news

Press release:

Even though we are not sure when Western New York will meet the last of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s seven metrics for Phase One reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic and New York on PAUSE restrictions, Mental Health PEER Connection (MHPC) has created a safe way to relieve stress and observe Mental Health Month – by online teleconference on Thursday, May, 28th.

Realizing that isolation exasperates mental health issues, the staff of MHPC, all of whom have mental health concerns, have developed a system of specific tools to help all people to deal with the pandemic.

Maura Kelley, CPRP, director of MHPC, will lead the staff in sharing their tools by making up a so-called “Tackle Box for Emotional Health.”

“We are doing this to celebrate ‘May is Mental Health Month’," Kelley said. "If we who already have mental illness can thrive in this troubled time, people should support us and learn from it during this observance.”

Each staff member selected a mental-or-emotional-health-enhancing topic to research and prepare a two-to-three-minute presentation. At 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, anyone who registers to log onto the GoToMeeting teleconference site will enjoy the 16 uplifting presentations.

If you wish to participate in the Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration, or have any questions, please email Jillian Moss at: jmoss@wnyil.org. Or call her at (716) 836-0822, ext. 146, before May 28^th. Upon registering, you will receive the GoToMeeting link to log in.

A member of the Western New York Independent Living Family of Agencies (WNYIL), Mental Health PEER Connection is a peer-driven advocacy organization, dedicated to facilitating self-directed growth, wellness and choice through genuine peer mentoring.

A homeschool family at a Genesee Community College ceremoning a few years ago, courtesy of GCC.

Press release:

Genesee Community College has long prided itself on proactively identifying the emerging needs of our community and providing new services and opportunities accordingly.

More than a decade ago, college administrators recognized the unique needs of homeschooled students and established a system of services and enrollment opportunities to not only help these students transition to college, but to simultaneously help them earn their required New York State High School Equivalency Diploma.

These services begin with several special Homeschool Information Sessions held each spring at various campus centers to inform homeschooled families about the array of educational resources available.

GCC's helpful and popular program now serves more than 200 homeschool students and their families and is particular point of pride for GCC.

Through the years and the desire to support, connect and encourage local families, some of these information sessions included a picnic, refreshments and even live music by a local musician.

Today, GCC's desire to help families who homeschool their children is stronger than ever and may now find new growth opportunities as the institution expands its online learning modalities under the current coronavirus pandemic. 

The College's ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) Office, which oversees GCC's Homeschool Program has developed a special informational presentation available completely online that replaces the onsite Information Sessions usually held at the campus centers.

Contained in this presentation are all of the resources and documentation homeschool students and families would have received during a traditional onsite session.

The program includes information on how GCC's coursework is specially bundled to help homeschooled students earn their high school diplomas. In addition, GCC's simple, one-page admissions application, information on tuition costs related New York State residency requirements, and the Genesee Promise Plus Summer Scholarship program are also covered.

"We have a long history of working with homeschool families in our community, giving them the reassurance and demonstrating how GCC is an excellent option and a solid stepping-stone for their children," Angela Tozer, ACE Program specialist, said.

"Interestingly, our homeschool families are experiencing the least amount of disruption to their educational routines due to COVID-19 as they are able to take advantage of GCC's extensive online learning options readily available to them."

Homeschooled students advance their education through GCC with a wide range of different classes offered in many subject areas. In addition, students under age 18 may take approved courses at the reduced ACE tuition rate of $60 per credit hour -- a savings of nearly 68 percent over regular GCC tuition.

"Homeschooled students appreciate GCC's student-centered mission and all of our classes are small," Tozer said. "The College's extraordinarily low student-to-teacher ratio makes the transition to college much easier," citing GCC's 14-to-1 student to faculty ratio enjoyed by students and faculty alike.

"At the same time, GCC is big enough to offer the many different courses and subject areas that students want and our affiliation with SUNY makes GCC the perfect pathway for homeschool families. With support and individual attention, students transition from their at-home learning environment to a college-level curriculum full of hands-on learning, experience and success."

For access to this online Homeschool Information Presentation contact the ACE Office at ACE@genesee.edu. Additional details can be found online here.

Furthermore, families utilizing the homeschool presentations will also have the opportunity to learn about the Genesee Promise Plus Summer Scholarship program, which provides students with one or two summer 2020 classes online tuition-free at GCC!

More than 100 courses are being offered this summer throughout the following three summer sessions:

• Full Summer Session runs May 26 - Aug. 7
• Session I runs May 26 - June 26
• Session II runs July 6 - Aug. 7

"The homeschooling program at GCC gave me many unique opportunities that I am very grateful for," said Laura Allen, a currently enrolled student said. "The team for homeschooling and the advisors are very supportive and understanding, always working with you for the best achievement of education.

"Being a homeschooler, I was nervous that I was going to struggle being at a college level, but GCC's program worked with me through it all. They offer free tutoring services, and help you get the best out of your education. I am very grateful for all the work everyone does for the homeschooling program, and I am excited to say that I found my career pathway thanks to GCC."

Press release:

The Salvation Army would like to acknowledge the overwhelming support of the Genesee County community in supporting the effort to provide food for those affected by the current crisis caused by the coronavirus.

In a typical month The Salvation Army assists approximately 25-30 families per with food. During this crisis the numbers have exploded. Currently the need is affecting more than 600 families per month.

The gymnasium has been converted to the emergency operations center. Staff and volunteers prepack boxes and bring them out and place them directly into vehicles. This helps to ensure social distancing and limits personal contact.

Not only are they serving people affected financially but also significant numbers of people in the “at-risk” population who are reluctant to spend time in the stores.

“It is our community that makes all this possible," said Todd L. Rapp, operations manager, coordinator emergency of Disaster Services, The Salvation Army. "Whether it is fresh produce, frozen meat, milk, eggs, personal hygiene products or canned goods it has all come from our community.”

The Salvation Army would like you to know that they are here for the long run and will continue to help those in need well beyond the current crisis. Even though the region has begun to reopen the need is still great.

Current significant pantry needs are beans, vegetables, fruit, soup and rice.

Should you wish to help, donations can be dropped off at the rear of the 529 E. Main St. location in Batavia (directly across from Tully’s restaurant). Donations are accepted Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Should you need food assistance you can stop by during those same hours and you will be taken care of.

A pedestrian has reportedly been hit by a car on Townline Road west of South Lake Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire and ambulance dispatched.  

Dispatchers checking the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 11:54 a.m.: The driver may also be injured. Second ambulance requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:59 a.m.: Byron fire's rescue and ambulance requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:01 p.m.: Fire police requested to shut down traffic at Route 19 and Buffalo Street.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Trooper James O'Callahan, public information officer for the State Police, confirms that NYSP is investigating a fatal car/pedestrian accident in Bergen. No further information is being released at this time.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Bergen assignment back in service. The road is reopened.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A man has reportedly fallen off a two-story roof at a location on Horseshoe Lake Road in Stafford.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Mercy Flight available if needed.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) (11:08 a.m.): A first responder on scene says the man fell about eight feet. He is conscious and alert and is answering some questions.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Mercy Flight was cancelled.

As of 2 p.m. today, there were no new COVID-19-positive cases reported in Genesee County.

The health department released no further information.

Someone is reportedly burning rubber and construction materials on property at the northeast corner of Walkers Corner Road and Caswell Road in Byron.

Byron Fire Department is responding, along with law enforcement and a representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

During this time of uncertainty and pain, it is important to feel that we are "doing something" positive.

While the essential workers are out of the house and risking their own health and that of their families while feeling fearful, others are staying home worrying about finances, health, and feeling frustrated and restless, wishing they could work or do more.

Whether we attend a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or are nontraditional or do not belong to a worshipping community at all, prayer may play a part in the actions we all can take during this coronavirus pandemic.

For some, prayer is a way of life and it is second nature to ask others to pray with us or for us. For others, it may be a vague memory from childhood; one that brings a sense of comfort and peace.

Often, people want to pray but feel that they don't know how or are skeptical about the whole idea. It doesn't matter what your tradition around prayer is. During times of fear and death, uncertainty and change, prayer can bring peace and calmness. It is that action we can take together.

St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia is offering all of us a chance to have many people pray for any concerns that we might have.

We may need to ask for protection for essential workers, patience for ourselves, or surrounding a loved one in a nursing home or hospital with love.

Whatever our needs are, we can write a request on a ribbon and tie it to the prayer fence at the church walkway, 405 E. Main St., Batavia.

All requests will be checked daily and prayed for by parishioners until you take the ribbon down or this pandemic is over.

Together we show what love looks like.

Dylan DeSmit performs for you at 8 p.m. (or thereabouts).

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received 14 more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has 12 new cases (bringing the total to 166) and Genesee has two (bringing the total to 171). 

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff. Nine of the Orleans County individuals are residents of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center and three are community members. Genesee County’s two individuals who tested positive are community members.

The health department was made aware that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) did swab all residents and employees of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Any questions regarding specific issues should be addressed to The Villages or NYSDOH.

We have also received word of the death of an individual who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center (now for a total of 21 nursing home deaths related to COVID-19). Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad and difficult time.

A two-car accident is reported in the city at Center and School streets downtown. It is partially blocking traffic. Occupants are out; one male has a minor head injury and is conscious and alert. City fire, Mercy medics and police are on scene. Two flatbed tows are called.

Press release:

“Channel 4 contacted me several weeks ago asking if I would accept their invitation to debate my primary challengers. Without hesitation, I responded yes, I would love to debate. I believe the voters in NY-27 deserve it. 

Yesterday, Channel 4 called to let me know that the debate has been canceled due to my opponent, Chris Jacobs, refusing to participate.

The career politician is refusing to debate me. Why? What is he hiding? Is he afraid that his liberal voting record will be exposed? 

If Jacobs is refusing to debate me, how can he debate anyone or stand up for anything in Congress? We cannot afford to have weak politicians. If he can’t even debate me, he certainly doesn’t have what it takes to stand up to AOC, Nancy Pelosi, or Chuck Schumer. 

We need someone in Congress with enough resolve to stand up for what’s right, a fighter, not afraid of a challenge. It’s time we have real representation. I am not going to back down from a fight. I am not going to back down from a debate. I will respond to questions because the voters deserve answers. They deserve to be informed.”

The Batavian received this response from the Jacobs campaign at 4:26 p.m.:

“We have agreed to participate in two formats with WIVB, one for the special and one for the primary. We had previously agreed to debate Nate McMurray and look forward to allowing voters to see the clear choice between Chris Jacobs -- a strong conservative leader, who has been endorsed by President Trump and will help the President secure our borders, get tough on China, and fight for Western New York -- and Nate McMurray who supports Bernie Sanders’ and AOC’s far-left socialist agenda.”

Three local companies that normally compete with each other have come together to support the community and Batavia High School Students by creating and printing a series of T-shirts that feature the Blue Devils logo.

The shirts are being produced and sold in cooperation with BHS by Extreme Streetwear, John’s Studio and T-Shirts Etc.

Each shop created its own design. The options included short sleeve T-shirts, long sleeve T-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, and hooded sweatshirts.

The shirts can be purchased online at an online team store.

The store will be open until May 31. Once closed, each shop will have one week to produce their apparel. There will be shipping available via UPS as well as local pickup option at BHS on June 6.

The store owners, in a statement, said they came together to highlight a local option for branded and commemorative apparel and encourage people to shop local. 

Especially in these times, we all feel that shopping local is essential. COVID-19 brought with it so many uncertainties, trials, and hardships, but what has remained consistent is the loyalty and strength in our local business community.

Briefing.

Gov. Cuomo announced that harness racing at Batavia Downs can resume without fans on June 1.

Press release:

• Westchester and Suffolk counties are now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care.
• Calls on U.S. Senate to pass Coronavirus Relief Bill
• Confirms 2,419 additional coronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to 348,232; new cases in 52 counties.

Governor Cuomo: "What can you do, or what economic activity is willing to reopen without a crowd, right? They're talking about this in terms of sports. You're going to have baseball without a crowd but it can still be televised -- great. If you can have economic activity without a crowd, that's great. We can do that in this state with horseracing tracks, and we're going to do that. There will be guidelines for the actual participants, but no crowds, no fans. But for the industry itself, for the televised viewers, that can still work. That is also true with Watkins Glen, that can operate and there's a big viewership for Watkins Glen."

Cuomo: "Let's put the politics aside. If there's ever a moment in this government, in this country, where it's not about politics, this is the moment. For Senators to be talking about 'I'm not going to bail out blue states because the blue states have more coronavirus cases', shame on you. Shame on you to look at the death toll in this nation and say 'I want to count how many people passed away by their political party and I'm more interested in states where Republicans live than where Democrats live'. We're not Democrats and Republicans, we are Americans. That's what comes first and in a time of crisis we've always been Americans."

Earlier today, Cuomo announced horseracing tracks across the state and Watkins Glen International Racetrack will be allowed to open without fans as of June 1st. The state will issue guidance on how they can open safely reopen in the coming week.

"Operation Flight From Above" flew over Batavia’s VA home and UMMC to thank healthcare providers for their effort during the COVID-19 crisis.

The flyover consisted of two World War II era planes. Geneseo’s National Warplane Museum’s  C-47 "Whiskey 7," which saw service over Normandy, France, and a locally owned P51 Mustang called "Mad Max."

After a rough start because of bad weather in the Southern Tier, the formation flew over only about 15 minutes late at 1,300 feet and 180 mph.  

The parking lots and sidewalks around UMCC were full of viewers who got a glimpse of the planes as they flew over during their salute. 

Next two photos below submitted by Frank Capuano.

Photo below by Bob Aiken.

As Genesee County moves into its first week of a Phase One reopening from a pandemic lockdown, Public Health Director Paul Pettit said it's reasonable to expect to see more positive COVID-19 cases reported, both because of an increase in testing, and because people will be in contact with each other.

But positive cases are not the key metric to monitor, Pettit said. What he and government officials will watch is the availability of hospital beds. Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to maintain a 30-percent capacity available at hospitals.

With hospitals now permitted to perform elective procedures, there are fewer beds available than when those procedures were prohibited, Pettit indicated.

"A lot of the indicators aren't really directly honing in on a specific number of cases or a number of positives," Pettit said. "They're really honing on our regional capacity to deal with them. A lot of it's focused on hospitalization, ICU beds, number of available beds. Those types of criteria are a more important indicator of how we can handle and respond to the most vulnerable populations because again, our immune-compromised, those with underlying health issues, need hospital beds, need higher levels of care. That's going to be our issue."

Continued acceptable hospital capacity in the Finger Lakes Region will be a key indicator as New York becomes unpaused for each phase of the reopening.

To keep that number low, Pettit said, people need to continue to take all necessary precautions against spreading the disease.

"It is expected we're going to see an increased number of cases, but we need to do our best to continue to try to keep them low," Pettit said. "Make sure we're practicing our social distancing, and hopefully not have spike rates in severe cases that are going to impact our health system."

Unpausing New York is expected to happen in four phases by region:

Phase One:

• Construction
• Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
• Retail -- (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
• Manufacturing
• Wholesale Trade

Phase Two: 

• Professional Services
• Retail
• Administrative Support
• Real Estate / Rental & Leasing

Phase Three: 

• Restaurants / Food Services

Phase Four: 

• Arts / Entertainment / Recreation
• Education

The Finger Lakes Region is one of the first regions in the state to enter Phase One, and while each phase is generally expected to take four weeks, there is already talk of Finger Lakes entering Phase Two on May 29, Pettit indicated.

While experts debate just how many COVID-19 tests need to be administered on a daily basis to help control the spread of the disease in an open economy, there is consensus that a lot of testing is needed.

Petit expressed concern that there are not enough tests available in Genesee County to meet our needs. That means only people who meet the criteria for testing, such as close-contact with a positive case or a vulnerable person who is symptomatic, can get tests locally. However, he noted, there is an ample supply of tests available in Monroe County and local residents who want a test without meeting that criteria can drive to testing locations in the Rochester area.

The health director does have more confidence in the local capacity to handle contact tracing when a positive case is identified, which is another key strategy in helping to control outbreaks. Pettit said if there is a local spike in cases, New York has additional contract tracing resources local health officials can summon.

He also noted, for anybody looking for a job, that the state is looking to hire more contract tracers.

For those expecting a lull in the disease spread during the summer, before a resurgence in the fall, Pettit suggested we not count on much of a lull but expect a second wave in the fall or winter.

"When you look at the data in the Southern Hemisphere, which have been inverted with their summer, they still had a lot of cases," Pettit said. "They still had a lot of transmissions. So it's really hard to say how that's going to play out for us locally here in the summer, when that the warmer weather comes along. That's why we're really stressing the importance of making sure we stick with the guidelines. We don't want to see those spikes."

The seasonality of COVID-19, or lack of it, is just one of the things that are still unknown about the novel coronavirus.

"There's a lot to be learned about this virus, (there) is a lot that we're trying to understand as we move forward in time," Pettit said. "We obviously can only implement and act the way we're able to based on the knowledge that we have. So the best thing we can do is encourage folks to continue to practice social distancing and do their best to protect others by protecting themselves."

Town of Bergen State of Emergency Proclamation

The County of Genesee and the State of New York have declared States of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The outbreak poses an immediate danger to public health and safety, which endangers the residents and businesses of the Town of Bergen.

In consultation with the Village of Bergen and Bergen Fire Department, I believe it is in the best interest of the Town of Bergen and our residents/businesses for me to issue a State of Emergency in the Town of Bergen, which will allow me the discretion to use any and all facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel and other resources of the Town of Bergen in such a manner as may be necessary or appropriate to cope with the disaster or emergency resulting therefrom.

In particular, but with no limitation, I anticipate that it will be critical to have Town of Bergen personnel available to respond to specific, but currently unforeseen, needs arising in the Town.

Therefore, by the power vested in me, pursuant to Article 2B of the Executive Law of the State of New York, I hereby declare a State of Emergency effective at 5 p.m. on May 15, 2020 in the Town of Bergen, Genesee County, New York.

This State of Emergency shall remain in effect for the next 30 days unless and until rescinded or extended by me for an additional 30-day period.

Any residents in need of special or emergency assistance are advised to contact 9-1-1. All residents are advised to monitor the Town's website and local media reports for continued updates and advisories.

Ernest Haywood

Supervisor, Town of Bergen, Genesee County, NY

Some sort of parade through the city prompted police to respond after the Emergency Dispatch Center received complaints the participants were running red lights and blocking intersections.

Because of weather in the Southern Tier, the scheduled time for the Batavia flyover is approximately 11:45 a.m., giver or take 10 minutes, according to the National Warplane Museum.

It was supposed to take place at roughly 11:20 a.m. over the Batavia VA Medical Center, and at 11:24 at UMMC.

Photo: File photo of Whiskey 7 by Jim Burns.