By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2020 at 9:10 am
‘I loved my kids. All of these kids become like nieces and nephews to me.’
Provided photo: Susan Brabon drove a school bus for Medina for the past four decades.
MEDINA – Susan Brabon never liked working in an office. She preferred to be outside and on the go.
For 41 years she drove a bus for Medina Central School. She has retired from the job.
“People say, ‘How can you stand that job with the screaming kids?’” Brabon said. “I loved my kids. All of these kids become like nieces and nephews to me.”
Brabon majored in business in high school. She was 18 and working a 9-to-5 job in an office when the mother of one of her co-workers would stop in between bus runs. Brabon liked to drive and the schedule appealed to her. The breaks between runs would give her a chance to do errands.
She went to the Medina bus garage at 18 to inquire about being a bus driver. She was told to come back at 21.
She returned and started a career that lasted more than four decades.
She also met her husband through the job.
Wayne Brabon worked as a mechanic in the bus garage and also did a bus run for Medina students to the Orleans-Niagara BOCES. He is retired after 31 years.
He sent in this note of celebration on his wife’s retirement:
“Congratulations to Susan Brabon
June 30, 2020 she retired after 41 years of service as a bus driver with Medina Central School.
She started in October of 1979. She never had an accident or a driving violation in all of those years.
She had had perfect attendance for over 30 of those years.
She will truly miss her kids the most, having been on the same run for over 35 years.
In some cases she was taking the grandchildren of the kids she started with to school.
She loved her job and her kids. That’s what kept her there for so long.
Finally, with the amount of time served (and the impact of the virus), it’s time to stay home.
She says goodbye to her friends and many beloved kids.
From her proud husband, Wayne Brabon”
Mrs. Brabon for 35 years had the same bus run on Maple Ridge Road (Route 31A) going to Millville and the Albion town line. She also did a prekindergarten bus run, and drove numerous Medina sports teams to their games and also took the marching band to many competitions. The marching band trips were often a 15-hour day for the bus driver.
She said there are more rules and regulations these days for bus drivers. She said it is a great job with a chance to connect with many children.
“On my bus there weren’t any discipline problems, we all got along,” she said. “I wasn’t too strict or too easy.”
Local and state law enforcement agencies will have increased patrols for driving while intoxicated this weekend.
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said the local law enforcement agencies will have an increased presence from today through July 6.
“July 4th can be a dangerous time on our roadways due to the increase in parties and festivities,” Bourke said.
Although it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2018 stats revealed a yearly total of 10,511 drunk driving deaths, which an average of one person killed every 50 minutes.
Bourke urges people who have been drinking to plan for a safe way to get home by calling for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi, public transportation or Uber.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also said New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols to crack down on drunk and drugged driving and other traffic infractions during the 4th of July holiday.
State Troopers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving statewide in an effort to keep New York highways safe during one of the busiest summer holidays for travel.
“While the July Fourth weekend is a time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends, too often drinking leads to poor decisions when it is time to go home,” Cuomo said. “To ensure safety on our roads this holiday, State Police and local law enforcement will be cracking down on impaired driving of any kind. I urge all New Yorkers to act responsibly and make arrangements to find a safe way home – never drink and drive.”
Last year, the State Police issued nearly 13,410 vehicle and traffic tickets during the 4th of July weekend. Troopers arrested 249 people for DWI and investigated 187 crashes, which resulted in two fatalities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 8:50 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – An ultralight plane is upside down in a squash field on Gaines Road in Carlton this evening. Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Marsceill is on scene with Carlton firefighters.
The pilot, James Retzlaff of Burt, needed to do an emergency landing after the engine stopped. He was able to circle the field and land the ultralight at about 7:30 p.m. However, the dirt was loose and the plane dug in and flipped over on the landing, said Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Retzlaff, 74, wasn’t injured from the incident. He was able to walk away and was checked out by Carlton firefighters. He declined to be transported by COVA ambulance.
Retzlaff had been flying for about 1 ½ hours before having to an emergency landing just north of the Gaines Valley Aviation Airport.
Provided photos
Members of the Sheriff’s Office help move the damaged ultralight to a trailer. Chief Deputy Jeff Gifaldi, center, Undersheriff Mike Mele and Sheriff Chris Bourke, back right, helped to move the aircraft.
Sheriff Bourke said further examination of the ultralight showed the plane most likely ran out of gas, which caused the engine to conk out.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 4:15 pm
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported that both counties have one more confirmed case of Covid-19.
Orleans has now had 267 people test positive, while Genesee has had 225 cases.
In Orleans, the new positive case is a person from Clarendon in the 50s. The person wasn’t on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
In Genesee County, the new positive case is a person from Oakfield in the 20s. The person was on mandatory quarantine.
Genesee doesn’t have any residents currently hospitalized with Covid-19, while Orleans has seven.
More information from the Health Departments:
• Fourth of July/Social Gatherings: Now that summer is in full swing and with the Independence Day holiday and graduation parties picking up it is important to limit the number of contacts people have.
According to the Governor’s Executive Order, regions in Phase 4 may have gatherings of 50 people or less. Make sure you are practicing social distancing especially if you have underlying health conditions or are over 65 years old. Wear masks/face coverings whenever you are out in public, especially if you cannot maintain a 6-foot space between non-household members. Wash or sanitize your hands and shared items often.
The most important thing to remember is if you are having any type of symptoms to STAY HOME! Some of the symptoms people have been reporting are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste and/or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headaches, fatigue nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Travel Advisory: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut announced that travelers from states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
As of today the states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Texas.
Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.
• Community Testing Sites:
WellNow Urgent Care: 4189 Veterans Memorial Drive Batavia, NY 14020.
Rochester Regional Health Urgent Care: 16 Bank Street Batavia, NY 14020. (Rochester Regional Health has transitioned COVID-19 evaluations from the tents at 127 North Street to Urgent Care)
Oak Orchard Health: 301 West Ave Albion, NY 14411. Call (585) 589-5613 to be screened and to schedule an appointment – no walk-ins.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 3:50 pm
Hot temperatures have hit Orleans County and Western New York. The high temperature today will reach 90 degrees in Orleans County.
Friday and Saturday, which is the Fourth of July, will both be sunny with highs at 86. Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
In Orleans County, the highs are then forecast to be 89 on Monday, 93 on Tuesday, 92 on Wednesday and 91 on Thursday.
A fishing boat and a kayaker both are on the Oak Orchard River headed to the harbor and Lake Ontario.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 3:03 pm
Children in program don’t have to be Holley residents
HOLLEY – The school district will begin offering free breakfasts and lunches on Monday to children ages 18 and younger.
Holley has hosted the program the past five summers. Children in the program don’t have to be Holley school district residents. There isn’t an income level threshold and pre-registration isn’t required.
“It’s always been our intention to provide meals to the children of Holley over the summer,” said Brian Bartalo, Holley school district superintendent. “However, we didn’t typically find many children from other districts participating in this program in the past. This year’s circumstances may be different, as many area families are in greater need, given the challenging economic situations many face. We’re happy that the Holley CSD can support the children in our area.”
Holley is offering the meals in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program runs through Aug. 14.
Transportation will not be provided by the district for this program.
The grab and go meals, which consist of one breakfast and one lunch per child, may be picked up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the Elementary School Back Bus Loop.
Adults may also purchase breakfast and lunch during this program. Breakfast is $2.65 and lunch is $4.45.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 1:59 pm
ALBION – Rachel Curtin, the principal at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School the past seven years ,is leaving Albion to lead the Chautauqua Lake Elementary School in Mayville.
That is near her hometown of Ripley. Chautauqua Lake is a merged district of Ripley and Mayville.
Curtin’s resignation was accepted during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. She starts her new job on Monday.
“I’m really grateful for the time I have had here,” Curtin said today. “I worked with so many wonderful and caring teachers. Our students also are an inspiration, they really are.”
Rachel Curtin performed at several community events, including the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. She is shown singing “Heaven Everywhere” during the show in December 2015.
Curtin joined Albion after working as a principal in Silver Creek, which is also in her home county of Chautauqua. She started her career as a music teacher.
She said the Covid-19 pandemic made her want to be closer to her family back home.
“I really thought I would retire at Albion,” Curtin said. “Chautauqua Lake is my hometown. The Covid crisis has taught us family is so important to have in your life.”
The Board of Education on Tuesday also accepted the resignations of Lisa Burlison, an AIS and reading teacher at the elementary and middle schools, and Anna Atwater, an elementary vocal music teacher.
Rachel Curtin stands on a new elementary school playground with a megaphone on May 22, 2014. She thanked the contractors, community and school employees for working to make the project a reality. After the opening ceremony, students joyfully played on new slides, swings, climbing apparatus and other playground equipment. The new playground replaced one made out of wood that tended to attract bees.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 11:32 am
Dirt track on Culvert Road has hosted races since 1957
MEDINA – The Crusaders Motorcycle Club announced today the dirt track on Culvert Road won’t be hosting any races this year.
The season usually goes from June through August with races on some Sundays. Club leaders were hoping they could host some races before the summer was over, but they made the announcement today there won’t be any competitions at the track.
The club has been in frequent contact with the local Health Department and leaders of the Finger Lakes Region about hosting races. The Crusaders draw several hundred people for their races.
“Our number one priority has always been safety and the cost and liability is too great for us to take the chance and race with the number of racers and spectators that we get at the track,” Brandi DiMatteo, one of the club leaders, posted on the Crusaders Facebook page this morning. “We have decided that all parking spots and seasons passes will just roll over for next year, if for whatever reason you would like your money back – please reach out to us.”
The Crusaders have hosted motorcycle races since 1957.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 10:20 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, carries a box of produce on June 10 during a food distribution at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The Extension staff and volunteers put 1,200 boxes of produce in vehicles that stopped by.
Food distributions will be back next week in Orleans County after there weren’t any of the events this week. The food is available at no charge to the community.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension will host USDA Farmers-to-Families Food Box Distribution events on July 8 and July 22. The Extension will be distributing 1,200 boxes of produce.
There also will be Foodlink distributions with three boxes of food per vehicle on the Fridays from July 10 through July 31. The three boxes are perishable items of produce, dairy and cooked meat.
Some of the Foodlink product is from the federal USDA’s new initiative called CFAP (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program). In this program, distributors who would normally serve schools, restaurants, and municipal programs are able to pre-pack boxes of perishable product and deliver to distributions being done all over the country, said Melissa Blanar, OFA director in Orleans County.
The July drive-through distribution schedule includes:
July 8: Produce distribution at 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville – 10 a.m. until gone
July 10: Community Action’s Main Street Store in Albion, across from Hoag Library – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
July 17: Medina Calvary Cupboard with new location at Medina Central School District – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Enter off of West Oak Orchard Street from Main Street or West Avenue. Entry is at the Oak Orchard Elementary School, signs will be posted. No lines before 8 a.m.)
July 22: Produce distribution at 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville – 10 a.m. until gone
July 24: Community Action’s Main Street Store in Albion – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
July 31: Holley at a location to be determined – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2020 at 9:21 am
Scott Bischoping
ALBION – The Albion Board of Education appointed an interim superintendent on Tuesday evening. Scott Bischoping starts the job on Monday.
He will take over as superintendent for Michael Bonnewell, who will serve as evaluator of teachers in the his last year with the district before his retirement.
Bischoping most recently served as interim superintendent at North Rose-Wolcott Central School from Feb. 3 until last week.
Previously, Bischoping was an interim superintendent at Batavia City School District. He also was the district superintendent for Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES.
Bischoping began his career in 1988 as a business education teacher at Livonia.
Albion is pushing to have a new superintendent in place by Jan. 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2020 at 10:00 pm
Joe Biden
Joe Biden dominated the Presidential primary among Orleans County Democrats. He had a big advantage with in-person voting in the June 23 primary, which also included early voting the previous 10 days.
There were about twice as many voters in absentee ballots that were counted today by the Orleans County Board of Elections.
Biden received 76 percent of the votes cast through absentees or 700 of the 920.
Biden has the Democratic secured. His main rival, Bernie Sanders, suspended his campaign in April.
Here are the Orleans County results for the 11 candidates on the ballot:
Joe Biden, 338 in-person, 700 absentees for 1,038 total
Bernie Sanders, 67 in-person, 133 absentees for 200 total
Elizabeth Warren, 18 in-person, 31 absentees for 49 total
Pete Buttigieg, 17 in-person, 20 absentees for 37 total
Amy Klobuchar, 11 in-person, 9 absentees for 20 total
Andrew Yang, 9 in-person, 6 absentees for 15 total
Michael Bloomberg, 8 in-person, 9 absentees for 17 total
Deval Patrick, 5 in-person, 3 absentees for 8 total
Tom Steyer, 3 in-person, 5 absentees for 8 total
Michael Bennet, 3 in-person, 4 absentees for 7 total
Tulsi Gabbard, 5 in-person, 0 absentees for 5 total
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2020 at 9:09 pm
Orleans and Genesee counties both don’t have any new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for the second consecutive day.
Both counties also aren’t reported any new recoveries from the coronavirus. Genesee doesn’t have anyone hospitalized with Covid-19, while seven Orleans Cunty residents are currently hospitalized with the virus, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
More from the local Health Departments:
• Take personal responsibility to protect yourself and others. Avoid public places when traveling, if possible. Wear a mask if you are within six feet of distance (indoors or out) from non-household individuals, in a situation where you can’t maintain six feet of distance from others, in public or private transportation carrier or for-hire vehicle.
Wash your hands often with soap and water at least 20 seconds, especially before eating. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue (or the inside of your elbow) and discard the tissue in a closed container. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Now that summer is in full swing and with the Independence Day holiday and graduation parties picking up it is important to limit the number of contacts people have. Make sure you are practicing social distancing especially if you have underlying health conditions or are over 65 years old. Wear masks / face coverings whenever you are out in public, especially if you cannot maintain a 6 foot space between non-household members. Wash or sanitize your hands and shared items often.
The most important thing to remember is if you are having any type of symptoms to STAY HOME! Some of the symptoms people have been reporting are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste and/or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headaches, fatigue nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Travel Advisory: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut announced that as of 12:01 a.m. on June 25, travelers from states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
As of today the states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Texas.
Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.
• Community Testing Sites:
WellNow Urgent Care: 4189 Veterans Memorial Drive Batavia, NY 14020.
Rochester Regional Health Urgent Care: 16 Bank Street Batavia, NY 14020. (Rochester Regional Health has transitioned COVID-19 evaluations from the tents at 127 North Street to Urgent Care)
Oak Orchard Health: 301 West Ave Albion, NY 14411. Call (585) 589-5613 to be screened and to schedule an appointment – no walk-ins.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2020 at 6:31 pm
Republican candidate, however, has most overall votes in county
Nate McMurray
Nate McMurray topped Chris Jacobs in votes through absentee ballots in Orleans County. McMurray had 1,425 votes through absentees, compared to 1,264 for Chris Jacobs.
That is a much better showing for McMurray than the in-person ballots through early voting and at the polls on June 23.
Jacobs had 2,804 votes to 674 for McMurray.
The candidates were seeking the remaining six months of Chris Collins term for the NY-27th Congressional District, which includes eight counties.
The total Orleans County votes for the candidates in the special election include:
• Chris Jacobs (Rep, Independence) – 2,804 in-person, 1,264 absentees for 4,068 total.
• Nate McMurray (Democratic, Working Families) – 674 in-person, 1,425 absentees for 2,069 total.
• Michael Gammariello (Green) – 17 in-person, 21 absentees for 38 total.
Jacobs also widened his lead in the GOP primary among Orleans County Republican voters. This primary is to be the Republican candidate in the November general election for a full two-year term in Congress for the NY-27th.
The votes for three candidates include:
• Chris Jacobs – 1,775 in-person, 796 absentees for 2,571 total.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2020 at 4:48 pm
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department welcomed a new K-9 today. The department also announced the dog’s handler, police officer Jacob Reeves.
The dog, a Belgian Malinois, will train for 14 weeks with Reeves before going into service for the community. They will train in patrols and drug detection.
Medina PD is giving the public a chance to vote for the dog’s name. The options include: Bandit, Erie, Phoenix, Gunner, Apollo and Raider. Click here to cast a vote on the Medina PD Facebook page.
Reeves joined the Medina PD in May 2016. He will replace Lt. Todd Draper as the department’s K-9 handler. The new dog also will replace Kye, who has worked with Draper the past eight years. When the new dog completes its training, Kye will retire, likely in late fall.
