Jayleen Negron, left, and Quincy Byrd both are facing felony charges for criminal possession of a controlled substance.

MEDINA – Two people in Medina have been charged after an investigation in the sale and distribution of cocaine in Medina, the Orleans County major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting.

Jayleen Negron, 31, and Quincy Byrd, 30, both have been charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felony) and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (C felony).

A search warrant was executed at Negron’s residence at 228 Eagle St., apartment B, and law enforcement seized a quantity of cocaine, packaging, scales and other drug paraphernalia. The warrant was executed by the Task Force, the Orleans County Special Response Team, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Medina Police Department.

Byrd, a resident of 816 Park Ave., apartment 2, is currently on parole with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. he was arraigned in Orleans County CAP Court by Shelby Town Justice Edward Grabowski and was committed to the county jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50.000 bond. Byrd is to return to Ridgeway Town Court on March 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Negron was released on an appearance ticket pursuant to the New York State bail reform law, returnable to the Ridgeway Town Court on March 2 at 9:30 a.m.

The Task Force said further arrests and charges are pending in this case. Assisting in the investigation include Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Albion Police Department K9 Unit and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Wolfpack Multisport unveiled this year’s medal for finishers of the Wayne A. Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness Run/Walk on March 21. The race is named in honor of the late Wayne Burlison, an Albion music teacher who passed away from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

ALBION – The annual Wayne A. Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness Run/Walk has been a slightly longer 5K in Albion since 2015.

The organizers of the race have announced the event this year on March 21 will also have a 10K option.

Wolfpack Multisport, the race organizer, today also unveiled the medal for finishers of the race. It has a jazz band theme with a trombone.

The race is named in honor of Wayne Burlison, an Albion music teacher who was also active in the marching band. A race has been held in his honor since 2015.

The 3.17-mile race is a little longer than a typical 5K at 3.1 miles. The distance symbolizes the 3 months and 17 days Burlison lived from when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer until his death at age 36 on March 26, 2014.

He was active in several musical groups in the community and also helped start the Albion Running Club. He lost more than 150 pounds through better nutrition and exercise. The walking trail at Bullard park is named in honor of Burlison and also the late Judy Christopher, who owned Phoenix Fitness and also organized the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K for nearly 20 years.

The Burlison 5K race starts on Clarendon Road near the elementary school. The course goes to Mount Albion Cemetery and then back to the school. For more information on the race and to sign up, click here.

ALBION – A Medina man currently in state prison pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Wednesday to attempted assault, an E felony, to two jail corrections officers.

Patrick Casanova, 32, is currently serving a 2- to 4-year sentence in state prison at Five Points Correctional facility in Romulus, Seneca County. His earliest release date is listed as May 27, 2027.

His plea on Wednesday could add another 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison. Casanova was in the county jail on June 13, 2025 when he allegedly refused to move and stiffed up. That required two corrections officers to try to move him. A scuffle then ensued.

Casanova is currently in prison after pleaded guilty in 2023 to second-degree assault. He admitted to punching a woman in the face, which fractured her orbital bone and damaged her sinus.

In other cases in County Court on Wednesday:

• A Medina man was arraigned on second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon after being charged for having a loaded “ghost” gun.

Reginald Kendrick, 50, was charged after law enforcement on Nov. 12 seized a loaded unbranded polymer “ghost” semi-automatic 9 mm pistol with an extended 30-round magazine.

Kendrick is a prior felon after being convicted of selling cocaine in October 2016.

He pleaded not guilty to the new charges in court on Wednesday. He has posted $1,000 bail.

• Daniel Fritz III, 37, of Clarendon was assessed as a level 3 sex offender by Orleans County Judge Sanford Church.

Fritz is currently at the Mohawk Correctional Facility  in Rome, Oneida County, serving a 2- to 4-year sentence for grand larceny. He and a co-defendant were convicted of taking a safe from a Clarendon home that had cash and jewelry inside.

Fritz also pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct. The judge assessed Fritz as level 3, the highest level, and he will need to be monitored when he is released from prison.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Congresswoman Claudia Tenney speaks during Tuesday’s Orleans County Legislature meeting.

ALBION – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney spent 2 ½ hours meeting with Orleans County legislators and department heads on Tuesday, hearing about the challenges of providing services in a rural county.

Orleans is part of the 24^th Congressional District in New York, which includes all or parts of 14 counties, stretching from Niagara County to northern New York.

Tenney praised the team of county legislators and department heads and said some of the successes in the county should be emulated around the state.

Orleans County, for example, has one of the lowest error rates in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Tenney said. The federal government funds SNAP, which  provides low-income individuals and families with food benefits.

President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changed how SNAP is administered, with states penalized that exceed a 6 percent payment error rate.

Tenney, during Tuesday’s County Legislature meeting, said New York State has one of the highest error rates in the country, but counties like Orleans “are significantly less than the state.” She doesn’t want Orleans to be penalized based on the overall state’s error rate.

She said the new changes imposed by the federal government have put more workload on the county’s DSS staff. She favors giving the smaller counties more time to implement the changes.

Tenney said the county struggles to provide services due to a limited tax base and the crushing weight of state mandated programs, including Medicaid, which costs the county more than $8 million a year.

She would like to see the state rein in the costs of Medicaid without hurting needy people around the state.

County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson thanked Tenney for spending the afternoon in Albion meeting with the department heads and county legislators.

“You spent a lot of time in Orleans County and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate that,” Johnson said.

The congresswoman said the Orleans County team “is hitting it out of the park” for local residents, finding cost savings in providing local services.

Johnson, contacted today, said the county reached out to Tenney about stopping by and hearing the concerns from the county level.

“We appreciate her willingness to take the time to truly listen and better understand the priorities of Orleans County,” Johnson said. “She spent two and half hours meeting with our department heads and legislators, attentively hearing firsthand about the challenges and needs facing our community. Her thoughtful questions, engaged presence, and approachable demeanor made the discussion both meaningful and productive.”

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney complimented the county’s team of department heads and county legislators.

Provided photo: Six of the seven new board members of Orleans Community Health Foundation posed for a picture shortly after their election. From left are Kenny Bieber, Danielle Figura, Andrew Meier, Lisa Christiaansen, Jesse Cudzillo and Elizabeth Landis. Missing from photo is Jeff Pasnik.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation has elected seven new members to its board of directors for the 2026-2028 term.

“These individuals bring a broad range of professional expertise, community insight and a shared commitment to advancing health and wellness across Orleans County,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing for Orleans Community Health.

The newly appointment board members are Andrew Meier, business owner and attorney at Webster, Schubel and Meier; Lisa Christiaansen, co-owner of Mark’s Pizzeria; Jeff Pasnik, Council representative of North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters; Kenny Beiber, owner of Weed Man; Danielle Figura, director of Orleans County Mental Health Department; Jesse Cudzilo, CEO of Reneu Wellness Club and former director of the Orleans County YMCA; and Elizabeth Landis, assistant vice president of human resources at GOBEL.

Meier brings expertise in elder law, legal services, grant writing and a strong focus on the aging population. His strengths include fundraising and deep community connections.

Christiaansen offers a strong focus on services for families and the school population, with strengths in community outreach and local engagement.

Pasnik is focused on supporting services and families and is known for his active participation in community events and outreach efforts.

Beiber brings a valuable perspective on outreach to underserved areas, helping ensure the Foundation remains inclusive and responsive to community needs.

Figura collaborates with multiple agencies and organizations and brings strengths in identifying and supporting potential grant opportunities.

 Cudzilo contributes a focus on wellness and engagement with health and wellness initiatives throughout the community.

Landis brings professional expertise in human resources and organizational leadership. She is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Medina, further strengthening the Foundation’s connection to community service and civic engagement.

“These new directors reflect the diversity, dedication and expertise of the communities we serve,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. “Their collective strengths will help guide the Foundation’s mission and expand its impact across Orleans County.”

New board members join existing members – Jeanne Crane, president; Gloria Snyder, vice president; Clark Godshall, treasurer; Pamela Canham, secretary; Shannon Blount governing board chair; Marc Shurtz, OCH president/CEO; Matthew Backlas; Nicole Goyette; Matthew Kennedy; Barbara Outten; Scott Robinson; and Sandra Walter.

The Orleans County Health Foundation looks forward to the leadership and collaboration of its 2026-28 board as it continues to support programs and initiatives that improve the health and well-being of the region.

Long-awaited project comes in under budget

Photos by Tom Rivers: A pedestrian bridge will soon be built across the Oak Orchard Creek along Maple Ridge Road (Route 31A) in Medina. This area will get about 2,000 feet of new sidewalks.

MEDINA – Four contractors submitted bids by today’s 3 p.m. deadline for a new pedestrian bridge and about 2,000 feet of sidewalks on Maple Ridge Road.

The bids were opened at the village office by Jason Watts, Medina’s superintendent of the Department of Public Works.

The bids include:

• $837,448 by RJT Construction Services in Rochester
• $943,088 by Keeler Construction in Barre
• $977,000 by Rochester Earth Inc. in Churchville
• $1,058,485 by C.P. Ward in Scottsville

The bids will be reviewed and the Village Board may choose the bidder during its meeting on Monday. Village officials were pleased with the bids, and said the project will be under budget.

The new bridge and sidewalks have been several years in the waiting. The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500). The money comes from a revolving loan fund that was administered by the Orleans Economic Development Agency. The state in 2019 required funds be ended with the money staying in the community for projects if they are for handicapped accessible initiatives or if they assist a neighborhood that is predominantly low-income.

The section of Maple Ridge Road by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the project will make it much safer for residents and cyclists along that stretch of Maple Ridge. The spot by the creek, in particular, has a very narrow space for pedestrians and cyclists. The pedestrian bridge will be north of the busy road.

The sidewalks will go 200 feet east of the Intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63), and then to 1,900 feet east of the intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63).

The Barton & Loguidice firm worked on the design of the bridge, and worked to secure easements from utility companies and property owners.

Jason Watts, superintendent of the Medina Department of Public Works, opens bids from four contractors this afternoon. Miranda Herbert, the village’s deputy clerk, records the bid amounts.

MEDINA – Two men from Medina were sentenced to state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Nasir Shine, 23, of Medina was sentenced to five years in prison plus five years of post-release supervision for possessing a weapon while on federal probation.

Shine allegedly had a Glock-style pistol with 21 bullets on Aug. 25, 2025. Medina police were dispatched to 751 Church St. that day after a caller reported a man had pulled a gun and threatened multiple individuals. Medina police detained Shine, who had the Glock-style pistol with an extended magazine in a backpack.

Shine was probation after being convicted in 2022 for being part of a fentanyl distribution network with his mother Ebony Shine and his brother Emmanual Taylor.

Another Medina man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for assault after allegedly stabbing another person on Nov. 7, 2024.

Deante Johnson, 22, was allegedly in a fight in the parking lots outside Cusimano’s Pizzeria and the Medina Inn on Maple Ridge Road. Johnson allegedly stabbed another person in the side who was transported by ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. That victim was treated and released.

Johnson’s case has been slowed in the court system after he spent 261 days in the Rochester Psychiatric Center after a psychiatric evaluation in January 2025 said he was incompetent to stand trial. He also has spent more than 200 days in the Orleans County Jail.

His attorney, Public Defender Joanne Best, asked Judge Church to give Johnson time served in the case and not have him go into the state prison system.

She said Johnson’s mental health is much improved, and he would stay on his medication and get counseling if he allowed to be in the community and not face additional incarceration

Judge Church said the state prison sentence of 1 ½ to 3 years was the minimum he could do given Johnson’s prior felony history for attempted assault in 2022.

The judge also revoked Johnson’s probation and sentenced him to 364 days in the county jail for violating probation. That sentence can be served concurrently with the state prison sentence. The judge said the time at the county jail and psychiatric center can count towards the sentence if that is deemed appropriate by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Press Release, Kendall Fire Department

KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department is excited to announce a pancake breakfast this Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fire hall, 1879 Kendall Rd. The all-you-eat meal is $10 per person.

We invite the entire community including our local and visiting snowmobilers to join us for a warm meal and a chance to spend time at the firehouse.

Winter in Kendall brings a lot of activity to our area, especially along the snowmobile trails that run throughout the town. We know many riders pass right by the firehouse every season, and we’re hoping this event gives everyone a great reason to stop in, warm up, and say hello. Whether you live here year-round or are just traveling through on the trails, you are welcome at our station.

Members of the department will be cooking and serving a hearty breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, eggs, and beverages. More importantly, this is an opportunity for the public to meet the firefighters and EMS providers who serve our community every day. Visitors will be able to see the fire apparatus up close, ask questions, and learn more about what we do not just during emergencies, but throughout the year.

“Events like this are important to us because they allow people to see that the fire department is part of the community, not just who shows up on someone’s worst day,” said Captain James Fox.

The Kendall Fire Department prides itself on being more than just an emergency service. We are your neighbors, your friends, and your volunteers. Events like this help strengthen the relationship between the department and the community we are proud to protect. It also gives families and children a comfortable chance to visit the firehouse, meet our members, and see where we respond from when a call for help comes in.

SUNY Oswego and SUNY Cortland have recognized Orleans County residents as high academic achievers on its President’s List and Deans’ List for the fall 2025 semester.

At Oswego, President’s List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. Students on the President’s List include:

• Jordan Wright, Albion, criminal justice
• Isabella R. Zasa, Knowlesville, public relations (online)

Deans’ List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying required academic credits. Students on the Deans’ List include:

• Jack Cecchini, Medina, adolescence education
• Willow E. Gaines, Albion, health promotion and wellness
• Tracy Garrett, Eagle Harbor, studio art
• Kenadie J. Patten, Albion, finance
• Alex E. Stahl, Medina, operations management and information systems
• Charlotte R. Symons, Albion, creative writing

At SUNY Cortland, students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List include:

• Cole Callard of Medina, with a major in Sport Management
• Nathan Sherman of Medina, with a major in Business Economics (also named to President’s List)

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

The Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ CSIPD (Center for School Improvement and Development) Specialist Missy Lindner recently held a Seal of Civic Readiness Consortium.

Representatives from Lockport, Lyndonville, Starpoint, Royalton-Hartland, Niagara Wheatfield and Barker school districts as well as the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Niagara Academy attended.

“It was a great opportunity for the participating districts to collaborate regarding the Seal of Civic Readiness,” says Lindner.  “It was a very successful meeting and everyone walked away getting something out of the conversations.”

The Seal pushes students for a deeper commitment to participatory government, civil responsibility and civic values. It helps students learn how to identify and address problems in their community or school community, leading to a well-rounded individual who can demonstrate respect for the rights of others and strengthen their relationships with schools, students, families, civic leaders, organizations and community partners.

The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition put out by the New York State Board of Regents that shows a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindset, and civic experiences.  The Seal is then placed on a high school transcript and diploma.

 “We had some amazing opportunities presented to support each district and support the needs of their students related to civic engagement and the Seal of Civic Readiness,” Lindner said.

Press Release, Orleans County Youth Bureau

Provided photo:  Kendall student and Youth Board member Emma O’Neill meets with Senator Rob Ortt during the ANYSYB conference in Albany.

Members of the Orleans County Youth Board traveled to Albany on February 2 and 3 to participate in the Annual Association of New York State Youth Bureaus (ANYSYB) Youth Leadership Forum. Approximately 250 students and Youth Bureau representatives from across the state attended

Kendall Jr./Sr. High School student Emma O’Neill and her mother Carrie O’Neill – both Youth Board members – and Orleans County Youth Bureau Director Kelly Kiebala took part in the two-day event which included leadership workshops, teambuilding exercises, and discussion groups.

On the second day, participants were encouraged to visit the offices of their state representatives. The Orleans County delegation visited with the offices of Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse is pictured on Tuesday evening when it was foggy. Today, the area could get a half inch of ice from freezing rain.

Mixed precipitation expected with snow and sleet accumulations of less than inch. The Weather Service said there could be a quarter to half inch of ice from freezing rain.

The advisory includes Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga and Genesee counties.

“The greatest ice accumulations will likely be across portions of Niagara, Orleans and western Monroe counties,” the Weather Service said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – It’s a startling sight in downtown Albion with East Bank Street fenced off from Main to Platt Street.

The Village Board on Tuesday had an emergency meeting after the roof collapsed at 20 East Bank Street. The village hired Emergency Enclosures Inc. in Rochester for $10,000. That was the lowest of three bids for the fencing.

Albion will seek reimbursement of the cost from the owner of the building, Frank Corso, or his insurance company.

The roof fell through the third floor, which was unoccupied. The fallen roof prompted the evacuation of 15 tenants from the second floor apartments between 16 to 28 East Bank St., which is the tallest building in the photo.

An engineer will check the building to determine the soundness of the structure. Once that is known, the fencing could be restricted to a much smaller area or perhaps totally removed, said Tim McMurray, an Albion trustee.

The sidewalk on the north side of East Bank remains open while the fence is up.

The fencing is covering a large area of East Bank because the fall zone needs to be 1 ½ times the size of the building. (These photos were taken at about 8:20 p.m. Tuesday while the company put up the fence.)

The fenced-off area also includes the village’s municipal parking lot at the corner of East Bank Street and Platt Street.

Street closed to traffic, entire block of businesses off limits pending engineering inspection

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The south side of the East Bank Street block has been shut down after the roof collapsed at 20 East Bank St. this morning.

That roof was about 40 by 40 feet and fell about 12 feet on the third floor of the building. No one was injured.

Village code enforcement officer Chris Kinter required all 15 tenants in five apartments to leave the building, which goes from 16 East Bank to 28 East Bank. They will be staying at a hotel or with family, Kinter said.

The utilities have been turned off for the entire block on the southside, between Platt Street and Main Street with other businesses in that section temporarily closed pending an engineer’s report on the safety of the building where the roof collapse and also for the neighboring structures.

Kinter, the code officer, said the building’s owner, Frank Corso, is waiting on the engineer, a contractor and an insurance adjuster. Once they assess the building, more will be known including a timeline for when the street will be reopened.

Kinter said he anticipates a crane will be brought in to remove the caved-in roof.

Traffic on East Bank Street, between Main and Platt, is currently closed to traffic and might be until after the fallen in roof is removed and the building is deemed safe. The roof fell straight down and doesn’t seem to have pulled on the sides of the building, Kinter said.

Kinter said the ice and water weight from the melting snow was a factor in the main support beam giving out on the roof at about 6:30 this morning. Corso had been attempting to repair a smaller area of the roof since last week.