Provided photo: FMC Corporation’s Agricultural Sciences Plant in Middleport hosted a special Safety Moment Day recently for FMC employees featuring community first responders presenting on various topics to highlight efforts to reduce the leading causes of unintentional injury and death at work, on the road, and in homes and communities. Participating in the Safety Moment Day (from left to right) are Archie Ames, FMC plant incident commander; Dave Greenwell, Chief Ryan Czaja and Capt. Regan Ginty of the Middleport Fire Department; Brent Sensenich, FMC Middleport plant manager; and Lt. Julie Kratz of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.
Press Release, FMC in Middleport
MIDDLEPORT – FMC’s Agricultural Sciences Plant in Middleport recently hosted a special “Safety Moment Day” for employees with area first responders that focused on efforts to reduce causes of unintentional injury and death in the workplace, on the road, and in homes and communities.
Among the participants were the Middleport Fire Department, the Middleport Police Department, DiVal Safety Equipment and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, which conducted an interactive simulation for employees of drug and alcohol impaired physical exercises.
“As a company dedicated to our local community, FMC is committed to ongoing safety training that will help keep our employees safe on the job and at home,” said Brent Sensenich, FMC Middleport plant manager. “That commitment has enabled our plant to go more than 18 months as an accident and injury-free workplace without an OSHA recordable incident.”
Among the topics covered were home safety and electrical safety, FMC’s key safety procedures, fork truck safety, office safety, work-related stress, hazard recognition and heat stress.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 September 2020 at 11:02 am
‘This is the governor’s fault. It’s creating such a terrible thing for people, who just want to see their loved ones, and it’s breaking my heart.’
Friends and relatives who have waited nearly six months to see their loved ones in nursing homes now find themselves faced with another obstacle.
Initally, it looked like Gov. Andrew Cuomo was easing some restrictions, saying visitation would be allowed at nursing homes that went 14 days of being Covid free, down from the requirement of 28 days.
But the governor added a new mandate, requiring visitors to receive a Covid test within seven days of visiting a nursing home.
People attempting to get that test are finding the process is a nightmare.
A Medina senior was told to contact his primary care physician to get an order and then go to Orleans Community Health’s Albion Walk-In Healthcare Center, where the test results sometimes take a week or more. That is past the seven-day limit required by the governor’s new mandate.
When this senior’s doctor said they weren’t issuing orders for Covid tests, the doctor’s office said to go to Batavia, where WellNow Urgent Care on Veteran’s Memorial Drive was accepting walk-ins. The senior got to Batavia, had the test and was charged $275.
“A lot of people are struggling with how to move on and see their loved ones,” said Nola Goodrich Kresse, public health and public education officer at Orleans/Genesee Health Department. “We have asked the state to provide free testing in Orleans and Genesee counties, but it’s not happening.”
A Medina senior, who got her Covid test in Albion last Wednesday, got her results on Tuesday. However, when she went to make her appointment for the next test she was told the price had gone from $50 to $100.
Nicole Helsdon, manager of Albion’s Walk-In Healthcare Center, clarified that by saying they initially only charged the co-pay and planned to submit the rest of the cost to the patient’s insurance company, hoping it would pay the difference. If the insurance company denies the claim, the patient will be responsible for the additional cost.
Orleans Community Health is doing these tests at cost and are not making money on the tests, added Jessica Capurso, director of outreach, education and marketing at Orleans Community Health.
Helsdon said it is important to note that this pricing is only for those seeking testing for screening purposes only. There is no cost for those presenting with symptoms, such as children sent home from school or adults sent home from work. The fee charged by the urgent care center is only what the lab charges them.
“Insurance companies are constantly telling us they won’t cover screening for people who aren’t sick,” Helsdon said. “We are having a meeting this week to discuss insurance companies. This is the governor’s fault. It’s creating such a terrible thing for people, who just want to see their loved ones, and it’s breaking my heart.”
Helsdon also wanted to clarify rumors about the length of time it takes to get test results. She said 98 percent of tests come back within 48 to 72 hours. Once in a while there is a hang-up at the lab, she said.
Assemblyman Stephen Hawley is irate about the mandate.
“It’s price gouging and it’s mandated by the governor,” he said. “Testing ought to be free and available.”
He and other lawmakers have urged the governor when making these decisions to consider the different regionalized criteria, based on current statistics.
“That’s the criteria he used for reopening the economy and it was our idea,” Hawley said. “He ought to be looking at the different criteria for nursing home visits across the state, based on Covid-positive tests in each area.”
Hawley explained the state average of positive tests as of Friday was .98 percent. Orleans County reported .5 percent, far below the state average. It had gone up to .8 on Sunday, but that is still below the state average.
“I appreciate and acknowledge that nursing homes have been a big issue during the pandemic,” Hawley said. “But this new mandate is unworkable, expensive and unnecessary.”
Right now, the nearest free Covid testing is available at Niagara County Community College on Route 31 in Sanborn. It is drive-through, but appointments are required. They can be made by calling 1-888-364-3065.
Red Cross blood drives raise scholarship money, offer antibody testing
Schools in Orleans County will still host their fall blood drives with some at community locations as well.
Most high schools host fall and spring blood drives for the students, faculty and staff at their respective schools. Each school earns scholarship money for students with the amount of the scholarship depending on the number of units collected throughout the school year during the blood drives.
This year the students, faculty and staff hope the public comes in to donate blood to boost the scholarship amount and also help fill a critical blood shortage. Each donation helps to save up to three lives.
These schools are hosting blood drives in September and October:
Kendall High School – Thursday, September 24 at Kendall Town Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Albion High School – Thursday, October 8 at Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Albion High School – Thursday, October 22 at Arnold Gregory Complex from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holley High School – Tuesday, October 27 at Holley High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roy-Hart High School – Wednesday, October 28 at Middleport Fire Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Medina High School – Friday, October 30 at Orleans County YMCA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All participating donors will receive a free gift and all donations are tested for the Covid-19 antibody. The antibody test has been extended until January 15, 2021. An antibody test screens for antibodies in your blood, which are formed when fighting an infection, like Covid-19.
An antibody test assesses whether your immune system has responded to the infection, not if the virus is currently present. The Covid-19 antibody test is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.
Donors who test positive for Covid-19 antibodies may have the unique opportunity to help patients fighting the disease.
Appointments are encouraged. You can make an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
BARRE – Heritage Wind and Apex Clean Energy are pleased to announce eight Orleans County-based organizations as the recipients of Heritage Wind Community Grant Program funds from the program’s Summer 2020 grant cycle.
These grants, which ranged from $250 to $3,500, are designed to support community organizations in the following areas: Building Healthy Communities, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Promoting Education.
“These local organizations are doing amazing work. We are both thankful and proud to support them as they provide important services to the community during these challenging times,” said Carmen O’Keefe, Development Manager with Apex Clean Energy.
Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance received a grant to help improve the health and well-being of their emergency responders and staff through upgrades to the living quarters within their base in Albion.
“On behalf of Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance, we would like to thank Apex Clean Energy for the generous grant funding. This grant will allow COVA to update our ambulance base to a more suitable space for our pre-hospital providers serving this community,” said Brandi Fisher, Finance Manager for COVA EMS.
The Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension received grants to support both the construction of the Orleans County STEM Hub, which will be dedicated to year-round STEM activities for Orleans County youth, as well as ongoing 4-H programming.
“We are extremely grateful for the support,” said Robert Batt, Executive Director of the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. “This is a tough year for many reasons, and we have some amazing projects that have been years in the making. In a time of unknowns, support from our community is how we can keep our favorite traditional programs strong and grow into new areas.”
Both the Hospice of Orleans and the Medina Central School District received grants to assist with the purchase of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for their front-line staff.
“The MCSD is grateful for the grant from Heritage Wind for the purchase of clear masks to assist our teachers in their challenging role this fall. We value your community support and thank you for your help,” said MCSD Superintendent Mark Kruzynski.
Other grantees include the Barre Volunteer Fire Company for investing in new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) emergency response technology, Christ Church Community Kitchen to help with the purchase of a new freezer and refrigerator to meet increased needs, The Arc of Genesee Orleans to support their Orleans Enterprises vocational program, and the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum to help offset revenue losses due to Covid-19.
One of Heritage Wind’s long-standing priorities is to be a strong community partner, working with local governments, area businesses, and non-profits to improve people’s lives across the region. Our community grant program is one way that we can contribute to pressing community needs and make a meaningful impact at the local level.
Heritage Wind and Apex Clean Energy intend to open an additional round of grant funding this Fall to be awarded before the end of the year. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 9:47 pm
RIDGEWAY – The deaths of a married couple in Ridgeway have been determined to be a murder-suicide, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said today.
James Payne, 60, and his wife, Shari, 56, were discovered Thursday morning at their North Gravel Road home by their son, when he came home from work.
Mr. Payne had stabbed his wife in the chest and then shot her in the abdomen with an AK-47, Bourke said. Payne then shot himself in the chest, the sheriff said.
“It is a tragedy all the way around,” Bourke said. “The family is in disbelief.”
The Sheriff’s Office initially reported the deaths on Thursday from “apparent unnatural causes.” The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office completed the autopsies and confirmed the cause of deaths from a stabbing and gunshot wound for Mrs. Payne and a gunshot wound for Mr. Payne.
Bourke said the family didn’t observe any issues with the couple, who had been married about 40 years.
The son each morning would visit his parents when he came home from work. The door was always unlocked when he stopped to see them except for last Thursday. He entered the house through a window and discovered his parents who were deceased.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 4:17 pm
Orleans and Genesee each have a new confirmed case of Covid-19 to report today. In Orleans, the new case is an elementary school student at Albion.
The student has been placed on mandatory isolation at home. All close contacts have been notified by the Orleans County Health Department.
“If you were not notified you are not considered a close contact,” the Health Department stated in a news briefing this afternoon.
The student was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
The county has now had 308 people test positive for Covid-19 with five of them in the 0-19 age group.
Genesee County has one new case of Covid-19 and now has had 297 people test positive since March. Of those, 19 are in the 0-19 age group.
The new case confirmed in Genesee County is a Bethany resident in the 50s. The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee also is reporting 2 more people are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, while Orleans has five more on precautionary quarantine due to travel.
To see an online map of confirmed cases in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties, click here.
• State-wide Data: Of the 83,997 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 754 or 0.89 percent were positive.
The state has now had 451,227 confirmed cases since March. New York also hit a milestone with 10 million Covid tests.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 3:32 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign promoting Dirk Lammes for highway superintendent on Route 31 was covered up after the code enforcement officer last week said it violated the town ordinance for being out too early before an election. But town officials on Monday evening acknowledged the current ordinance isn’t clear so Lammes’ sign was allowed to be displayed today.
MURRAY – The Town Board said it will look at updating the town ordinance for election signs after one candidate had two signs cited because the code enforcement officer thought they were out too early.
In Murray, town officials have believed the expectation in the town was no campaign signs out 30 days before an election. That was how Fred Case, the code officer, interpreted the code.
Last week, two signs were put up for Dirk Lammes, a candidate for highway superintendent. Case told the land owners the signs were in violation of the Murray code and needed to be removed.
But Case during Monday’s Town Board meeting said he made a mistake. The general election is Nov. 3, but there is now early voting and people can send in absentee ballots. So Case said the question is when does the election officially start?
Case also said the code states no signs should be up within 30 days of a general election campaign. It doesn’t state general election, but “general election campaign.”
The campaign could start many months before the actual election, when candidates are going to party officials, seeking an endorsement and also trying to get residents to sign a petition.
“We need to clarify when the signs can be posted,” Case told the board on Monday.
He also said signs promoting Donald Trump and Joe Biden for U.S. president have been on many lawns for months.
Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio doesn’t want to see restrictions on campaign signs.
“I apologize,” Case said. “I need clarification from the Town Board on how to enforce this or do we take it out of the zoning code altogether?”
Paul Hendel, a town councilman, said the intent from the town has been to not allow campaign signs until 30 days before people go to the polls.
“I don’t believe residents want to see political signs strewn all over town for more than 30 days,” he said.
The town code also states the signs need to be removed within 48 hours after an election.
Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said he sees political signs as free speech and shouldn’t be constrained with time frames.
He also said the town shouldn’t “spot enforce” the zoning for campaign signs, citing some but not others.
Town Attorney John Sansone said the code should be changed and made more clear.
“The way that this is written it’s impossible,” Sansone said. “For Fred (code officer) to try to enforce this you put him in a situation where he can’t win because there are good arguments on both sides.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 3:11 pm
ALBION — The school district is reporting that an elementary school student has tested positive for Covid-19.
The student was last in school on Friday, Scott Bischoping, interim superintendent, said in a letter to the community.
The Orleans County Health Department will do contact tracing and determine if there is a public health risk. The Health Department will go back 48 hours from the onset of symptoms or from when the student had the Covid test with the contact tracing to determine if anyone needs to be quarantined.
“Our cleaning, social distancing and face covering does a great deal in preventing the spread of any virus on campus,” Bischoping said. “Students and staff have done a wonderful job up to this point of adhering to the protocol that we have put in place.”
The district will work closely with the Health Department on whether any Covid cases rise to the level of closure for students and staff on site. This Covid case doesn’t warrant a closure, Bischoping said.
MEDINA – Firefighters from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company respond to fire with a truck trailer just after noon today at the intersection of Maple Ridge Road and Route 63, across from the entrance of the Dunkin Donuts.
The back of trailer on the truck was smoking and then burst into flames. The truck was hauling a lift and panels.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 11:39 am
MURRAY – A homeless man was charged for allegedly taking money from a cash box at a roadside stand on Monday.
That man identified as Cody Bohn, 22, also has been charged with several other larcenies and in Orleans and Monroe counties, Sheriff Chris Bourke said today.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Ogden Road for a report into larceny of a cash box along a roadside stand.
Approximately 5 minutes later deputies were notified of an individual going through vehicles at the Holley Cold Storage. Deputies were at the scene immediately and took Bohn into custody. Further investigation reveals that Bohn is responsible for a burglary and numerous larcenies within Orleans County. Bohn is also responsible for burglaries and larcenies in Monroe County, Bourke said.
Bohn was charged with Burglary 3rd, Criminal Mischief 3rd, Grand Larceny 4th, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th, Criminal Mischief 4th, 3 counts of Petit Larceny and Harassment 2nd. Further charges are pending.
This investigation was handled by Investigator Kevin Colonna, Chief Deputy Jeffrey Gifaldi, Deputy Jeffrey Cole and Deputy Jeffrey Ashberry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 11:23 am
RIDGEWAY – Five people who were target shooting Monday allegedly caused significant damage to a chemical tank at Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC on Allis Road in Ridgeway.
The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to Helena at 4:45 p.m. for a chemical tank leaking its contents. Upon firefighters’ arrival it was determined that the tanks were punctured by bullets with bullets ricocheting off the tanks and building, Sheriff Chris Bourke said today.
The holding tanks at Helena suffered about $65,000 in damage, according to a preliminary estimate from the company.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, NYS DEC, State Police and Medina Police Department all responded to the scene. After a search of the surrounding fields, five individuals were located south of the facility.
The five people admitted of target shooting and disclosed to deputies the location in the woods, Bourke said.
Investigation at the scene revealed that the shooting lane they were using was directly in line with the chemical tank and building.
Two juveniles and three adults were arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment in the second degree and Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree.
The three adults charged include Jared S. Silva, 41; Stephen J. Jackson, 41; and Joe W. Jackson, 34.
All five were issued appearance tickets and the three adults are to appear in the Town of Ridgeway Court on Oct. 5.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 11:09 am
Travelers from Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island and Wyoming must quarantine for 2 weeks once in NY
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island and Wyoming are on the state’s travel advisory, bringing the total of states to 33 on the advisory. Travelers from those states must self quarantine for two weeks once in New York.
States on the advisory have had a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or they are an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.
“For a clear example of the continuing extent of the Covid crisis in America, look no further than New York’s travel advisory list,” Cuomo said. “The virus’ spread across the country—new cases have increased more than 15 percent in the last 10 days—makes it all the more urgent that we stay vigilant here at home.”
The full list of states and two territories on the travel advisory now includes: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 8:41 am
10 businesses will be at site to take applications, answer questions
KNOWLESVILLE – There will be a first-time drive-through job fair today in Orleans County.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. People should enter the fairgrounds for the job fair from Taylor Hill Road, not Route 31.
The following local companies will be at the job fair: Western New York Energy in Medina, Saint-Gobain ADFORS in Albion, H.H. Dobbins in Lyndonville, Takefrom in Medina, Oak Orchard Health, Pride Pak in Medina, Velocitti in Medina, Orleans Community Health, ATB Staffing and Imagine Staffing.
The event is organized by the Orleans County Job Development Agency. People should bring an up-to-date resume. They also need to stay in their vehicles and wear a mask.
Another drive-through job fair is planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Fairgrounds.
People interested in learning about or applying for local jobs will be directed to drive through a barn where the businesses will be stationed. Potential applicants should have resumes ready to provide to business representatives as they drive through.
For those wishing to find out more details about a particular job or for those businesses that want to interview on the spot, an additional barn will be designated for cars to park so there can be more conversation and exchange of information.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 September 2020 at 8:27 am
United Way of Orleans County has been notified it has been awarded a $55,000 grant from the Western New York Covid-19 Community Response Fund, according to United Way executive director Dean Bellack.
Several months ago, Bellack organized a committee of representatives from a range of sectors and organization types, including United Way, Arc of Orleans/Genesee, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Orleans County Adult Learning Services, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Orleans County YMCA, Boy Scouts of America/Iroquois Trail Council, Praising Kids Daycare, Project Liftoff, Claims Recovery Financial Services, Takeform, Orleans County Job Development Agency and representatives from Orleans County Legislature, Orleans County Economic Development and Orleans Microenterprise Assistance Program.
United Way was the lead agency for this collaborative of county stakeholders, which requested $55,000 to implement a planning process for a county wide solution bridging the digital divide, increasing residents’ digital literacy skills and increasing access to employment opportunities, according to information from Bellack.
County Legislator Ken DeRoller was a member of the committee.
“This grant allows us to jump start a proactive planning process to access solutions, to move Orleans County into the 21st century,” DeRoller said. “Digital Access is the equivalent to having electricity 80 years ago.”
This money will enable the county to hire a consultant through a six-month planning phase to establish an “Orleans Digital Literacy Education Initiative.”
“We will have to work feverishly to gather information from all areas, including schools, farmers, corporations, etc. and hire a consultant to put together our proposal for the next round of funding,” Bellack said. “This consultant will look at all areas and identify all the gaps in the county.”
Bellack praised Robert Batt at Cornell Cooperative Extension, who was the county’s key in consolidating the information into the white paper that was awarded the funding.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2020 at 8:20 am
Highway Department making progress reducing leaks in water system
MURRAY – The Town Board voted on Monday evening to refinance the debt for water districts 2-11 and 13, a move than is expected to save $512,000 over 27 years in reduced debt payments.
The town is working with Jeff Smith of Municipal Solutions to take out a new bond at a lower interest rate. Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said he has been working with accountant Bob Fox on ideas to reduce costs for water users.
Fox said refinancing the debt, during a time of low interest rates, would bring down the annual debt costs. In Murray, Water District 1 is already paid off and other districts have many years of paying down the debt where it doesn’t make as much sense to refinance right now, Sidonio said.
The Town Board was unanimous in the vote. Sidonio said there is still one more vote needed, once the bond proposals come in. That gives the town a chance to not proceed with the refinancing if Murray officials aren’t happy with the terms of the deal.
Sidonio said Municipal Solutions is pushing to have the refinancing in place before 2021, which should provide some debt relief to the 11 water districts next year.
Sidonio also has been raising concern about water loss in the town’s water districts. He said 40 to 60 percent of water in the town hasn’t been billed since January 2018. That is costing Murray about $100,000 in annual water loss.
The Town Highway Department has had success in recent months reducing that loss by changing water meters. The Highway Department last week also found and fixed a big leak on Ridge Road.
Louise Passarell, acting highway superintendent, said the repair already has reduced some of the water loss. She expects to see significant reductions in water loss in future water meter readings on the Ridge.
“It was a great find, a great repair,” Passarell told the Town Board.
She and Sidonio had a tense exchange, with Passarell telling Sidonio he is hurting department morale by not acknowledging the reductions in water loss made by the department, and by frequently talking about the water loss, including given interviews about it to the media.
She said Sidonio has told some people the water line repair on the Ridge was a “fake.”
“I feel like their reputation is being smeared,” Passarell said at the town meeting.
Sidonio said he heard that the leak repair was a fake and only shared that with a councilman in private. He told Passarell he should have been called to the scene.
He praised the highway workers for the success in reducing the water loss. Sidonio said he wants a better working relationship with Passarell and the highway department.
“You may not like me but you should appreciate the position,” Sidonio said about his role as town supervisor. “I look forward to rectifying this and working together.”
He said he will continue to press for reducing the water loss and unaccounted water, saying the water department is in “dire straits.”
Ron Vendetti, the retired code enforcement officer, attended the meeting on Monday and urged the town to make the water loss and unbilled water “the highest priority.” Vendetti said the losses amount to about $300 a day for taxpayers.
“Do whatever you have to do to get it done,” he said.
