Photo by Tom Rivers: A boat is on Lake Ontario during sunset on Aug. 4, 2019 near Barker.

HAMBURG – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) held a press conference on Tuesday to call for full funding for the Save our Seas Act 2.0.

He was joined at the conference by Sharen Trembath, Organizer of the Great Lakes Beach Sweep, and Jim Hanley, a fishing charter owner.

Jacobs said he is advocating for funding of the Save our Seas Act 2.0.

“This legislation was passed and signed into law by President Trump in December of 2020, yet, despite being very bipartisan, it has yet to receive full funding,” Jacobs said.

He called the Great Lakes regional treasures that provide clean drinking water, boost the economy, communities, agriculture, recreation, “and much, much more.”

The Save our Seas Act 2.0 would provide grant opportunities for projects to address plastic pollution in our lakes, especially with a focus on microplastic removal and prevention, Jacobs said.

“Each year, 10,000 metric tons of plastic enter our Great Lakes – roughly 2,500 into Lake Erie and 1,400 into Lake Ontario,” he said. “This pollution eventually breaks down into microplastics, which can harm everything from our drinking water to the aquatic life in our Lakes.”

Save our Seas 2.0 would provide funding and incentives to upgrade drinking and wastewater systems to remove microplastics. The legislation also would provide grant funding for trash collection projects along our Great Lakes.

“This isn’t a partisan issue – but one that will set our region up for future prosperity, and I am proud to lead this effort to secure a meaningful investment for our lakes,” Jacobs said.

RIDGEWAY – The replacement of the Route 104 bridge in Ridgeway has been named “project of the year” by the Genesee chapter of the American Public Works Association.

The bridge won in the “Structures less than $5 million” category.

The section of Route 104 over Oak Orchard Creek was closed in late April so the bridge from 1954 could be replaced. The new bridge opened to traffic on Aug. 28, ahead of schedule.

Union Concrete and Construction Corp. of West Seneca was general contractor on the new multi-girder bridge. The project featured upgraded bridge shoulders and an improved hydraulic opening.

“The Department of Transportation did an outstanding job in replacing the Route 104 bridge in the Town of Ridgeway,” said Brian Napoli, town supervisor. “The construction crew was so diligent. They worked weekends and brought the project in early.”

The new bridge is a single span multi-girder bridge featuring two 12-foot-wide travel lanes and two 6-foot-wide shoulders.

The project was recognized by the Public Works Association for its critical community investment and safety enhancements for travelers.

“The new bridge is beautiful,” Napoli said. “Residents adapted to the inconvenience for the construction period and afterwards we heard nothing but compliments. We as a town were so happy with the results we passed a Resolution of Appreciation to the Rochester DOT office.”

Orleans Community Health expanding surgical services

MEDINA – Dr. Joseph Misiti of Medina has announced he will donate his practice and move it to Orleans Community Health as an opportunity for the future of healthcare in the area. Misiti will remain full time in the new location.

Dr. Joseph Misiti

“Dr. Misiti is a home-grown Medina native who has dedicated more than 40 years to the health of the community,” said Kim Gray, CNO/director of surgical services at Orleans Community Health. “This expansion into Medina Memorial Hospital will also include three new providers. This is a moment of growth and one we should all be excited about.”

Dr. Misiti will be joined in this new location by Dr. Jennifer Griffith, Dr. Thomas Russo and Sean Yeckley, physician assistant. In addition to the many services and state-of-the-art equipment currently at Medina Memorial Hospital, this team will be able to offer a complete spectrum of services, the hospital announced.

Dr. Misiti received his doctorate at the University of Buffalo and completed his residency at Erie County Medical Center. He is currently serving as medical director at Orleans Community Health.

Dr. Griffith, a board-certified general surgeon, received her doctorate at the University of Buffalo and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center. With more than 20 years of experience, she is currently serving as chair of the Department of Surgery at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

Dr. Thomas Russo, a board-eligible general surgeon, received his doctor of osteopathic medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. and completed his residency in general surgery at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Trenton, Mich.

Yeckley was born and raised in rural central Pennsylvania. His undergraduate education was completed at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa., where he received a bachelor of science in health science with a minor in biology. He remained in Loretto at St. Francis University to complete his graduate education and receive a masters of physician assistant science.

Immediately after graduation, he worked for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in vascular surgery at their Altoona campus. When new opportunities arose, he moved to Buffalo and has since been working in general surgery with Rochester Regional Health at United Memorial Medical Center and Orleans Community Health.

Vickie Elsenheimer and Angel Javier Jr. backed for mayor in March 15 election

ALBION – The Republican and Democratic parties each held their caucuses this evening and nominated a slate of candidates for three positions on the Village Board in the March 15 election.

There were 86 registered Republicans in the village at the party caucus at Hoag Library and they backed Angel Javier Jr. with 70 of the votes over current trustee Gary Katsanis for mayor. The Republicans also picked Tim McMurray and Dan Conrad for trustee candidates with current trustee Stan Farone also nominated but getting the third most votes.

The Democrats had 51 people at their caucus at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. The party picked Vickie Elsenheimer as candidate for mayor, and Sandra Walter and Joyce Riley for trustees.

The Republican Party candidates for the March 15 election include, from left: Angel Javier Jr. for mayor, and Tim McMurray and Dan Conrad for village trustees.

Javier, 33, has been campaigning for the position since November. He said he won’t take the mayor’s salary, which is about $9,000 a year. He owns the former Family Hardware building in downtown Albion and works at Rochester Gas & Electric as a pipefitter apprentice.

He was in the Marine Corps for four years and worked with State Farm insurance before RG&E. Javier said he wants to welcome new investment and more residents into the village, where he noted the population is down 6.9 percent in the latest census from 6,056 in 2010 to 5,637 in 2020.

In a video he posted on YouTube and Facebook, he said the village needs to be more attractive for residents and businesses. He said the village currently has an 11 percent vacancy rate.

McMurray, 38, has been active for many years as a youth football coach and most recently worked with Sanzo Beverages as a merchandizer stocking beer.

Conrad, 39, has been active in the community for many years. He is president of the Albion Lions Club and owns Toyz n Kandy on East Bank Street. He also serves on the board for Hoag Library and Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance.

The Democratic Party candidates for the March 15 election include, from left: Vickie Elsenheimer for mayor, and Sandra Walter and Joyce Riley for village trustees.

Elsenheimer, 56, leads the Democratic ticket. She retired in March 2021 as an executive assistant to the vice president in the Division of Advancement at Brockport State College. She worked 22 years at Brockport, and 13 years prior to that at Albion Correctional Facility. She also served 17 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a sergeant.

She said she has the time to be a full-time mayor, with a focus on improving neighborhoods and the downtown business district.

The empty storefronts and vacant houses hurt the community’s prospects in attracting more businesses, she said. It will take a community effort to move Albion forward for the future, Elsenheimer said.

“I’m in the right season of life,” she said. “I’m retired. I can give it my full attention.”

Sandra Walter, 73, is retired from CRFS, Dime Bank, Anchor Bank and Kodak. She is the chairperson of the Albion Democratic Party Committee.

Joyce Riley is retired nursing supervisor. She is currently a trustee for Hoag Library and the Cobblestone Museum. She has twice served on the Albion Board of Education and made an unsuccessful run mayor four years ago. Eileen Banker, the current mayor, isn’t seeking re-election.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State University of New York Board of Trustees has ended the practice of withholding transcripts from students with outstanding balances, effective immediately.

This follows Governor Hochul’s plan to eliminate the practice across the State as part of the 2022 State of the State – including directing public colleges and universities to immediately stop withholding transcripts and proposing legislation for all higher education institutions in the State.

“Education is key to unlocking opportunity and to help New Yorkers succeed, we need to eliminate punitive barriers to opportunity like transcript withholding,” Governor Hochul said. “This is a matter of common sense. New Yorkers will not be able to climb the ladder of success and get out of debt if their financial challenges prevent them from accessing those opportunities. While I am proud that SUNY students will no longer have their transcripts held hostage, all students deserve the same protections. We must pass legislation to end this unjust practice for all New York students once and for all.”

Each year, about 50 percent of SUNY students graduate from college debt-free. However, other students graduate with an outstanding balance of about $3,500, on average, and as of 2020 about 19,000 students still owed their SUNY campus.

With today’s Board action, now those students may receive their transcript, thereby enabling them to re-enroll in a campus, transfer credits, complete their degree, and obtain jobs that could help pay down their unpaid balance. CUNY announced a temporary hold on the practice last August.

As part of the resolution, the Board of Trustees also authorized the SUNY Chancellor, or a designee, to review all debt collection practices and make any appropriate policy changes, rulemaking, and other modifications in line with today’s action. SUNY follows State Finance Law, as well as State Division of the Budget guidance, SUNY Regulations and Policy, and a Memorandum of Understanding between SUNY and the New York Attorney General.

SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “Students come to SUNY for an excellent and affordable college education, often making personal sacrifices along the way in order to reach the career of their dreams. To come so far only to be held back by unpaid fees and fines is simply unfair to our students. My thanks for Governor Hochul for shining light on this oversight that has been common place throughout higher education, and for bringing further equity to our economically disadvantaged students, who have worked hard to earn their degree.”

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory.

In total, SUNY serves about 1.3 million students in credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2021, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum.

Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office

The Orleans County Emergency Management Office is asking the public not to call for an ambulance in a non-emergency situation so ambulances and EMS crews can focus on those with medical emergencies.

There has been a large increase in ambulances being requested for non-emergency situations causing a burden on the limited number of ambulances available in our region, the EMO said in a news release.

An ambulance should only be requested when a true emergency exists. Many ambulances, hospitals and urgent cares are overwhelmed right now by patients who are not experiencing medical emergencies.

When should you call 911 for an ambulance?

• If someone is experiencing a true medical emergency, call 911.
• Some examples of true medical emergencies include the following: cardiac arrest, choking, chest pains, difficulty breathing, sudden confusion, altered mental status, if moving a patient could cause further injury, too weak to move or unsteady, seizures, allergic reaction, unconsciousness, falls with injuries and uncontrolled bleeding are a few examples but not all.
• If you have any doubts about whether a condition may be a true medical emergency call 911
• An ambulance will not get you seen in the ER faster. Going by private car, using a taxi or ride-sharing service are often cheaper than an ambulance and will get you seen just as fast based on the hospital’s triage system.
• Common colds, low grade fevers, stubbed toes, tooth aches, chronic pain, etc. are all conditions that are not life threatening and do not warrant the need for an ambulance.
• Seek treatments from urgent cares and your primary care doctor for conditions that are not emergencies.

“The ambulance you call for something that isn’t an emergency could take an ambulance away from someone who truly needs it, delaying their care and potentially causing them greater injury or even death,” the Orleans County Emergency Management Office said.

Press Release, Yates Town Board

YATES – Unlike the NYS Department of Education, the Town of Yates will immediately implement the order of Nassau County Supreme Court Judge Thomas Rademaker declaring the statewide mask mandate unconstitutional.

The Yates Town Supervisor, Jim Simon, was pleased with the judge’s decision but dismayed at the state’s response.

“It is heartening to see that Judge Rademaker had the wisdom and the fortitude to curtail the executive overreach of Governor Hochul. However, it is unsettling to learn that our state education department will not comply,” Simon said. “Every New Yorker – whether politically left, right or center – should be worried about state agencies ignoring our state judiciary.”

Yates Town Board members Harold Suhr and Susan Hrovat, also members of the Lyndonville School Board, called for the school to lift the mask mandate, “Masks should be optional, period,” they said.

Editor’s Note: The Town Board said masks will no longer be mandated at all town facilities for employees and visitors to the Town Hall and Highway Garage.

ALBION – Four people were sentenced to state prison or the Orleans County Jail for crimes in the county.

Judge Sanford Church sentenced the following on Jan. 12:

• Steven Forshey, 44, received the longest sentence of five years in prison, plus five years of post-release supervision for first-degree burglary.

He allegedly went into an elderly man’s house on Shelby Basin Road and threatened him with a knife, and took some of his possessions.

• Kenneth Martin II, 31, of Medina was sentenced to two to four years in state prison for third-degree burglary. He was sentenced as a second-felony offender.

• Judd Farewell, 30, of Medina was sentenced to two to four years in state prison for third-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny. In February 2020, he allegedly entered a building on Maple Ridge Road without permission and stole copper supply lines worth an estimated $1,500.

• Gary Pugh, 60, was sentenced to 364 days in the county jail for driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree.

Funding will go towards alcohol compliance checks, prevention education

Press Release, GCASA

Evidence-based prevention services at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse will be receiving a nearly $40,000 boost thanks to an award announced over the weekend by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

GCASA is one of 87 agencies throughout New York’s 10 economic development regions that had their services negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Grants will be administered by the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

The local nonprofit organization will use the funds to enhance its environmental strategy efforts, specifically to fund law enforcement compliance checks in Genesee and Orleans counites, and also to purchase programming for school prevention education and to upgrade its ability to use technology in the delivery of its services, Prevention Director Shannon Ford said.

“We are thankful to Gov. Hochul’s office for accepting our grant application,” Ford said, “and are looking forward to working with the City of Batavia Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to make sure establishments that serve alcohol are checking IDs.”

About two-thirds of the $39,417 in funding will be appropriated for environmental strategies, including social media posts and targeted advertising, Ford added.

In its grant application, GCASA indicated that individuals or businesses found to be out of compliance in the distribution of alcohol will be referred to the agency’s Responsible Server Training program for employees.

“For the media portion of the strategy, we will submit press releases to local media recognizing establishments who are in compliance with the Alcohol Beverage Control laws specific to underage drinking,” Ford said. “We will also use social media to boost prevention messages and create targeted ads for youth and adults regarding the dangers of underage drinking and consequences for serving underage youth. In addition, we will create and print materials targeting adults and youth with prevention messages regarding the dangers of underage drinking.”

In announcing the awards, Hochul spoke off alcohol’s impact on her family.

“Like many New Yorkers, my family has been affected by addiction,” she said. “Expanding support services for those dealing with addiction is as vital as ever as we battle the opioid crisis. We will continue to work with local partners to boost preventative measures and treatment to help set New Yorkers on the path to recovery.”

OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Prevention is an important pillar of the OASAS continuum of care, and during the COVID-19 pandemic our prevention providers have faced unprecedented challenges in delivering their services. Providers awarded funding through this initiative have the opportunity to greatly increase their prevention infrastructure and make the changes that they need to continue to provide these lifesaving services in the communities they serve.”

Municipalities develop ‘comprehensive strategy to transform the waterfront communities’

Photo by Tom Rivers: Ed Flynn, director of planning at LaBella Associates, goes over a Canal Corridor Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the villages of Albion and Holley, and the towns of Albion, Murray, Gaines, Ridgeway and Shelby. He is speaking at a recent County Legislature meeting. The Village of Medina has developed its own waterfront plan.

ALBION – A group of local officials that studied how to better utilize the Erie Canal has completed its plan and submitted it to the state for a final review.

A steering committee developed a Canal Corridor Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the villages of Albion and Holley, and the towns of Albion, Murray, Gaines, Ridgeway and Shelby. The Village of Medina decided to work on its own waterfront plan and has submitted it to the state for a final OK.

The plan outside of Medina along the canal includes upgrading downtown buildings, developing a new marina in Albion, installing kayak launches and signage.

The county received a state grant for $62,000 to develop the plan and hired LaBella Associates as a consultant on the project. Ed Flynn, director of planning at LaBella, presented the final plan to the County Legislature recently.

He called the plan “a comprehensive strategy to transform the waterfront communities.” It is the first plan in the county that is focused on better utilizing the Erie Canal. The plan, which identifies many priority projects, will be an asset in helping the municipalities pursue state grants for the initiatives and also setting a clear course for the future, Flynn said.

Courtesy of Labella Associates: A committee looking at ways to better utilize the Erie Canal has suggested a privately owned marina that offers gas and other services would draw more boating traffic to the Albion area.

The steering committee set four goals with the plan:

1. Leverage the Canal’s Recreational Resources – capitalize on the canal’s wealth of land and water-based recreational sources.

2. Stimulate Tourism along the Canal – attract local, regional and national visitors to promote the long-term sustainability of the Erie Canal.

3. Accelerate Revitalization of Corridor Communities – investments in villages, downtowns, and anchors along the corridor will improve the economy and quality of life for Orleans County residents and benefit businesses and tourists.

4. Promote the Corridor’s Identity, Sense of Place, and History – protect, promote and leverage the canal corridor’s unique character and culture to advance the revitalization of Orleans County and the corridor communities.

The steering committee identified eight priority projects that provide access to the waterfront, increase recreational opportunities and advance economic development opportunities.

Some of the proposed priority projects include:

• Canal Corridor Building Assistance Program: would provide grant funding of up to $600,000 to assist multiple buildings or an anchor building with interior and exterior improvements. Albion and Holley have both received New York Main Street grants for building improvements in the downtown.
• Small Business Assistance Program: A countywide program with grant and loan funding to assist new and existing businesses with growth, with restaurants and culinary operations getting the priority.
• Activate the Canal Waterfront: Repurpose underutilized spaces, including parking lots, which could be turned into performance space and improved aesthetically with landscaping and lighting. The initiative would include rear facade upgrades and enhanced water recreation opportunities. The committee used the Village of Albion’s parking lot by the canal near Platt Street as an example of space that could be improved. The committee suggested Albion redesign and resurface a parking lot by the canal, adding lighting and landscaping and making the space available to be used for concerts and events.
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  The committee suggested Albion redesign and resurface a parking lot by the canal, adding lighting and landscaping and making the space available to be used for concerts and events.

  Increase Water-Based Recreation Facilities: Add kayak and boat launches, piers and tie-ups in the villages of Albion and Holley. The area needs private entities to offer kayak rentals.

• Construct a marina in Albion: A private marina is needed that offers gas services, tie-ups and other services.
• Install signage along the Canal: There needs to be signs with distances to the next ports and nearby canal communities. There should also be signs directing people to businesses and services.
• Winter Recreation Program: This could include “pop-up” temporary ice skating rinks, cross country skiing and winter festivals.
• Siphon for agriculture: Siphoning water from the canal reduces agriculture costs and also can be used to provide water for creeks and fishing.

Some other projects identified by the steering committee include: Arts along the canal with statues and public art relevant to the canal and county; Trail connections to natural areas (Groth Road in Murray and Presbyterian Road in Knowlesville area); Celebrate the Holley canal loop with pavement, lighting and signage; Attract a rental business offering bikes and kayaks; Promote tugboats; Upgrade the towpath trail surface for bikes, increase the number of events and redevelop the Murray quarry ponds for recreation.

The plan has been submitted to the Department of State for a final review.

A State Supreme Court justice on Monday ruled that Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Department of Health overstepped their authority in requiring masks be worn in indoor public places.

Hochul announced the mask mandate on Dec. 10, to take effect Dec. 15 to Dec. 31. It has since been extended to Feb. 1.

Judge Thomas Rademaker of the State Supreme Court in Nassau County said Hochul and Department of Health need the State Legislature’s approval to pass such orders. The Legislature last year curbed any governor’s power to issue such decrees during a state of emergency.

Hochul said she will fight the judge’s decision.

“My responsibility as Governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and save lives,” she said in a statement. “We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately.”

Mickey Edwards, Albion Central School superintendent, sent a message to the community on Monday, saying the mask mandate remains in effect at the district.

“It is the New York State Education Department’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic ‘stay’ that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling,” Edwards said. “Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”

Photo from Will Barclay’s Twitter page: Will Barclay, minority leader of the Statte Assembly, speaks today in Albany about a proposal to suspend the state’s share of sales tax on many items for two years.

The Assembly Republican Conference today unveiled a plan to eliminate the state’s 4 percent sales tax on many items for the next two years to help lower costs during a time when inflation is at a 40-year high.

The conference includes Steve Hawley of Batavia and Mike Norris of Lockport, who both have districts that include a portion of Orleans County.

The overall Consumer Price Index is up 7.0 percent between December 2020 and December 2021. The average consumer is experiencing a monthly increase in expenses of $375, while a family of four is paying $513 more due to inflation, according to the GOP conference which is led by Will Barclay of Pulaski.

The conference’s “Inflation Relief & Consumer Assistance Plan” would suspend state sales tax charges on various items such as gasoline, personal care products (shampoo, toothpaste, body wash), housekeeping supplies (laundry, detergents, disinfectants) and ready-to-eat food purchases at grocery stores, restaurants and food trucks. Will Barclay, the minority conference leader, said the sales tax suspension would save consumers $2.6 billion a year.

It would come at a time when gas prices are up 49.6 percent, energy prices up 29.3 percent, food away from home up 6.0 percent, plus a 2.1 percent increase in housekeeping supplies and 3.2 percent increase in paper products, Barclay said.

“Our proposal will give all New Yorkers a measure of financial relief during an extremely difficult time,” Barclay said in a statement today. “New York is in a strong financial position where revenues have exceeded expectations. Let’s pass on some needed savings to people who have fought through a pandemic and are now dealing with a crushing cost-of-living crisis that’s being felt in every community.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement in support of the proposal: “Inflation is an economic force that impacts the working class more than anyone else, erasing the impact of wage increases as people find their paychecks buying less and less every week,” Hawley said. “For those who rely on fuel to heat their homes, these price increases mean less money put aside for college and emergency funds, fewer family nights out, and for some, choosing between heating their homes or filling up their vehicles. Passing this legislation would have a direct and immediate impact on the economic well-being of New Yorkers and restore the power of their hard-earned paychecks.”

Assemblymen Mike Norris issued this statement: “There is so much more our state can be doing to help people deal with the rising cost of inflation, and that’s why I was proud to join Leader Barclay and my colleagues today to call for action on our Inflation Relief and Consumer Assistance Plan,” Norris said. “I announced this plan last fall and hoped Gov. Hochul would include it in her Executive Budget proposal, but it is not too late for this plan to be part of the final state budget where it belongs. The people of our state need real relief from the rising costs of every day essential goods like gasoline, cleaning products and personal care items. There is room in the budget for our plan, which would only cost $2.6 billion annually. But that savings kept in the pockets of New Yorkers would be immeasurable. New York is one of the only states to tax some of these items, and it’s because of the incessant taxation that so many people decide to move out of state once and for all. Let’s stop the exodus, combat inflation and the monthly increase everyone is experiencing, and help enable our economy to move forward by taking action on this plan now.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

New York State has provided Orleans County Emergency Management Office with free at-home Covid-19 test kits to distribute to residents.

Starting Tuesday, each library, town hall, village hall, and the Orleans County Office Building will have a limited supply of Covid-19 test kits to distribute to their residents during normal business hours until the kits are gone.

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid-19 or when they exhibit symptoms of Covid-19,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Testing is one mitigation strategy that can help reduce the community spread of Covid-19.”

Please note all the school districts have received kits for their students and will distribute according to their respective plans. A maximum of one kit per family will be distributed at the following locations:

• Community Free Library in Holley: Monday, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 4 to 8 p.m./ Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Hoag Library in Albion:Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./ Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lee-Whedon Library in Medina: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./ Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Yates Community Library in Lyndonville: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./ Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Orleans County Office Building: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Village of Albion: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Village of Holley:Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Village of Lyndonville:Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed daily 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Village of Medina:Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Town of Albion: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and noon to 3 p.m.
• Town of Barre: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Town of Carlton: Tuesday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m./Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon
• Town of Clarendon: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m./ Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. to noon
• Town of Gaines: Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m./Monday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Town of Kendall: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon to 12:45)
• Town of Murray:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./Saturday 9 a.m. to noon
• Town of Ridgeway: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Town of Shelby:Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Town of Yates:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Covid testing available at GCC in Albion: For Free PCR and rapid testing you can go to the NYS Covid-19 testing site located at GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Avenue, Albion. Walk-ins and registration allowed Monday-Saturday.  To register, click here.

To report a positive at-home test: Individuals can visit the GO Health website Covid-19 testing page under Emerging Issues (GOHealthNY.org) and choose the appropriate Home Test button for their respective county.

Individuals should complete the at-home tests according to the directions provided. When the test is completed, individuals should take a picture with the individual’s name, the date and the time they took the test legibly written in permanent marker within 15 minutes of reading the test.

Towards the end of the online form, the individual will be required to upload the picture on the website and attest to the authenticity and truth of the form. If there are any missing sections that are required, the form is invalid. At this time, individuals do not need to report negative at-home test results.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is to self-isolate immediately. You may not be contacted regarding your contacts, so it is important to notify your close contacts (those who you spent 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period 2 days prior to symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test result).

It is important to continue with self-isolation from household members as much as you are able. Isolate for 5 days and if you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, your symptoms are getting better, and you can tolerate a tight-fitting mask you can return to work/school but you are still required to wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 more days.

If you must share space, make sure all in contact with you are wearing masks covering their nose and mouth and frequently shared items/surfaces are sanitized often.

To access isolation orders and isolation release paperwork visit our website at GOHealthNY.org (Covid-19 Isolation & Quarantine Documents & Information) and complete and print out or print and hand write the forms from the county you reside in and provide to your employer or school.

Press Release, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt’s Office

ALBANY – The New York State Senate Republican Conference today unveiled the “End the Exodus” economic plan as part of the ongoing “Take Back NY” 2022 Agenda.

Rob Ortt

As inflation spikes – and countless families and businesses leave the state for greater financial freedom and quality of life – the Republican priorities would reverse these destructive trends by increasing affordability and expanding economic opportunity in New York.

“New York leads the nation in outmigration. Our greatest asset – our people – are leaving by the hundreds of thousands thanks to sky-high taxes, burdensome regulations, and an overall economic climate that ranks last in the nation for freedom,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “My colleagues across the aisle have offered nothing but financial hardship for hardworking New Yorkers and small businesses since they took the Majority. Enough. We need to make our state more affordable, expand economic opportunity, and enact Senate Republicans’ economic plan if we want to End the Exodus.”

New York faces extreme short- and long-term economic challenges, including:

• Inflation – a 7 percent spike in consumer prices over last year, or a 40-year high – including skyrocketing costs for transportation, food, and other essential goods and services;
• Pain at the Pumps – average gas prices in the state have gone up by more than a dollar-per-gallon, or an estimated 43 percent increase from a year ago;
• Rising Home Heating Costs – monthly average home heating oil prices have also risen by more than a dollar per gallon from a year ago, or an estimated 48 percent increase from a year ago;
• Declining Consumer Sentiment – since 2018, New Yorkers have become less optimistic about overall and future economic conditions, with recent concerns spiking over food and gas prices;
• Overall Tax Burden – New York has the highest tax burden in the nation at 12.79 percent – without factoring in a plethora of other burdensome fees; and
• Economic Freedom – New York has ranked last in the nation in terms of “economic and overall freedom” for years – according to one think tank.

Senate Republicans’ End the Exodus plan includes:

• Cutting New York’s Highest-In-The-Nation Taxes:
• Enact a permanent, constitutional cap on runaway state spending;
• Repeal unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes;
• Accelerate and expand the historic, Senate Republican-authored Middle-Class Tax Cut;
• Require a 2/3 vote of the state legislature for any tax increase; and
• Reject the Senate Democrats’ radical plans to dramatically increase gas, home heating, and everyday-living costs – and temporarily suspend the state gas tax.

Reducing the Cost of Living:

• Allow localities the option to offer state sales tax holidays on essential goods and services;
• Advocate for and protect the rights of property owners;
• Make childcare more affordable and available by examining costly regulations, expanding the Empire State Child Tax Credit and the dependent care credit, and increasing support for employer-provided early childhood education and care; and
• Mitigate the impact of the global energy crisis by providing nearly $300 million in energy tax relief.

Improving the State Business Climate:

• Cut red tape and burdensome regulations;
• Reduce taxes on small businesses;
• Reform the way economic development – for years plagued by corruption – is done in New York;
• Reject Democrats’ radical plans to ban natural gas hookups in construction;
• Slash small businesses skyrocketing unemployment insurance tax rates by using federal pandemic relief funds to replenish the depleted unemployment insurance fund; and
• Cap unemployment taxes to protect businesses still struggling with pandemic recovery.

The End the Exodus plan builds upon Senate Republicans’ “Take Back New York” 2022 Legislative Agenda unveiled at the start of the year, which includes a plan to restore public safety, as well as calls to end overreaching government mandates.

“The path is clear,” Ortt said. “We need to cut taxes, reduce the cost of living, and improve our business climate if we want to Take Back the mantle of the Empire State. Let’s End the Exodus.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters were dispatched at about 9:30 this morning to the former Hawks Hideaway bar at 14111 Albion-Eagle Harbor Rd.

The building is currently being used for storage. No one lives there.

Multiple fire departments responded to the scene in 10-degree weather.

Orleans County fire investigators are at the scene.

No other information is available.