Divergent views clash at Dansville fracking hearings

The small rural community of Dansville was selected as the kick-off site for a series of public hearings over New York’s plan to open the state for hydraulic fracturing.

Local pediatrician Dr. Gayle Mosher addresses the media during a press conference of the anti-hydro-fracking group Frack Free Genesee and environmental activists prior to the DEC hearings last week in Dansville.
Local pediatrician Dr. Gayle Mosher addresses the media during a press conference of the anti-hydro-fracking group Frack Free Genesee and environmental activists prior to the DEC hearings last week in Dansville.

By Les Bowen for Genesee Country Express   |   Nov. 23, 2011   |   Original source

There’s not much middle ground when it comes to New Yorkers’ views on the possibility of large-scale hydraulic fracturing entering the state, as evidenced in Dansville by people who lined up last Wednesday to comment at the first of four hearings across the state hosted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Some 1,550 people attended the two hearings at Dansville’s former middle school; less than one-10th of those spoke at the microphone during three hours in the afternoon and another four hours in the evening.

At question were more than 1,500 pages of regulations drafted by DEC officials to govern hydo-fracturing, a process of drilling into the Marcellus shale, detonating an explosion and using millions of gallons of water mixed with thousands more gallons of various chemicals in an effort to release natural gas trapped within the shale. Continue reading Divergent views clash at Dansville fracking hearings

Lady Indians fall in NYS semifinals

Keshequa’s girls soccer were among the best sports teams I covered in New York state. For two straight years, I followed them to the state playoffs and watched an undefeated team fall in the state bracket rounds. Both years, I was the lone reporter and photographer from my media organization. This content was picked up in the weekly newspaper I managed and two affiliated daily papers.

Coach Pete Goho consoles emotional captain and senior Gabby DiAngelo after the team's only loss of the season ended Keshequa's hopes of a state title. In a 3-2 semifinal loss against Friends Academy, the Indians allowed as many goals as they did in the previous 21 games.
Coach Pete Goho consoles emotional captain and senior Gabby DiAngelo after the team’s only loss of the season ended Keshequa’s hopes of a state title. In a 3-2 semifinal loss against Friends Academy, the Indians allowed as many goals as they did in the previous
21 games.
By Les Bowen for Genesee Country Express   |   Nov. 23, 2011   |   Original source

Keshequa girls soccer’s 21-game, season-long, winning streak came to an end in Saturday morning’s Class C state semifinals at SUNY Cortland as Friends Academy advanced with a 3-2 win.

Both Keshequa goals came in the first half, with captain and senior Gabrielle DiAngelo first finding the net in the sixth minute. Nine minutes later, the Quakers’ Heather Maierle tied it up. With seven minutes left in the first half, Keshequa found themselves down by one for the first time all season when Alexis Toles scored on an assist from Maierle. But the Indians reacted quickly and tied it up 2-2 three minutes before intermission with a goal by sophomore Haley Russell. Continue reading Lady Indians fall in NYS semifinals