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Youth sailor from 32 years ago returns to run OOYC program

Provided photos: (Left) Becky Almeter stands at the helm of the family boat on Lake Ontario. Almeter, who was a member of the first youth sailing class 32 years ago, is leading the program this summer. (Right) Becky Almeter, foreground, sails with her brother Tim Hodgins and son Joseph Almeter during Thursday night boat races on Lake Ontario.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 March 2024 at 8:27 pm

WATERPORT – Sailing is not only fun, relaxing and a great way to spend a sunny day, but there are other important reasons Oak Orchard Yacht Club at Point Breeze has sponsored a long-standing youth sailing program.

Children ages 9 to 18 are taught the basics of sailing and water safety and create lasting memories in a day camp setting, according to this year’s instructor, Becky Almeter of East Bethany.

Almeter is the daughter of lifelong sailors, Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins of East Bethany. Bob is commodore of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club. Almeter was a member of the very first youth sailing class in 1992.

“I grew up on the docks of Oak Orchard Yacht Club,” Almeter said. “When my parents first got our family sailboat and brought it to Oak Orchard, we were there all the time living aboard during the summer. It was our home base, and from there our family sailed all over Lake Ontario and beyond, including a trip to the Bahamas during which my two brothers and I were homeschooled on the boat.”

Almeter took the youth sailing program several years as a student, and then got her U.S. Sailing Certificate to teach, returning as instructor for several years. After leaving the area for college, she completed her U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s 6-pack commercial license and worked on the water in various capacities. She has sailed on Lake Ontario, in Florida and the Caribbean, cruising and racing,

Almeter and her husband anticipate spending much of their summer on the Oak Orchard with their five children. Oldest son Joe has been in the sailing program for the past three summers, and this year he will be joined by his sister Abby.

“I am excited about directing the program, because it was such an integral part of my childhood and I hope my children can have a part of that same experience,” Almeter said. “My memories of my childhood at OOYC were fun, carefree summers spent swimming, sailing, going to Brown’s Berry Patch for slushies, candy and ice cream, running around playing games on the club lawn and on the playground.

“I didn’t know it then, but while I was having all that fun, I was creating deep bonds with my friends, learning confidence and self-sufficiency, learning how to read weather, how to feel comfortable on open water, general ‘rules of the road’ for navigating creek traffic and countless other smaller things that kids absorb through engaged activity,” Almeter said. “In this busy day and age, when it’s a much more difficult time to be a kid, I feel like this program is able to give kids back a little more time and space – to turn off the screens, and step away from devices. To simply be kids a little bit longer – having fun, learning skills hands-on, being active and engaging in teamwork – all the things that enrich their minds and bodies in a ‘back-to-basics’ way.”

The youth sailing program is a win-win for both parents and kids, according to Almeter. It builds many life skills, including teamwork, weather and wind awareness, knot tying, boat handling and more. Also, it is a healthy activity that gets kids outside, while having tons of fun and making new friends.

“Our youth sailing program provides an introduction to an activity kids can enjoy for a lifetime,” reads a pamphlet provided by OOYC.

Youth sailing camp begins each day at Oak Orchard Yacht Club, 1103 Archbald Rd., Waterport. Dates are July 8-12 and 15-19 for Session 1 and July 22-26 and July 29-Aug. 2 for Session 2. Camp is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Campers bring their own lunch.

Instructors decide where to sail and take lunch break each day, based on the weather and curriculum. Parents can often watch their young sailors from the pier at Point Breeze.

Instructors are U.S. Sailing certified, with a low student-to-instructor ratio. They follow the latest safety guidelines, including a mandatory swim test for all campers.

Cost is $460 for one session of 10 days or $685 for two sessions. Discounts available include a sibling discount, OOYC member discount and early registration discount by May 1. Families should contact the Yacht Club to discuss pricing.

Registration can be done online by logging on to ooyc.org and clicking on Youth Sailing from the top banner. Once registration is completed, an invoice and any necessary paperwork will be sent by OOYC. A current medical form, waiver and safety agreement must be completed for each camper.

“I am truly honored to be leading the sailing program this year, and am looking forward to a safe, fun program for all our sailors,” Almeter said.

More information can also be obtained by contacting Almeter at (585) 813-7259 (call or text) or e-mailing beckya@hodginsengraving.com.

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Lyndonville Lions will offer eyeglass clinic for community on April 13

File photo by Tom Rivers: About 250 attended an eyeglass clinic on March 19, 2022 at the White Birth Golf Course. The event was organized by the Lyndonville Lions Club with help from others Lions Clubs in the area, as well as a team of eye specialists.

Staff Reports Posted 28 March 2024 at 5:46 pm

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club will be hosting a pop-up eye clinic for the third straight year on April 13.

The clinic starts at 10 a.m. at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.  There will be volunteers and eye specialists at the site to evaluate about 125 individuals for visual acuity, early signs of glaucoma and glasses fitting, if needed.

Given the high attendance in previous years, people are encouraged to sign in early to reserve a spot. Keep an eye out for upcoming advertisements regarding this event, the Lyndonville Lions Club advised.

The club also recently participated in a community Easter Egg Hunt in Lyndonville, supplying complimentary hot dogs and beverages to those in attendance.

Additionally, in the near future, the club will announce details of the upcoming 50th anniversary July 4th celebration put on by the Lions Club.

An even bigger fireworks display, additional marching bands for the parade, and a day-long music festival are just part of the enhancements for this year’s festivities.

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NY reaches 3-year labor deal with corrections officers in state prisons
Posted 28 March 2024 at 5:27 pm

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the ratification of a three-year labor agreement with the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, which includes more than 17,000 members of the Security Services bargaining unit in titles such as correction officer, correction sergeant, and secure hospital treatment assistant.

The agreement, which runs until March 31, 2026, won the approval of 73 percent of NYCOPBA member who cast ballots.

“This labor agreement will help to ensure that the brave members of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association are fairly compensated for their tremendous contributions to our state,” Governor Hochul said. “I thank NYSCOPBA’s executive assembly for their partnership throughout negotiations and its membership for their hard work and dedication to keeping New Yorkers safe.”

The ratified contract includes raises in each year of the agreement consistent with other recently negotiated agreements. In addition, the contract includes other increases in compensation such as a lump sum bonus and up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave. The contract also includes changes in the health insurance program that will encourage in-network employee utilization and help control health insurance costs.

New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association President Chris Summers said, “Since taking office, on more than one occasion, Governor Hochul has publicly praised our members for their dedication and hard work, day in and day out, despite very difficult and dangerous working conditions. Our members never had the option to work from home as many others did. The Governor’s Office and NYSCOPBA have recognized that working together now, and in the future, will help to resolve issues that our members are facing daily.”

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III said, “I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to ensure the hardworking members of NYSCOPBA have a ratified contract that will deliver the compensation and benefits they deserve. I value our security staff for the extremely difficult job and the role they play in public safety. This contract has the ability to significantly impact our employee recruitment and retention efforts. I commend Governor Hochul and NYSCOPBA for working cooperatively to reach this labor agreement.”

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AME students at BOCES make firepit for PAWS fundraiser
Posted 28 March 2024 at 12:17 pm

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Provided photo: from left include Dominick Ciliberto, Javier Hamilton (Lockport), Melinda Whiting with Toby, and Patty Coffee.

MEDINA – Bill Rakonczay’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) Class started their spring break on an uplifting note by doing something nice to help some shelter animals.

Dominick Ciliberto and his brother Mickey own Planter Box Direct and All Metal Works and wanted to do something nice for a local charity.  They reached out to the AME class, at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center (OCTEC), to see if they could create a custom firepit to help fund a charity of the class’s choice.

After some deliberation between Mr. Rakonczay and his students, they decided they wanted to help out PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.  Student Javier Hamilton from Lockport High School volunteered to create the piece. “I was glad to help out someone who takes care of animals,” he said.

Not only did Dominick and Mickey pay for the firepit that PAWS will use for a fundraiser over the summer, they also made an additional monetary donation to the AME class and to PAWS to help offset veterinarian bills for their shelter’s animals.

“We were so happy to be able to help out this amazing organization,” said Mr. Rakonczay.  “Thank you to Dom and Mickey for their generosity. This project made us all feel great!”

Dominick met PAWS Shelter Supervisor Patty Coffee and shelter volunteer Melinda Whiting on Wednesday at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES classroom where Javier presented the firepit he created.

Patty and Melinda brought along an adorable puppy Toby, who was rescued from a high kill shelter in Texas and will be looking for his forever home soon. If you are interested, contact PAWS at Paws14411@gmail.com.

“We want to thank the OCTEC AME Class, Dominick, Mickey, Planter Box Direct, All Metal Works, Javier, Marcus Hamilton, Megan Campagna and Melinda Whiting for helping us raise money,” said Patty Coffee.  “We are so lucky to have such a great support system from the community.  We could not keep our doors open without you!”

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Medina will form committee to focus on inclusive playground at State Street Park
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2024 at 9:29 am

GameTime design: The proposal for Medina from GameTime includes playground equipment would be accessible to children with disabilities and mobility issues.

MEDINA – The Village Board will be forming a committee to work on an inclusive playground at State Street Park.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari will be retiring from the mayor position on March 31, but he will be on the committee for the playground. It’s a project he said he wants to see to completion. Village Trustee Jess Marciano also will be part of the group.

The two talked with representatives from the Rochester Area Community Foundation on Tuesday about funding for the playground.

The Village Board on Monday approved forming the committee. More members will be added to the committee. People interested in serving on the committee could fill out a volunteer application by stopping at the clerk’s office or checking the village website.

The playground will be accessible to children with disabilities and mobility issues. The village is looking to partner with the Rochester Community Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Foundation to have the new playground at State Street Park.

GameTime has submitted a proposal for the playground that would cost $492,321. The Village Board is tasking the committee to seek grants and donations for the project so Medina’s only commitment would perhaps be some site work, with no direct financial contributions.

The proposal for an inclusive playground at State Street Park State includes PowerScape playgrounds with large decks and uprights to provide strength and capacity.

Other features include sensory wave seats, RoxAll See Saw, inclusive whirl, Bunny Spring Rider, four-bay swing frame, including two with a belt, two with enclosed tot, two with Zero G, one expression swing and one expression swing with a universal seat.

There would also be a freestanding sensory wave arch climber with sensors, four benches, geotextile rolls and wood fibers.

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Governor announces free lifetime pass to state parks for Gold Star families from NY
Posted 28 March 2024 at 9:02 am

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

 Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that beginning on Monday, April 1, New York State veterans and Gold Star families will have free access to New York State parks, campgrounds, day use areas, historic sites, and recreation areas through the expansion of the Lifetime Liberty Pass Program.

Governor Hochul signed a package of legislation in November 2023 to support veterans and their families, which included this initiative.

“Our veterans have made endless sacrifices and New York is always looking for ways we can say thank you for keeping our country safe,” Governor Hochul said. “Nature heals and with the expansion of our Lifetime Liberty Pass Program, we’re ensuring veterans and their families can easily visit our world-class destinations here in New York.”

Under the legislation signed by Governor Hochul, the Lifetime Liberty Pass Program will now be extended to include all veterans and certain Gold Star Family members who are residents of New York State. A disability rating is no longer required. The benefits include:

  • Free vehicle entry to State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)-operated campgrounds and day use areas, as well as state boat launch sites, historic sites, arboretums, and park preserves.
  • Free greens fees at State Park-operated golf courses.
  • Free swimming pool entrance at pools operated by State Parks.
  • Discounted campsite and cabin rentals at State Parks- and DEC-operated campgrounds. The discount will be applied at the time of campground check-in.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “We are incredibly grateful to our veterans for their dedication and service and are excited to provide veteran communities more opportunities to better connect with state parks, historic sites and recreation areas and facilitate a lifelong love of the outdoors.”

Veterans can access these benefits by presenting a NY State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) photo document (ID) with veteran status designation to employees at all staffed facilities. Veterans who do not have this designation on their ID can visit the NYS DMV website for more information or apply for the free Lifetime Liberty Pass to ensure seamless entry.

New York State Gold Star Parents, Spouses or Children should apply for the free Lifetime Liberty Pass to ensure entry at all park locations. The application process for the Lifetime Liberty Pass will open on April 1, 2024.

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Community Foundation announces 11 grants for non-profits in Orleans County
Posted 28 March 2024 at 8:50 am

Press Release, Rochester Area Community Foundation

In an effort to expand its support for the Greater Rochester-Finger Lakes region and tackle what is called the “Rural Blindspot,” Rochester Area Community Foundation awarded more than $146,000 to 11 nonprofits serving Orleans County.

“The Rural Blindspot” is an insight coined in the Stanford Social Innovation Review indicating that communities where people live farther apart are often overlooked in grantmaking when compared to their more populated neighbors, even when the need for resources is great. According to the data, these rural communities are some of the least likely to both apply for and receive funding to address inequities.

For the Community Foundation, equitable grantmaking means unlocking the potential for those who have had less access to the resources needed to thrive. It means strengthening relationships with community partners who have their finger on the pulse of resident needs. Orleans County has dedicated nonprofits, kind neighbors, and deep roots, but faces a childhood poverty level of 20 percent.

“The Community Foundation service area covers eight counties in our region, not just Monroe,” says Senior Program Officer Sara Bukowiec. “This dedicated funding was part of an intentional shift in our approach to make our grantmaking opportunities more inclusive of rural counties.”

The Foundation historically received few applications from counties like Orleans, but suspected this underrepresented the community’s need for resources and support. In response, the Foundation set aside money and spread the word to nonprofits, community leaders, and chambers of commerce across Genesee, Livingston, and Orleans counties that at least $50,000 in grants would be available for each county. A two-part application process made it easier for nonprofits to apply and for the Foundation to spot opportunities for collaboration and to combine funding from multiple sources.

Twenty-two letters of intent seeking a total of $462,077 were received from nonprofits serving Orleans County, which clearly outlined the need for investment. The uptick in applications and diverse sources of funding identified to satisfy 11 of these requests bolstered the Foundation’s new regional approach.

Community Foundation funding for this grantmaking initiative came from its Community Impact Fund, which pools contributions from more than 100 permanent funds established specifically to support changing community needs, along with dollars from the Greater Rochester Women’s Fund, The Sarah Collins Fund, Fox-Knoeferl Family Fund, VJ Stanley Sr. Fund, Robert C. and Jane K. Stevens Legacy Fund, and Edward R. Lane Fund.

Grants supporting Orleans County include:

  • Alianza Agrícola Inc. * : Provides transportation for immigrant farmworker families to various events and activities to increase participation and engagement across a five-county service area. $50,000
  • Arc GLOW * : Provides transportation for an estimated 40 children, with and without disabilities, to Camp Rainbow in Lyndonville for a five-week summer camp where kids can grow emotionally and physically through inclusive outdoor experiences. $19,700
  • Cancer Support Community Rochester * : The “Mapping My Journey in Rural Communities” outreach program will provide cancer screening and support services to underserved groups in Orleans, Livingston, and Genesee counties. $5,000
  • First Presbyterian Church Albion: To provide free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and high school equivalency exam preparation to serve the Spanish-speaking migrant agricultural worker community. $3,500
  • Genesee Country Village & Museum *: The Rural School Admission Support program provides subsidized, reduced-rate, and/or fully-funded in-person educational opportunities to schools with financial need. $7,500
  • Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry: This Albion-based program helps maintain personal hygiene and dignity by providing laundry products to all clients, many of whom are burdened by the costs associated with public laundromats. $2,560
  • Orleans County Adult Learning Services: Supports advertising and outreach materials to increase community awareness of its free adult and childhood literacy tutoring services. $3,000
  • P.Raising Kids Child Care Center: To purchase outdoor storage in order to free up space for play and learning inside this center in Medina where kids of any economic situation can grow and flourish. $4,600
  • PathStone Foundation: Addresses critical building improvements to the domestic violence shelter, built around 1900, that supports Orleans and other nearby counties. Work will include painting, plumbing, and security measures in order to continue providing a safe and supportive environment for survivors. $20,500
  • United Way of Orleans County: To commission a Housing Action Strategy in coordination with key stakeholders, with the goal of increasing the availability of affordable housing over three years and focusing on low-to-moderate income residents. $10,000
  • Visually Impaired Advancement * : Supports a part-time outreach staff position to provide 2-1-1 navigational services and outreach in Orleans and Genesee counties. $20,000

* Grants that also support Livingston County and/or Genesee County.

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Judge lets counties’ lawsuit proceed opposing new weighted voting for WROTB
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2024 at 9:50 pm

Orleans among 7 counties suing after change from 1 county, 1 vote that defined WROTB’s first 50 years

ALBION – A State Supreme Court judge ruled today that a lawsuit can proceed that challenges a new weighted voting system for the 15 counties and cities of Rochester and Buffalo which make up the ownership of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.

The first 50 years of WROTB, each entity had the same vote or 1 vote for each municipality, regardless of the population.

But the state budget approved about a year ago included legislation that implemented a new weighted voting system. It gives 99 votes total, with more populous municipalities getting more votes. Erie County gets the most with 24 votes while the four smallest counties: Orleans, Wyoming, Seneca and Schuyler get 1 each.

Here is the breakdown of votes per municipality:

  • Erie County: 24
  • Monroe County: 20
  • City of Buffalo: 10
  • City of Rochester and Niagara: 8
  • Chautauqua: 5
  • Oswego: 4
  • Steuben, Wayne, Cattaraugus, Cayuga: 3
  • Livingston and Genesee: 2
  • Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca, Schuyler: 1

Six of the counties filed a lawsuit against Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, the State Senate and State Assembly.

The counties in the lawsuit are all Republican-led and include Orleans, Genesee, Niagara, Livingston, Wyoming and Seneca. Oswego also was added to the lawsuit today.

The lawsuit was filed in September in Orleans County, and that’s where a motion of dismiss the case was heard today by Judge Frank Caruso.

Joe Terragnoli, representing the Attorney General’s Office, appeared in court today with Dennis Vacco representing the seven counties.

Vacco said the case is a very important challenge, showing smaller rural counties standing up to a “power grab” imposed by the state.

“I’m a little emotional about it because I think they receive these types of shenanigans from Albany all the time,” Vacco, a former state attorney general, told the judge in court this afternoon.

The municipalities in WROTB fronted the money to start WROTB in 1973, which has returned about $245 million in profits to the municipalities. Terragnoli said the initial funding to start WROTB has been paid back – many times – to the counties.

“It’s been a very lucrative deal,” he said. “They gave loans and they were paid in full.”

That contribution never guaranteed an equal vote for perpetuity. The money didn’t purchase voting rights, Terragnoli said.

The state has the right to restructure the board with a weighted vote, he said.

Vacco said the smaller counties never would have put up the money if they had such a small voice at the board table.

He said the change could harm the smaller counties economically, especially if the four members with the most votes – Erie, Monroe, Rochester and Buffalo – get together and make a decision that could hurt the payouts to the other counties. Vacco said the four larger municipalities could go on a hiring spree, approve a capital project the others oppose, or even sell Batavia Downs.

The racetrack in Batavia has 912 video gaming machines that generate about $7 million in profits each month. WROTB also has nine OTB branches and 24 EZ Bet locations.

Vacco also said the legislation approved in May 2023 specifically targeted WROTB and not the other regional OTBs in the state – Capital OTB, Catskill OTB, Nassau OTB and Suffolk OTB.

Terragnoli acknowledged the legislation, pushed by State Sen. Tim Kennedy of South Buffalo, was partly in response to allegations of mismanagement by WROTB. The organization was faulted in an audit by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who said the organization’s leadership did not properly account for $120,000 worth of sports and event tickets purchased by the company. Kennedy and others have characterized the accounting error as “corruption.”

WROTB has said there are tighter controls now for how those tickets are distributed.

The state comptroller and state attorney general also have challenged WROTB for providing fully paid health insurance coverage to some part-time board members. The organization has put an end to health benefits for new board appointees.

Terragnoli said the WROTB board didn’t do enough to self correct, which prompted the legislation with the weighted voting for the board. That legislation also removed all the board members at the time with the 15 counties and two cities to appoint either the same representatives or new ones. (Orleans County opted to reappoint Ed Morgan to the role.)

Terragnoli said the counties that have sued the state over the changes with the board at WROTB are now claiming they could be hurt financially.

“Where was the concern when the comptroller’s report came out?” he said in court about the misused tickets and perks intended for Batavia Downs customers.

Vacco also said the legislation championed by State Sen. Tim Kennedy twice failed to get through the Legislature on its own merits. It only passed when it was lumped into the state budget vote in an act of “subterfuge.”

The legislation would needed a two-thirds majority vote if it had been a standalone bill, Vacco said. It didn’t get the two-thirds threshold as part of the state budget, which is another reason the weighted-voting change should be negated, he said.

Vacco said the counties will wait for the state to file its response to today’s ruling. There also could be an evidentiary hearing in one of the next steps with the case.

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Albion PD seeks help in finding missing 21-year-old man
Posted 27 March 2024 at 12:51 pm

Press Release, Albion Police Department

Cooper W. Karas

ALBION – The Albion Police Department is asking for your help with locating Cooper W. Karas, age 21.

Cooper was last seen on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Village of Albion where he dropped his dog off to his grandparents for them to care for it.

Cooper has a mental health history and is believed he may harm himself.  Cooper was reported missing from Greece, NY on March 25.

He may possibly be in Orleans County, Genesee County or Monroe County area.

He was last seen wearing black sweatpants, black Northface jacket and bright green crocs.

Cooper is known to be operating a Grey 2013 Volkswagen Jetta with NY Registration KEC4445.

If you have any information regarding Cooper’s location or safety, please call Orleans County Dispatch at 585-589-5527, the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627 or Greece Police Department at 585-581-4033.

UPDATE at 7:58 a.m. on March 28: Shirley Nigro, Cooper’s grandmother, said he was seen in the Dennis, Massachusetts area on Wednesday at about 9 a.m.

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Local officials prepare for the unexpected with the eclipse on April 8
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2024 at 12:45 pm

‘It’s not a matter of if people will come. It’s how many.’

This slide was part of a presentation from Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County Emergency Management director.

ALBION – A once-in-a-century phenomenon on April 8, a total eclipse, could bring huge crowds to Orleans County, congesting roads and overwhelming local emergency response resources.

Or, it may be much ado about nothing.

Local officials are planning for a busy day in the county and trying to have personnel in place to respond to multiple emergencies.

“Who knows what this could be?” Sheriff Chris Bourke said during Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. “It could be a big nothing.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sheriff Chris Bourke said the Sheriff’s oOffice will have 15 patrol cars in service during the eclipse as well as its marine patrol.

The Sheriff’s Office will double patrols on Friday, April 5, and will continue that extra presence until after the eclipse on Monday, April 8. Albion, Holley and Medina police also will have more officers working during the eclipse.

Bourke said there will be increased traffic volume that day, but just how many is unknown. If the forecast shows clear skies on April 8, Bourke said the county will definitely feel an impact from many visitors and “eclipse chasers.”

There are many eclipse activities planned in Orleans County leading up to April 8 and also during the historic day. The last total eclipse in Orleans County was in 1925.

But Bourke said there are major events planned in Niagara and Monroe counties, and Orleans will see a lot of traffic as people head to and leave those events.

Justin Neiderhofer, the county’s emergency management director, said the buzz leading uo to the eclipse reminds many of Y2K, when many people predicted chaos with computer systems when the year changed from 1999 to 2000. That proved to be a lot of fear over not much impact, he said.

“I know this feels like Y2K,” he told county legislators during their meeting on Tuesday. “We’re preparing for the worst.”

Orleans is in the path of totality for the eclipse, beginning around 3:20 p.m. Part of south Orleans in Barre and Clarendon is on the center line with maximum duration of the eclipse, about four minutes.

“It’s not a matter of if people will come,” Niederhofer said. “It’s how many.”

The 911 communications center will be fully staffed with three dispatchers for the day and afternoon shifts from Friday through Monday.

Cell phones could be unreliable on April 8 because the network may exceed capacity, Niederhofer said.

Justin Neiderhofer discusses the preparation of local law enforcement and first responders for the upcoming eclipse on April 8, which is expected to bring many visitors to the county.

Medina Fire Department will have all four of its ambulances in service. The County Legislature approved spending up to $12,000 to have two other ambulances in service for Orleans County that day. Those ambulances will be assigned by the state Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Services.

There are events tied to the eclipse planned at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, Cobblestone Museum, Kendall Fire Department, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Hurd Orchards, Oak Orchard Canoe and Kayak and skydiving at Pine Hill Airport. There are still camping opportunities with sites still available at Big Guys in Holley and the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.

Neiderhofer said other communities in the United States where there has been a total eclipse experienced traffic congestion for 12 hours after the eclipse, when there is a mass exit from the visitors to leave.

“It’s hard to plan for something when you don’t know what will happen,” Niederhofer said.

But he noted the local law enforcement, EMS and other first responders are ready if needed.

“Don’t expect the normal traffic in the afternoon,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. “It may be difficult to traverse.”

The County Legislature in August approved spending $9,045 from its contingency fund to buy 25,000 eclipse glasses with the Orleans County tourism logo. Those glasses are available a local libraries and the Kendall Town Hall. The glasses are Orleans County-branded that are ISO certified and are safe for direct solar viewing of the eclipse.

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Albion man pleads guilty to crime spree, faces 5 years in prison
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2024 at 11:41 am

ALBION – An Albion man pleaded guilty to five crimes today in Orleans County Court and faces a maximum of five years in prison, plus five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on May 29.

Alexander Gelo

Alexander C. Gelo, 32, was wanted on a warrant when he charged following a traffic stop on Feb. 28, 2023 on Ridge Road in the Town of Gaines. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred on Feb. 14, 2023 when Gelo allegedly made threats to physically harm a witness in a criminal proceeding against Gelo.

Today in court Gelo pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a charge that carries 3 ½ to 15 years in prison. Gelo admitted in court today to having a loaded 9 mm handgun.

He also pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • Menacing in the second degree for displaying a semiautomatic handgun to a person on Sept. 19, 2022 with the intent to scare the person, causing a reasonable fear for safety.
  • Criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree for having someone else’s Bank of America credit card on Sept. 21, 2022 with the intent of using to benefit himself.
  • Aggravated harassment in the second degree for using Facebook messenger on Feb. 11, 2023 to send threatening messages to a woman.
  • Assault in the third degree for hitting a woman in the head with a hammer on April 23, 2023.

Gelo will be held in the Orleans County Jail without bail until sentencing.

In another case in county court today, Garrett Strickland, 31, was sentenced to six months in the county jail for violating his probation.

Strickland, 31, of Medina admitted he didn’t notify probation of a change in his address to Holley, missed several probation appointments and consumed alcohol. He was on probation for bail jumping in Genesee County.

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