Sheriff’s 911 Center received multiple calls of a mobile home fire located at 27 Skyline Circle, in the County Line Mobile Home Park in the Town of Murray.
Kenneth J. Julien
The Murray Fire Company was dispatched along with Clarendon, Holley and Kendall Fire Departments for mutual aid. The Orleans County Sheriffs’ Office and the State Police responded as well.
As the fire service was arriving, we received reports of a male with a suit case fleeing the scene of the trailer. Additional Sheriff’s patrol units along with the Sheriff’s K9 Unit responded to the scene. The defendant, Kenneth J. Julien, age 35, of 27 Skyline Circle was located at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Vindale Drive in the trailer park by K9 Deputy Cole and State Police Trooper Towner.
While fleeing from the scene, Julien allegedly told a neighbor he killed his own dog in a field and set his trailer on fire. Another neighbor reportedly told Julien that the police were looking for him and attempted to touch his arm. Julien allegedly raised a hatchet and said, “I’ll slice you up.” The circumstances surrounding the fire are still under investigation.
Julien was charged with Class “B” Felony Arson in the second degree, also menacing in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon. Julien was arraigned before “CAP Court” Justice Theodore Spada. Bail was set in the amount of $10,000 cash. Julien is scheduled to appear in County Court on Monday for a Preliminary Hearing.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2021 at 8:39 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The big hill at Bullard Park was a hotspot again on Saturday for sledders and snowboarders. In some recent winters there has barely been enough snow to use the hill.
This winter started off with light snow accumulations but the past month there has been lots of the white stuff.
This girl heads back up the hill while the snow was swirling Saturday afternoon.
These two had fun sledding on Saturday, embracing the cold and snow.
These two girls trudge back to the top of the hill to go down again – and again.
My Sister Brenda, (after 30 years together we are truly sisters rather than sisters-in-law), delivered this sweet token to me late fall. Its a “Lucky Little Cardinal”.
This is very meaningful because she is one of my principal touchstones. She has heard me laugh loudly and cry just as hard at times. Her messages are always ones of compassion and understanding. Considering this cardinal, meant to bring renewal, faith, and good luck, came from her I have no doubt it has special Cardinal Powers.
Cardinal by definition means it holds the greatest powers and is fundamental to its cause. Cardo is Latin for hinge. This is important since many believe cardinals are the hinge between Our world and the Spirit world. The red of the cardinal protects us from harm. Certain cultures view the cardinal as a Truthteller. If you see a cardinal it is thought they are sending truth. This message may be one of encouragement to keep you on the path you are on, affirming you are doing right by yourself. Or the message may be a warning to beware that someone in your circle is not being truthful with you and proceed with caution. This person could be your own self!
How often have we been on a path that we know is not right for us. Take this sighting as an opportunity to examine your path. Some believe that a cardinal is a compass of support. The legend tells that if you see a cardinal speak your message to the East and the cardinal will carry that message on its wings in flight to where it needs to be heard. Modern Western civilization feels that if a cardinal visits you up close, it is a sign that those we love which have passed on are watching over us. These visits assure us that we are not alone, and that our loved ones are in our orbit helping to guide us, watch over us, protect us and keep us going in the right direction on our path.
In our London family that faith is expressed as we exchange symbols and gifts of cardinals frequently. It is often at times of transition, anxiety or joy that visits from cardinals or gifts of cardinals appear. I have looked out to my bird feeder and seen a red cardinal staring right at me, sometimes more than one! Has that happened to you? Makes you feel seen and comforted, doesn’t it? There are no coincidences.
The red of the cardinal is a symbol of renewal. Makes sense since oftentimes the cardinal is seen and stands out so vibrantly against the white of the snowy branches in winter. Reminding us that even in the cold harshness of winter, when everything lies dormant and lifeless, beauty and life do exist. Its sighting reminds us that spring’s renewal is not far off, just another reason for gratitude and hope. To hear the cardinal’s song of renewal please click this link and hear the cardinal’s charming yet graceful melody (click here).
To see one of my visitors, visit my blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2021 at 1:23 pm
Provided photo: A trailer home was engulfed in flames last night on Skyline Circle.
MURRAY – A fire Friday night destroyed a trailer home in Murray at 27 Skyline Circle.
Firefighters from the Murray Joint Fire District were dispatched to the scene at 9:01 p.m.
“When the first unit went on scene the trailer was fully engulfed in flames,” said Harris Reed, the district fire chief. “The crews evacuated the nearby trailer due to the heavy fire load.”
Additional manpower were called from Clarendon, Brockport, Hamlin, Kendall, Albion and Monroe Ambulance. There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“Thank you to the Holley Volunteer Fire Company’s support group who assisted the firefighters with warm refreshments,” Reed said. “Thank you to all the men and women of the Murray Joint Fire District and surrounding departments who assisted at last night’s fire.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2021 at 10:40 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Traffic moves slowly on Main Street in Albion at about 9:50 this morning when it was snowing hard with reduced visibility.
Today it is forecast for another 3 to 5 inches of snow in Orleans County with a high near 27, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Sunday is forecast for a high of 32 and then on Monday, the area will finally see above-freezing temperatures with a high of 39, followed by highs of 40 on Tuesday and 41 on Wednesday.
Jonathan Doherty braved the rough weather this morning to get a cup of coffee in downtown Albion.
GAINES – Orleans County is fortunate to have over 100 historical markers and monuments that have been erected, largely in the 20th century, to highlight the region’s storied past.
Many are NYS Historic Markers, previously made of cast iron, but more recently aluminum, which are painted the traditional colors of blue and gold. The small Hamlet of Childs is also fortunate to host six of the historic markers.
Part of the problem with counting the number of markers in Childs is that the geographic boundaries of the hamlet are not well defined. No local government exists solely in the hamlet, but the old Town of Gaines School District #5 gives a good approximation of boundaries for Childs, centered on the intersection of Routes 104 and 98, and running about a half mile in each of the four directions.
(Map location 1) The largest historic marker in Childs is located in the parking area in front of the Lake Ontario Fruit plant on Route 104. It might qualify as one of the largest markers erected in New York State. The history of the historic marker, itself, is now an interesting story.
This marker didn’t come into existence without a little controversy along the way. Linda Schwartz was a youngster when her father, Robert Schwartz, transferred title to the New York State for the farm land used to create the parking area. Linda said, “The state took the land by eminent domain. They told my father to accept what he was offered or he would end up with nothing.”
Schwartz agreed when NYS promised to build a complete year-round rest stop with heated restrooms and picnic tables. A quick inspection of the parking area today would indicate the powers-to-be at NYS dropped the ball. John Russell, co-owner/manager of Lake Ontario Fruit, said he reluctantly took the bull by the horns several years ago and placed a rented portable restroom on the site to make it more user friendly and to make up for its lack of amenities. Russell said he’d love to get that item off his budget, but without another source of funding, he feels obligated to continue.
To history buffs, the state historic marker erected in the parking area is a bright spot in a less than satisfactory fulfillment of a state promise. Former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin remembers that his father, Cary Lattin, was asked to create the text for the large historic marker in the parking area in 1961 during the latter’s tenure as County Historian. The actual text he used was:
HISTORIC NEW YORK – THE LAKE PLAINS
The Neutral Nation of Indians, an Iroquoian group affiliated with the Erie, were early inhabitants of this area. About 1650 they were conquered by the Senecas of the Five Nations Confederacy. French explorers and raiders crossed this area and English expeditions along the lake shore entered the small streams, but extensive swamps deterred settlement.
After the Revolution a few settlers came from Canada but development awaited the formation of speculative land companies. The Pulteney Purchase and that of the Holland Land Company divided the land area into tracts for settlement. Inhabitants fled the area for a time after the fall of Fort Niagara in the War of 1812. Then came the building of highways some of which ran along old Indian trails. The Ridge Road opened in 1809 became a principal east-west route. Completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 spurred the building of towns along its route and the growth of commerce. There early settlers built unique cobblestone houses, many of which are still standing.
Geography and climate have favored fruit culture and made packing and canning a principal industry.
Education Department – State of New York 1961. Department of Public Works
(Map location 2) The “Pioneer Settler” historic marker is located at Gaines Carlton Community Church at the end of Brown Street Road and Ridge Road. It celebrates Elizabeth Gilbert, described as the first settler in the Town of Gaines, who purchased 123 acres of land at this location in 1807, at a time that usually saw men owning property. Local history books retell the stories of “Widow Gilbert” who used her team of oxen to assist other settlers move their belongings onto their own recently purchased parcels of property. The full text of the sign reads:
PIONEER SETTLER
March 3, 1807 This land was chosen by the first settler in the Town of Gaines,
And on Ridge Road in Orleans County, Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert.
ORLEANS COUNTY COMMUNITY PRIDE
(Map location 3) The founding father of the Hamlet of Childs (once known as Proctor’s Corners and Fairhaven), John Proctor is often referred to by historians as the Paul Revere of Ridge Road. On a cold December night in 1813, Proctor rode by horseback on the Ridge Road from Gaines to Clarkson to warn the settlers of the approach of British and the Indians after the burning of Lewiston during the War of 1812.
A historical marker on a large stone explains the story of John Proctor. The stone is on the south side of Ridge Road, a few houses west of the Route 98 intersection, in the lawn of a home currently occupied by Town of Gaines Historian, Adrienne Kirby, and her family.
The marker was put up in 1935 by the NYS Education Department and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). It is one of a series of historical markers along Ridge Road that were erected in the 1920s and ’30s.
The Proctor marker also notes that the site was once occupied by a primitive log cabin owned by Elijah Downer. When Gov. DeWitt Clinton passed through in 1810, looking for a possible route for the Erie Canal, he stopped at the cabin for breakfast.
The full text of the monument reads:
HISTORIC RIDGE ROAD
GENESEE TO NIAGARA
HOME OF JOHN PROCTOR
Who on horse during a December night in 1813 warned the settlers along the Ridge Road from here to Clarkson of the approach of the British and Indians after the burning of Lewiston. In the morning he joined the regiment of Captain Eleazer McCarty which proceeded toward Lewiston. The next night they surprised and captured the enemy forces quartered at Molyneaux Tavern.
TREK – DEWITT CLINTON – 1810
Nearby at the primitive log cabin of Elijah Downer, Dewitt Clinton and his companions stopped for breakfast on their eventful trip over the Ridge Road in 1810.
Erected by the Ridge Road Improvement Association
Orleans Chapter DAR State of New York 1935
(Map location 4) The Hamlet of Childs is the site of historic Laffler Brick Yard built in the mid-1800s, and a state historic marker and a massive stone monument mark the spot on Route 98 a half mile south of Ridge Road. The Laffler Brick Yard had a storied history that included some game-changing technology for the time. Laffler built and patented an Iron Clad Brick Machine that changed brickmaking from a hand pressing process to mechanical. His invention was said to produce 2,000 to 3,000 bricks per hour. Enough bricks to build the average house could be made in a few hours instead of several days. Laffler’s machine took the first place award at the New York State Fair in the 1860s for several years running.
The full text of the historic marker reads:
BRICKYARD – THE BRICK POND
A. Laffler opened a brickyard here in the 1850s. He produced drainage tile and brick for local buildings. Patented a brick machine – 1863.
Orleans County Historical Association 2001
(Map location 5) The Historic Hamlet of Childs is home to the National Historic Landmark Cobblestone District with three cobblestone structures that comprise a portion of the buildings owned by the Cobblestone Society & Museum. In addition, two other cobblestone buildings serve as private residences for their current owners and are the subject of a two-sided state historic marker located between the two houses on Ridge Road depicted here.
The sign facing west reads:
HISTORIC DISTRICT
At left: Cobblestone House built in 2842 with field or glaciated stones in the Gaines Pattern also known as Depressed Hexagonal. Mason – John Simmons
Marker Erected 2001
The sign facing east reads:
HISTORIC DISTRICT
At right: Cobblestone House built in 1844 and remodeled in 1910. Makes use of lake washed stones in the façade. Fieldstones were selected fro the west end and wing.
Orleans County Department of History
(Map location 6) The National Historic Landmark Cobblestone Schoolhouse (District #5) has its own state historic marker. The school, built in 1849, was constructed with a wooden frame and a facade of lake washed cobblestones. The one-room schoolhouse was used from 1849 to 1952 until the small local school districts were centralized and included in the Albion School District. The school serves as a time-capsule of early education in the county.
The sign reads:
GAINES DISTRICT No. 5 1849 – SCHOOL HOUSE
Was used until 1952. Make of lake-washed stone, it is one of over 900 cobblestone masonry buildings built in N.Y. State from 1825 to 1860.
Marker in Memoriam Elwood Lawrence, Teacher 1951-1952
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2021 at 4:32 pm
There are 25 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today in Genesee and Orleans with the two counties now at 6,473 cases during the pandemic since last March, according to today’s daily update from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Since last Friday, Orleans County has 30 new cases while Genesee has 79. The number of active cases in the two counties has dropped in the past seven days from 147 to 118 as recoveries outpaced new cases.
Each county reported one death in the past week that was Covid-related.
In Orleans County there are 7 new positive cases of Covid-19 to report today for a total of 2,363 positive cases since last March.
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, 40s and 60s.
Four of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are 2 county residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.
In Genesee County there are 18 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,110 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 the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Of the new cases, 7 are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, where 75 people have now tested positive for Covid during the pandemic.
Genesee is reporting 11 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are 13 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.
A Red “Hinged” Messenger
