Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
WATERFORD – Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its 15th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.
Images should convey the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. Entries must be postmarked by August 27, 2021. Winning photos will be featured in the 2022 Erie Canalway calendar.
Images will be judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges will select first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions. Images must be landscape (horizontal) format.
Submitted images must be taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York. It encompasses the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities.
Download official contest rules and an entry form by clicking here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is sharing important passport information for individuals seeking to schedule emergency appointments.
“With many Americans eager to travel again and applying to renew their passports, the State Department is experiencing large delays in processing and approving applications,” Jacobs said. “Firstly, if you are planning on traveling in the next eight months you should take care of the appropriate paperwork now.”
New updates have been made to the way individuals can schedule emergency appointments. Now, the only way individuals can make these appointments is by calling the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY) 1-888-874-7793 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.
Appointments cannot be transferred, and applicants may only schedule one if they are traveling within two weeks, or within four weeks if a foreign visa is needed. Appointments will only be scheduled within three business days of travel, or 10 days if a visa is required – proof of travel within the time will be required when arriving at the appointment.
“If you are experiencing passport delays, this can be a valuable resource to ensure your passport is squared away before you travel,” Jacobs said. “In addition, my office is available to help with any additional questions concerning passports or other federal agencies.”
In addition, in response to these reported delays, Rep. Jacobs has also asked the State Department to take additional steps to address the processing backlog. You can view the text of that letter here. For additional questions concerning passports or federal agencies, Jacobs’ Geneseo District Office can be reached at 585-519-4002.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2021 at 8:36 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Everett Bruning, 6, of Barre competes in the small-fry tractor pull on Thursday.
Daily Feature: United States National Guard and US Air Force interactive exhibits.
Party Animals Exotic Animal Petting Zoo – All Day
8 a.m. – Western and Ranch Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
8 a.m. – Senior Council Stand Opens
10 a.m. – Dog Show Agility and fun classes at Knights Building
Ryan Klatt of the Brick Band gave a high-energy performance on Thursday at the Orleans Hub Stage at the fairgrounds.
10 a.m. – All Buildings Open
10 a.m. – Grand Master Showman Workshop at starting in Show Arena
12 p.m. – Paid admission begins and free public parking opens at the Wood Road and Taylor Hill Road lots. (Admission is $3 for people 12 and older and $1 for 11 and under.) Buildings open to the public.
12 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Synchronistic Psychic Services with free Rune Readings at Lartz Building
12 p.m. to 6 p.m. – WNY PRISM, invasive species experts, at Lartz Building
12 p.m. to 8 p.m. – United States Border Patrol with children’s interactive activities
The giant inflatable doughboy is a silhouette on Thursday as the sun sets.
3 to 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements, $20 Unlimited Ride Wristband, at Midway
4 p.m. – Royalty Questionnaires dueat Fair Office
4 p.m. – Cow Plop Bingo at Knights Building
4:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
Leo Mathes, 8, and his sister Shania, 13, of Barre show sheep during Thursday’s Sheep Show. Shania won the master showman title during the event.
5 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
5:30 p.m. – Classic Car Cruise-In at Education Center Lot
6 p.m. – Registration ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull at Fair Office
6 p.m. – Large Animal Grand Master Showman at Livestock Areas
6 to 7 p.m. – Ag stories with Orleans County Libraries (Yates Community Library) at Cattle Barn
6:30 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull at JCH of Buffalo Tent
This group of volunteers for the Cooperative Extension took a break from serving chicken barbecue dinners and did the “Electric Slide” dance during the Brick Band concert. The Extension served 1,000 dinners on Thursday.
7 to 10 p.m. – Live Music: Jonsie and the Cruisers Classic Rock at Orleans Hub Stage
6:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
7 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
8:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
This sheep was led in the show ring on Thursday by Adele Mathes, 10, of Barre.
9 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
10 p.m. – Buildings Close
10 p.m. – Fireworks Show (Rain Date Saturday at 10 p.m.)
10:30 p.m. – Hay Bale Rolling Contest, Teams of 1-2 ages 16 and up. Register at the fair office by 9:50 p.m. Adjacent the Carlos Marcello Horse Arena
Mckenna Richardson, 6, of Barre has fun competing in the small-fry tractor pull on Thursday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2021 at 3:22 pm
ALBION – Orleans County is looking to increase the size of its agricultural district by 137 acres. There is currently about 117,000 acres in the ag district, which represents 47 percent of the county’s land mass.
Each year, property owners have an opportunity to add land to the district. Once every eight years, property owners have a chance to remove land from the district. The next change to take out acreage will be in 2024.
The County Legislature on Wednesday held a public hearing on additions to the ag district. The following parcels have been recommended for inclusion in the district by the Orleans County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board:
36 acres of vacant residential land at 4552 Bennetts Corners Rd., Clarendon
25.88 acres of vacant agricultural land on Main Street in the Town of Murray
20.13 acres of residential and vacant land at Eagle Harbor-West Barre Road in Albion
9.98 acres of field crops at 1614 Petersmith Rd. in Kendall
24.66 acres of a rural residence and acreage at 1614 Petersmith Rd. in Kendall
20.65 acres of residential vacant land at 1051 Wilson Rd. in Carlton
The expanded ag district needs a final vote of approval from the County Legislature, as well as the state Department of Agricultural and Markets.
The bales of straw are spread out in the field by Route 31 in Ridgeway near Culvert Road.
This vehicle driven by David M. Acito came to rest on its roof.
CAMBRIA – A Medina man was charged after an accident in Niagara County where the driver struck and severed a utility pole, causing the damaged power lines to come down and start a fire in a farm field, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office reported.
David M. Acito, 32, wasn’t injured in the accident. Niagara County Sheriff’s Office were called at 6 p.m. on Wednesday for report of a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Saunders
Settlement and Comstock roads. Initial reports stated that the vehicle had overturned and that live electrical transmission lines were beginning a ground fire.
Deputies responded to the scene and found a 2014 Ford resting on its roof in the farmer’s field southeast of the intersection. A ground fire had also started the adjacent farm field on fire.
Investigation at the scene revealed that the Ford was east bound on Saunders Settlement Road when it exited the roadway off the south edge. The vehicle traveled into and through the ditch before striking a utility pole just west of the intersection, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The vehicle severed the pole off at the ground level causing the damaged power lines to come down and start the fire. The vehicle continued east bound, crossed over Comstock Road and came to rest in the field on its roof.
The fire was brought under control and was extinguished by members of the Cambria Volunteer Fire Company and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Fire Department.
Acito failed subsequent field sobriety tests and was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and several other violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Acito was remanded to the Niagara County Jail where he will be arraigned today on the charges in Central Processing Court, the Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release.
State will provide financial relief to restaurants that rapidly hire workers
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of New York State’s $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit program, designed to help expand employment opportunities for workers and provide relief to Covid-impacted restaurants.
Created as part of the New York State FY 2022 Budget, the program offers a tax credit for the rapid hiring of restaurant workers to reduce the restaurant industry’s pandemic-induced economic difficulties. Qualifying restaurants could receive a $5,000 tax credit per net new hire, totaling up to $50,000 in tax credits per business.
“New York’s restaurants are not only the best in the world, they are vital to the state’s economy, employing thousands of people and showcasing cuisines that reflect our great diversity,” Cuomo said. “Restaurants also serve as an entrepreneurial outlet and are often families’ gateways to the American Dream.”
The Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit is available to small, independently-owned restaurants in New York City, or in areas that were designated as an Orange Zone or Red Zone for at least 30 consecutive days by the New York State Department of Health during the state of emergency related to COVID-19. Eligible restaurants will need to demonstrate COVID-related losses and show proof of hiring at least one full-time worker at the restaurant.
Recognizing the need for restaurants to receive this assistance quickly in the economic wake of COVID-19, a “Fast Track” option will allow restaurants to claim the tax credit as an advance payment ahead of filing their 2021 tax returns. Under this option, restaurants will be evaluated based on their net new job growth during a truncated period, from April 1 to August 31, 2021.
More information on the program, including the application and details about the Fast Track option, is available by clicking here.
Empire State Development Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kevin Younis said, “New York’s restaurants were among the most affected industries during the Covid-19 pandemic, and this program will provide relief to businesses in the hardest hit parts of the state. Through the Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit, the state can help get restaurant workers back into jobs while supporting the small businesses so integral to the fabric of communities across New York State.”
“The restaurant industry was among the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, as public health and safety concerns restricted many of its service operations,” Cuomo said. “With the state’s Covid-19 restrictions lifted, restaurants opening to full capacity, and tables filling up, this will support the much-needed hiring of workers by these establishments to meet their increased demand.”
The Restaurant Return-To-Work Tax Credit Program is part of a comprehensive package of economic recovery initiatives announced in April as part of the FY2022 Budget to help restart the State’s economy and support the recovery of New York’s businesses. The $1 billion package includes assistance and relief for arts and cultural organizations, the tourism industry, restaurants, and the state’s small businesses, which represent 98% of all New York State businesses.
Empire State Development launched NYSBusinessRecovery.ny.gov, a dedicated website featuring an interactive tool that can guide businesses through the state’s various pandemic recovery programs. The site also highlights additional resources available to support businesses seeking pandemic relief. It will be continuously updated by Empire State Development as more details and funding information become available.
Summer bonfire conversations by the lake are apt to spark memories and stories.
On a recent occasion, a senior family member referenced, “Mom and my aunts going out fishing on the grassbeds,” a statement which generated much discussion since the concept of “grassbeds” on Lake Ontario was new to this generation.
It appears that, in terms of lake history, this was a short-lived phenomenon and occurred between the 1900s and 1940s. Grassbeds were patches of aquatic vegetation which looked like underwater meadows with some plants that appeared to be floating on the surface. They were found near or directly offshore of some creeks, and were sometimes tricky to locate. On calm, clear days, people would row out to these areas and fish for perch, which, when pan-fried, provided a tasty supper.
Lysbeth Hoffman, the late Town of Carlton historian, referenced this topic in the Orleans County Historical Association Chronicle, 1987. She mentioned that in 1985, the Biology/Sea Grant Department of SUNY Brockport researched the demise of the grassbeds and concluded that the decline of these aquatic meadows was caused by powerful lake storms, or changes in phosphate levels, or the construction of sewage treatment facilities.
The results of changes in the lake’s ecology are often evident onshore. People recall the thousands of dead whitefish or “shiners” washed up on the beach during the 1980s. Even the weather can cause shoreline woes: layers of green algae commonly form following the combination of a warm winter, an early spring and then a scorching drought. Of course, the water levels, whether lower or higher cause dramatic shoreline changes.
We can but hope that future generations gathered at lakeside bonfires will recall the washed-up fish, the smelly crusty algae, the high waters, rocks being piled up on the shoreline as these memories, similar to the now almost forgotten grassbeds, become part of lake folklore and enrich our local history.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2021 at 10:37 am
Event caps busy day at fair, but crowd misses grease pole
Photos by Tom Rivers: Nadine Valentine of Albion, left, and Alwyn Cayea of Medina made up the team “Respect.” They were the first team to complete the hay bale rolling challenge and did it in 4 minutes, 21.79 seconds. Jeremy Neal, event chairman, is at right.
KNOWLESVILLE – It’s no grease pole, but a hay bale rolling competition proved a difficult challenge to cap a full day’s schedule at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
The grease pole was a popular event at the fair from 1971 until 2019. There wasn’t a fair last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The insurance provider for the fair this year decided it wouldn’t continue covering the grease pole event, deeming it too dangerous to have people climb a utility pole slathered in grease.
A gravestone was set at the base of the grease pole. Jeremy Neal had the marker made to pay tribute to the event’s popularity and also to show that it is over and the fair will be starting a new tradition with the hay bale rolling.
Jeremy Neal, the event chairman, still wanted a somewhat silly event open to community members to cap off the schedule. He devised an oval-shaped course around the grease pole, making ditches, and putting down thick poles. Teams of two would have to push a 700-pound hay bale through the course, rolling it on the longer lanes and have to flip it end over end in two segments of the course. If teams pushed the hay bale outside the lane boundaries, they would be assessed a 10-second violation.
The crowd for the opening night of the hay bale rolling contest was much smaller than for the grease pole and they didn’t scream in passionate support for the teams. It was also harder to see the action for the crowd, because the competition was on the ground and not up high.
Neal deemed the contest a success. It still drew a lot of people and provided some one-of-a-kind entertainment.
“It’s not as good as the grease pole but we’ll deal with it,” Neal said.
He asked why he thought the grease pole was so popular: “Grease,” he responded.
Jeremy Neal, event chairman, and announcer Riley Seielstad observe a moment of silence for the grease pole, which was a big attraction to cap off each night at the fair until the insurance company deemed it too dangerous.
Aeddon Cayea, right, and Conner Miller of Medina got the 700-pound hay bale through the course in 2 minutes, 1.14 seconds, plus a 20-second violation. Here they are near the finish, with the last stretch requiring the bale to be pushed end over end, instead of rolling it. They were one of five teams in the competition on Wednesday night. It continues today and Friday night, with the winners from each day making it to the finals on Saturday night.
Alden Cayea and Christian Hahn of Medina formed the Rollie Boyz and pushed the hay bale through the course in 1:24.81, plus a 10-second violation.
Jeremy Moyer and David Armer of Albion, members of DP Dubs, won the opening night of the challenge, getting the hay bale through the course in a time of 1 minute, 20.48 seconds with no violations. They advance to the finals on Saturday night.
Joe Ambs (right) and Zach Chapman, The Ride Guys, both work for the midway provider at the fair, Main Event Amusements. They completed the challenge in 2 minutes, 14.94 seconds, plus a 10-second violation.
Ambs was on a team that attempted to climb the grease pole. He admitted the grease pole can’t be replaced. But he said the hay bale rolling was a more demanding challenge physically.
“I’m a physical fitness trainer and this put me into the ground,” he said.
He said the task takes leg, core and arm strength – “all your body,” he said.
He appreciates that the Orleans County 4-H Fair has contests open to the community, including the midway workers.
“This is the best fun I’ve had in the past five months,” he said.
Before the competition, Arian Cayea and Ben Griffin of Medina did a demonstration, showing the crowd and other participants how the event would like, with the hay bale needing to go through a winding path, ditches and poles. The bale is roll on the two lanes, and needed to be flipped end over end in two spots.
Arian, 17, said the key is to keep the momentum going with the hay bale. He and Ben, 16, have been working at the fair this week, collecting the admission fees, which are $2 for kids and $3 for adults with no parking fee. A week-long pass is available for $5.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2021 at 8:39 am
Party Animals Exotic Animal Petting Zoo – All Day
8 a.m. – Western Dressage Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
9 a.m. – Senior Council Stand Opens
9 a.m. – Llama and Alpaca Show at Show Arena
10 a.m. – Wildlife I.D. Contest at Log Cabin
Heather Johnston of Albion sings “Lose Yourself” by Eminem during Wednesday’s karaoke at the fair. She was one of 24 singers performing on Wednesday. Each night five qualify for the finals which are tonight. Judges picked five from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, making it 15 for the finals today.
12 p.m. – Paid admission begins and free public parking opens at Wood and Taylor Hill Road Parking Lots, Buildings open to the public
12 p.m. – Leader’s Pie Stand Opens
12 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Synchronistic Psychic Services with free Rune Readings at Lartz Building
12 to 6 p.m. – WNY PRISM, invasive species expertsat Lartz Building
2 to 4 p.m. – Family and Consumer Science Knowledge Bowl at Trolley Building
This vendor serves funnel cakes and fried dough at the fair.
3 to 10 p.m. – Midway Rides by Main Event Amusements $20 Unlimited Ride Wristband at Midway
4:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
4:30 p.m. – Chicken BBQ Sponsored by Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension at Curtis Pavilion
5 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
5 to 7:30 p.m. – Live Music: The Brick Band at Orleans Hub Stage
5:30 to 7 p.m. – Heritage Windblade STEM Challenge at Lartz STEM Area
6 p.m. – Sheep Show at Show Arena
Brooke Kiefer, 22, of Lyndonville made her karaoke debut on Wednesday and sang “Fast Cars and Freedom” by Rascall Flatts. Kiefer was a long-time 4-H participant at the fair when she was a kid.
6 p.m. – Registration for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull Ends at Fair Office
6 to 7 p.m. – Ag stories with Orleans County Libraries (Community Free Library) at Cattle Barn
6:30 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull at JCH of Buffalo Tent
6:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
7 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
8 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge Finals (No Qualifying Round) at Orleans Hub Stage
8 p.m. – Small Animal Grand Master Information Session at Wachob Pavilion
These thrill seekers ride the Avengers in the midway.
8:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
8:30 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge at Orleans Hub Stage
9 p.m. Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
10 p.m. – Buildings Close
10 p.m. – Hay Bale Rolling Contest – Teams of 1-2 ages 16 and up. Register at the fair office by 9:50 p.m. – Adjacent to the Carlos Marcello Horse Arena
Olivia Kroening, 13, of Medina sings “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” by Luke Bryan during karaoke on Wednesday night.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2021 at 6:16 pm
‘It’s essential we act to finally close the digital divide that has kept so many of our rural communities from reaching their full potential.’ – Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Leg chairwoman
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature today voted unanimously to accept a $3,608,435 bid to make high-speed internet available for the current 1,351 address points that can’t connect to the service.
RTO Wireless of Wellesley, Mass., was awarded the bid from the County Legislature, which culminates a 10-year effort from the county to close the internet gaps.
“Today marks the end of an ambitious and long sought after quest, and the beginning of a new era for Orleans County – high-speed, reliable and affordable internet for every home and business in the county,” said Lynne Johnson, Legislature leader for the county.
The county on May 25 sought requests for proposals (RFPs) for companies to provide wireless internet service for 1,351 addresses in the county currently without access to the service. Companies were asked to submit proposals where they would co-locate their technology on existing county-owned communication towers.
Those sites include at the Emergency Management Office on West County House Road in Albion, Route 31A in Clarendon, Maple Ridge Road in Medina, Route 31 in Albion next to Public Safety Building, West Avenue in Lyndonville, Route 237 in Kendall, Route 237 in Holley by the water tank.
The total of unserved addresses in the county includes 74 in Albion, 302 in Barre, 35 in Carlton, 57 in Clarendon, 39 in Gaines, 16 in Kendall, 41 in Murray, 287 in Ridgeway, 206 in Shelby, and 294 in Yates for 1,351 total.
The last month the Legislature voted to accept $3,918,951 from U.S. Department of Treasury, the first half of the American Rescue Plan Act funds for Orleans. The county expects to use some of those funds for the project, but also will be seeking other federal grants, including to help some of the homeowners with the hook-up costs for connecting to the technology.
Johnson said the FCC considers Orleans County to be nearly covered with high-speed internet access.
“But residents report the service is slow and unreliable,” she said. “And with only one provider serving much of the county, customers have little leverage to demand better service.”
The high-speed internet is critical for students to do online coursework, for residents to have the option to work at home, and for other quality of life issues that depend on high-speed internet.
“Our ability to diversify our economic base is dependent on modern infrastructure, and that includes broadband,” Johnson said during the Legislature’s meeting. “We can say, ‘Come and work here,’ but if we don’t have modern amenities, modern infrastructure, the sales pitch falls flat.”
David Godfrey, a Niagara County legislator, has worked with Johnson and Orleans officials on the issue through the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance. He said the Niagara County Legislature next week is expected to award a bid to provide internet in its unserved areas.
“We’ve put a lot of time and labor and heartache into this,” Godfrey said.
The counties have been shut out in previous attempts to get state and federal funding.
“I can think of no better way to use the Rescue Funds than to bring our communities into the 21st Century,” he said.
Project started in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of Cornell Cooperative Extension
Provided photos: Makenzie McGrath is shown with the centennial quilt in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Press Release, Kristina Gabalski, Orleans County 4-H Program Coordinator
KNOWLESVILLE – The Covid pandemic resulted in many setbacks and delays, including the completion of the Centennial Quilt begun by Orleans County 4-H back in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Volunteer Robyn Watts explains that the 4-H Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee decided a quilt would be a wonderful keepsake from the centennial year and invited CCE Orleans staff, volunteers, 4-Hers, 4-H Clubs, Board members, Master Gardeners and alumni to decorate squares which would be included in the quilt.
Makenzie McGrath created this quilt square.
Robyn’s granddaughter, 13-year old Makenzie McGrath of Medina, began stitching the quilt together in the Trolley Building at the 2017 4-H Fair.
“Makenzie was looking for a way to help out at fair and she started working on the quilt,” Watts said.
But the quilt needed 100 squares to be complete and it took a couple additional years to gather enough decorated squares to fill out the quilt. The plan was to finish the process of tying-off the quilt at the 2020 4-H Fair, but last year’s fair was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Makenzie is completing the tying-off process at this year’s fair and the quilt will then be ready to hang on display in the Trolley Building.
Under her grandmother’s guidance, Makenzie persevered to complete the quilt.
“I learned to sew from my grandma,” she said.
Makenzie is a regular participant in the 4-H Fashion Revue each spring. Her textile projects have been selected for NYS Fair many times and received special recognition there.
Makenzie designed one of the quilt squares. Her square features a butterfly perched on a flower with the words, “Fly with 4-H” and her initials. She said it would be difficult to pick out a favorite square, but, “I like the one with the photograph, I am not sure how they did that.”
Two members of one 4-H family submitted a square with their photograph printed on the fabric.
Both Makenzie and her grandmother are thrilled with how the quilt has turned out and are excited to see it on permanent display. “It’s going to be beautiful,” they said.
This centennial quilt square was decorated in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Batavia Veterans Home among the sites with the new state requirement; Cuomo urges local governments to require employees be vaccinated or tested for Covid
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that patient-facing healthcare workers at state-run hospitals will be required to get vaccinated for Covid-19 by Labor Day.
There will not be an option to be tested in lieu of vaccination for these patient-facing healthcare workers. The Governor also announced that all New York State employees—about 130,000 people—will be required to get vaccinated for Covid-19 by Labor Day. State employees who do not get vaccinated will be required to be tested for Covid-19 on a weekly basis. New York State is working with state unions to implement the requirement quickly and fairly.
“New Yorkers have displayed tremendous dedication and resilience to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic across the state, but vaccination rates aren’t keeping pace with the Delta variant and we need to act now,” Governor Cuomo said. “That’s why we’re requiring everyone who works in a state-run hospital and interacts with patients to get vaccinated. New York is taking its vaccination effort a step further and requiring all state employees to get the shot or be tested weekly, and we look forward to working with our sisters and brothers in the labor movement to implement that quickly and effectively by Labor Day. Our healthcare heroes have led the way all through this terrible crisis, so let’s get vaccinated, save lives and beat this beast for once and for all.”
The Governor also called on the FDA to expedite final approval of the vaccine and end emergency use authorization restrictions. Governor Cuomo also urged local governments to require all employees to be vaccinated or submit to testing by Labor Day. If the numbers continue to increase, school districts in affected areas should also strongly consider taking further action.
State-run hospitals and facilities include:
Batavia Veterans Home
SUNY Stony Brook
SUNY Upstate
SUNY Downstate
Long Island Veterans Home at Stony Brook
Helen Hayes Hospital
SUNY College of Optometry
Montrose Veterans Home
St. Albans Veterans Home
Oxford Veterans Home
New York State continues to promote and expand access to the vaccine, particularly in communities with lower vaccination rates. On July 26, Governor Cuomo announced the allocation of $15 million from the New York State budget to promote vaccination in communities across the state that were hardest-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funds will be used to strengthen communication, expand public education and enhance ongoing outreach efforts throughout diverse communities.
UPDATE at 3:19 p.m.: Michael Powers, president of NYSCOPBA (New York State Corrections Officers Benevolent Association), issued this statement: “It’s disheartening that an administration that touts itself being NY Smart, would take such a drastic measure without any input from the individuals this directly impacts. Just a month ago, the State celebrated the lifting of restrictions with fireworks shows and now today’s about-face. It’s time that we stop making decisions in a vacuum and start including stakeholders.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2021 at 11:48 am
ALBION – Thursday’s concert in Albion along the Erie Canal featuring the Who Dats has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a date to be announced in August.
The series will resume next Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. near the gazebo behind the Albion Fire Department on Platt Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2021 at 9:02 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Evelyn Paratore, 9, of Corfu watches the judge and keeps her steer under control during the novice showman event during the beef show on Tuesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Teanna Church, 14, of Holley competes in the beef showmanship competition on Tuesday. She was one of 24 members of 4-H in the beef showmanship, featuring some of the biggest animals at the fair. Tuesday was a return of the beef show after last year’s fair was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.
Carter Kuipers, 13, of Byron won the event and was named the beef master showman. The showman need to keep the animals under control while leading them in the ring and help them square up while standing to best display their attributes.
Isabella Basinait, 9, of Barre was among the participants in the junior showman competition.
Matthew Bloom of Albion shows this smaller steer in the novice showman competition.
Kaylee Nesbitt, 18, of Lyndonville keeps her eyes on the judge while leading a steer around the show ring. She was named the reserve master showman for beef.
Carter Kuipers, 9, of Byron leads a large beef animal around the show ring.
Summer bonfire conversations by the lake are apt to spark memories and stories.
