Kevin Lynch elected Holley mayor in a close vote

Photo by Tom Rivers: Village of Holley Clerk-Treasurer Deborah Schiavone, right, announces the results of the village election at 9:45 p.m. from the steps of the Holley Gardens/village office at the former Holley High School. From left, waiting for the results, are Village Trustee Rochelle Moroz, Mayor Kevin Lynch and resident Kerri Neale.

Three incumbent mayors were all re-elected today in village elections in Orleans County.

Mike Sidari was elected to another term in Medina, Kevin Lynch won a close election in Holley, and John Belson will continue in Lyndonville.

The elections were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Albion, Lyndonville and Medina were originally slated to go to the polls on March 18. Gov. Andrew Cuomo initially moved the village elections to April 28, but then pushed them back again, this time to Sept. 15.

The Village of Holley has been holding its election the third Tuesday in June in recent years. It also was pushed back to Sept. 15.

Here are the results from the four villages:

• In Albion, Christopher Barry and Kevin Sheehan were elected as village trustees, with Barry getting 54 votes and Sheehan, 51. They outpolled Maurice Taylor, who received 17 votes.

• Holley had the closest election, with Lynch holding off Skip Carpenter, 86 to 78. Lynch was appointed to mayor in July after serving as deputy mayor.

He said Carpenter, a retired postmaster and former mayor, is well known in the community.

“The people know us,” Lynch said. “We’re old Holley people.”

Lynch said the village will be pushing to complete a $4.5 million water and sidewalk project next year, and also will be pursuing grant funding for an upgrade at the sewer plant.

Voters also elected Connie Nenni, 122 votes, and Mark Bower, 120 votes, as village trustees.

• In Lyndonville, John Belson was elected to another term as mayor with 39 votes. Darren Wilson received 16 as a write-in.

There were two trustee positions up for election, but only one name on the ballot. Danny Woodward Jr., who was on ballot, was elected with 37 votes. AnnMarie Holland also was elected with 29 write-in votes.

Others to receive write-in votes included Andrew Cousins with 15, and patrick Whipple, Steven Shaw, Michelle Dillenbeck and James Tuk with 1 each.

• In Medina, it looked like the incumbents were all unopposed. But Mayor Mike Sidari and Trustees Tim Elliott and Marguerite Sherman faced a write-in campaign from Mary Hare for mayor and Charles Hartway for trustee.

The incumbents all were re-elected. Sidari received 104 votes to 59 for Hare. Sherman had 124 votes and Elliott received 118, to 56 for Hartway. Tim Hungerford and Peter Huth both also received two write-ins.

Clarendon, with 5 cases since March, has fewest among 10 Orleans towns

Orleans County is reporting one more confirmed case of Covid-19, a resident of Clarendon in the 50s. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county has now had 305 people test positive for Covid-19 since March.

Clarendon has now had five confirmed cases of Covid-19 since March, that is the fewest among the 10 towns in Orleans County.

The breakdown in cases among the 10 towns includes: Clarendon, 5; Barre, 6; Kendall, 10, Gaines and Yates, 11; Carlton, 13; Murray, 14; Ridgeway, 37; Shelby 72; and Albion 126.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also is reporting one more recovery in Orleans, bringing that total among community residents to 138.

There are also 12 more individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County there aren’t any new Covid-19 cases to report today.

Genesee has one more recovery, bringing that total to 228 who have been released from mandatory isolation.

Genesee also has 7 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

To see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here. There are currently 10 active cases in the three counties with five in Orleans, two in Genesee and three in Wyoming.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that six states – California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio – have been removed from New York State’s Covid-19 travel advisory.

The Northern Mariana Islands have also been removed and Puerto Rico has been added.

“When other states and territories make progress fighting Covid-19, that’s good for New York and while I am glad to see areas removed from the travel advisory list, it still remains far too long,” Cuomo said. “Make no mistake: We must continue to be New York Tough and stay smart. Wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing is what tamed this beast in New York and we must keep it up.”

The full, updated travel advisory list includes: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

There were 73,678 Covid test results reported to New York State on Monday and 766 or 1.0 percent were positive.

Other state Covid data includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 481 (+17)
• Number ICU – 144 (+1)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 60 (+1)
• Deaths – 11 (Total Deaths – 25,405)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today said the state won’t ban trick-or-treating on Halloween.

He was asked the question during an interview on News 12 Long Island with Tara Joyce.

“I would not ban trick-or-treaters going door to door,” Cuomo said. “I don’t think that’s appropriate. You have neighbors – if you want to go knock on your neighbor’s door, God bless you and I’m not going to tell you not to.

“If you want to go for a walk with your child through the neighborhood, I’m not gonna tell you you can’t take your child to the neighborhood, I’m not going to do that – I’ll give you my advice and guidance and then you will make a decision what you do that night.”

ALBION – The Board of Education voted on Monday evening to approve a 5-year contract with the Albion Teachers’ Association.

The labor agreement gives the 163 teachers an average salary increase of 3.1 percent annually over the next five years. The ATA has already voted in favor of the contract.

Teachers will also continue to pay 16.5 percent towards their health insurance plans.

The new contract is a year longer than prior agreements. The past two contracts were for four years each time.

Photos courtesy of Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District

KNOWLESVILLE – Girl Scouts in Troop 82007 pick up trash at the Canal Widewaters on Saturday along Presbyterian Road in Knowlesville.

The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District held the annual shoreline cleanup on Saturday and volunteers collected 130 pounds of garbage.

A group of employees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture picked up litter and trash at the Lake Alice Dam in Carlton.

Soil and Water employees also were out picking up garbage along the shoreline. They include, from left: Melissa Rivelis, District Technician; Megan McAnn, District Technician; and Katie Sommerfeldt, District Manager.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its employees of the year for the 2019-20 school year.

Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.

Michelle Kulbago

Michelle Kulbago is the Administrator of the Year.  She is a special education coordinator/assistant principal who works at the Niagara Academy for the past five years.  Kulbago has been an administrator for 13 years and in education for 27 years.

“My favorite part of my job is being the lead advisor for our Niagara Academy Student Council,” she said. “Our students get a voice in decision-making and the activities that we undertake are super fun, in addition to being opportunities to practice real life skills. Student Council brings a certain kind of joy to the building.”

Kulbago said she was really excited to hear that she has been named the Administrator of the Year. “I called my mom right away! I am so honored! Truly, I consider it a team award as principal Amanda Bennett and I are two peas in a pod and the entire Academy team rocks!”

Susan Ryan

Susan Ryan is the Clerical Person of the Year. She retired this year after 13.5 years at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s main office.

“My favorite part of the job was being able to help others, be it students, staff, or parents,” she said. “It’s a diverse and challenging position, but the bottom line always comes back to making a difference by helping others.”

She describes her reaction to being named Clerical Person of the Year as “stunned, humbled and grateful.”

Ann Ditto

Ann Ditto is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She was a Literacy Instructor for three years in Continuing Education, but has since moved on to the Niagara Academy.

“I can’t really say there is one favorite part of my job,” she said. “I enjoy everything about my job – my students, my colleagues and my supervisors. My Continuing Education supervisor, Sue Diemert, has made being part of Orleans/Niagara BOCES a wonderful experience. She is truly a role model when it comes to passion and work ethic! Recently, I transferred from the adult education world to secondary – I am now at the Niagara Academy and I have found another great group of people and students to work with.

“This year has truly been one for the books when it comes to being an educator, but observing my colleagues work so hard to learn the technology, learn how to Zoom and Meet and Google, and change their entire format of teaching is inspirational,” Ditto said. “I think everyone in the organization deserves ‘Employee of the Year’ for 2020.”

Ditto said when she found out she was the Employee of the Year, she cried.

Alex Empson

“It was exhilarating to hear the news, but it was right after I had cleaned out my classroom and I was already emotional,” she said. “It was hard leaving a position I loved so much and then to be recognized by my peers made me sad to leave. I am so grateful to be where I am today.”

Alex Empson is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. He has been a custodian at Orleans/Niagara BOCES for 12 years.

“My favorite part of my job is the people I work with,” he said. “Finding out I was Employee of the Year was a good feeling.”

Lindsay Delaney

Lindsay Delaney is the Staff Specialist of the Year. She started working at BOCES in 2011 as the School Library System Coordinator.

“My favorite part of my job is helping people,” Delaney said. “With the Library/Media Center, I work to help teachers and it is very rewarding. I also work with amazing educators and staff at BOCES and their dedication is always very impressive to me. I also enjoy all the opportunities I have to attend conferences and trainings to better myself as an educator.”

She said she was thrilled and honored to receive the recognition.

“All the staff specialists work so hard and are great people,” Delaney said. “It’s amazing to be acknowledged from such a dedicated group.  I would like to thank the committee, our District Superintendent Dr. Godshall and the Board of Education for this tremendous honor.”

Jennifer Stacks

Jennifer Stacks was named the Substitute of the Year. She has been subbing since 2014 and last year she worked with teacher Mike Brauer at the North Tonawanda Learning Center for the school year.

“My favorite thing is working with all the teachers, students and aides,” Stacks said. “It was a really good group to work with. I was very surprised and grateful for the nomination.”

Lynda O’Keefe is the Teacher Aide of the Year. She is at the Royalton-Hartland Learning Center and has been working with BOCES for 18 years.

“My favorite part of my job is finding those teachable moments that just pop up when you are working with the students,” she said. “Taking these moments and encouraging the students to explore new things.”

O’Keefe said she was very surprised to find that she won.

“It is truly an honor to work with my amazing coworkers and I am truly thankful to be recognized,” she said.

Jennifer Herko

Jennifer Herko is the Teacher of the Year. She is a School Counselor at the Royalton-Hartland Learning Center and is approaching her 19th year of working at BOCES.

“My favorite part of my job is being a part of witnessing students experiencing the joy of learning and helping them to feel valued and important,” she said. “When I found out I was named Employee of the Year, I felt humbled and grateful for the tremendously talented and compassionate colleagues within this organization that I have the privilege to work with and learn from.”

Students with symptoms could be out of school for a while with current state protocol

ALBION – School leaders say they are concerned about the impact on Albion families of a State Department of Health policy for students who are home sick or if they have Covid-19 symptoms.

Those students can’t return to school in-person until they have a negative Covid test and a doctor’s note saying they are OK.

That could slow down the return to the classroom for students, interim superintendent Scott Bishoping told the Board of Education on Monday.

“The biggest issue that I’ve seen us dealing with so far is the concern about what happens when we have a report of a student being ill, either from home or we have to send them home,” he told the Board.

The current DOH guidelines require a doctor’s note, a Covid negative test and no symptoms in order to return.

If parents call in, saying a child has symptoms or isn’t feeling well, the student can’t come back to school until there is a negative Covid test or a doctor’s visit. Students have to meet that same threshold if they are sent home from school, feeling sick or with Covid symptoms, even if it’s just a headache.

“It has to be difficult for parents,” Bishoping said. “We hope there is some adjustment to that.”

Linda Weller, a Board of Education member, said the current state policy will be a strain on families, who may have to pay for a test in the county and then pay to go to the doctor’s office.

“It is so unfair to the economically disadvantaged,” she said.

There are free Covid test options in Niagara and Monroe counties, but not in Orleans. The test results often take a week or more to come back.

Ideally, there would be a rapid test with the results known very quickly, but that isn’t an option for Albion students right now, Bishoping said.

Advocacy groups are pressing the state to change the policy, he said, to either require a doctor’s visit or a negative Covid test, not both.

“We want more chances for students to get those tests so they can get back to school,” he said about Covid testing. “Or there needs to be a change in the language.”

In other action at Monday’s BOE meeting:

• Discussed how public relations and communication services will be handled at the district this year. Albion has contracted with BOCES for PR and communication services for the 2020-21 school year.

Susan Starkweather Miller served in that role for many years, as well as being a grantwriter and managing the district’s internship program. She retired on Aug. 31.

The district will have BOCES do the communication piece, with a BOCES staffer on campus and afterschool, often on campus five days a week and sometimes on weekends.

Bishoping told the Board of Education one advantage with the BOCES arrangement is Albion also has access to other BOCES staff if there was a crisis situation and Albion needs those communication services.

The district will see how the arrangement goes and could switch back to hiring a district employee from the community, perhaps next year.

The district isn’t doing the internship program to start the school year and Mary Leto, the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction, handles most of the larger “entitlement” grants. Starkweather Miller wrote the applications and managed the “competitive” grants, but there have been fewer of those options.

“I don’t think we have enough to support a part-time or full-time grant writer at this point,” Leto said.

The BOCES staffer also is expected to help Albion roll out a more active district presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

• The board accepted the athletic trainer bid of $30 per hour from Karen Renner of Holley. The board said it needed to accept the lowest responsible bidder. Renner is a lower cost than Charlie Palmer’s proposal of $35 per hour. Palmer has served in the role in recent years for Albion.

• Approved a bid for $41,820 from Lakeshore Property Maintenance LLC in Waterport to provide snow removal services on the district campus. The bid is up 2 percent from Lakeshore bid of $41,000 last school year.

Congressman said 19^th century law burdens taxpayers, makes NY less competitive

Provided photo: U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs held a news conference on Monday in Hamburg with members of the construction, business and insurance industries.

Press Release, U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) announced the introduction of the Infrastructure Expansion Act (H.R. 8222) on Monday morning at a news conference in Hamburg. The press conference was attended by representatives from construction, business, and insurance organizations. Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) has also joined the legislation as a co-sponsor.

“The Scaffold Law is an outdated 19th century law that burdens our taxpayers and hurts our ability to provide critical infrastructure for New Yorkers across the state,” Jacobs said. “Today I am proud to announce that I have taken action to combat one of the most burdensome regulations in New York State by introducing legislation that will drive federally funded construction costs down significantly, making New York more competitive for investment and reducing the taxpayer’s cost. It is my hope Albany will follow suit and repeal the Scaffold Law altogether.”

Currently, in New York State, the Scaffold Law imposes absolute liability for gravity-related injuries, despite who is at fault for the injury, on construction employers and property owners, forcing companies to purchase expensive liability insurance that drives up an overall project’s cost.

For example, the Gateway Rail project is expected to see additional costs of $180 to $300 million due to this requirement. It is also estimated this law has added an additional $200 million on the cost of the Tappan Zee Bridge Project. For families building a home, the New York State Builders Association has estimated that the Scaffold Law increases residential construction costs by as much as $10,000.

The Infrastructure Expansion Act that Rep. Jacobs has introduced imposes a comparative negligence liability standard, pre-empting the Scaffold Law on all projects receiving federal funding. Under Jacobs’ legislation, gravity-related accidents would be investigated to determine blame in the cause of the injury, meaning businesses would no longer be forced to carry excessive insurance plans, and taxpayers are safe guarded against wasteful spending.

“It’s time we finally tackle one of New York’s most economically devasting statutes – the Scaffold Law,” said Rep. Tom Reed (NY-23). “By pre-empting the (Scaffold) Law, we can ensure federal construction projects and communities across New York are no longer unfairly burdened by this harmful law. We will continue to take steps to fight back against the impractical legislation coming out of Albany and boost economic development opportunities throughout the state.”

Mike Elmendorf, President & CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State, said the Scaffold Law is one of the most outdated laws in the country.

“The Scaffold Law, which creates an only-in-New-York absolute liability standard, holds contractors and building owners wholly responsible for gravity-related accidents on construction sites, regardless of who was culpable,” Elmendorf  said. “Workers, small businesses and taxpayers are left holding the bag while trial lawyers laugh all the way to the bank. We commend Congressman Chris Jacobs for introducing the Infrastructure Expansion Act to try to spare federally funded projects from these excessive and unjustifiable costs. We urge Congress to act to protect taxpayers—while also continuing to urge Albany to finally correct this injustice by reforming this outrageous and antiquated law.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Motorcyclists head down Route 31 in Holley’s Public Square on Saturday during a “Back the Blue” ride in Orleans County.

The Orleans Hub reported on Saturday there were more than 1,000 participants in the ride. That was an estimate scanning the grounds on Countyline Road in Murray at the staging area before the ride. I asked a few other people how many they thought were, too, including a motorcyclist who had been at four other rides.

We all thought there were about 1,000 vehicles, maybe more.

Motorcycles pass underneath a giant American flag held high over Route 31 by the ladder trucks at Holley and Clarendon.

But I reviewed a video today from the ride and counted about 500 vehicles. That includes about 300 motorcycles in the beginning of the procession. Then there were about 80 SUVs and pickup trucks. I counted five fire trucks, three dumptrucks, and about 80 other cars, including many classic vehicles.

Add them all up and it’s about 470, including the three law enforcement escorts to start the ride, with two from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and a State Police patrol car.

It took them about 25 minutes, from start to end, to pass through the Public Square in Holley. But on Route 104 in Gaines, where the speed limit was 55, it took 14 minutes for the vehicles to pass by.

Some of the vehicles drive down Route 31 toward Holley’s Public Square.

Orleans County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, bringing the total to 304 who have tested positive in the county since March.

The new case is an Albion resident in the 50s. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

The county has also had two more people recover from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 137.

The county also has 17 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County there aren’t any new Covid-19 cases to report since the last update on Friday afternoon.

Genesee has one more recovery from Covid, bringing that total to 227 recoveries in the community.

Genesee also has four new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• State-wide data: Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that New York State’s Covid-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for 38 straight days.

Yesterday, 0.92 of test results reported to New York State were positive or 583 out of 63,358.

“New York’s government sets the tone for the state’s response to COVID-19, but New Yorkers drive it home,” Cuomo said. “We can defeat this virus and create a better future, but we need New Yorkers to wear masks, socially distance and wash their hands as local governments enforce state guidance.”

Other state data includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 464 (+0)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 43
• Number ICU – 143 (+12)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 59 (+5)
• Deaths – 4 (Total Deaths – 25,394)

This is each region’s percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is now accepting applications for its IMAPCT! Grant program. The grants range from $2,500 to $12,000 and will be awarded to municipalities, not-for-profits with a 501(c)(3) designation, and federally-recognized Native American tribes within the boundaries of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Applications are due by Friday, October 23rd.

“Over the past 12 years, we have awarded 83 grants to communities and non-profit organizations that have spurred $2.35 million in additional investments in heritage preservation, recreation, and education,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “We are eager to provide much-needed funding to help organizations get projects off the ground this year.”

The National Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor apporoved $60,000 of IMPACT! grants for eight projects in canal communities in 2020. None of the projects receiving funding are in Orleans County, but one includes repairs to a mural at the Lift Bridge Book Store in nearby Brockport.

The grant program is competitive, and applications should focus on one or more of five key priorities: showcasing the canal corridor’s distinctive sense of place, protecting canal historic and natural resources, promoting recreational opportunities, creating “must-do” travel experiences, and spurring heritage-based economic growth.

A one-to-one match consisting of non-federal support is required and the awards are distributed on a reimbursement basis at project completion. This grant program is made possible with support from the National Park Service and the New York State Canal Corporation.

“Our state’s canals helped build the New York we have today, and the IMPACT! Grants program supports Governor Cuomo’s ongoing mission to both preserve the system’s rich history and showcase all that it has to offer New Yorkers,” said Brian U. Stratton, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. “These grants have helped communities and organizations across the state boost economic activity while safeguarding the critical environments and historic sites along our canals, and during this exceptionally difficult time for New York, we are thrilled to once again support these efforts in partnership with the Heritage Corridor and the National Park Service.”

Applicants are strongly advised to contact program staff to discuss proposed projects prior to submitting an application. Please contact: Andy Kitzmann, 518-237-7000 x201, andy_kitzmann@partner.nps.gov.

For more information, click here.

Covid-19 pushed back the elections by several months

The village elections will be held Tuesday in Orleans County, several months later than scheduled.

Albion, Lyndonville and Medina were originally slated to go to the polls on March 18. But that was right in the start of a widespread shutdown in the state.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo initially moved the village elections to April 28, but then pushed them back again, this time to Sept. 15.

The Village of Holley has been holding its election the third Tuesday in June in recent years. It also was pushed back to Sept. 15.

Polls will be open from noon to 9.m. on Tuesday. Voters should wear a mask when they go to the polling site.

Here is the slate of candidates for the local village elections:

• In Albion, the Republican and Democratic parties held caucuses to pick candidates on Jan. 28. Albion has two four-year seats open on the Village Board, with Mattea Navarra-Molisani and Peter Sidari not seeking re-election.

Republicans nominated Kevin Sheehan, a former trustee, and Christopher Barry to run for the Village Board. Sheehan is retired as a union plumber and Barry works as a corrections officer. The Democratic Party nominated Maurice Taylor, a retired corrections officer.

Barry and Sheehan were appointed to the board in May, after Navarra-Molisani and Sidari resigned on April 30. They stayed in their positions an extra month to help put together the village’s budget for 2020-21.

Voting on Tuesday will be at the Village Hall, 35-37 East Bank St.

• Holley has two people running for mayor: Kevin Lynch and Stanley “Skip” Carpenter. Lynch is the current Holley mayor. He was appointed to position on July 14, following the resignation of Brian Sorochty. Lynch had been serving as Holley’s deputy mayor. Carpenter, a retired postmaster, has previously served as Holley’s mayor.

There are two candidates for trustees. Connie Nenni is seeking re-election. Mark Bower is running for the position vacated by Lynch, when he moved up to be Holley’s mayor.

All of the terms are for two years. The election will move from the Village Office at the Public Square to the Holley Gardens, the former high school that has been transformed into apartments and village offices. The polling location will be in the lobby.

• Lyndonville has three four-year positions open on the Village Board, but only two candidates on the ballot.

John Belson is seeking re-election as mayor and Danny Woodward is seeking another term as a trustee. The other trustee position will be determined by write-in votes.

Belson will be on the ballot under the “John Belson Party” and Woodward is running under “The People Party.”

Voting is at the Village Hall at 2 South Main St.

• Medina also has three positions up for elections, including the mayor’s position currently held by Michael Sidari and the trustee positions currently filled by Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott.

All three are seeking re-election to the same positions. They are running under “The Village Party.”

Two people are mounting a write-in campaign. Mary Hare is seeking the mayor’s office while Charles Hartway wants to be a village trustee.

Voting in Medina is at the Senior Center, the former railroad depot at 615 West Ave.

TSA photo: TSA officers detected this loaded handgun in a woman’s carry-on bag at Philadelphia International Airport on Sept. 12.

PHILADELPHIA – An Albion woman has been cited and could be fined at least $4,100 for bringing a loaded handgun to the Philadelphia airport on Saturday, the Transportation Security Administration said today.

The woman, whose name wasn’t released, allegedly brought a .22-caliber handgun with nine bullets, including one in the chamber, at one of the security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. TSA, in a news release, said the woman was from the Albion in Orleans County, and not Albion, Pa.

The gun was spotted by a TSA officer in the checkpoint X-ray machine. TSA contacted the Philadelphia Police, who arrived at the checkpoint and confiscated the gun along with a magazine loaded with eight bullets and a single loose bullet. Police cited the woman, TSA officials said in a news release today.

“This gun was caught by our TSA officers just one day after the nation observed the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our homeland,” said William L. Myers, TSA’s Assistant Federal Security Director for the airport. “The anniversary was marked by extensive media coverage and the date itself is seared into the minds of Americans. Yet one day later this traveler did not realize that she was not allowed to bring her loaded gun onto her flight. The fact that guns are not allowed to be carried onto aircraft is a law that has been in place decades before TSA existed. This individual now faces stiff Federal financial civil penalties for her mistake.”

This was the 17th gun detected at checkpoint this year by TSA at the Philadelphia airport. There 20 in 2019, 25 in 2018, and 35 guns detected in 2017.

TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns with them at a checkpoint. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100 and can go as high as $13,669 depending on any mitigating circumstances.

This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane.

When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. Guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at their airline ticket counter. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

CLARENDON – A new memorial for first responders at Hillside Cemetery was hit with graffiti on Saturday.

The memorial isn’t done. A granite plaque will be installed by winter. The memorial is an Eagle Scout service project led by Jeremy Crandall.

The memorial is near the entrance in the cemetery along Holley-Byron Road near the Holley water tank. Many firefighters from Holley and Clarendon are buried in that section of the cemetery, said Melissa Ierlan, the town historian and code enforcement officer.

The granite plaque is 2 feet by 4 feet. It is expected to be installed before winter.

Jeremy’s brother Jacob also did an Eagle Scout project at Hillside. In 2016, he finished a veterans’ memorial with a 30-foot spun aluminum flag pole with a pentagon-shaped concrete base inlayed with five granite stones, bearing the insignia of each branch of the US military.

Ierlan said the graffiti will likely be removed before the plaque is placed on the memorial for first responders. The inlay will cover the paint.