By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 6:30 pm
Barker posted a 61-44 victory at Byron-Bergen in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.
Anthony Taliaferro scored 15, Carter DerSarkissian 14 and Donovan Hefferon 11 to lead the Barker offense as JJ Prynn led the way on the boards with 17 rebounds.
Girls Basketball Kendall 77, Barker 29
Izzy D’Agostino scored 16, Teagan Shaw 15 and Stella Kwiatek and Mia Price 10 each to lead Kendall to a 77-29 non league win at Berker.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 6:23 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Vinnie D’Agostino drives to the basket during the Eagles 47-40 loss to visiting Northstar in the championship game of the Kendall Tournament this afternoon.
Ice cold shooting in the second half proved costly as Kendall dropped a 47-40 decision to Northstar in the championship game of the Eagles Holiday Basketball Tournament this afternoon.
Kendall bult up a 15 point, 34-19, advantage at the outset of the third quarter on a three by Noah Morehouse and baskets by Jonas Rhodes and Vinnie D’Agostino.
However, the Eagles managed only two more points the rest of the quarter and then went the first six and a half minutes of the final period without scoring a point.
Northstar took advantage of that drought to close the third period with a 15-2 run and rally back to within two at 36-34.
Keeping the momentum, Northstar then outscored Kendall 13-4 in the decisive final period to claim the tourney title.
Vinnie D’Agostino finished with 12 and CJ D’Agostino 10 to lead Kendall as Morehouse added 8, Ryan Gaesser 6 and Rhodes 4.
Roy-Hart 51, Livonia 49
Roy-Hart edged Livonia 51-49 in the consolation game as Matt Aquilina scored 20, Tysen McCaa 12 and Vinny Fazzio 11.
Aquilina scored 10 in the third period to help Roy-Hart extend a narrow 30-29 half-time lead into a 41-32 advantage heading into the final period.
Kendall’s Jonny Conte looks to drive to the basket.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 6:08 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Elijah Doxey puts up an off balanced shot against Warsaw defender Cooper Shute during the Purple Eagles win over the visiting Tigers this afternoon.
A huge 44-16 scoring surge over the middle two quarters keyed Albion to a 71-42 romp over visiting Warsaw in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.
Leading 18-13 at the end of the first period, Albion outscored Warsaw 20-7 in the second quarter to extend the advantage to 38-20 at the half.
Nate Gibson scored 9 and Wesley Olles and Tyler Cody both had 4 to lead that Purple Eagles uprising. Cody also sparked the Purple Eagles in the opening period by tallying 10 points.
Keeping the momentum, Albion outpointed Warsaw 24-9 in the third period to open up a huge 33 point, 62-29 advantage. Elijah Doxey scored 7, Cody 6 and Gibson 4 to lead that uprising.
Cody finished with a game high 20, including a pair of slam dunks, Gibson 15 and Olles 11. Dozey added 9, Hunter Huscher 5. Elloit Trapiss 4, Adam Burgio 3 and Ezra Bloom and Malik Lamar 2 each.
Blake Chambers scored 13 and Jaiden Fries 10 to lead the Tigers.
Albion is now 4-2 overall.
Ezra Bloom puts up a baseline shot against Warsaw defender Blake Chambers.
Contributed Story Posted 3 January 2026 at 5:47 pm
Making it theree wins in a row, the Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey Knights hosted Cheektowaga Friday evening and scored a 5-2 victory, giving them a 4-4-1 season record.
Sean Mettler (R-H) began the scoring at the 12:57 point of the opening period with an assist from Gavin Ickowski (R-H). Later in the period, Ryan Felicetti (Wilson) netted a goal from Ickowski and Viktor Snyder (Albion).
Cheektowaga scored the only goal of the second period on a power play.
Within the first 38 seconds of the final period, RBM scored twice to ice the game. Clayton Wagner (Medina) scored what was to be the game winner, while Mettler and Wyatt Bryer (Wilson) tallied assists on the goal. Mettler scored again from Aiden Cronkhite (Newfane) and John Peracciny (R-H).
Felicetti completed the scoring for RBM with a short handed goal from Dominic Metro (Wilson) and Snyder.
RBM’s next game is Wednesday evening at the Riverside Rink against Team Buffalo at 8 p.m.
More 200 social media posts, TikTok videos and many appearances
Photo by Brenda Tremblay: In one of his boldest outings, Orly the Ox went kayaking on Glenwood Lake and made it close to the Medina Waterfalls on Aug. 18. He met up with the Buffalo paddle People, a kayaking group that goes to sites all over WNY. Orleans County is popular with kayakers, especially the Oak Orchard Creek and Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.
Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Ox made it to the top of the Mount Albion Tower in one of his journeys in Orleans County in 2025. Orly had more than 200 social media posts on Facebook and Instagram about local historical sites, notable residents of the past and local attractions. Orly also went kayaking, hydro-biking, skateboarding and tackled many adventures in Orleans County during all four seasons. Orly also is featured on about 200 TikTok videos.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub contributor
ALBION – Orly the Ox has completed a busy year promoting Orleans County, highlighting prominent spots and other locations and people that were lower profile.
Isabella Zasa and Tom Rivers were the driving force behind Orly’s adventures in 2025. Zasa works as a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department, Rivers is the Orleans Hub editor. Both are members of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
The committee picked an ox as a mascot for the county to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2025. Oxen were critical in transporting early settlers across rough terrain. The oxen helped clear land and plow fields. They are somewhat underappreciated for their important role with the early settlers.
The committee wanted to recognize the oxen and acknowledge their link to the pioneers. The group also decided to have an ox in costume as a fun way to promote the bicentennial.
“Orly” was initially intended to just appear in Medina’s Parade of Lights in 2024, walking in front of the Bicentennial Committee’s float that included an ox statue. But Orly was popular along the parade route. (Lucy Rivers, the daughter of Tom Rivers, wore the costume in that parade with her sister Cordelia following up at Albion’s lighted parade in December 2024.)
Orly’s look was created by Robyn Watts of Medina, who makes many of the costumes for the Medina musical products and also for Lake Plains Players. She gave Orly a vest with all 10 towns, four villages and some of the hamlets. She also embroidered some of the early names – Newport for Albion and Saltport for Holley.
Zasa noticed how Oswego County uses a character, Ozzy the Elf, to highlight sites in that county. She suggested an ox be used to showcase places in Orleans County. Orly was activated last January for the task, and he kept up a busy pace, with at least five social media posts a week.
Zasa and Tom Rivers worked as team on the social media posts. They would share the duties of wearing the costume, taking the photos and writing the blurbs.
Zasa put together an active social media presence for Orly on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Tourism’s Facebook followers have nearly doubled in the past year from 2,300 to 4,500 and many of the Orly posts get hundreds of likes.
Catherine Cooper, Orleans County’s historian, loves Orly and said he has helped the community better understand local history.
“Orly’s delight in exploring the treasures of Orleans County is infectious,” Cooper said.
Zasa said the Orly posts connected with many in the public, who enjoyed the authentic storytelling over AI-generated content.
“We covered the bigger attractions and hit the smaller niche things,” she said. “It was to promote the county in a fun way.”
Photos by Marsha Rivers: (Left) Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department, takes a picture of Orly on West State Street in Albion by the historical marker for Grace Bedell, an Albion native who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, urging him to grow a beard during the presidential campaign in 1860. Lincoln took her advice. Bedell, 11 at the time, was living in Westfield at the time when she sent the letter. (Right) Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, takes a photo of Orly holding a cake with “200” with the Orleans County Courthouse in the background. This was right before the April 15 anniversary of when Orleans County was officially recognized by the State legislature as its own county, after splitting off from Genesee County. Rivers and Zasa took most of the Orly photos and wrote the features about him in 2025. They also took turns wearing the Orly costume throughout the year.
Orly picked up fans outside of the county, too. The NYS Canal Corp. often would like and share his social media posts and invited Orly to the bicentennial celebration to kick off the 200th anniversary of the canal season, a ceremony that was cancelled due to flooding on the eastern end of the canal.
Zasa said Orly helped people learn about the county, with people from other towns seeing assets that didn’t realize. The post about Orly climbing Mount Albion Tower included comments from people in Medina who didn’t realize there was a 68-foot-high tower in the back of the cemetery.
Rivers has worked as a local reporter for nearly 30 years now. He has done features about many of the local sites over the years. He saw the Orly features as a challenge to see how well he knew the community. He was also able to draw on historical columns from Catherine Cooper and past county historians, Matt Ballard and Bill Lattin.
Another way the community got to connect with Orly was via the Flat Orly challenge, where people could color printouts and take him on an adventure, snapping a commemorative photo. Flat Orly was featured in New York City, Iowa and other states. These photos were featured on Orly’s social media pages.
Orly was named the Grand Marshall of Albion’s Strawberry Festival. He also attended the Lyndonville parade, Barre tractor parade, and the Albion Christmas parade.
Orly was intended to be a 2025 phenomenon, and then head to retirement. But Rivers and Zasa said Orly is much loved by many people who would be sad if he went away.
They concocted a storyline were Orly meets up with a long-lost brother, Scout, and the two will work together in 2026, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA.
Zasa and Rivers also want to make a book of Orly’s 2025 adventures, an effort that will be a fundraiser for the Cobblestone Museum.
Click here to see Tourism’s Facebook page to see more of Orly’s adventures.
Photo by Isabella Zara: Orly the Ox ended his active year of 2025 by being reunited with his brother Scout at Welker Farms on Sanderson Road in Shelby. Scout was added to the storyline for Orly, giving him a brother as a partner in 2026 to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. Robyn Watts made both of these ox costumes. Orly has a vest with the names of towns, villages and some of the hamlets in Orleans County. Scout has a more patriotic themed vest.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 January 2026 at 8:14 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced it has been awarded a grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to expand pediatric services, live-saving education and family support programs for children in Orleans County.
The funding will help OCH deliver a holistic and equitable approach to pediatric wellness, addressing critical needs in a rural community where child poverty, limited transportation, high infant mortality rates and a shortage of medical providers continue to impact families. More than 1,500 children and families are expected to benefit within the first year of the initiative, according to information provided by Scott Robinson, director of Marketing for OCH.
“Families in our community deserve access to care and education that protect children’s health and empower parents,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation. “This generous grant allows us to expand resources beyond the clinic walls – bringing safety education, mental health support and essential pediatric equipment directly to the families who need it most.”
The project supported by the Garman Family Foundation will include:
Free Infant CPR and Newborn Care Classes for parents and caregivers, eliminating the need for families to travel long distances for live-saving training.
A Pediatric Wellness Fair, offering education and health resources for local families.
Mental Health and Behavioral Support Tools, including the certification of a pediatric nurse practitioner in the evidence-based COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) program and the use of anxiety-reducing tools during visits.
Preventative Child Safety Resources, including helmets, first aid kits and coping tools to reduce emergencies and injuries.
Important Clinical Upgrades, including pediatric exam tables and an infant warmer for safe and effective care.
A New Children’s Reading nook and Books Distributed at Well Visits to promote early literacy and development growth.
Leah Brunner, pediatric nurse practitioner who serves children in both OCH’s Medina and Albion offices, shared how the funding will enhance care from the moment the families walk in the door.
“Parents want to feel confident caring for their children, and kids deserve a safe, supportive place to grow,” Brenner said. “With this grant, we can offer families more education, more tools and a more welcoming pediatric environment. It strengthens care for every child who comes through our doors.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 January 2026 at 8:54 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Courtney Aquilina puts up shot between Lockport defenders Alizah Barry (7) and Arden Anterline (24) during the host Lady Rams lo the Lady Lions this evening.
Roy-Hart dropped a narrow 51-47 decision to visiting Lockport in a non league girls basketball game this evening.
Emma Buzak scored a game high 25 points to lead Lockport as Arden Anterline had 9 and Ava King 8.
Courtney Aquilina sparked Roy-Hart with 21 as Millie Owens had 9, Adella Dukes 8, Zoe Healey 3 and Brooke Corser, Kylie McOmber and Peyton May 2 each.
Roy-Hart grabbed a slender 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter as Aquilina tallied 8 in the early going while Buzak netted all 10 of Lockport’s points including a pair of threes.
The Lady Lions rallied into leads of 22-21 at the half and 39-34 at the three-quarter mark. Buzak scored 6 in the second period, including a four point play, while Anterline tallied 8, including two threes, and King 4 in the third quarter.
The Lady Rams did close to within two, 42-40 midway through the final period after baskets by McOmber and Aquilina but could not pull even.
A basket and four free throws by Buzak helped the Lady Lions lock up the win
Lockport is now 4-3 and Roy-Hart 2-5.
Brooke Corser puts up a shot for Roy-Hart ahead of Lockport defender Arden Anterline.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt
ALBANY – Following disturbing reports of widespread fraud involving taxpayer dollars in Minnesota, members of the Senate Republican Conference have penned a letter to the Governor’s Office urging her to immediately hire a private professional services firm to conduct a truly independent audit of programs administered by state agencies to ensure that public funds are only being distributed to authorized organizations and individuals, and utilized for authorized activities.
Further, Senate Republican Leader Ortt will be introducing a bill to require an independent audit of New York State government programs by a professional third party and to mandate that all findings of fraud or abuse will be promptly referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
These actions follow recent revelations of rampant fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars uncovered by investigative reporting in Minnesota, including schemes that reportedly involved sham daycare centers.
“If Governor Hochul isn’t alarmed by what’s happening in Minnesota, New Yorkers will lose even more trust in how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “The Governor must do her job and guarantee this isn’t happening here. If nothing is amiss, there is no excuse for refusing a comprehensive, independent audit. Failing to act would be an extreme disservice to taxpayers.”
An independent audit is necessary to root out all similar schemes currently underway here in New York, Ortt said. For example:
$68 million in Medicaid fraud committed by a Brooklyn adult daycare operator uncovered by the Department of Justice in August.
The State improperly paid over $2.6 billion in Medicaid premiums for people who do not live in New York.
$13 million in Medicaid fraud for transporting patients to medical appointments.
$7 million in Medicaid fraud for fraudulent billing.
“This issue is especially urgent given that dozens of counties across New York have already exhausted their allotted state funding for the Child Care Assistance Program,” the Republican senators state in the letter. “At a time when resources are strained, it is essential that available funds are protected and directed exclusively to those who truly need assistance. Moreover, with reports that your administration may advance a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten in the upcoming legislative session, ensuring these programs are efficient, transparent, and free from fraud should be a shared priority for all New Yorkers.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 5:55 pm
MEDINA – The Village of Medina will be hosting a major arts initiative this year, with 50,000 people expected to visit Medina to see works by 35 different artists showcased at 12 sites in the community.
The Medina Triennial is the first initiative of its kind in the region. It will feature artists from around the world from June 6 to Sept. 7 to see the exhibits and public programs.
The Triennial welcomes the community to see how they can volunteer and be a part of the event. There will be a complimentary brunch and information session at the Triennial’s headquarters on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. The Triennial “Hub” is located at 345 N Main St. (the former NAPA Auto Parts building).
“We’ll be answering frequently asked questions and announcing volunteer/employment opportunities in a very casual sit-down style conversation,” said Federico Rosario, Community Engagement & Programs Coordinator for the Triennial. “This event is an opportunity to hear about the Triennial’s goals and upcoming volunteer and work opportunities.”
The Triennial is an initiative of the New York Power Authority with funding from other sponsors, too.
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Carla and Terry Woodworth were recognized for Overall Best Holiday Display Award. They received a commemorative plaque and a bottle of champagne.
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lions from Lyn“Who”ville were busy at their Hall.
They were readying awards for those who honored the call.
Those who hung lights, wreaths and Holiday balls.
Those who strung lights from trees and from walls.
The awards went to some but could have been given to all.
Some displays were massive and some were small.
The Lions traveled the roads to view them all.
Some displays had lights, some had bows and some had nothing, nothing at all.
The Lions recognize them come one and come all.
The winners of awards held them high and they held them tall.
So, the Lions would like to say thank you and Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to all.
The Lyndonville Lions continued a much-anticipated recognition of the Holiday Spirit shown by the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates residents. Three categories were awarded in the village and town as the best holiday decorations were singled out.
Winners received a plaque that recognizes the hard work undertaken by those decorating their homes for the Christmas season. They were supplied with a bottle of bubbly to help them celebrate their achievement and the New Year. There were several displays in and around town noted to be worthy of honorable mention.
Best Single-Color Lighting Display
Best Holiday Inflatables Display
Currier & Ives Award – Most Traditional Display
Best Holiday Display in the Town of Yates
Best Holiday Display in the Village
The Lions would like to thank all for participating in the holiday illumination project in and around Lyndonville during the Christmas Season. We would encourage all to take a moment to view the holiday decorations and enjoy the season.
May God continue to shed his many blessings on our residents and we wish everyone a Happy New Year!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 2:27 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Clarendon Town Board met this morning for the 2026 organizational meeting. From left up front include Town Councilman Fred Seeman, Councilman Chris Caufield, Town Clerk Susan Colby, Town Supervisor Marc Major, Councilman Allen Robinson and Councilman Bruce Hovey.
CLARENDON – The Clarendon Town Board met this morning for its annual organizational meeting where appointments are made and salaries set for different positions in the town government.
The board held off on making appointments to three positions that have been held by Melissa Ierlan. She was charged on Tuesday by State Police with two felonies – falsifying business records in the first degree and second-degree grand larceny with property value exceeding $50,000.
Ierlan has been serving as Clarendon’s code enforcement officer and building inspector, the administrator of Hillside Cemetery and also the town historian. She also is president of the Clarendon Historical Society, which is separate from the town government.
Town Supervisor Marc Major said he has no comment at this time about the allegations against Ierlan. The State Police also hasn’t provided any information except listing the charges on the daily blotter report.
Fred Seeman, Ierlan’s husband and a town councilman, said State Police have provided little information to him and Ierlan except to say the allegations involve the Historical Society.
The board during the organizational meeting tabled filling the code officer/zoning inspector at a salary of $44,440; the cemetery caretaker/administrator at an annual salary of $7,293; and the town historian at a salary of $1,950.
Some of the other appointments include:
Cemetery maintenance for $7,150, Tracy Chalker
Dog enumerator at $2,280, Susan Colby
Planning Board Chairman – David Griggs, with Patrick White as deputy chairman
Deputy Town Supervisor at $1,298, Allen Robinson
Cleaning Service at $65 a week, Michelle Chalker of Save Time Cleaning
Water Superintendent at $10,402, Tracy Chalker
Water District billing clerk at $20 an hour, Donna Moore
Water District collection clerk at $5,244 annual salary, Linda Barrett
The board also set the following pay rates and salaries:
Highway superintendent, $66,977; foreman in highway department, $31.32 per hour; full-time motor equipment operator, $30.73 an hour (top rate) and $30.59 an hour for other MEO; part-time MEO, $22.73 an hour; part-time cemetery laborer, $17.14 an hour.
Assessor, $27,281; assessor clerk/bookkeeper to the supervisor, $27,891; town clerk/tax collector, $47,114; primary deputy town clerk, $21 an hour; secondary part-time deputy, $16.20 an hour; part-time records deputy, $16.20 an hour.
Planning Board chairman, $126 per meeting; members, $31 per meeting; Board of Assessment Review, $150 per hearing day; secretary to Board of Assessment Review, $250 annual salary; four town council members, $4,202 annually; town supervisor, $12,988; budget officer, $806; town justice, $16,200; court clerk, $20 an hour; registrar of vital statistics, $408 annually.
The board also named the Suburban News/Westside News as the official newspaper to carry legal notices; Five Star Bank as the official town bank; the mileage reimbursement rate at 70 cents per mile; and meal reimbursement for meetings/conferences not to exceed $68 per day.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 January 2026 at 2:05 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Jonas Rhodes drives in for a layup as Roy-Hart’s Matt Aquilina tries for the block. The action took place during the host Eagles win over the Rams this afternoon in the semifinals of the Kendall Tournament.
Pulling away in the second quarter, Kendall went on to defeat visiting Roy-Hart 62-47 in the semifinals of the Eagles Holiday Tournament this afternoon.
Leading by a narrow 11-9 margin, Kendall opened the second quarter with a decisive 15-1 run including 6 by Ryan Gaesser, 4 by CJ D’Agostino and a three by Sammy Conte to pull away to a 26-10 lead.
The Eagles led 30-15 at the half as Gaesser and CJ D’Agostino both had a total of 7 in the period.
Kendall maintained an 18 point, 47-29, lead at the end of the third period. Jonas Rhodes had a three and a two and Jonny Conte a pair of baskets to lead the Eagles in the third period.
Roy-Hart opened the final period with an 11-4 run, including two threes by Vinny Fazzio and a pair of baskets by Matt Aquilina to cut the deficit to 11, 51-40, but the Rams could get no closer.
Vinnie D’Agostino finished with 15, CJ D’Agostino 12 and Gaesser 10 to lead Kendall. Jonny Conte added 8, Rhodes and Noah Morehouse 5 each, Caleb Opalecky 4 and Sammy Conte 3 for the Eagles.
Aquilina finished with a game high 18 and Fazzio 16 to pace Roy-Hart. Jakob West chipped in with 8, Tysen McCaa 4 and Tyler Rothwell 1 for the Rams.
Kendall will now face Northstar in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Roy-Hart will play in the 1 p.m. consolation game. Northstar downed Livonia 66-58 in the other semifinal.
Vinny Fazzio puts up a shot for Roy-Hart.
Kendall’s Sammy Conte grabs a rebound away from Roy-Hart’s Matt Aquilina. Backing up the play for Roy-Hart are Tysen McCaa (3) and Vinny Fazzio (5).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 12:28 pm
State-wide the cases decline but hospitalizations are up
The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.
The number of new flu cases is down a week later, from 72,133 to 49,153. That is a 32 percent drop.
However, the number of people hospitalized by the flu has increased 24 percent from 3,666 a week earlier to 4,546, according to the state Department of Health.
The DOH also is reporting a pediatric death from the flu this week. There have now been two pediatric deaths from the flu thus season, according to the state DOH.
While the new cases were down statewide, in Genesee and Orleans counties the new cases increased from 217 for the week ending Dec. 20 to 224 in the week ending Dec. 27, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In Genesee and Orleans, both counties show the number of younger people getting the flu is declining, but still high. In Orleans the flu cases for people 0-19 dropped from 571.3 per 100,000 to 440.4, while the cases for people 60 and older went from 76.5 per 100,000 people to 181.7 per 100,000. In Orleans, the overall rate of new flu cases per 100,000 people is 196.5, the same as the previous week.
In Genesee, the cases for 0-19 year olds dropped from 553.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 20, to 446.2 for the week ending Dec. 27. The cases for people 60 and older increased from 249.3 to 324.1 during that time period. Genesee’s overall flu rate is at 252 per 100,000 people, up from 239.9 the previous week.
State health officials said flu typically peaks in January so the cases may continue to rise.
The Department of Health encourages people to get the flu shot, and take antivirals if it’s been less than 48 hours since symptoms began.
People are also urged to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
People are advised to stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.
