Orleans Hub – Information in Orleans County, New York

300 rally in Batavia in opposition to Trump and Musk, saying their insurance policies violate nation’s values

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2025 at 4:52 pm

Images courtesy of Darlene Benton

BATAVIA – About 300 individuals had been in a “Arms Off” rally at this time in Batavia, talking out in opposition to polices from President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who heads the Division of Authorities Effectivity.

Individuals held indicators in protesting Trump and Musk’s steep cuts to authorities businesses and their effort to wipe out DEI (Range, Fairness and Inclusion). The indicators state considerations about Social Safety, public schooling, LGTBQ, veterans, ladies’s rights and different points.

The rally is Batavia is one in all about 1,200 throughout the nation at this time and one in all 60 in New York State.

The protestors included many from Orleans County. They had been on either side of Essential Avenue from midday to 2 p.m.

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Chamber’s Dwelling, Backyard and Out of doors Present kicks off for weekend at Dubby’s

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2025 at 11:41 am

Images by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Devon Albone, left, and  Rob Luff get the Albone Spray Foam sales space prepared this morning on the Dwelling, Backyard & Out of doors Present at Dubby’s Tailgate.

Albone, based mostly in Medina, is one in all 40 distributors on the present, which continues at this time till 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3.

Albone normally is at related house and backyard exhibits in Buffalo and Rochester. He’s glad to be nearer to house to tout the enterprise’s insulation merchandise.

“It’s extra house city right here,” he mentioned. “It’s extra right down to earth.”

These goats greet Laural Prentice on the entrance of Dubby’s. Prentice is a part of the sales space for Fireside and Dwelling Actual Property Professionals, which is owned by her sister, Karen Conn.

Abby Alexander fastens balloons in an arch inside Dubby’s Tailgate.

Ray Laine, left, and his father Tom Laine of Frontier Heating and A/C Service in Albion are again on the house present after about an absence lately. Tom mentioned he likes the heated ambiance in Dubby’s with shut entry to their restaurant inside. The house present had been on the fairgrounds.

Frontier was picked because the Chamber of Commerce’s “Enterprise of the Yr” in 2024.

The Grasp Gardeners are on the house present giving out free pumpkin seeds for PumpkinPalooza throughout the Oct. 11 Medina Scarecrow Fest. They’re additionally giving out seeds from a share program and meting out different recommendation.

Seated embody Grasp Gardeners Julie Granchelli, proper, and Trina Lorentz. They’re chatting with Doreen Wilson, left, and grasp gardener Nancy Walker.

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Arms Off! occasions protesting Trump insurance policies at this time embody Batavia, Geneseo

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2025 at 9:50 am

About 1,300 Arms Off! protest rallies are deliberate across the nation at this time, together with in Western New York.

Near Orleans County, Batavia will host a rally at midday at Batavia Metropolis Corridor, 102 Essential St. There’s additionally a rally at midday in Geneseo at Veterans Memorial Park and 11 a.m. in Buffalo at Niagara Sq..

The rallies are supposed to ship a message to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, chief of the Division of Authorities Effectivity, to maintain their “Arms Off” individuals, providers and freedoms.

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk assume this nation belongs to them. We’re preventing again!” the advisory concerning the Batavia rally states. “They’re taking the whole lot they’ll get their fingers on—our well being care, our knowledge, our jobs, our providers—and daring the world to cease them. It is a disaster, and the time to behave is now.”

Organizers stress these are nonviolent protests and members ought to attempt to de-escalate any potential confrontations.

“This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we don’t consent to the destruction of our authorities and our financial system for the good thing about Trump and his billionaire allies,” the Batavia advisory states. “Alongside Individuals throughout the nation, we’re marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a cease the chaos and construct an opposition motion in opposition to the looting of our nation.”

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DSS joins in ‘Put on Blue’ Day for Youngster Abuse Prevention Month

Posted 4 April 2025 at 7:47 pm

Picture and Press Launch from Orleans County DSS

ALBION – The employees of the Orleans County Division of Social Providers at this time took half in “Put on Blue” Day as a part of Youngster Abuse Prevention Month.  “Put on Blue Day” is all the time celebrated on the primary Friday in April.

“Whereas our dedication to creating constructive childhood experiences and stopping little one abuse and neglect is year-round effort, Youngster Abuse Prevention month is a chance elevate public consciousness on the necessity to help, strengthen and rejoice households,” mentioned Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of DSS.

In case you have suspicions of kid abuse or neglect to report or you’re involved concerning the well being or security of a kid, please instantly name the NYS Youngster Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.  In 2024, Orleans County DSS obtained roughly 700 referrals for investigation by the NYS State Central Registry.

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Tenney units pointers for neighborhood funding course of for Fiscal Yr 2026

Posted 4 April 2025 at 6:27 pm

Press Launch, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

OSWEGO – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the launch of the Group Challenge Funding course of for Fiscal Yr 2026. The deadline for this yr’s submissions is Thursday, April 24, at shut of enterprise.

The CPF course of is a vital approach for members of Congress to advocate for initiatives that can straight profit their district. It supplies transparency, accountability, and oversight of the funding course of somewhat than merely counting on bureaucrats in Washington to make essential funding selections behind closed doorways with out neighborhood enter.

The CPF program permits native governments and non-profits to submit requests for federal funding for high-priority neighborhood initiatives in New York’s twenty fourth District. All initiatives are vetted totally, are topic to strict oversight, and should show robust native help.

All CPF purposes supported by Congresswoman Tenney’s workplace should meet rigorous eligibility necessities, as outlined within the appropriations steering, and should present a transparent plan to execute funds promptly with robust accountability measures in-built. Tenney’s workplace works carefully with all grantees to make sure awarded funds are spent responsibly and for his or her supposed function.

Native elected officers and non-profits curious about submitting purposes or have questions ought to electronic mail: AppropriationsRequestsNY24@mail.home.gov.

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Gillibrand, Schumer push for commemorative coin for twenty fifth anniversary of 9/11

Posted 4 April 2025 at 6:13 pm

Press Launch, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

 NEW YORK – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles E. Schumer, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) launched the twenty fifth Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act, which might require the U.S. Mint to design and mint cash to honor the twenty fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist assaults.

The cash could be bought in 2027 at a worth that will pay again the U.S. Mint for manufacturing, and surcharge proceeds would go to help the Nationwide September 11 Memorial & Museum and its mission to “always remember.”

“On the twenty fifth anniversary of one of many darkest days in our nation’s historical past, we should proceed to honor our promise to always remember,” mentioned Senator Gillibrand. “The twenty fifth Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act would just do that whereas additionally producing funds to make sure that the 9/11 Memorial & Museum can maintain itself – two different methods we decide to always remember. Our metropolis and nation owe our 9/11 heroes an incredible debt, and it’s time to get this executed.”

“Minting commemorative cash for the twenty fifth anniversary of September eleventh supplies a singular approach to honor those that misplaced their lives and people who undertook courageous acts of heroism, and to recall the patriotism and neighborhood that their sacrifice impressed,” mentioned Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to help this laws that can honor these we misplaced, help the Nationwide September 11 Memorial & Museum, and uphold our sacred promise to always remember.”

Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) launched companion laws within the Home of Representatives, and the invoice is supported by the Nationwide September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Along with the twenty fifth Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act, Senator Gillibrand leads the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Well being Funding Correction Act within the U.S. Senate. The invoice supplies everlasting and necessary funding for the World Commerce Heart Well being Program (WTCHP) and updates an outdated funding formulation to stop a future funding shortfall and make sure that survivors and first responders don’t lose entry to care.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Trump administration minimize employees that present essential help for the WTCHP, which provides medical monitoring and remedy for first responders and survivors identified with 9/11-related well being situations, together with many forms of cancers, respiratory diseases, and extra. The cuts embody the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the administrator of the WTCHP, who makes essential selections concerning coated situations and ensures the WTCHP complies with statutes enacted by Congress.

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Ortt, Hochul be a part of Payments brass in signing metal beam to high off new stadium

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2025 at 3:23 pm

There was an enormous celebration at this time exterior the brand new stadium that’s below building for the Buffalo Payments.

Most of the Buffalo Payments leaders, building employees, and elected officers had been capable of signal the final metal beam to be set for the stadium in a topping out ceremony.

The brand new stadium is on the right track to be prepared for the 2026 NFL season. The stadium will value about $2.1 billion to construct. The state is paying $600 million, Erie County pays $250 million, with the Pegula household protecting the remaining, together with the associated fee overruns from the preliminary building prices of $1.4 billion.

“As a proud Buffalo Payments fan it was a pleasure to attend the Topping Out Ceremony for the brand new Highmark Stadium at this time with native electeds and fellow followers,” State Sen. Rob Ortt posted on social media. “They positioned the ultimate beam, signed by followers and officers, on the structural framework. Wanting ahead to seeing the continued challenge transfer ahead with the opening set for 2026. GO BILLS!”

Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke to greater than 1,000 visitors and lots of of building employees throughout the celebration in Orchard Park.

The brand new stadium is about 50 p.c full. The groundbreaking was 20 months in the past on the brand new 60,000-seat facility.

The brand new stadium will face north-south to higher defend followers from the winds that blown in from Lake Erie. The present Highmark Stadium faces east-west. The stadium additionally can have a cover to defend nearly all of followers from snow and harsh climate.

Contractors have put in place greater than 22,000 particular person items of metal weighing greater than 25,000 tons, the governor’s workplace mentioned. About 60 p.c of the metal is being produced in New York State and nearly all of it produced in the USA.

Along with the structural metal work, the challenge has included the removing of 742,000 cubic yards of dust and the set up of greater than 46,000 cubic yards of basis concrete, and miles of piping amongst different supplies.

As many as 1,500 employees will likely be on the positioning on the peak of building. Employees have already put in over 1.7 million craft-hours to building, with that quantity anticipated to double by completion, Hochul mentioned.

“At this time marks a serious milestone for the longer term house of the Buffalo Payments and one of many largest building initiatives ever in Western New York,” Hochul mentioned. “This world-class stadium wouldn’t be potential with out our expert union employees and companions, and I sit up for cheering together with them on the first Payments recreation being performed right here within the 2026 season.”

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Cub Scouts ship private care gadgets to DSS in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2025 at 1:34 pm

ALBION – Cub Scouts from Pack 86 in Brockport donated hygiene and luxury merchandise to the Division of Social Providers in Orleans County.

The Scouts and their leaders introduced the gadgets to the DSS Division of Youngster and Household Providers on Thursday. The merchandise had been put in “Go Baggage” for youngsters ages 10 to 18 who’re residing in troublesome environments and have to be faraway from their houses.

The Scouts collected 13 duffle luggage filled with provides, plus three further luggage full of non-public hygiene gadgets, socks, underwear and toys. The duffle luggage consisted of non-public hygiene gadgets reminiscent of cleaning soap, deodorant, dental care, shampoo, conditioner and hair brushes. Together with the hygiene gadgets, the luggage had been additionally stuffed with socks, underwear, books, taking part in playing cards, blankets and a stuffed companion.

Whereas delivering the luggage, the cubs bought to satisfy Lianna Sheffer, preventive supervisor and Judianne Gearing, CPS supervisor.

The “Go Bag” Challenge was created because the neighborhood challenge for the Cubs to reached their Bear Rank. They’ve efficiently executed so and at the moment are Webelos, the second to final step earlier than crossing over to the Boy Scouts.

To rejoice their exhausting work and achievements, the Cubs had been handled to pizza after delivering the luggage.

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Corrections officers’ union involved about plan for early launch of some inmates

Posted 4 April 2025 at 1:11 pm

NYSCOPBA seeks ‘pressing assembly’ with DOCCS on working situations

Press Launch, NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Affiliation

ALBANY – The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Affiliation is looking for an pressing assembly with the Division of Corrections and Group Supervision to handle a variety of significant points effecting the protection, well-being, and dealing situations of correctional officers.

These points, which embody staffing shortages, office situations, the implementation of 12-hour shifts, scheduled common days off, trip intervals and different points have reached a essential level following the current group of a grassroots strike organized by NYSCOPBA members to focus on unsafe working situations.

Compounding the present work-place disaster is the announcement by DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello on Monday to launch probably 1000’s of inmates as much as 110 days previous to their earliest launch date but failing to handle the long-standing points that led to the labor strike and the firing of two,000 officers.

Echoing the considerations of Senator James Tedisco, President Chris Summers acknowledged, “The early launch of inmates undermines public security and sends a troubling message to crime victims who proceed to reside with the trauma brought on by these incarcerated and solely highlights DOCCS failure to face the on-going penalties of staffing shortages in our prisons.”

New York has already seen the troubling impact of pretrial discovery legal guidelines ushered in by the State Legislature in 2019 that has brought about lots of of criminals to have their instances dismissed and stroll free as a result of prosecutors are hampered by their very own staffing shortages and the unimaginable timeframes set forth by the legislation.

Releasing inmates previous to their sentences are full, coupled with the excessive variety of felony instances being dismissed on technicalities, will solely improve the variety of criminals which can be strolling free and make our communities unsafe.

The understaffing inside the state’s correctional services just isn’t a brand new difficulty. Since January of 2023, staffing ranges decreased by over 2,000 by attrition and the failure to successfully recruit.  When the Governor arbitrarily fired 2,000 officers throughout the non-sanctioned labor strike, staffing ranges at the moment are at dangerously low stage and affect the protection of each employees and inmates. We have now been, and can proceed to struggle for the two,000 officers to be reinstated instantly.

After a number of negotiations between union leaders, DOCCS and members of the Governor’s Workplace to handle the mounting considerations the union had concerning the harmful working situations in state prisons throughout the non-sanctioned 22-day strike, these pressing considerations have been largely ignored by the Governor’s management and DOCCS.

But, the Commissioner, after denying a gathering request, bypassed union management and shortly after issued a departmental memo to facility superintendents that instructed them to work with native union representatives to handle the very considerations introduced by NYSCOPBA. It was tantamount to a slap within the face to the great religion efforts made by NYSCOPBA leaders earlier than, throughout and after the non-sanctioned strike.

“We’re deeply upset by the Division’s refusal to have interaction in a productive dialog about these essential points,” mentioned NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers. “Our members security and the protection of the communities they serve needs to be a precedence. The continued refusal to handle these considerations solely exacerbates the already harmful situations that exist in lots of our services.”

NYSCOPBA has been vocal concerning the want for enhancements to make sure safer working environments and higher remedy for correctional officers properly earlier than COVID hit in 2020.  The denial of a gathering with DOCCS and questioning the professional considerations by state officers alerts a troubling disregard for the protection and well-being of these on the frontlines of public security. These points usually are not simply union considerations—they’re the considerations of the devoted women and men working in New York’s correctional services on daily basis.

“It’s time for the State and DOCCS to acknowledge the significance of those considerations and work along with us to search out lasting options,” Summers added.  “Momentary, short-sighted options of the early launch of inmates just isn’t a long-term answer wanted to handle office violence, staffing shortages and the lack to recruit new officers.”

 “We won’t again down till actual modifications are made for the women and men who serve this state with unwavering dedication,” Summers mentioned. “With out efficient modifications, each public security and the well-being of correctional officers will proceed to be in danger.”

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35-block bicentennial quilt from 1976 again on show in County Courthouse

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2025 at 11:02 am

Images by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A really giant quilt made by native quilters in 1976 has been put in a brand new body and is on show within the Orleans County Courthouse.

County Buildings and Grounds staff made the body a few month in the past for the quilt. The massive 35-block quilt has been in storage within the courthouse for greater than 20 years. It was taken down as a part of a renovation and addition to the courthouse that was accomplished in 2003.

The quilt was made to rejoice the bicentennial of the USA in 1976. The quilt was executed in an appliqué fashion the place a number of items of cloth are connected to a bigger background material to create photos or patterns.

It’s again on show for the Orleans County bicentennial this yr.

The middle block highlights the practice depot in Medina that has been used as a senior residents heart for greater than 50 years.

These blocks exhibits the previous Christmas Park in Albion at decrease left, the county courthouse, a trolley, and within the high row: the previous Swan Library, the county seal (which erroneously listed the county’s founding as 1826 as a substitute of 1825), and the Civil Conflict monument at Mount Albion Cemetery.

These blocks spotlight the sloopers who traveled from Norway to Kendall, harness racing on the County Honest, the DAR Home in Albion, swans in Lyndonville, and Swan Library in Albion.

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Some inmates could also be launched early from state prisons as a result of staffing scarcity

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 April 2025 at 9:46 pm

The state Division of Corrections and Group Supervision could launch some inmates early as a result of a staffing disaster.

Daniel Martuscello, the DOCCS superintendent, has introduced a plan to launch incarcerated individuals with non-violent felony convictions as much as 110 days early. However that’s solely so long as they’ve appropriate housing and didn’t commit sure intercourse or drug-related offenses. They’ll stay below supervision of a parole officer.

Martuscello has requested the superintendents at state prisons to submit a listing by midday Friday of inmates who may very well be eligible for early launch. In a memo issued on Monday, he mentioned the early launch will strike “the suitable steadiness between the protection and well-being of these working and residing in DOCCS correctional services and public security.”

The DOCCS commissioner mentioned eligible inmates can’t be serving a sentence for an A-1 or A-2 non-drug offense, a category B by E violent felony offense, or a intercourse offense. They want an accepted residence, which isn’t a shelter or a DSS placement, upon launch, he mentioned.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, informed reporters the staffing difficulty may very well be solved by hiring again the two,000 corrections officers who had been on strike.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, issued an announcement saying the early launch of inmates is an insult to the legislation enforcement neighborhood and a critical public security concern.

“Gov. Hochul’s public security technique is starting to sound like a late April Fools’ joke,” Hawley mentioned. “Not solely has she fired 1000’s of correctional officers throughout the state, however now she’s letting prisoners out of jail early to attempt to repair the issue she created. This administration has created a system of anarchy in our state prisons. That is unacceptable, and I’ll do the whole lot inside my energy to make sure this coverage is reversed and legislation and order is restored in our state.”

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