By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2020 at 12:21 pm
MEDINA – Joyce McCabe took this photo of the U.S. Air Force flyover at about 11:30 a.m. in Medina.
McCabe took the photo from Salt Works Road as the planes headed towards the Lockport hospital, the beginning of a flyover over several hospitals in Western New York.
The planes include a KC-135 from the 914th Air Refueling Wing’s 328th Air Refueling Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and F-35s from the Vermont Air National Guard.
The flyover honors all of those working on the front lines during the Covid-19 crisis.
McCabe said it was quite a sight to see the planes in formation.
“It was so awesome,” she said. “It was absolutely an amazing experience.”
Jeff Andrews of Albion took this photo at 12:01 p.m. of the planes in formation over the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2020 at 12:03 pm
Districts consider options for graduation ceremonies
Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina graduates move their tassels during graduation on June 22, 2018 in the high school auditorium. This year’s commencement is very much up in the air with the district considering an outdoor ceremony at Vets’ Park if a large indoor gathering isn’t allowed.
Albion and Medina were both planning the annual senior prom for June 12. But during a Covid-19 pandemic, with social gatherings currently limited to 10 people, that doesn’t look likely, even as the state begins phase 1 of reopening.
Medina has announced its prom has been moved to July 22 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Becker Farms in Gasport.
“Everything will remain the same except the date,” the district posted on its Facebook page. “We hope that by the end of July state guidance will enable us to host a proper gathering. We will continue to keep you posted if any other changes are necessary.”
The prom also will be on a Wednesday instead of a Friday.
“We know this year has brought many unforeseen changes and we are trying hard to create those final high school memories,” the school district posted on its Facebook page. “Your class officers, class advisors, teachers, and administrators are working hard to ensure that end of year events are as memorable as possible.”
Albion was again planning to have its senior prom at Hickory Ridge in Holley the second Friday in June.
The district is now looking to have the event on Aug. 6, which would be a Thursday.
Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said he recently met with the senior class officers who said a top priority for the class is to have the prom, even if it is in the summer.
Moving to Aug. 6 still gives seniors, who at that point will have graduated, a chance to go to the prom before many start college.
“Most of the attendees will actually be alumni at that point,” Bonnewell said during Monday’s Board of Education meeting, which was conducted by Zoom videoconferencing.
The district also favored the Thursday option for the prom, to leave open a weekend date for graduation parties.
The prom dates in summer for Medina and Albion are contingent on approvals from the state and Health Department as the state begins to reopen some businesses.
Graduation ceremonies
Albion is looking to have a virtual graduation on June 26, while hoping there can be a large public gathering to honor the seniors later in the summer, Bonnewell said.
The district considered using the football stadium for an outdoor graduation, where students and the crowd could be spaced out. But Bonnewell said the restrooms at the stadium don’t meet the Health Department standards for such an event. The district will meet again soon with Health Department officials to look at options.
“We’re keeping an eye on the possibilities,” Bonnewell said.
But right now a large mass gathering looks unlikely anytime soon.
The district also is working to induct three seniors into the National Honor Society. They must be inducted before they graduate. Once they get their diploma they can’t be inducted into the NHS. The district is working on a ceremony for those three students on May 28.
School officials also are working on the details of Class Night, when scholarships are announced for the seniors.
Medina school officials said no final plans about graduation will be made until at least June 12.
“It is our hope to hold a ceremony containing many of our traditional components, however we do need to make decisions based on state guidelines,” the district posted on Facebook.
The district is looking at five different options for graduation:
Traditional ceremony held in the high school auditorium on June 26 at 7 p.m.
If guidelines do not allow an indoor ceremony but would be OK for an outdoor ceremony, Medina will move graduation to Veterans Park on June 26 at 7 p.m. There will be a rain date of June 27.
If gatherings are not allowed in June, Medina will opt for a traditional ceremony on July 24 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
If gatherings are not allowable indoors but can be held in an outdoor location, Medina will then hold the ceremony at Veterans Park on July 24 at 7 p.m. with a rain date of July 25.
If Medina is unable to hold any gatherings in July, then the district will arrange a special event for diploma pick up with a parade in cars through the streets of Medina for graduates on July 24.
“We thank you for all your suggestions and input,” the district posted. “The Senior Class Officers and Senior Class Advisers are working hard to create an unforgettable occasion!”
Press Release, 914th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force graphic by 2nd Lt. Lucas Morrow: A 914th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 out of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station along with F-35s from the 158th Fighter Wing from the Vermont Air National Guard are scheduled to fly over parts of Western New York today to salute all frontline Covid-19 healthcare workers, emergency responders, and essential employees.
NIAGARA FALLS – A formation of Western New York & New England-based U.S. Air Force aircraft are scheduled to fly over parts of Western New York on May 12, 2020, starting at approximately 11:45 a.m.
(Editor’s Note: The route starts at Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport but the planes are expected to be visible from Medina Memorial Hospital at about 11:30 a.m.)
Following routine training operations, a KC-135 from the 914th Air Refueling Wing’s 328th Air Refueling Squadron at NFARS and F-35s from the Vermont Air National Guard will honor all of those working on the front lines during the Covid-19 crisis.
The 328th ARS Director of Operations, Lt. Col. Ben Canetti, says the aircraft were granted final approval to fly in the restricted airspace above the city of Niagara Falls.
“There’s a lot of limitations when planning a flyover to ensure the safest environment possible,” says Canetti. “None of this would have been possible without the help of the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Transport Canada, and Buffalo Approach Control. We wish we could visit every location across Western New York but we’re limited to time, resources and fuel.”
Canetti says the route was based on population density to safely fly over as many locations as possible before being required to return to base.
“If we could fly over all of Western New York, we would. This is our salute to everyone in Western New York that’s in this fight,” says Canetti.
The flyover is directly following required aerial refueling training operations for the two wings. The formation is scheduled to start at approximately 11:45 a.m. over Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport, followed by Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, Niagara Falls International Airport, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, University at Buffalo, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, St. Joseph Campus, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo General Medical Center, John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Erie County Medical Center & Sisters of Charity Hospital, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and ending at approximately 12:15 p.m. over Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
These are just a few of the many healthcare, emergency response and essential personnel organizations that are along the flight path that will be able to view the flyover salute. We encourage everyone to continue to practice social distancing when viewing the flyover in your area. Times and locations are subject to change.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on Monday confirmed that the report regarding the Common Retirement Fund being diverted to balance the budget or pay bills was incorrect.
Following rightful concern that individuals would begin to lose their retirement investments to a state spending spree in the efforts of curbing short-term financial struggles, Hawley wants to make it clear that no such risk is present.
“With what seems like crisis after crisis occurring during these past many weeks, I was as concerned as the people of my district that we were headed for yet another batch of bad news,” Hawley said. “Thankfully, it appears that in this instance, the messaging was simply unclear. The $50 million is really being used as a revolving loan program with all funds being paid back. I hope people can breathe a bit easier with this clarification.”
It is important to note that this is not the first time the Common Retirement funds are being used this way. The Comptroller’s office and the Common Retirement Fund have a long relationship with Pursuit having provided business funds for more than 1,000 qualifying New York businesses in all 62 counties to retain jobs and expand. The fund’s allocation to Pursuit redirects a large portion of the existing available loan program funds to address the COVID-19 crisis.
In regard to the initial question of funds being diverted from retirement savings, the state Comptroller’s office has confirmed that “…The Common Retirement Fund’s investment portfolio is very diverse and consists of stocks, bonds, ETF’s and even loans. The Comptroller is viewing this funding the same way it views it’s other holdings, as an investment.”
For those looking for the Comptroller’s original release on the matter, click here.
A long-time advocate for New York’s local news outlets, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced on Monday that the upcoming Covid-19 legislation that the House of Representatives will soon unveil will include fixes he strongly advocated for to make local newspapers and radio and television stations eligible for forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), something the industry has sought as a means of survival.
Schumer explained that under current SBA policy, local news outlets that are one of many locations of a business or are owned by a parent company or investor or part of a franchise are currently not deemed to be small businesses making them ineligible for PPP loans. Schumer fought hard to ensure the House of Representatives included fixes that would make eligible New York’s local newspapers, radio and television stations that would otherwise be considered small businesses if not for the existing SBA policies.
“Local news outlets are the glue that keeps communities in Upstate New York informed and stitched together, and during these uncertain times, they are more vital than ever,” said Senator Schumer. “Each day, Upstate New York’s local newspapers, television and radio stations give millions of New Yorkers up-to-date information on the pandemic; it’s local impact; and what they need to know to get through and begin to rebuild. That includes providing news reports on public health information and school and business closures that are specific to communities and serve an important role in fighting life-threatening misinformation about Covid-19.”
“I fought hard to get these fixes to this legislation because just like any other small business in New York, access to this federal funding could be a vital lifeline for local news outlets that are losing major advertising revenue and suffering huge financial losses. I will fight to make sure it stays in when it comes over to the Senate because New York’s local media needs and deserves all the help we can offer – and they need it now.”
Despite suffering a catastrophic loss of income, newspapers throughout the state are providing journalism about Covid-19 to all readers free of charge. We are heartened to know that Senator Schumer, a longtime champion of the free press, is once again intervening to preserve citizens’ access to local news.”
Schumer said that the access to PPP funding would help local news outlets across the nation, some of which have seen up to a 75 to 80% loss of advertising revenue amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Upstate New York alone has over 80 local TV stations that have been integral to informing New Yorkers about social distancing guidelines, mask recommendations, stay-at-home orders, and school and business closures.
With an increase in the number of new cases reported in New York on Saturday, Schumer says that local news outlets will continue to serve a vital part in keeping New Yorkers informed and safe in the coming days.
To expand eligibility for PPP loans to local newspaper and radio and TV station small businesses, the legislation proposes the following:
Local newspapers, radio and television stations will be treated as independent, non-affiliated entities for the purposes of determining eligibility for PPP.
A PPP loan received by a local newspaper, radio or television station must be used to support the provision of local news, information, content, or emergency information by that outlet.
Waives SBA affiliation rules to ensure local newspapers, radio and television stations are able to access PPP loans as long as they meet the SBA size standards for a small business. This ensures that local media small businesses are not blocked from accessing assistance because they are owned by a parent company or investor or part of a franchise.
Local newspapers, radio and television stations that are part of businesses with more than one physical location are made eligible for PPP loans as long as their single physical location meets the SBA size standards for a small business.
A PPP loan received by a local newspaper, radio or television station must be used to support the provision of local news, information, content, or emergency information by that outlet.
Local newspapers, radio and television stations that receive PPP loans must be able to demonstrate to SBA that the loan is necessary to support expenses associated with the continued provision of local news, information, content, or emergency information.
The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration are required to provide reporting to Congress, including the Covid-19 Congressional Oversight Commission, on any loans made to local newspapers, radio and television stations that are part of a franchise, parent company or investment company.
“Local radio and television stations continue to broadcast life-saving Covid-19 news and information to citizens throughout New York State despite catastrophic declines in advertising revenue,” said David Donovan, President of the New York State Broadcasters Association. “Unfortunately, many local New York stations were not eligible to obtain PPP loans under existing rules. By permitting local stations access to the PPP program, the legislation ensures that consumers will continue to receive essential Covid-19 related news and information. We want to thank Minority Leader Charles Schumer for his leadership and support on this critically important issue.”
“Millions of New York State residents turn to a local newspaper for vital information about their communities,” said Diane Kennedy, President of the New York News Publishers Association. “This accurate information has never been more important than it is right now. A local newspaper is often the sole source of community news in many areas of upstate New York.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2020 at 8:13 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Two little free libraries were added last week at Tinsel, an ice cream shop in Albion, just north of the Erie Canal.
Natasha Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez own Tinsel and they put in the new libraries, as well as a bench. They are also turning the building into the Lockstone, a wedding and events center.
There are now more than 100,000 little free libraries. The community is welcome to leave and take a book at the little free libraries.
The two new little libraries come at a time when the local public library buildings are closed to the public.
For more on the Little Free Library organization, click here.
ROCHESTER – As New York State readies its efforts to begin the reopening process later this week, Regional Transit Service announced today that the temporary waiving of fares will be extended through June 7. This extension will provide some consistency for customers through the first phase of the reopening.
RTS, which operates a transit service in Orleans County, initially waved fares on March 19 to help protect RTS bus operators and customers.
RTS encourages customers to follow the guidance of elected leaders and health experts by staying home whenever possible and limiting travel to essential rides only. This includes trips to destinations such as the grocery store, pharmacy and medical facilities. When taking these trips, RTS also encourages customers to follow Governor Cuomo’s executive order to wear a mask on the bus and while in public, and to maintain a distance of six feet between each other on the bus, at the RTS Transit Center and at bus stops.
RTS is a regional transit authority established by New York State with more than 900 employees who serve customers and business partners in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties. For more information, visit www.myRTS.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2020 at 5:03 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse has been largely closed to the public since mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most court functions have been put off until June. But the court system continues to use Skype for arraignments, to issue orders of protection and to suspend driver’s licenses.
Judge Sanford Church
County Court Judge Sanford Church said he doesn’t expect the court system to resemble normal until at least August.
“Like everything else in the world it’s a big maybe for what will happen in the future,” he said on a Zoom videoconferencing call Saturday with about 50 other local elected and appointed officials. “It isn’t a complete shutdown but it’s a near shutdown.”
Judge Church has been doing arraignments from his home, using the Skype video technology. Representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender or retained counsel are also using Skype for those arraignments, or if the judge issues an order of protection or to suspend a driver’s license.
Church handles those duties from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. During the off-hours, town justices will preside in the cases through a new Centralized Arraignment Program. With the CAP, defendants are arraigned in the county jail at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day. Kendall Town Justice Deborah Kluth and Clarendon Town Justice Tom DiFante are serving as the interim judges in the CAP until the end of May.
Church said the county court system is limited to “essential proceedings” right now.
The criminal justice system has been limited for nearly two months because the grand jury is not allowed to convene. The grand jury is needed to serve up a felony indictment. The grand jury meets in a room at the Public Safety Building. There are typically 16 to 23 people for the grand jury, plus the DA’s Office and witnesses. That is too many people right now to have in a room.
DA Joe Cardone
District Attorney Joe Cardone said the caseload is starting to mount up due to the grand jury being sidelined.
“Frankly the arrests are building,” Cardone said during Saturday’s conference call. “With no grand jury since March it’s really going to be a crunch on us. We’re afraid of a floodgate-type situation when we open back up.”
Judge Church also said the court isn’t handling child custody or child support cases right now. In some cases, people on unemployment with reduced income have reached out to the court to authorize paying less in child support.
The court also isn’t processing pistol permits, and isn’t doing motions or pleas in cases. (The judge said the Office of Court Administration has authorized judges to help resolve some cases, by working through the attorneys. But that doesn’t include any new proceedings, which are on hold.)
When people are ticketed for vehicle and traffic offenses, they aren’t getting return dates for court “because we don’t know when it will reopen,” Church said.
Orleans County is one of eight counties in the 8th Judicial District (click here for more information). Orleans, however, is included in the Finger Lakes region for consideration of the state’s reopening of businesses and other recreational activities. Five of the eight counties in the 8th Judicial District are part of the WNY district for the state’s reopening plan.
Those five counties are behind the Finger Lakes in a metrix to determine when the regions can begin reopening. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today the Finger Lakes region has met all seven of the criteria for phase 1 of the reopening while WNY has met five of the seven.
Judge Church said the timeline for when the courts will reopen and in what phases is uncertain.
“Going forward, just like everything else, who knows?” he said. “We’re optimistic in August things might start opening up, but we don’t know.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2020 at 4:39 pm
Health Departments won’t be reviewing business plans for reopening in phase one
Orleans County has two more confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 134, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.
One of the new cases is a Ridgeway resident and the other is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion. That nursing home has now had 73 of its residents test positive for Covid-19.
Of the two new positive cases, one person is in the 50s and the other is in the 90s.
Ten people are currently hospitalized from Orleans County with Covid-19.
In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person from Batavia who is in the 30s. The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
Two more people have recovered from Covid-19 in Genesee, bringing the total recoveries to 93 in the community. (That doesn’t count the 49 people who have recovered from Covid-19 at the federal detention center in Batavia).
There are five people from Genesee hospitalized with Covid-19. The Health Departments are also reporting that one “positive/recovered” individual was determined to be a false-positive result. Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in the data.
Click here to view an online map about confirmed cases in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Health Departments have received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid-19.
If a regulated facility from either of our counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities and hospitals.
Additional information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
• REOPENING – We are pleased to receive word of being included in the Finger Lakes Region to re-open New York’s first phase beginning this Friday, May 15.
Be advised the local health departments are not the gatekeepers in these next steps. We are not reviewing /approving plans and we don’t have the ability to make decisions on who is or isn’t a part of the first phase nor have we been provided with guidance on interpreting who is and who isn’t included. We have included several links to assist with planning and contact information for your reference on how to re-open for those slated to in phase one.
• In order to un-PAUSE safely, we need to continue to be intentional about social distancing, properly wearing face coverings, handwashing/sanitizing and limiting time in public.
Please click here for a re-opening guidance and fact sheet in response to Covid-19 developed by the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. For further information on the NYS Plans, click here and the phased plan to re-open New York (click here):
Priority Industries for Re-Opening:
Phase One: Construction; Manufacturing & wholesale supply chain; Select retail using curbside pickup only; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
Phase Two: Professional services; Finance & Insurance; Retail; Administrative support; Real Estate & Rental Leasing
Phase Four: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Education
• ROC COVID-19 Health Screener: This symptom tracker for the Greater Rochester region is a scientific study collected aggregate date by zip code to track hot spots of COVID-19. The data will potentially show how the virus may be spreading, identify areas that may be at risk and determine how our efforts are working to slow the spread. You can participate by taking the daily survey whether you are having symptoms or are feeling healthy. It just takes a few seconds. To learn more, click here.
• New York State is seeking contact tracers. If you are interested in this position, click here to apply to be a part of the NYS Contact Tracing team. This is a moment of crisis and New York needs our help as soon as possible.
Provided photo: Lyndonville Area Foundation board members present a check for the food pantry at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. Pictured from left include Doug Hedges, Board Director and Treasurer of Lyndonville Area Foundation; Pastor Martha Mitchell of the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church; and Dave Cook, Board Director and Foundation Grants Committee member.
Press Release, Lyndonville Area Foundation
LYNDONVILLE – At its quarterly meeting on April 28, the Lyndonville Area Foundation’s Board of Director’s expedited nearly $40,000 in grants throughout Orleans County to assist with Covid-19 related challenges.
Included in these were several food pantries that had exhausted supplies for the need due to high unemployment rates and other Covid-19 related issues.
As a result of the current pandemic the Foundation was faced with an unusual volume of requests for financial assistance. Foundation President Darren D. Wilson applauds the members of the Foundation’s Grant’s Committee for their work and diligence in sifting through and prioritizing the many grant applications they were faced with.
While the Lyndonville Area Foundation’s mission and by-laws ensure any program or project funding provided by it be distributed in a manner that directly benefits the citizens within the communities of Lyndonville and the Town of Yates, the Foundation’s Board of Directors recognizes that current conditions do not reflect normal times and determined to provide temporary assistance to communities as disperse as Medina, Kendall and Albion.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors also voted to approve funding grants to Hospice of Orleans, the Lyndonville Central School District, Lyndonville Lions Club, Orleans Country Adult Learning Services, the Lyndonville Volunteer Fire Department and the Lyndonville office of Oak Orchard Health along with Praising Kids Child Care Center in Medina.
“The final decisions are not always easy,” Wilson said. “However, the members of our Foundation’s Board work together, have a deep understanding of our community, can always be counted on to make the right decisions and I have a deep respect for all of them.”
The Foundation’s Board meets again at the end of July.
Deputy Minority Leader Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today called for a return to established state government operations, processes and legislative powers.
In partnership with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Hawley has said the time has come for Gov. Cuomo’s emergency powers are to come to an end. This is a response to the declining number of positive cases of Covid-19 throughout the state, as well as with the reopening of the state on the horizon.
“The emergency powers Gov. Cuomo gave himself were helpful at the time, when mitigating the spread of the virus was needed most,” Hawley said. “As we see positive cases of Covid-19 on the decline, and the reopening process begins to commence, it’s also time for the representative government to reassert itself as the voice of the people and resume its regular duties.
Through state actions including mandating social distancing and requiring of non-essential workers to stay at home in order to mitigate the spread of the virus, hospitalizations, infection rates, and deaths have seen a steady decline.
On April 20, in partnership with the Assembly Minority, Hawley called on the governor to consider their plan of reopening the state on a region-by-region basis.
“The important decisions made moving forward could very well decide the fate of the state for the foreseeable future,” Hawley said. “With questions like the reopening process and the budget hole needing to be dealt with, it’s the right of the people to have their voices heard through their representation.”
The issue of emergency powers was exacerbated when, on May 9, Gov. Cuomo pushed the deadline of emergency powers to June 6 through yet another executive order. In partnership with the minority party, Hawley is again calling for Gov. Cuomo to relinquish his emergency power as the state continues to move forward with its reopening plans unabated.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2020 at 12:05 pm
This slide from the governor’s news conference today details there seven metrics that need to be met for phase 1 of a reopening.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that the Finger Lakes region, which includes Orleans and eight other counties, meets the state standards for a partial reopening on May 15.
The Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley also meet the seven criteria for hospitalization and infection levels from Covid-19, testing and contact tracing, as well as availability of hospital beds.
(Central NY and the North Country are one metric away from reopening and could meet the standard by Friday. Western New York meets five out of the seven right now.)
The state has been on “pause” since March 22 with non-essential businesses closed.
The regions can begin to reopen in phase 1, which includes construction, manufacturing, retail (curbside pickup only), agriculture, forestry and fishing.
The governor also announced certain low-risk businesses and recreational activities can resume state-wide on May 15, including landscaping and gardening, outdoor low-risk recreational activities such as tennis, and drive-in movie theaters.
Each region will have a “control room” with representatives from each county. That group will act as a circuit breaker and monitor the data with Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations. If there is a spike, the regions will have to scale back the reopening, Cuomo said.
Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, represents Orleans in the control room for the Finger Lakes.
“This is the next big step in this historic journey,” Cuomo said.
If the rate of infections and hospitalizations can stay in check in the coming weeks, the additional next phases to roll out include:
Phase 2: Professional services; finance and insurance; retail; administrative support and real estate/rental leasing.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2020 at 10:41 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Iyla Lilleby, 12, of Medina tries to catch a fish in the Oak Orchard Harbor during last year’s inaugural DC Outdoors fishing derby.
CARLTON – A youth fishing derby that debuted last July 13 has been cancelled for this year due to health concerns with Covid-19.
The derby had 60 participants last year. It was open to kids 15 and younger, with prizes for three age divisions.
After fishing at the Oak Orchard River and at the Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze, participants had a picnic at the Orleans County Marine Park.
Organizers decided not to put children and the adult volunteers at risk with the derby planned for July 18. Dan Conrad, one of the leaders of DC Outdoors, said the Health Department and community members shared their concerns about the derby.
“I wish more than anything to still have it,” Conrad said.
It will also be difficult to get sponsorships and donated items for the derby because so many local businesses are struggling due to being shut down and restricted due to precautions against with the virus, Conrad said.
DC Outdoors encourages children and families to experience the outdoors. Conrad said he hopes to coordinate other outdoor activities later this year once some of the restrictions are lifted.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 May 2020 at 10:09 am
One information service which is helping residents find the help they need, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic, is the United Way-funded 211 WNY.
211 is a nationwide informational helpline which, in 2018, connected 12.8 million people across the United States to the help they needed. It is one of a dozen agencies which depend upon funding from United Way of Orleans County.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, 100,000 calls (outside of New York City), have been made to 211, according to Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County. The seven counties served by 211 WNY received 60,476 calls in 2019.
In Orleans County resources available include abuse and domestic violence, adult protection, animals, childcare, food, mental health and substance use services and COVID-19 information, including health concerns, masks and testing.
United Way supports 211 units across the United States. In fact, in 1997 United Way of Greater Atlanta was the first organization to make information and referral services accessible using the 211 dialing code. In 2000, United Ways, in partnership with the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems and other non-profit organizations operating helplines, successfully lobbied the Federal Communication Commission to make 211 a dedicated number for people in need of local information and resources. Today, United Ways operate or provide funding for more than 70 percent of 211 centers, including 211 WNY.
Kelly Dodd is director of Contact Center Services located in Buffalo. She oversees 211 in Western New York. She said specific to Orleans County, last year 339 calls were received.
211 locally grew out of a merger in 2014 between RAPP regional help phone and the Olmsted Center for Sight in Buffalo. 211 WNY has received funding from United Way of Orleans County for the past several years, which allows them to provide live operators to answer phones 24/7, Dodd said.
“We are in a strange time right now, with the coronavirus,” Dodd said. “As a result we are averaging a call a day from Orleans County.”
Most 211 operators work from home, Dodd said. All are trained to ask probing questions to fully understand the caller’s problems.
The establishment of 211 WNY also provided job opportunities for members of the Blind Association who are seeing impaired.
“Our partnership with United Way is important in our operation,” Dodd said.
She also said they welcomed the support from United Way and the opportunity to assist United Way of Orleans County in its newest endeavor to provide checks for the unemployed in the United We Help program. Those unemployed because of the coronavirus can apply for $100 relief checks, and 211 operators can assist in filling out the applications, if necessary.
That is also an opportunity for 211 to ask if the caller needs any other services and advise them of what is available.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – National Police Week is set aside to honor America’s law enforcement community for their hard work and dedication in protecting and serving their local communities.
The men and women of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to the mission of providing prompt, exemplary service while protecting the community. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protect the lives, property and rights of all people, maintain order and enforce the law.
Emphasis is placed on improving and maintaining quality of life to ensure our county is a safe place to live, work and visit. The members of this office are dedicated to this mission, to the County they serve, and achieving excellence within their profession.
During National Police Officer Week in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day as a special recognition day for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
Please join us in recognizing Orleans County’s Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers for their hard work, dedication and service to our community.
Provided photo: Jonathan Doherty, center, of the Self Advocate All Stars on Friday stopped by the Sheriff’s Office to deliver cookies to the deputies and staff. Pictured from left include: Deputy Jason Barnum, Deputy Kevin Colonna, Jonathan Doherty, Deputy Steven Fox and Sheriff Chris Bourke.
One information service which is helping residents find the help they need, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic, is the United Way-funded 
