By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2020 at 5:04 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center has had 49 residents test positive for Covid-19, and 13 residents die after contracting the virus.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is asking the state Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health to do a formal investigation of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility.
The site in Albion, a 120-bed nursing home and rehab center, has suffered 13 deaths from Covid-19 and 49 residents have tested positive.
Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman, said the Legislature continues to receive numerous calls from the community with concern about the facility.
“We have nothing but praise for the healthcare workers in the facility,” Johnson said this afternoon.
The Villages represents more than half of the Covid-19 cases in the county, 49 out of 96.
Johnson said the Legislature is being “proactive” in calling on the investigation from Attorney General Letitia James and the Department of Health, led by Howard Zucker.
Paul Pettit, director of Public Health in Orleans and Genesee counties, said the local health department has supplied The Villages with personal protective equipment and testing kits. That testing showed some employees tested positive for Covid-19 and were asymptomatic, and likely spread the virus when they didn’t have any symptoms.
The local Health Department doesn’t have jurisdiction in regulating the nursing home. That falls to the State DOH.
Pettit said the local Health Department will continue to try to be a resource to The Villages and help develop a strategy to keep residents and staff safe.
Pettit announced this afternoon that two more residents of the nursing home have died, bringing the total to 13. Both of those residents were over age 65.
“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those we are losing,” Pettit said.
“These are our family, our friends and neighbors. These losses hit us all close to home.”
Pettit said The Villages isn’t alone in the state in having the virus spread to many residents, causing several deaths.
“It’s just The Villages’ issue,” Pettit said. “There are many, many nursing homes around the state with significant outbreaks.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, also is asking for a state investigation into the deaths at The Villages. Hawley called it an “urgent matter.” He sent a letter today to Howard Zucker, commissioner of the State Department of Health.
“I am asking for an immediate and full-scale investigation of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center,” Hawley writes in the letter.
“We must ensure that residents and staff of these homes receive the care, respect and comfort they deserve. We must do all we can to protect the most vulnerable in our community at this time.”
The facility on Route 31 used to be owned by the county. It was sold for $7.8 million on Feb. 6, 2014 to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC, a company from downstate New York.
Orleans Hub has reached out to the administration at The Villages for a comment about how the facility is responding to the crisis, but hasn’t received a call back.
State OK’s return of elective surgeries in 35 counties
Medina Memorial Hospital is doing elective surgeries again after the state had banned them to ensure adequate space in hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients.
But Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 21 said some counties didn’t have enough Coivd-19 cases to justify continuing the ban on elective surgeries. He allowed those surgeries to resume in 35 counties, including Orleans.
Medina Memorial resumed doing surgeries today. Those surgical services include: general surgeries, GI scopes, ENT and urology.
All surgical patients will need to be tested for Covid-19 three days prior to surgery and their physicians will provide them with details, Medina Memorial said.
Testing is currently being offered at the Albion Health Center – 14789 Route 31, Albion (585-589-2273). Patients will need to pre-register by phone the day prior to their surgery and a nurse will call them to discuss their health history and arrival time. When arriving at the hospital patients will have their temperature taken and will be provided with a mask.
No visitors will be allowed with the patient unless the patient is a child and then one parent may accompany them. The person who is bringing the patient for their surgery will be able to wait in the hospital parking lot. Information regarding the status of the patient and discharge instructions will be communicated via cell phone.
For any questions, please call your provider or Kim Gray, director of Surgical Services, at 585-798-8301.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2020 at 1:28 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club has announced its annual Fourth of July celebration will be cancelled this year to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event typically attracts about 15,000 people to the village of about 800 residents.
“The Lyndonville Lions announce with regret the cancellation of their annual Fourth of July parade, fireworks and celebration,” said Lions Club President Bruce Schmidt. “These are our children, relatives and friends whose health and well-being must always be our primary concern.
The Lions Club has organized the event the past 44 years. There are events throughout the day, including a big parade at noon, with the festivities capped by fireworks at 10 p.m. The fireworks show is one of the biggest in Western New York. There is also an arts and crafts show, chicken barbecue, live music, a tractor pull and other activities.
“Because of the effects of Covid-19, having a huge public gathering would not be in the public’s best interests,” Schmidt said. “We look forward to a bigger and better event on July 4, 2021.”
Albion and Holley both have cancelled their festivals in June due to the pandemic.
A big crowd of people watched the fireworks on July 4, 2018 on the athletic fields at Lyndonville Central School. The fireworks display in Lyndonville is one of Western New York’s biggest fireworks shows.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 May 2020 at 12:16 pm
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement late this morning that schools will remain closed through the end of the current school year has officially put an end to the high school spring sports season.
In announcing the continuation of the school closing which began March 16, Cuomo said. “We must protect our children and educators, Given the current situation schools will remain closed for the rest of the current school year.”
“I feel terrible for our kids, especially the seniors, but it’s in everyone’s best interest,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley. “In the greater scheme of things right now sports are not really that important. This has been a tough lesson but it shows that you can’t take everything for granted.”
“I feel sad for our seniors,” agreed Albion Athletic Director Adam Krenning. ” And it’s sad for the parents who like to watch their kids play. In small towns like ours this is what we look forward to seeing our kids play sports.”
“It’s sad because we really want to give our kids an opportunity to play sports,” said Lyndonville Athletic Director Jim Zeliff. “I wouldn’t be in the field I am now if it wasn’t for sports so I hope in the future we will be able to continue to give that same opportunity to our kids.”
Cuomo’s announcement followed decisions made early in the week by the State public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) to cancel the spring state playoffs and by Section VI officials to cancel the Section VI playoffs. Section V officials likewise today announced the cancellation of the spring season.
NYSPHSAA officials announced today that it “will begin the process of selecting members to serve on an ad hoc committee to address and analyze the potential impact of COVID-19 on the fall 2020 interscholastic athletic season.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2020 at 12:02 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that school buildings won’t reopen this school year. Distance learning will continue and schools will continue to provide meals to students.
The governor said it isn’t feasible to have safety plans in place at the 700 school districts around the state that would keep students, staff and teachers safe from Covid-19.
“There will be no opening of any school in New York State for the remainder of the academic year,” Cuomo said.
The governor said the state will decide in late May about summer school.
“We’re going to err on the side of caution for the rest of the school year,” the governor said.
Schools were first closed on March 16, and the governor has been extending that closure every two weeks, until today.
He announced the school buildings would stay off limits to students through the end of the school year in late June.
Colleges and universities also will have their facilities closed to students the rest of this academic year.
Cuomo said school districts and colleges need to develop plans with social distancing and student safety for the fall. That might include having fewer students in a classroom.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2020 at 11:43 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The staff at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Albion were presented with pizzas, flowers and coffee mugs with a photo of the nursing home in Albion.
The Albion Lions Club organized the effort, with Oak Orchard Bowl preparing the eight pizzas.
Alanna Gordan, an aide at The Villages, accepts some of the pizzas on Thursday evening from Randy Hanks, owner of Oak Orchard Bowl. Amy Jaczynski, a housekeeper, is in back. Mark Johnson of the Lions Club, back right, holds a box of the coffee mugs.
Mark Johnson holds one of the mugs which were made and donated by Jeff and Delores Mosher, owners of Dee’z Cups in Kent.
Amy Jaczynski and Alanna Gordon accept the pizzas and gifts last evening at The Villages. The flowers were donated by Bloom’s Flower Shop in Albion.
Johnson and Hanks said the groups all wanted to show support for the dedicated employees at The Villages, who are caring for residents in the 120-bed facility during a big outbreak of Covid-19. Nearly 50 residents at the site have tested positive for Covid-19, with 11 of the residents dying after contracting the virus.
“We know they are going through a lot here and we want to let them know we care about them,” Hanks said.
Jaczynski said the gesture was appreciated by the entire staff.
State looking to purchase surplus products for food banks
ALBANY – The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with its partners, is reaching out to New York producers that have surplus agricultural products as a result of COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions.
The Department is working to connect affected farmers to potential new purchasing opportunities through various institutions, such as food banks, retailers and more.
Governor Cuomo has made a commitment to using local foods to support the emergency food system. Cuomo on Monday announced a $25 million “Nourish New York” initiative where the state will buy farm products and direct that food to food banks that are seeing increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The governor also welcomed philanthropists to step forward and buy produce and milk from upstate farmers that could be given to people through food banks.
“We’re seeing a tremendous demand in food banks,” Cuomo said on Monday. “The numbers are very, very high, and we need to address it.”
Ag & Markets is looking to connect producers to food banks and those in need. Farmers and agricultural producers with surplus product are asked to contact Ag & Markets and give their name, contact information, and the type of product(s) in surplus.
Farmers should send that information to Lindsey McMahon at lindsey.mcmahon@agriculture.ny.gov. Ag & Markets wants the information by Monday, May 4.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2020 at 9:40 pm
2,761 have now filed claims in the past 6 weeks
The number of people filing unemployment claims took another big jump last week in Orleans County and state-wide.
The claims state-wide remain at a pace 10 times or more of what they were a year ago when the economy wasn’t so restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The State Department of Labor today released a report showing the unemployment claims filed last week. In Orleans County, there were 326 claims filed, which compares with 55 during the same week a year ago. week.
Statewide there were 222,040 claims filed last week. A year ago, there were 18,889 unemployment claims during the third week of April.
State-wide there have been 1,640,159 unemployment claims during seven weeks – March 14, 21 and 28, and April 4, 11, 18 and 25. That compares with 96,080 the previous year during those seven weeks.
Orleans County has now had 2,761 people file unemployment claims during the past six weeks since the state started closing businesses due to health concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.
The county has a workforce of about 17,000 people. The 2,761 unemployment claims represent about 16 percent of the workforce. There were about 1,000 people on unemployment before the pandemic. Those people plus the 2,761 who recently filed for unemployment would put the county’s unemployment rate currently over 20 percent.
Here are the weekly unemployment claims the past six weeks in the GLOW counties and statewide:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2020 at 6:20 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Tiffany Keiffer poses next to the sign for Hayden’s Diner, which is named for her 9-year-old son. Keiffer opens the restaurant on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. She plans to open at 4:30 in the morning later in the season.
POINT BREEZE – It’s opening day on Friday for a new restaurant at Point Breeze. Tiffany Keiffer will be serving take-outs at 928 Point Breeze Rd.
Keiffer named the restaurant for her-9-year-old son, Hayden. The diner was most recently the Breeze Inn Again.
Tiffany Keiffer has repainted the interior of the diner and looks forward to customers being allowed to dine in. Right now, restaurants are limited to take-outs or deliveries.
Two items on the menu are also named for Hayden. There’s Hayden’s Skillet, which is like a garbage plate, and Hayden’s Stuffed Shakes, a milkshake that includes topping of candy, cookies or Nutella.
Keiffer said the diner is at a great location at the end of Route 98, one of the last buildings before Lake Ontario. While she has worked in recent months to get the building ready, repainting the interior, replacing floor tiles and doing an extensive cleaning, she saw lots of traffic with people coming to the lake.
“I’m looking forward to serving the community and getting more business to the area,” she said today.
The fishermen, in particular, are up early. Keiffer plans to open the diner at 4:30 in the morning later in the season to accommodate that crowd. She will have a hot breakfast ready to go, even before the sun comes up.
For now the hours will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Except on Fridays, when she will stay open until 8 p.m. Those days she will be serving fish fries, in addition to the regular menu for breakfast and lunch.
Hayden’s Diner also serves ice cream from a side of the building. Keiffer will have the ice cream window open from 4 to 8 p.m. each day.
Keiffer also works as a bar tender at the Elk’s Lodge in Albion and is the bar manager Lures Restaurant in Kendall.
For more information on Hayden’s, call (585) 682-6074.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2020 at 4:23 pm
There are four more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, bringing the total to 95, the Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.
There are also two more cases in The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, bringing the total to 49 cases at the nursing home in Albion.
Besides the two cases at The Villages, the other new cases include a resident of Albion and one in Gaines.
Of the four new cases, one person is in the 50s, two are in their 60s and one is in the 90s.
(One of the new cases was considered a non-county resident, but the Health Department was notified that positive is part of the count in Orleans County. The individual was followed in the county they are currently in. The person has since recovered.)
The Health Department also is reporting one additional recovery, bringing that total to 31.
Of the active cases, five people are currently hospitalized.
Genesee County doesn’t have any new cases to report today and remains at 149 confirmed cases. The county has three more recoveries bringing that total to 78. Three Genesee County residents remain hospitalized with Covid-19.
Click here to view an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Health Departments received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added when and if there is a positive case of Covid-19. If a regulated facility from either Genesee or Orleans 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, etc.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2020 at 12:50 pm
Village Board passes budget with no change in tax rate
Photo by Tom Rivers: The village parks are all closed right now, including Veteran’s Park at the corner of Brown Street and Linwood Avenue. That park last summer hosted the parks program while Bullard Park was under construction.
Preston Flugel, one of the summer park supervisors for the Village of Albion, pushes a kid in a swing last June 26, which was opening day for the summer parks program.
ALBION – The Village of Albion won’t be running a summer parks program due to the health concerns with groups of people congregating.
The program normally runs for five weeks from late June to late July or early August.
The village hires about a dozen park supervisors who lead games, crafts and other activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.
The program is normally based at Bullard Park and the smaller park for kids, Pee Wee Park, which is also at Bullard. Last year the program was at Veteran’s Park at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Brown Street. Bullard Park was under construction last summer.
All of the village parks are currently closed. Village officials are hopeful the parks can be reopened at some point this summer. There won’t be any paid staff on site if the state gives the approval to reopen the parks.
Canceling the parks program will save the village about $20,000, although the cost wasn’t a factor in the decision.
Village budget keeps tax rate at $17.80 per $1,000
The Albion Village Board has approved a $6,972,285 budget that keeps the tax rate at $17.80 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The budget stays under the tax cap. The 2020-21 spending plan increases the tax levy The budget would increase the tax levy, what the village collects in taxes by $17,252, or by less than 1 percent (0.6 percent). The tax levy will go from $2,730,417 in 2019-2020 to $2,747,669 in 2020-21.
The budget takes effect beginning June 1 with a fiscal year that ends May 31.
The budget reflects a larger tax base in the village. Albion’s total assessed value increased by $969,218, from $153,394,234 to $154,363,452.
The budget includes $3,990,893 in the general fund, $1,678,241 in the water fund, and $1,303,151 in the sewer fund.
Albion Mayor Eileen Banker said she is concerned about the revenues for the village this coming fiscal year. The village was told by the county in December it would receive $165,688 in local sales tax in 2020. But the sales tax revenues are expected to be down, which could have an impact on what Albion receives. State funding for road paving and maintenance (CHIPS) also could take a hit.
The Village Board said it will keep a closer eye on the budget to see if adjustments are needed during the coming fiscal year.
Press Release, Landmark Society of Western New York
Photo courtesy of Landmark Society of Western New York: The Sunken Gardens in Irondequoit won the Historic Landscape Award last year.
ROCHESTER – What do a creekside tavern, sunken garden, mercantile/café, prison guard towers, and a study of a Mid-Century Modern architect have in common? All were recipients of Preservation Awards from The Landmark Society of Western New York in 2019.
Each fall, The Landmark Society presents awards to projects, people, and organizations who, through their dedication and hard work, have contributed to historic preservation in our nine-county area.
The Landmark Society’s Awards Committee is now seeking recommendations for its 2020 Preservation Awards. Award suggestions are welcome from Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties.
Below is a list of the award categories, along with descriptions and criteria for each award. If you know any project or person deserving of any of these awards, please email your suggestions to Cynthia Howk at chowk@landmarksociety.org by June 1, 2020. The Awards Committee will begin reviewing submissions at its June meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia by email or phone at 585.537.5959. For more information, click here.
• Barber Conable Award
A major rehabilitation project completed within the last two years, possibly using Federal Investment Tax Credit program. Old fabric should be sympathetically maintained and carefully rehabilitated. New construction, if any, should be compatible and of high authentic quality. This award need not be given if no project meets the standards.
• Award of Merit
This award applies to projects similar to those eligible for the above mentioned Conable Award, but of more modest scope. The award is given for a sympathetic rehabilitation of an architecturally significant building, structure, object or site. Candidacy may be enhanced if the project is historically significant or if it strengthens its neighborhood. The project must have been completed within the past two years. The above award cannot be given to single-family residences.
• Stewardship Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization that has proved continued care of and commitment to the preservation of an architecturally and/or historically significant public property over a period of years. “Care” can include appropriate changes to the building fabric. Eligible properties include religious, educational, not-for-profit, commercial or government buildings, structures, objects or sites.
• Historic Home Award
This award recognizes owners of private residences for their continued care of and commitment to the preservation of an architecturally significant house over a minimum of seven years. “Care” may include appropriate rehabilitation and/or sympathetic new additions according to need. Thoughtful rehabilitation/restoration of the interior and/or significant features of a historical landscape may enhance the quality of the nomination. The seven-year criteria may be waived in special circumstances as deemed appropriate by the awards committee.
• Historic Landscape Award
This award recognizes and encourages the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and stewardship of historically significant landscapes. The recipient may be either (an) individual(s) or an organization. This award need not be given every year.
• Blood, Sweat, and Tears Award (New Category for 2020)
This award recognizes building owners who have physically engaged in the preservation and restoration of their property through self-education and countless hours of DIY (do-it-yourself) work. Work on the building does not have to be complete but should be mindful of the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation” and demonstrate substantial self-performed long-term care.
• Paul Malo Preservation Advocacy Award
This award was established in honor of the late Syracuse University architect, professor, and preservation advocate who was a friend and colleague of the Landmark Society for over four decades. The award recognizes community activists who have done outstanding work in the field of historic preservation. This award need not be given every year.
• Traditional Trades, Special Citation and Special Achievement Awards
These awards provide for projects that do not fit into the above categories or recognize outstanding individual or group accomplishments in the field of historic preservation. These awards need not be given every year.
Press Release, U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer are calling on the Trump administration to quickly approve New York State’s request to operate the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
As schools across the country close indefinitely in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the senators urged USDA to approve New York’s program to provide nutritional resources to families that have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals. New York State submitted their plan for P-EBT on March 25, yet its approval is still pending.
“While several states across the country have been approved to operate P-EBT, New York State — which is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak — has been stuck in limbo as school-age children throughout New York go hungry,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New York schools have been closed for over a month and with no end in sight to these measures, it’s clear this program is desperately needed. We can no longer delay getting food to those that need it most and I urge the administration to quickly approve New York State’s request.”
The P-EBT program created under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act would provide assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures. P-EBT would send eligible households an EBT card with the value of free school breakfast and lunch for the days that schools are closed, if they’ve been closed for more than 5 consecutive days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program would permit New York State to provide benefits similar to SNAP benefits to more than 1.4 million children in the state who normally receive free or reduced price school meals and those who attend schools that offer free meals to all students.
“Let me be clear, no child should ever go to bed hungry, which is why I am deeply concerned that the Department of Agriculture has yet to approve the P-EBT program for easier access to school lunches in hardest-hit New York,” said Senator Schumer. “Over half of New York State’s public school students receive free or reduced-price school meals, and thousands of children are now left high and dry with school closures. We must get this food assistance to these students and their families as soon as possible and ensure that New York’s hungry children are fed.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2020 at 9:24 am
Provided photo from Jamie Hollis
CARLTON – Firefighters work to contain a fire in Waterport last night at 1965 Main St. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 3 a.m.
The fire was mostly contained to back of the house but there is significant smoke and water damage in the home, said Justin Niederhofer, Carlton fire chief.
The fire displaced the two residents, who had been remodeling the house. They are being assisted by the Red Cross. One of the residents, Thad Nauden, works for the Red Cross.
Niederhofer thanked firefighters for responding to the call in the middle of the night and preventing more extensive damage. There were firefighters from Carlton, Albion, Lyndonville, Kendall, Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway, as well as the county fire investigators and director of Emergency Management Office. COVA also was on scene with an ambulance in case there were any injuries.
Firefighters stayed on the scene until 6:30, and then had to clean and disinfect the fire trucks and fire hall.
“I thank all the department for coming to help us and we’re sorry for the family’s loss of their house,” Niederhofer said this morning.
