School district looks to offer more in-person learning at lower grade levels if Covid numbers don’t spike

ALBION – The school district has seen an increase in students doing remote learning since the start of the school year because some families were concerned after nine students have tested positive for Covid-19.

Those cases included eight who were doing hybrid classes at the district, with two days in person and three days remotely. Another student taking remote classes also tested positive.

The students didn’t contract Covid at school, said Scott Bischoping, the district’s interim superintendent.

Paul Pettit, the public health director for Orleans and Genesee counties, said local school districts have done a great job minimizing the spread of Covid. Pettit said all cases of students getting Covid have happened outside of school, typically at a family gathering.

Bischoping, speaking at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, said the student cases prompted about 50-60 families to take their children out of the hybrid model to remote only. In the elementary and middle schools, 30 percent of the students are now taking classes fully remote, while 37 percent of high school students are remote only.

The first student case was announced on Sept. 22. The nine cases include 3 in the middle school, 2 in high school and 4 in elementary school. No teachers have tested positive for Covid at Albion.

The district also hears from parents they would like to have more days of in-person education. Ryan Woolston on Monday submitted a written request for the district to offer more in-person education.

He said the remote education doesn’t work for many students and their families, who need to find childcare and turn to tutors to help their kids.

Woolston said he worries about the emotional impact on students who are forced to learn from home.

Bischoping said the district is looking to add more in-person days in late November as long as the Covid-19 cases don’t spike in the community. The numbers have been trending up in recent weeks.

School administrators and teachers are working on a plan for bringing back more students for more days each week. Bischoping said the district’s first focus will be offering more in-person days at Prekindergarten, kindergarten and grades 1 and 2.

The district will be in contact with families in the lower grade levels if Albion can bring students back for more in-person days.

“We’ll work with teachers to determine how to do it safely,” Bischoping said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. “We will develop plans later this month. If the positivity rate settles, we’ll try to offer and give parents the option for more days.”

District waiting for news from state about winter sports

The board and superintendent also discussed the winter sports schedule. The state has set Nov. 30 as the start of practice for winter sports, but Bischoping said the state hasn’t said what sports will be allowed for winter.

Bischoping said some regions have already had swimming this fall so he expects that will happen this winter for Albion athletes. There is a chance the meets could be held at multiple locations instead of one school. Each school would use their own pool and the times would be compared with officials at each pool while the meets are run concurrently, Bischoping said.

The state hasn’t released any guidelines on how basketball and wrestling will happen in a pandemic. Those are close-contact sports.

“I think nobody wants to deliver the bad news, that’s my sense anyway,” Bischoping said. “We are waiting somewhat impatiently, because the coaches want to know, the kids want to know and we want to know.”

Kathy Harling, the Board president, said she is impressed by the fall athletes, who have been wearing masks on the soccer field and even in long-distance cross country races.

“I’m incredibly proud of our students and especially our student athletes,” Harling said. “If you watch a game our athletes keep those masks on 90 percent of the time. They may be the only ones on the field with their masks on. They have been phenomenal about it. Even cross country, imagine running with a mask, but you see pictures of them wearing their masks but everybody around them may not be wearing them so I’m extremely proud of them.”

The presidential race gets the most attention, but there are several other offices on the ballot Tuesday, including the 27th Congressional District, state Legislature positions, county offices and positions in the towns of Shelby and Murray.

The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Here is a list of the candidates on the ballot:

President/Vice President

• Joe Biden/Kamala Harris, Democratic and Working Families
• Donald J. Trump/Michael Pence, Republican and Conservative
• Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker, Green
• Jo Jorgensen/Jeremy Cohen, Libertarian
• Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard, Independence

27th Congressional District

• Nathan McMurray, Democratic and Working Families
• Chris Jacobs, Republican, Conservative and Independence
• Duane Whitmer, Libertarian

State Supreme Court Justice

• Amy Martoche, Democratic and Working Families
• Gerald Greenan, III, Republican, Conservative and Independence

State Senator, 62nd District

• Robert Ortt, Republican, Conservative and Independence

State Assembly, 139th District

• Stephen Hawley, Republican, Conservative and Independence
• Mark Glogowski, Libertarian

State Assembly, 144 District

• Michael Norris, Republican, Conservative, Libertarian and Independence

Orleans County Clerk

• Nadine Hanlon, Republican
• Diane Shampine, Conservative

District Attorney

• Joseph Cardone, Republican

Coroner (3 positions)

• Scott Schmidt, Republican
• Charles Smith, Republican
• Rocco Sidari, Republican, Conservative

Town of Murray Town Justice

• Theodore Spada, Jr., Republican

Town of Murray Councilperson

• Randall Bower, Republican

Town of Murray Highway Superintendent

• Dirk Lammes, Jr., Republican and Conservative
• James DeFilipps, Independence and Jimmy D for Highway Party

Town of Shelby Supervisor

• Jeffrey Smith, Republican

Town of Shelby Councilperson

• Ryan Wilkins, Republican
• (Craig Stalker is also running as write-in campaign.)

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for Tuesday’s election at 11 locations in Orleans County.

There is one change in a polling location. Carlton voters usually vote at the Town Hall, but on Tuesday they will cast their ballots at the Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall on Route 98.

Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library and part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company (and Carlton will be using the Rec Hall).

Here is a list of the polling sites:

• Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
• Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Murray Town Hall, 3840 Fancher Rd. (Route 31)
• Ridgeway – Districts 1, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 2, 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
• Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
• Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced an additional $10 million is being dedicated to the Nourish New York program, bringing the total funding dedicated to the program to $35 million.

The funding will allow New York’s emergency food providers to continue to purchase surplus products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver it to New York families in need through the end of the year, including during the holiday season, which can be a challenging time for families.

Nourish New York was first announced by the Governor in April 2020 in response to the financial hardships New York’s dairy farmers were facing with the loss of key markets and the significant, increased demand New York’s food banks were seeing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the program started, more than 16 million pounds of dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and more have been purchased and provided to 823,883 households.

“The pandemic has been difficult for all of us, including our agricultural community and the families they feed. The Nourish New York program has successfully bridged the gap between our families, our food banks, and our farmers,” Governor Cuomo said. “Still, there is a very clear need in our communities. By extending the Nourish New York program and providing another $10 million to our regional food banks and local food providers, we can continue to support and help New Yorkers put food on the table while ensuring an economic benefit to our farmers through the holiday season, which can be a challenging time for families.”

Funding for this second round of the program is being provided from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. It will be reallocated to food banks and emergency food providers through existing contracts extended through December 31, 2020.  Emergency food providers can spend the money allocated to them by:

• Setting up food-drive through events/giveaways (guidance available by clicking here);
• Distributing dairy vouchers that can be redeemed in grocery stores for products like cheese, yogurt, milk, sour cream, and butter, throughout the state, and/or;
• Purchasing products directly from New York dairy/food manufacturers for their feeding programs.

“I am proud of the program’s reach and the relationships that have been forged,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “Nourish New York has provided families with fresh and nutritious local food and a much-needed market for our agricultural producers and processors. We have made great progress as a state in fighting this pandemic. However, the economic challenges continue for so many. I look forward to the next phase of this meaningful program and its lasting impact on our agricultural community and our neighbors.”

Since its launch, the $25 million Nourish New York initiative has supported 3,438 food distributions, providing New York dairy, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and produce, meat, seafood, eggs and more to 823,883 households. Through the food banks’ purchases, 4,140 farms have been impacted, relieving farmers from having to dispose of surplus milk and providing growers with a place to sell their produce. The $25 million investment is on track to be spent by the end of October.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, New York food banks have seen a dramatic increase in demand, in some regions up to 200 percent, as many New Yorkers struggle to put food on the table. At the same time, New York’s farmers and producers have faced their own unprecedented, extreme financial difficulties. Many temporarily lost up to 50 percent of their markets through the closure of schools and restaurants.

Covid-19 restrictions prevent larger group gatherings so Santa will use Zoom video conferencing

Photos by Tom Rivers: Santa Claus visited the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina on Nov. 30, 2018 for a pajama storytime. There were about 75 kids in attendance, who shared their Christmas wish list with Santa.

The Covid-19 Grinch is preventing Santa Claus from doing his usual pre-holiday meet and greets in Orleans County. There won’t be large group gatherings with Santa at local libraries and other venues.

Weston Burgio, 5, of Albion stepped up to meet Santa Claus on Dec. 2, 2019 at Hoag Library in Albion. This year the library will be hosting a Zoom meet with Santa.

The Orleans County Health Department has also discouraged Santa from meeting up close with children during a pandemic.

That has prompted one local person who portrays Santa to try the Zoom video conferencing to allow children to express their Christmas wishes to Santa.

“It’s a different world that we live in,” said the local Santa.

The Santa admits to be a bit technology-challenged. But he has set up an account on Zoom and plans to announce a schedule where children and families can log on and talk with Santa.

“We’re all learning,” the Santa said about the video conferencing. “Nothing is set in stone.”

Santa was assisted in getting his Zoom account established with help from Teresa Gaylard, children’s librarian at Hoag Library in Albion, and Michael Magnuson, a Hoag reference librarian.

Santa will be doing a visit at the library, but it will be through Zoom rather than in-person. He also will do a Zoom meet and greet at the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia. He is working on setting up a schedule that should be available publicly for people to Zoom in and meet Santa.

The Santa said he will be reading a Christmas story as he usual does. He is adding something new this year. He will be encouraging kids to wear a mask and wash their hands frequently.

“Santa needs to be a role model and set an example,” he said.

The Santa believes the Zoom meetings can still feel special for children.

“It won’t be face to face, but children are going to be able to reach out to the North Pole directly,” Santa said. “If I can put a smile on one child’s face it will all be worth it.”

ALBION – A Ridgeway man who was being transferred to the Orleans County Jail on Sept. 5 and bolted from Sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers was arraigned in County Court for escape.

Joseph J. Motzer, 27, of Ridgeway also was arraigned last Wednesday for second-degree assault and aggravated criminal contempt. He was charged on the morning of Sept. 5 after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, who was 8 months pregnant. He allegedly choked her using an electric cord.

He was taken by a Sheriff’s deputy to the Orleans County jail that morning. When he was in the process of being turned over to the jail staff, Motzer allegedly took off running with his hands cuffed behind his back.

He was taken into custody at about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 5 after he was found hiding under a picnic table in the backyard of a residence on South Main Street near the Main Street Thrift Store.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church set bail at $10,000 cash and $20,00 bond for Motzer during the arraignment last week.

In other cases:

• A Kendall man pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

Lazaro Botello, 29, was charged on May 12 for DWI on West Park Street in Albion. He admitted in court to drinking a six-pack of beer before driving. He also admitted to trying to force himself into a house and damaging the door.

He was driving without a license on may 12 after his license had been revoked due to a prior DWI.

As part of a plea agreement, Botello could face a maximum of 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 6.

• Allan Gray, 47, of Albion was arraigned for driving while intoxicated and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree.

He was charged on Aug. 16 in the Town of Kendall.

Orleans reports 25 more recoveries for people who had Covid

Orleans County has three new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, which pushes the county past 400 total cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre and Murray. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s and 60s.

The individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said this afternoon.

There are also 7 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

The county also has 25 more recoveries from Covid-19 and those people have been removed from the isolation list.

One Orleans resident remains hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 6 new positive cases of Covid-19 and has now had 381 positive cases.

The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Bergen, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and Pavilion. The individuals are either in their 30s, 50s or 60s.

One of the individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments reported.

There are 16 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Genesee also is reporting 16 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee also has 1 person hospitalized due to Covid.

To see an online map of the confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here. There are currently 44 active case sin the three counties with 21 in Genesee, 12 in Orleans and 11 in Wyoming.

• Notice from the Health Departments: Due to Election Day there will be no press briefing, no update on the map, nor on the respective county websites. Updates will resume on Wednesday.

• State-wide Data: The statewide positivity rate is 1.70 percent with the positive testing rate in all Focus Zone areas at 3.50 percent. The positivity outside all Focus Zone areas is 1.48 percent.

Within the focus areas, 10,503 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 368 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 85,598 test results were reported, yielding 1,265 positives.

“New York is in the midst of a sea of division and a national Covid surge,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “All around us, the Covid infection rate is going up. You see it in states all across the nation, in countries around the globe, and in contiguous states. So we should be on high alert and we should be even more diligent, because the virus spreads across state boundaries, and we’re in the party season.”

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than $328 million in home heating aid is now available for low- and middle-income New Yorkers who need assistance keeping their homes warm during the coming winter season.

Applications are now being accepted for the Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides federal funding to assist homeowners and renters with their heating costs during the cold weather months.

“Cold weather brings yet another challenge for many New Yorkers already struggling to make ends meet during this unprecedented pandemic,” Governor Cuomo said. “This critical funding will help hundreds of thousands of them manage the cost of heating their homes and apartments as autumn brings in cooler temperatures and winter approaches.”

Eligible homeowners and renters may receive assistance of up to $741 from HEAP, overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,019 or an annual gross income of $60,226 and still qualify for benefits, which is a modest increase from the previous year’s threshold.

Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone, with funding provided on a first-come, first-served basis. A list of local offices by county can be found by clicking here. Residents outside of New York City may also apply online for regular heating assistance benefits (click here).

Earlier this year, Governor Cuomo signed legislation extending a moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households that are struggling with their bills due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Utility companies must instead offer these individuals a deferred payment agreement on any past-due balance.

New Yorkers who receive HEAP assistance this season and continue to fall behind on their utility bills or are running short on heating fuel may also qualify for a one-time emergency HEAP benefit. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted starting on Monday, Jan. 4.

Last year, more than 1.6 million homeowners and renters throughout the state received heating aid through HEAP. Among them were more than 530,000 households with a family member 60 or older, totaling roughly $98 million in heating assistance for elderly New Yorkers.

Help is also now available to assist eligible homeowners if their primary heating equipment is unsafe or not operating. Homeowners can apply to have their furnace or boiler repaired or replaced through the HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program. Applicants for these benefits should contact their local department of social services for more information.

ALBION – The Pullman Memorial Universalist Church welcomes people to stop by for a peaceful gathering from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The gathering will not be political or partisan, but rather a place to come together as community as the current election season winds down,” said Jessica George, board chair for the church. “We’d like this to be a counter to the messages of division and separateness we’ve been hearing this year.”

There won’t be any designated speakers at the gathering. People are welcome to bring their own chair and sit on the church’s lawn during a time of “unity, love and community,” George said.

Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.

Provided photos: AJ’s Play Date in Medina celebrated its grand opening Saturday with a ribbon cutting, coloring contest and giveaways. From left are owners Adam and Kerry Papaj; Jon Costello, mentor with SCOPE; Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Diane Blanchard, coordinator of Orleans Economic Development’s Microenterprise Assistance Program; Dorothy Daniels, MAP instructor; Mike Sidari, Medina mayor; and Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller.

MEDINA – AJ’s Play Date in Medina celebrated its grand opening Saturday with a ribbon cutting, coloring contest and giveaways.

Adam and Kerry Papaj opened AJ’s Play Date on Aug. 24 at 627 West Ave., at a former women’s gym across from Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The Papajs transformed the site into a one-of-kind playground with other activities that get kids ages 2 to 12 jumping, climbing, building and exploring.

AJ’s Play Date opens at time when many youth programs have been shut down or curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kerry Papaj, a speech pathologist the past 26 years at Lyndonville Central School, designed the playground and the space at AJ’s. There is a trampoline in the center of the playground, and swings, stairs, a spiky spinner, a webbed bridge, tunnels and other obstacles for gross and sensory motor play.

Staff, children and parents dance to “YMCA” during the grand opening of AJ’s Play Date in Medina on Saturday. The afternoon featured a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. with local officials, disc jockey JT Thomas playing Halloween music; a coloring contest; and more. Harper and Mackenzie Gilbert, right, enjoy activities during the grand opening of AJ’s Play Date on Saturday.

The Papajs also set up a double train table, two doll houses and pretend play center with a kitchen, laundry, grocery store and ice cream/bake shop.

The family created the space to be friendly with children on the autism spectrum who have sensory processing issues. AJ’s has activities for gross motor play, such as jumping and running.

AJ’s is named for Adam and sons Aiden and Arik, whose first and middle initials are all AJ. The family had been considering the indoor playground center for the past three years. They were aiming to open on March 1, but Covid-19 delayed the project. They weren’t able to receive the playground equipment until July.

ALBION – The Main Street Store at 131 South Main St. in Albion is more than a thrift store.

It is a community building project of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. It not only offers high quality and unique merchandise and apparel, but it provides on-the-job training in retail sales and business. Through their Dress for Success Program, those looking for a job not only learn how to dress for a professional setting, but can shop for their clothing at the store. The store will also supply clothes for a job interview.

In addition, Community Action runs a tutoring program with Albion Central School.

Community Action has had a thrift store for decades, said Annette Finch, director of emergency services. The store started downtown where it filled two store fronts at 45-49 Main St. As they grew and ran out of room and parking, they bought the former American Legion building and moved there in the fall of 2014.

Mary Yockel creates an eye-catching display at the Main Street Store by arranging mannequins at a table for sale.

Michelle George has been manager of the thrift store since it first opened. She still can’t believe the number of people who don’t know the Main Street Store is there.

Their location now allows them to display all kinds of merchandise in a tasteful manner. One room is devoted solely to Christmas decorations, and Finch said anyone needing stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts should look no further than the Main Street Store.

At the east end of the building, Community Action runs its offices for the CATS bus service.

Michelle George, left, manager of Community Action’s Main Street Store in Albion, and Annette Finch, director of emergency services, stand by a high-end living room suite which is for sale in the store. The store, which has been a mainstay on Main Street for decades, offers high quality merchandise for sale and provides on-the-job training in retail sales/business.

The store sells everything from household goods, furniture, antiques, linens, lighting, large and small appliances and electronics to jewelry, quality apparel for the whole family, shoes and bags, decorative items, health and fitness items, games and puzzles, crafts, exercise equipment, camping equipment and more.

“We’re like a mini department store,” Finch said. “Our only competition is Walmart.”

Store inventory changes daily, George said. There are daily BOGO sales, tag sales, weekly sales and ongoing overstock clearance sales.

Covid-19 health and safety policies are followed to ensure the store is safe for customers. Face masks are mandatory and hand sanitizer is stationed at the entry door for all customers to use before entering the building. Carts are sanitized after each use and social distancing is required.

Dan Nottingham, an employee of Community Action, provides behind-the-scenes support at the Main Street Store. He stands with a unique hutch filled with collectible Christmas decorations.

All merchandise is reasonably priced and is sanitized before being put up for sale. Apparel is washed and dried. Donations are held aside for several days prior to processing.

The store accepts large donations, such as stair chair lifts, appliances, indoor and outdoor furniture, windows, tools and exercise equipment.

Donations may be dropped off between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. For donations outside of those hours, the store requests donors call (585) 589-1430 and make an appointment. They ask that donations be clean, that clothing is placed in small kitchen-sized trash bags and items be in boxes weighing less than 20 pounds. Books should be boxed separately. The store cannot accept non-working electronics, broken or old technology or damaged items.

All proceeds from sales directly support employment training and other services offered through the store. These services are also supplemented by funding from United Way and the Genesee Valley Women’s Foundation.

Regularly, several staff members can be found completing retail sales/business “on-the-job” training, gaining experience and work history for future employment. Services are open to the public at no cost. The store also welcomes volunteers to provide valuable help on the retail sales floor.

The public is reminded to check out the store’s Facebook page for pictures, sales and notices.

Sales floor manager Teri Lester, left, and Mary Yockel arrange merchandise in the holiday room, where every shelf is filled with Christmas decorations.

Press Release, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge announces that it will also adopt the newly added New York State Department of Environmental Conservation veteran and active military waterfowl hunt on Saturday, November 14.

This hunt will operate similar to the regular season waterfowl hunt in that individual hunting stands will be decided at 5 a.m. on the morning of the hunt through a random drawing. The draw will be held at the Refuge Shop at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013 to ensure the safety of staff and the public during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mapping applications may try to take you to Sour Springs Road, so ensure it is directing you to the Iroquois NWR Admin Building at the above address.

This is a free hunt for veteran and active military personnel. State regulations apply including required documentation, which can be found on the DEC website (click here). Refuge specific regulations also apply. Please click here for more information.

Iroquois NWR will also be open for the second session of the waterfowl hunting season beginning on November 28. Permits will be available online (click here) for all blinds on a first come, first serve basis. Permits will be made available 2 days prior to the hunt day at 6 p.m. and close at 5 a.m. the morning of the hunt. You will receive your permit for your blind immediately via RecAccess. Since you will select your blind at check out, there will be no morning blind draw. All other rules and regulations apply.

For further information please see our website or contact Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge at Iroquois@fws.gov or Visitor Services Specialist Eric Schaertl at 585-948-5445 x7036. Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester, NY and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Chilly today but the highs will be in 60s most of week

Photo by Tom Rivers: This frost-covered leaf has endured some chilly temperatures recently. The high temps will be in the 60s later this week.

A wind advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 4 p.m. today until 1 a.m. tonight.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued the advisory for Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

There will be westerly winds 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 to 50 mph expected, the Weather Service said.

Today is forecast for a high of 39 degrees, followed by a high near 45 on Tuesday.

Then the high temperatures will be in the 60s with 62 on Wednesday, 63 on Thursday, 64 on Friday, 66 on Saturday and 68 on Sunday.