The number of active Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties is down to 1, with none in Genesee and the 1 in Orleans, according to the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

The local health departments provided the update on Thursday. On Tuesday there was also 1 case in the two counties, but it was in Genesee.

The Covid cases in the two counties have steadily dropped. On July 1, there were 4 cases in the two counties, with 2 in both Genesee and Orleans. On June 4, there were 22 active cases, with 11 in both counties.

On May 28, there were 78 cases with 33 in Genesee and 45 in Orleans, and 108 on May 14 with 43 in Genesee and 65 in Orleans.

On January 7, the number of active cases in the two counties topped 500 with 279 in Orleans and 238 in Genesee.

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

ALBANY – The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners (NYSACCME) announced that counties are preparing to deploy settlement funds to ramp up the battle against addiction, overdoses, and deaths caused by the ongoing opioid epidemic.

The announcement follows a year that saw a significant resurgence in opioid-related deaths, with a record 81,230 fatal overdoses between May 2019 and May 2020, according to the CDC. The highest increase in opioid deaths, driven by fentanyl, is among Black Americans, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“From ‘first responder’ law enforcement receiving calls for help, to the ‘last responder’ Coroners and Medical Examiners confirming the cause of death, local government officials have been witnesses to the pain and devastation of an opioid epidemic that was raging before Covid and has only grown worse since,” said Jack Marren, NYSAC President and Ontario County Board Chair. “The recent settlements, coupled with the creation of a dedicated Opioid Settlement Fund, will at some point in the future provide a fresh influx of resources for the treatment, education and prevention efforts that are critical to ending this epidemic.”

In a news conference on Thursday morning, NYSAC and NYSACCME resurfaced the See the Signs Save a Life campaign that was designed by Trellis Marketing to combat the scourge of opioid addiction in communities across the state by raising awareness of the warning signs of possible opiate addiction. The campaign, which was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was commission by the two groups and was broadcast briefly across the state and on social media. Watch the video by clicking here.

“By the time a person suffering from opiate addiction reaches a county coroner or medical examiner, it’s too late,” said Scott M. Schmidt, Orleans County chief coroner and president of New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners. “Tragically, over the last year we have seen a frightening resurgence in the number of our fellow New Yorkers who have lost their battle with opiate addiction, and we’ve decided we must redouble our efforts to prevent more of our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters from succumbing to this terrible scourge.”

“Our counties have been fighting the opioid epidemic for more than a decade and it is time that those manufacturers and distributors who are responsible for marketing these addicting and deadly pharmaceuticals in our communities be held accountable and help us put an end to this crisis,” said Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County Executive and President of Count Executives of America.

“Counties cover every aspect of the battle against the opioid epidemic, starting with 9-1-1 centers and sheriff’s deputies, proceeding to health departments and mental health programs, and often tragically leading to our jails and county coroners. With recent settlements and legislation, we are now in a better position to support the individuals and families caught up in addiction before it’s too late,” said Marcus Molinaro, President of the New York State County Executives Association and Dutchess County Executive.

Additionally, NYSAC encouraged its member counties to support the Purdue Bankruptcy proposal.

“Attorney General Tish James recently announced the state of New York will support the plan, and so too should the counties. Though the proposal is far from perfect and can never heal the death and destruction caused by the production and overuse of opioids, it provides equitable funding on a national basis,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “The Purdue Bankruptcy proposal injects funding immediately and for the foreseeable future and can better help end the vicious cycle of addiction and avoids prolonged litigation and delay. Our goal was always to abate the harm. And because NYS recently enacted a Opioid Abatement Fund, these proceeds will go into direct deposit to this fund and will be used only for prevention, treatment and recovery programs.”

NYSAC and its member counties have been battling the opioid epidemic for many years through several agencies including county social services, health departments, law enforcement, jails, 9-1-1 dispatch, district attorneys, public defenders, probation, and coroners and medical examiners.

Photos courtesy of Marsha Rivers

BARRE – This photo shows dark clouds over Barre on Root Road just after 4:30 this afternoon. A severe thunderstorm dumped heavy rain on Orleans County and much of Western New York.

The baseball fields at the Barre Town Park are flooded after the downpour.

The forecast the next few days includes a slight chance of showers and mostly cloudy on Friday with a high near 73, followed by a mostly sunny Saturday with a high near 77. Sunday there is a chance of showers with a high near 79, according to the National Weather Service.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Cornell Cooperative Extension, which hosted many food distributions during the Covid-19 pandemic, will be giving out food again on Monday, but it won’t be putting boxes of produce, meats and dairy in trunks like in the previous distributions.

The new format will have people walking through and selecting items from 2 to 5 p.m. The boxes are not pre-sorted or assembled.

“It’ll be a bit of a learning curve for us,” said Robert Batt, executive director of the CCE in Orleans County.

Batt said the Extension expects to be hosting the distributions for a year. Other organizations in the county also are expected to be host sites. People should wear masks if they aren’t vaccinated and follow CDC Covid guidelines while attending the distribution.

“There will be perishable and non-perishable food so those attending are encouraged to come early to help us keep cold foods cold,” Batt said.

For live updates to be able to know if there is still food available during the distribution people can check the Orleans County 4-H Fair Facebook page or call the office at 585-798-4265.

Press Release, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., Western District of New York

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment charging Spencer Hart, 37, of Albion, NY, with three counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey T. Fiut and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, Hart distributed child pornography on March 17, June 21, and June 22, 2020.

In addition, on July 16, 2020, Hart possessed a hard drive containing an image of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor under the age of 12. The defendant was previously convicted on a state charge involving possession of child pornography.

The defendant was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being held pending a detention hearing on July 14 at 10 a.m.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo and Rochester Offices, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MEDINA – The pavilion at State Street Park that opened two years ago will host three concerts this summer, including one on Sunday.

The Medina Business Association and Orleans Renaissance Group led the effort to construct the pavilion, which also serves as a bandstand. It will host a concert on Sunday that is timed to coincide for when about 350 cyclists will be in the community for the return of the Cycling the Erie Canal event.

Last year’s week-long cycling event was cancelled due to Covid-19. This year it’s back, but with about half of the usual participants. They will leave Buffalo in the morning on Sunday and travel about 50 miles each day, working their way across the towpath until the reach Albany on July 18.

The concert on Sunday is also open to the public, who are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, listen to the music and welcome the cyclists.

The Medina concert series will be free to the attendees and all performances be on Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m. Almost every other evening of the week has some musical event happening somewhere in Orleans County this summer.

The Medina Tourism Committee organized the three concerts. The lineup includes:

• July 11 – The Rhythm Express, featuring music from the ’50s/’60s/’70s to current, across many genres.
• August 8 – The Dave Viterna Group, featuring rock & roll/rhythm & blues, with Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza also on site.
• August 29 – The Creek Bend Bluegrass Band, featuring bluegrass and country, with a food truck on site, Greenlief’s On The Go.

Provided photo: These heater wells are under construction in Holley.

HOLLEY – The federal Environmental Protection Agency has begun the second and final phase of a thermal treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater at the Diaz Chemical Superfund site in Holley, the EPA announced in an update to the community.

The larger-scale system is being used to treat the remainder of the on-site contamination. EPA started constructing the system in May 2020, using samples and other information obtained during the first phase of treatment that used a smaller-scale version of the system.

EPA treated about 10% of the contaminated soil and groundwater at the site under that first phase, which was completed in October 2018.

Construction, originally slated to begin in March 2020, was postponed in consultation with the Village of Holley. Following appropriate Covid-19 health and safety protocols, construction was completed in early June 2021.

The thermal cleanup is a $20 million cleanup project at the former Diaz Chemical site in Holley. The EPA is planning to have about 20 personnel on site for phase 2 of the cleanup on Jackson Street.

The EPA has already spent $12.5 million on the cleanup, using money from the Superfund. The EPA has removed buildings, pipes, drums and tanks. Only two warehouses remain from Diaz, which declared bankruptcy and abandoned the site in 2002. The company operated for about 30 years in Holley.

The final phase of treatment targets 1.5 acres of the site and will be performed in two stages. The treatment system is projected to operate for up to four years to clean up the site.

Thermal treatment system

The thermal treatment system uses heat to turn the contaminants in the soil and groundwater

into vapors. The vapors will then be captured by extraction wells and treated by a combination of compression, cooling, condensation and granular activated carbon. The system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, EPA will excavate soil from two areas. The excavated soil will be consolidated, thermally treated, and disposed of off-site, the EPA said. The excavated areas will be backfilled with clean soil. EPA will monitor the air around the perimeter, monitor noise, and follow a traffic control plan to minimize disruptions to the neighborhood.

After the second phase of operations is completed, EPA will remove the treatment equipment and restore the property. This will include regrading the site to ensure it has proper drainage and revegetation so as to prevent erosion.

27 Thruway Service areas to be modernized in $450 million project

Press Release, NYS Thruway Authority

The New York State Thruway Authority announced construction will begin this month on a $450 million project to redevelop the 27 service areas located on the New York State Thruway.

The service areas were originally built in the 1950s, with the last significant redevelopment taking place in the 1990s. On July 29, ten service areas will close for work to begin on the first phase of the project. Fuel services will remain available at all locations during construction.

The following service areas will close on July 29 for redevelopment:

• Ardsley (I-87 northbound, mile marker 6)
• Plattekill (I-87 northbound, mile marker 65)
• New Baltimore (I-87 northbound and southbound, mile marker 127)
• Indian Castle (I-90 eastbound, mile marker 210)
• Iroquois (I-90 westbound, mile marker 210)
• Chittenango (I-90 westbound, mile marker 266)
• Junius Ponds (I-90 westbound, mile marker 324)
• Clifton Springs (I-90 eastbound, mile marker 337)
• Clarence (I-90 westbound, mile marker 412)
• Pembroke (I-90 eastbound, mile marker 397)

Following a competitive bidding process, Empire State Thruway Partners was awarded the contract and will rebuild 23 of the 27 service area restaurant buildings and provide significant renovations and upgrades to the remaining four. The contract with Empire State Thruway Partners includes a 33-year term, with two phases of construction. The project is funded through a public-private partnership, and no toll dollars or state tax dollars are being used.

“This expansive project will modernize the buildings and amenities, provide diverse and healthy food options with new restaurants and Taste NY products, and enhance the amenities for the commercial trucking industry,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll. “This is an exciting era for the Thruway Authority and we can’t wait for our customers to experience these new modern facilities.”

Most buildings at the new service areas will be configured to provide entrances from both the parking lot and fuel station facilities. New amenities and services at select service areas will also include:

• Exterior seating with access to Taste NY farm markets, picnic areas, play areas, and pet walking areas with comfort stations
• EV charging stations to further Governor Cuomo’s goals of reducing emissions and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure across the state
• Commercial driver services including increased truck parking, showers, laundry facilities and fitness centers

The Thruway Authority announced the new food concepts which will be available to customers as part of the redevelopment project. Customers will have diverse food options at all 27 service areas, offering a range of healthy products and meals from nationally recognized restaurants.

The expanded food concepts include: Shake Shack, Panera, Popeyes, Burger King, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Taste NY and Applegreen Convenience Store.

Specific locations for the food concepts will be announced at a later date.

In 2022, work will continue on six additional service areas. Phase two includes 11 service areas with renovations expected to begin in 2023. To ensure continuity of services to Thruway customers during construction, no two consecutive service areas in the same direction of travel will be closed for renovations at the same time.

Construction is expected to begin in 2022 at the following service areas:

• Sloatsburg (I-87 northbound, mile marker 33)
• Ulster (I-87 southbound, mile marker 96)
• Pattersonville (I-90 westbound, mile marker 168)
• Oneida (I-90 eastbound, mile marker 244)
• Seneca (I-90 westbound, mile marker 350)
• Scottsville (I-90 eastbound, mile marker 366)

Provided photo: Staff from the Emergency Department at Medina Memorial Hospital pose with Christine Nenni (the costumed character) and Michelle Wiseman from Best of Tymes Party Rentals, who donated buckets full of toys for children at the emergency department.

MEDINA – Children who are brought to the Emergency Department of Medina Memorial Hospital will find the experience a little less frightening, thanks to the generosity of two local women.

Christine Nenni and Michelle Wiseman, co-owners of Best of Tymes Party Rentals in Albion, have donated numerous buckets of small toys and activities to the Emergency Department, so that children who are brought in will have something to entertain them during a stressful situation, said Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

Nenni and Wiseman founded their business in spite of the pandemic, because they wanted to provide a safe, fun environment where families could get together and spend quality time.

“People couldn’t go out and have fun during Covid, so we decided to bring fun safely to their homes, where they could party with family and friends they knew were safe to be around,” Nenni said. “We had two nieces who turned 13 and their parties were shot down due to the pandemic. We have developed a way to bring safe and affordable fun to everyone.”

Nenni said their party rentals,  which include a bounce house, popcorn machine, nacho station, outdoor games, snow cone machine, and more, cost one-fourth of what similar businesses in the city charge.

This spring, the women decided they wanted to help children in the area, so they contacted the Department of Social Services, Medina Central School, which has a backpack program, and the Medina hospital, and they began donating buckets of small toys.

Smith and Angela Moriarty, Emergency Department manager, couldn’t be more appreciative of the donations.

“Our ER at Medina Memorial Hospital sees around 850 children under the age of 12 in a year, so these types of donations are wonderful to bring joy to kids during a difficult time,” Smith said.

Moriarty hopes Best of Tymes Party Rentals’ gesture will prompt the community to pitch in and donate similar items. In the past, staff of the ED have been purchasing items for children out of their own pockets.

“We typically buy dollar store or Oriental Trading Company-type items, like stuffed animals, books, puzzle games, activity books, toy cars and dolls,” Moriarty said. “Sometimes families don’t want their children to bring home things they’ve played with while there were here, because of fear of infection, so it gets thrown away.”

Any items may be dropped off at the hospital’s front reception desk.

Nenni and Wiseman have developed ways to entertain children, while maintaining Covid safety precautions. At Christmas, they set up an event at their home where Santa sat on a bench on one side of the area and the children were on the other side.

At Easter, the women went to Burger King, McDonalds and Case-Nic Cookies and got items donated from each, which they included in the buckets handed out to children. The Easter Bunny (wearing one of their party rental costumes) rode in the back of their pickup truck while they drove around, mostly in the rural areas, handing out goodies.

Nenni said the idea to help children evolved from the fact Wiseman is a single mom and knows how hard it is for some families to buy even the smallest treats for their children. The women plan to continue their “bucket program” in the future and intend to contact Medina Police and Fire Department and COVA to see how Best of Tymes Party Rentals can work with them to help children.

‘Until the governor admits bail reform was a failed experiment with deadly consequences, I fear the terrible violence in our communities will persist.’ – Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday declared a state of emergency due to a surge in gun violence in the state.

Republicans in the State Legislature have responded to Cuomo’s declaration, faulting him and the majority in the Legislature for recent criminal justice reforms.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “Days after finally relinquishing his emergency powers, the Governor has declared another emergency. The crisis in cities across our state today directly correlates with the passage of the disastrous bail and other criminal justice ‘reforms,’ and out-of-control Parole Board that has released countless murderers and other dangerous criminals, and calls by democrats to defund our police.

“These heinous acts of violence and the victims affected deserve real solutions — not political grandstanding.”

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay: “On the issue of Andrew Cuomo’s gun violence disaster emergency, there is very little difference between New York’s status as ‘first in the nation’ and ‘worst in the nation.’ The governor’s decision to issue yet another executive order and declare gun violence a public health emergency is another example of his incessant need to circumvent the Legislature and dictate policy from his bully pulpit.

“His announcement ignores the reality that crime rates have spiked across the state in almost direct correlation with liberals’ consistent passage of pro-criminal policies that return violent offenders to the community and undermine the efforts of police to do their jobs.

“The executive order is an admission that the measures New York Democrats have advanced – on guns, on crime, on violence – have completely failed. Andrew Cuomo and his friends fail to acknowledge that getting guns off the streets will have very little impact until there’s a commitment to keeping criminals off the streets as well.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia: “This emergency declaration is yet another instance of the governor going above our heads in the Legislature to haphazardly expend funds aimed to try and solve the wrong root problem.

“The reason for the rise in crime as of late is no mystery, and until the governor admits bail reform was a failed experiment with deadly consequences, I fear the terrible violence in our communities will persist. Our constitutional freedom to own guns isn’t the problem that’s causing this violence, it’s the dangerous revolving-door the governor has created in our penal system that’s giving dangerous individuals more opportunities than ever to harm the innocent, or victims of their previous crimes.”

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing his annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., taking place from Sept. 16 to 19, where veterans and their family members are hosted on a tour throughout the area to visit several historical sites and landmarks.

This year’s tour will feature stops at war memorials throughout the DC area including Arlington National Cemetery. The first day includes a stop at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Previous tours have included stops at the White House, the Capitol Building, Mt. Vernon, the Annapolis Naval Academy and various museums.

Participation in the trip is open to all military veterans and their family members and will cost $475 per person (includes all food, accommodation, travel, and other expenses). Those interested in participating in this year’s trip are encouraged to reach out to Assemblyman Hawley’s district office at 585-589-5780.

“The Patriot Trip has been an important way of giving back to our veterans for years now, so after having to cancel last year’s trip, I’m elated to be able to resume the trips this year,” said Hawley. “This year will be our 14th trip, so I encourage all interested veterans to reach out to my office and join us on a trip to remember!”

Photo courtesy Elba Central School: Gretchen Rosales

ELBA – Gretchen Rosales, a two-time Kendall teacher of the year, has been named district superintendent at Elba Central School.

“Gretchen’s experience combined with her knowledge of the district and her passion will serve her well,” Mike Augello, president of the Elba Board of Education, said on the district’s Facebook page. “She will also carry on in helping us reach our goals and continue our growth. We are confident that with Gretchen’s guidance we will do great things. It is quite an accomplishment to move from an Elba graduate to our Superintendent!”

Rosales is expected to start as superintendent in mid-August. She has been the principal of Elba Junior/Senior High School since 2019. Previously, she was the assistant principal of Alexander Middle/High School.

From 2015-2017, she served as an instructional support specialist and middle school department chair at the Kendall Central School.

Rosales began her career in education in 1998 as an English as a Second Language teaching assistant/long-term Spanish substitute for Elba.

Along with teaching at Elba Central Schools, she has taught at St. Anthony’s School, El Campo High School in Texas, and Kendall Central Schools. Rosales also taught at the college level and was an adjunct instructor at Genesee Community College.

“I am thrilled to continue my service to the Elba Central School District in the new role of Superintendent,” Rosales said in a press release from the district. “I feel a great responsibility to the school and community, as my roots are here.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with other schools in the area to further the needs of rural schools, while focusing on the traditions of the Elba community. Now is an exceptional time to be a leader in education; I am humbled and excited to take on this position.”

Her specialized training includes restorative practices in instruction and discipline, and creating inclusive schools and trauma-informed teaching.

Rosales has many honors and awards including as the two-time recipient of the Kendall Junior/Senior High School Teacher of the Year Award. She earned the HEB Excellence in Education Award while teaching in Texas.

Rosales earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, as well as, a Master of Science in Spanish and Secondary Education from SUNY Geneseo. She holds two Master of Science degrees from SUNY Stony Brook, one in Higher Education Administration and another in Educational Leadership and Administration. She holds New York State Certifications in Spanish 7-12 and as a School District Administrator. Rosales also earned her teaching certifications in Texas in Spanish 6-12 and English as a Second Language K-12.

“As a visible and engaged leader, we are confident that Gretchen Rosales is the best choice for our district,” Augello said. “We look forward to working with Gretchen as we deliver the best education possible for our students.”

ALBION – An Akron man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Curt today to criminally negligent homicide for his role in a fatal drug overdose of a Medina woman in March 2020.

Anthony V. Abraham, 33, admitted in court to taking the Medina woman to Rochester to get cocaine. He had told the woman’s family they were going out to dinner.

The woman, 26, was recovering from injuries from a serious automobile accident and was staying with her grandmother in Medina while recuperating. She also had some level of brain damage from the auto accident, said District Attorney Joe Cardone.

The cocaine was laced with fentanyl. The Medina woman would suffer a fatal overdose at her grandmother’s home.

Although an unintentional death, Cardone said Abraham clearly facilitated her access to the drugs and the use of the cocaine with fentanyl.

With criminally negligent homicide, a person has a “gross deviation” from the standard level of care by a reasonable person, causing substantial and justifiable risk to another person, said Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Abraham pleaded guilty and will face a maximum of six months in jail and up to five years on probation when he is sentenced on Sept. 29. If Abraham violates terms of probation, he could be sent to state prison for 1 1/3 to 4 years.

In another case in County Court today, a Batavia man pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Johnny Sponaugle, 45, admitted to selling cocaine to an informant from Orleans County on Aug. 5, 2019. Sponaugle said he provided the cocaine while meeting the informant at the Burger King in Batavia.

As part of a plea agreement, he will face a maximum of 2 years in state prison, plus one year of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on Sept. 29. If he went to trial, he risked being found guilty and being sentenced to up to 5 ½ years in prison.