MEDINA – Two esteemed musical groups from the Medina Central School System will join once again this year to present their annual Community Christmas Concert.

The Medina High School A’Cappella Choir and Oak Orchard Elementary School Glee Club Community Christmas Concert is scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

Rachel Trillizio directs the A’Cappella Choir, while Andrea Busch leads the Oak Orchard Glee Club. They will be joined by Kyla Leno and Matt Jaeger, who will direct offerings by several instrumentalists.

The tradition of the A’Cappella Choir Christmas Concert began decades ago at the First Presbyterian Church of Medina, with former choir director Robert Connor.

The much-beloved event became so popular, it eventually outgrew the Presbyterian Church and moved to St. Mary’s, according to Chris Busch, an alumnus of Medina High School and member of St. Mary’s Church.

The event attracts a capacity crowd and is free and open to the public, Busch said.

The Oak Orchard Elementary School Glee Club will join the High School A’Cappella Choir for a Christmas concert Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

Provided photos

MEDINA – A cast of 91 fifth- and sixth-graders at Clifford Wise Intermediate School is performing Finding Nemo KIDS, a musical, this evening and Friday at 7 p.m.

The 45-minute musical is the based on a beloved Pixar film from 2003, Finding Nemo. The musical is designed for elementary school-aged performers. The cast is led by Anna Ferlito, Morgan Janese, Renee Copperthite, Demerise Eadie and Jeanette Sheliga.

“This is the event that most students look forward to each year!” said Ferlito, a Medina music teacher and the musical director. “It is so exciting to watch them put together a show from start to finish and be proud of their production. It’s amazing to be a part of a community that supports the arts and encourages students to explore their musical abilities!”

This is the third production at Clifford Wise Intermediate School as part of their 5th and 6th grade Performing Arts Program. Other productions included Aladdin Jr. and The Jungle Book kids.

“Over the past two years we have seen tremendous growth in the High School Musical Theater program as a result of equipping students with theatrical fundamentals in the younger grades,” Ferlito said. “The kids love when high school students come and work with them on singing, stage presence, choreography, etc, and we love when the kids already feel connected to the vocal program when they enter high school.”

For information on purchasing tickets please email Musical Director Anna Ferlito at aferlito@medinacsd or call (585) 798-2700 ext. 6204.

Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo KIDS is presented through special arrangement with and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International.

BATAVIA – The Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming Workforce Development Board will honor businesses and agencies in the four counties during its annual meeting on Dec. 13.

That meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and goes until 9 a.m. at the Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia. The GLOW WDB will present awards to the following businesses or agencies

• Geib Estates Corp. in Genesee County
• Coast Professional, Inc. in Livingston County
• P.Raising Kids in Orleans County
• Beaver Hollow Conference Center in Wyoming County

The Workforce Development Board also will honor a participant and youth from each county for their success with employment. The WDB also will go over its annual report.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting. For more information, call Jay Lazarony, GLOW WDB executive director, at (585) 344-2042 ext. 4212.

Press Release, Orleans County DSS

RIDGEWAY – The Safe Harbour program run by the Orleans County Department of Social Services is hosting a Human Trafficking Prevention event this evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The event will be held at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, located at 11392 Ridge Rd. in Medina. Anyone 13 years of age and older is welcome to attend and the event is free.

The event will be focused on what families need to know when it comes to human trafficking. Training will be provided by Survivor-Led Solutions, an organization staffed by survivors of trafficking who use their own life experiences to help people identify the red flags for trafficking and how to respond.

The Safe Harbour program is designed to be a safe place for teens. In addition to providing education and awareness, Safe Harbour provides lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.

For more information on Safe Harbour or how you can get your child involved in the program, email SafeHarbour@orleanscounty.gov.

LYNDONVILLE – The community is gearing up for its “Christmas in Lyndonville” celebration on Saturday.

There are activities throughout the day, capped by the lighting of 82 Christmas trees at Veterans Park at 5 p.m. and then a chance to meet Santa from 5:15 to 6:30 at the village office.

The trees are purchased for $45 and decorated by businesses, organizations, families, churches and some graduating classes from Lyndonville.

The village started the tradition of decorating the trees in 2013 with 26 the first year. The number steadily grew reaching a record high of 98 in 2022. Last year there were 85, and now 82 this year.

Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. to flip the switch at the “North Pole” at the park and turn on the lights. The trees will stay on display until after New Year’s, said Teri Buffin, the village clerk/treasurer.

The event on Saturday is sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department, Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville United Methodist Women.

The schedule for Saturday includes:

• Mail letters to Santa at the North Pole Post located at the Yates Community Library
• 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Community Breakfast/Basket Raffle – Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
• 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Holiday Cookie Decorating Station & Crafts – Webber Kitchen
• 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Soup, Sandwiches, Mac & Cheese & Hot & Cold Drinks – Webber Kitchen
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Magical Musical Craft Show – Music Boosters – Lyndonville School
• 10 a.m. to until sold out – Paula’s Donuts & Food – Music Boosters – Lyndonville School
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Petting Zoo – Library Parking Lot
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Hot Chocolate – M&T Bank – Library Parking Lot
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Catherine Street Bakery – Library Parking Lot
• 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Frosty Toss – Christine Heideman Ins. Broker – Library Parking Lot
• 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Horse Drawn Carriage Rides – Village Hall
• 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – NYS Child ID – Orleans County Sheriff’s Dept – Village Hall
• 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Pizza Slices & Subs – Chops Shop Bar & Grill North – Library Parking Lot
• 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Craft & Games at Yates Community Library
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Hotdogs & Sodas with Lyndonville Lions Club – Library
• 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Caroling at Veterans Park
• 5 p.m. to Santa’s Arrival & Lighting of Trees at Vets Park
• 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Visit with Santa
• 7 p.m. – Christmas LaLaPalooza at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Traffic creeps at the intersection of Main Street and East State Street at about 7:45 when the snow was falling fast and furious.

The National Weather Service has issued a snow squall warning until 8:45 a.m. for Orleans, Genesee, Monroe and Niagara counties. The area will get hit with intense bursts of heavy snow, the Weather Service said.

“Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and rapidly falling visibility,” the Weather Service said. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. on Friday for Orleans, Niagara, northern Erie and Genesee counties with 2 to 5 inches of snow expected.

The Orleans County Department of Public Works clears the sidewalk in front of the County Clerks Building.

The historic marker in honor Albion native Terry Anderson stands out in the snow on next to the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion. This is on the side of the church facing Main Street.

Provided photos

MEDINA – Canalside Tattoo Company held its annual toy drive on Saturday, timed with Medina’s Parade of Lights and the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration.

Pictured from left include Canalside’s team, in front kneeling: Matt Rolfe and Rhianna Rosone. In back: Regan Timmer, owner Shawn Ramsey, Tyler VerCruysse, Andrew London, Megan Furness and CJ Cruickshank.

Canalside for several years has collected toys that are distributed by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC).

The business moved from Main Street to 627 West Ave. on Aug. 9.

Representatives from the Medina Area Association of Churches and Community Action of Orleans & Genesee picked up the toys this morning. They will distribute them to local children. Both organizations say they are seeing increased need this holiday season.

Pictured form left include Community Action’s facility staff Ernie Gursslin; Sherry Touhey-Sipple, MAAC’s red barrel coordinator; Jim Sipple, MAAC; Community Action Facility Manager Ricky Standish; and Katrina Standish, director of Community Services & Reporting for Community Action.

The toy donation from Canalside’s toy drive will assist in providing gifts to approximately 150 children in Orleans County through Community Action’s holiday program, Katrina Standish said.

On average, the agency serves about 700 individuals for the holidays. Adults receive a holiday meal and children under the age of 18 receive gifts. Outside agencies are invited to “adopt a family” Please call Community Action’s main office in Albion at (585) 589-5605 for more information on adopting a family for the holiday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announces $100 million in paving projects state-wide today, including two in Orleans County.

The “pavement resiliency” work includes 551 lane miles in state highways. The two projects in Orleans County also extend into a neighboring county.

The local projects include:

• $1.4 million to resurface Route 31A from Hulberton Road to Redman Road, Orleans and Monroe counties.
• $2.6 million to resurface Route 77 from Interstate 90 to Route 63 and Route 63 from Route 77 to the northern boundary of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Genesee and Orleans counties.

“Between extreme heat in the summer, devastating winter storms and the ongoing saga of freeze-thaw cycles, New York’s roads take a pounding from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment takes direct aim at rejuvenating some of the State highways most impacted by extreme weather,” Governor Hochul said in a news release. “Keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair is a sound investment that not only increases resiliency but spurs economic development and tourism across New York.”

The paving projects are expected to start next spring. The work is funded through the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “$10 million from our Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law is literally paving the way for improved safety and good-paying jobs repairing cracks and modernizing highways across New York. I’ll never stop fighting to make sure that our roads are as safe and efficient as possible, and I’m thankful for Governor Hochul’s work putting these federal dollars to good use.”

The Care & Crisis Helpline serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties is up and operational again following a disruption in service due to a network outage.

Residents of the three counties are encouraged to contact the Care & Crisis Helpline at (585) 283-5200 or use the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 during a time of mental health crisis.

Both of these resources are available to all 24 hours a day, 7 days week, 365 days a year.

Faces 5 to 15 years in prison when sentenced on Jan. 29

Noah Magee

ALBION – A judge found Noah Magee not guilty of second-degree murder but instead convicted him of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Roger Kingdollar III, age 24.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church said the case didn’t meet the level of “depraved indifference to life” for second-degree murder but did for manslaughter, which is “recklessly causing another person’s death.”

Magee, 19, could have faced up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of second-degree murder.

With the manslaughter charge, he faces 5 to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 29. He is being held in the county jail without bail until sentencing.

Judge Church also found Magee guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and failure to keep right.

Magee waived his right to a jury trial with Judge Church making his ruling today after a bench trial concluded on Nov. 19.

Magee was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck when crossed over the center lane and went to the north side of McNamar Road on Feb. 8. Kingdollar was driving a dirt bike on the north side of the road.

The truck struck the dirt bike’s handle bars. Kingdollar suffered a fatal fracture in his neck.

During the trial, District Attorney Joe Cardone noted the 9,200-pound truck far outweighed the 236-pound dirt bike.

Cardone said Magee’s actions showed a depraved a indifference to life. A reasonable driver would have slowed down after turning from Angevine Road to McNamar, Cardone said during his closing comments on Nov. 19. But Magee instead sped up until hitting his brakes just before the collision, the DA said.

Paul Vacca Jr., Magee’s defense lawyer, argued in his closing statements that the collision was an accident with no ill intent from Magee.

Cardone said a surveillance video from a neighbor showed Kingdollar riding just north of the road in the grass, doing nothing wrong. Two of his friends on four-wheelers were nearby.

The video shows Magee cross the center line, go past the opposite lane and shoulder of the road and then strike Kingdollar in the grass, Cardone said.

During court today at 1:30 p.m. about 50 people were sitting on the right side of the courtroom for the prosecution, many of them Kingdollar’s friends and family. Magee had about 10 supporters on the left side for the defense.

After Judge Church announced his verdict, Cardone asked that Magee be held without bail until sentencing. D’Amato asked that Magee remain free on bail, saying he has shown up early for all of his court appearances and continued to work full-time.

The judge said Magee will be held without bail. Magee was led out of the courtroom by security personnel, taking a route away from the people sitting in the courtroom.

Cardone spoke with Kingdollar’s supporters in the courtroom after the verdict was announced. He said he would advocate that Magee get the 15 years maximum for second-degree manslaughter.

“We’ll be pushing for the highest sentence we can get,” Cardone said.

Larger monitors designed for patrons with visual impairments

Provided photos: from left include Albion Lions Club member Kevin Howard, Hoag Library Director Betty Sue Miller, and Albion Lions Club member Lloyd Wright.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – The Albion Lions Club has generously donated $500 to Hoag Library to support the purchase of three large computer monitors designed for patrons with visual impairments.

This donation, inspired by the overwhelming success of a large curved monitor purchased in 2023, will expand the library’s accessible technology offerings and improve access to digital content for individuals with limited vision, enhancing their overall experience with library resources. With this contribution, Hoag Library continues its commitment to offering equitable access to technology for all patrons.

The donation aligns with the mission of the MD20 Lions SEE (Screening Eyes Early) program, which focuses on vision screening and eye health awareness. The Lions SEE program works to ensure early detection of vision issues, and the Albion Lions Club’s contribution to Hoag Library continues their commitment to supporting local efforts that promote vision care and accessibility.

“We are deeply grateful to the Albion Lions Club for this thoughtful donation,” said Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library. “The success of the first large monitor showed us just how important this kind of technology is for our patrons with vision challenges, and these new monitors will help even more people stay connected and continue learning.”

The Albion Lions Club has a long-standing history of supporting initiatives that benefit the community, particularly in the areas of vision, hearing, and health services. This donation is a testament to their ongoing dedication to making Albion a more accessible and caring community.

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library officials presented a plan to expand the library on Tuesday evening to about 75 community members.

Lee-Whedon is seeking the public’s support for a $5.2 million bond. A vote will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the district office for Medina, next to the high school.

Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing, discussed the financial impacts of the bond.

The expansion would go on the back of the current library at 620 West Ave. The current building is 11,100 square feet.

The 4,785-square-foot addition would create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There would also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

The library already has $795,320 in grants secured and $175,000 in reserves, leaving a $4,229,680 to be financed over 20 years. That would result in a $48 a year increase in taxes for homes valued at $100,000, said Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing.

That represents the “worst-case scenario,” she said, because the library is likely to get additional grants and raise money in a capital campaign.

The library is seeking an additional $789,520 grant from the state for library construction. If that is secured, the amount to be financed would be $3,4410,160, lowering the tax impact to an average of $39 for houses at $100,000 in assessed value, Crowley said.

The library also expects it could raise $500,000 in a fundraising or capital campaign. If that is successful, the amount to finance would be $2,940,160 or a $34 impact for property assessed at $100,000.

Kristine Mostyn, the library director, noted Lee-Whedon has already acquired and razed two buildings behind the library for the addition. That property and building demolition has already been paid for.

Passero Associates showed a rendering of the front of the building, which includes an overhang near the entrance. That creates a visual impact, draws attention to the entrance and gives a spot to protect from rain and snow.

Passero Associates presented this rendering of the addition, showing how it blends in with the existing building. The addition would be from the three windows on the left.

Mostyn shared statistics from the library, including being open 287 days a year, hosts 371 annual programs attended by 6,899 people, summer programs attended by 1,411 children, 28 community partners, 650 monthly WiFi and computer users, and 103,769 items borrowed a year.

The expansion would allow the library to meet a growing need for meeting space. Right now there aren’t dedicated meeting rooms, and no individual tutoring space.

The library currently has five full-time staff and six part-timers. As part of the expansion, it would add one part-timer, Mostyn said.

If the bond resolution is approved by the public, construction on the addition is expected to start in 2025.

Residents attended the public information meeting to hear about the expansion and the impact on taxpayers.

MEDINA – Senior citizens packed the Senior Center of Western Orleans in Medina on Monday for their annual Christmas dinner and entertainment by Medina High School’s A’Capella Select Choir.

Following the business meeting, director Kelly Shaw handed out $40 gift cards to Tops to 10 seniors whose names were drawn. Concluding the meeting, president Lynn Creasey presented Shaw with a check in appreciation of all she does for the center and its seniors.

Dinner was potluck with beef on weck provided by the center and an array of Christmas cookies.

A highlight of the Christmas dinner every year is a visit from the A’Capella Select Choir, under the current leadership of Rachel Trillizio.

“Their visit is an annual tradition,” Shaw said. “I’ve been here 20 years and they were coming here back then. They’ve never missed a year.”

(Left) Medina Senior Center director Kelly Shaw, right, presents a poinsettia to A’Capella Choir director Rachel Trillizio, after their performance Monday at the Senior Center Christmas party. Each choir member received a decorated Christmas cookie to take home. (Right) Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Citizens of Western New York, presents a check to Kelly Shaw in appreciation of her hard work and dedication to the seniors.

The choir sang a number of old favorite Christmas carols, including Silent Night, Oh Come all Ye Faithful and Joy to the World, along with several praise and gospel tunes, such as Alleluia Madrigal and Nanita Lullaby in Spanish.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world to work with these kids, who give 99.9% of their time to being in the musical program, including choir, marching band and plays,” Trillizio said. “Some of them want to go to college to study music, but those who don’t still show the same amount of pride, passion and dedication to the Music Department.”

Student Riley Tompkins was among the members who sang for the senior citizens on Monday.

“It is always a very enjoyable experience to share our music with people who have been a part of the community for years,” Tompkins said. “It is always a blast to sing in front of them, as they are a very fun audience who love hearing us sing. It means so much knowing that our hard work is recognized with grace. Performing in the Medina community means the world to me, and the people involved are always the highest of excellence.”

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

Another member of the Select Choir is junior Ava Blount. This is her second year in the choir and Select ensemble.

“A’Capella has been a safe space for me these past two years,” Blount said. “No matter what kind of day I’m having, it never fails to brighten my day. Performing for my community has been an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life – seeing all the little kids faces light up when we sing our Christmas carols, and seeing proud parents and sibling watch their babies carry on family traditions. And to those at the Senior Center, I value this experience because I admire carrying on the legacy that was created so many years ago. Yesterday was special, watching everyone’s reactions and faces as we sang songs they once sang. Carrying on this legacy and seeing everyone in the community enjoying our art, no matter what their age, truly makes our hard work worthwhile.”

Trillizio praised her forerunners who built and maintained the A’Capella Choir, namely the late Robert Conner and Lisa Roesseler.

Trillizio said they have sung every year, even during the Covid pandemic when they had to stand three feet apart and wear masks.

Trillizio ended by reminding the audience of their annual A’Capella Community Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.