Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are seeking information about the location of a dog and its owner following a dog bite incident on Thursday, April 8, around 3:20 pm.

The person was walking on the sidewalk near Batavia Gardens Apartments heading west towards Jerome Place in Batavia.

The dog is described as a tan Chihuahua. The dog was accompanied by a 16-18 year old male who was described as tall and thin with brown/dark/dirty blonde, semi long shaggy hair. He was wearing a black hoodie, pants and glasses. He had headphones on and was paying attention to his phone at the time of the incident.

It is important to locate the dog to determine whether or not it is current on its rabies shot. If the health status is not identified, post exposure rabies shots will be offered to the victim.

If you have information about the location of the dog and its owner, please contact the Health Department in Genesee County at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.

Spring is here and animals are out more, so “love your own…leave the rest alone.” All wild and unknown animals (even dogs and cats) should be avoided whenever possible since the possibility of exposures to rabies can occur anywhere and anytime.

ALBION – The Board of Education on Monday adopted a $37,801,291 budget for 2021-22 that doesn’t increase taxes for the 13^th time in the past 15 years.

The budget keeps the tax levy at $8,449,094 in property taxes, the same for at least the past three years.

“You’ve done very well here,” Bart Schuler, interim business administrator, told the Board of Education on Monday evening. “You’ve had a lot of great vision. There is no need to raise the taxes.”

The district is able to stave off a tax increase mainly due to more state aid. The state funding is budgeted to increase by $669,603 from $27,543,861 to $28,213,464. The state aid accounts for 74.6 percent of the district’s budget.

The budget increases spending up 2.61 percent from $36,841,032 to $37,801,299. The spending plan will go before district voters on May 18 with ballots to be cast from noon to 8 p.m. in the elementary school gymnasium. That is a change from where the election is usually held in the district office conference room. Having the vote in the gym will spread people out, said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent.

The proposed budget maintains all existing programs and also allows for a $100,000 elevator rehab project in the middle school.

The district will go over the budget in more detail during a budget hearing on May 11 at 7 p.m. That hearing will be held virtually and not in-person.

The vote on May 18 will include a proposition to spend $550,000 from a bus reserve fund, and a proposition to collect $724,260 for Hoag Library.

There will also be two members elected to the Board of Education to five-year terms. Those seats are currently filled by Curt Schmitt and Marlene Seielstad. Candidates for the positions have until April 19 to submit petitions signed by at least 25 qualified voters.

In other action at Monday’s board meeting, the BOE:

• Appointed Richard Recckio II as school business administrator at a salary of $92,000.

• Recognized Bailey Blanchard with the high school leadership award and Dominic DiGiulio with the high school character award.

• Observed a moment of silence for two former district employees who recently passed away.

Elsie Barringer, a former cafeteria worker, was 92 when she died on March 7, 2021.

Gary Parisi, a social studies teacher who also coached softball and football for Albion, was 61 when he died from cancer on March 24 at age 61. Parisi also was part of Albion’s summer camp programs. He retired from Albion this past September.

“He left a positive impact,” said Wayne Wadhams, a BOE member.

• Accepted the notice of retirements on June 30 from Mary Susan Webster, keyboard specialist in the elementary school, and William Webster, a cleaner.

BOE member Margy Brown praised Webster for giving a welcoming first impression for students and visitors to the elementary school for many years.

• Approved a new $500 recurring scholarship to be funded by the Albion Police Benevolent Association, which will choose the annual awardee.

Provided photo: Brent Sensenich (left), manager of FMC’s Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport, awards the first “FMC & You: Community Mini-Grant” to the FFA Chapter at Royalton-Hartland High School. Accepting the $250 grant is from (far left to right) Ashton Becker, a senior and FAA chapter vice president, and her sister, Lorna Becker, a sophomore and FAA chapter president. The grant will be used to fund activities for a future Niagara County Agriculture Day. FMC is now accepting grant applications from organizations, groups and projects in the towns of Royalton and Hartland.

Press Release, FMC’s Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport

MIDDLEPORT – FMC Corporation’s Agricultural Sciences Plant in Middleport is now accepting applications from organizations, groups and projects in the towns of Royalton and Hartland for financial support offered through FMC’s Community Mini-Grants program.

Entitled “FMC & You: Community Mini-Grants,” the program awards individual grants of up to $250 per request that support one or more of  FMC’s four primary philanthropic areas of Health and Human Services, Education and Science, Environment and Conservation, and Arts and Culture.

“During these times when resources may be limited, FMC is proud to support the efforts of many worthwhile organizations to make our communities better places to live,” said Brent Sensenich, FMC Middleport Agricultural Sciences plant manager.

Grant applications are available at www.FMC-Middleport.com or by mailing, emailing or calling Jessica Heideman at the FMC Community Office at 8 S. Vernon St., Middleport, NY 14105, Jessica.Heideman@fmc.com and 716-735-9769. Deadline for monthly submissions is the last day of the month.

To launch this community funding effort, the first $250 Community Mini-Grant has been awarded to the student Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter in the Royalton-Hartland School District.

FFA is a student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. Matthew Sweeney, FFA faculty advisor, said the funds will be used toward a future Niagara County Agriculture Day to educate young people on the healthy food options available through local agriculture.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – This past week the Board of Education and district administrators convened for a diversity training titled “Dismantling Systemic Racism” hosted by the Four County School Boards Association.

The training included detailed discussions on implicit bias, why the language we use is important, racism at an individual, institutional, and systemic level, and how to dismantle it in our schools.

Over the course of an hour, Albion board members and administrators watched instructional videos and participated in educational activities, expanding their knowledge of systemic racism and identifying preventative measures that can be taken to protect our families.

This was the first of many steps Superintendent Mickey Edwards has planned to guide board members and administrators through in order to promote a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students and our staff.

Press Release, International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board

Lower than average precipitation and winter snowpack runoff have resulted in decreased inflows to Lake Ontario. The reduced inflows have resulted in lower water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

In response to these conditions, the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board has decided to reduce outflows from Lake Ontario beginning April 10.

During January and February this year, the Board was deviating under authority granted by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to remove additional water from Lake Ontario as a result of the risk analysis in December 2020 showing approximately a 28% chance of water levels exceeding a damaging high water threshold in 2021. A total of 9.4 cm (3.7 inches) was removed from Lake Ontario to further reduce the risk of potentially damaging high water levels in late spring and early summer.

Due to the reduced spring runoff, the Board has decided to reduce outflows below those specified by the plan to restore the extra water removed during the winter to Lake Ontario at a rate of approximately 2 cm (0.8 in) of water to Lake Ontario per week for the next three weeks. After these 3 weeks, the Board will revert to plan-prescribed outflows.

This strategy will allow Lake Ontario and Lake St. Lawrence water levels to increase more than they would under plan-prescribed flows over the next few weeks. It now appears likely that Lake Ontario levels will remain below long-term average over the summer unless very wet weather occurs.

ALBION – An Albion man pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court last week to first-degree reckless endangerment for firing two shots from a rifle on Jan. 2, 2020 at Roadies Pizzeria and Sports Bar on Route 98 in Carlton. One of the rounds was recovered inside the pizzeria and sports bar.

Scott Foley, 53, also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and driving while intoxicated. He will be sentenced on June 9 and could face a maximum of 4 ½ years in state prison plus two years of post-release supervision.

Foley had rejected previous plea offers and a trial was supposed to start April 21. But Foley agreed to a plea agreement last week.

Foley was at Roadies on Jan. 2, 2020 and was asked to leave by one of the co-owners after a “disturbance,” DA Joe Cardone said in court on Feb. 20, 2020. Foley left and returned, allegedly shooting a rifle from the parking lot.

Cardone, in a previous court appearance, said Foley showed a depraved indifference to human life by firing the rifle twice from his vehicle in the parking lot.

New York State is following the federal government’s lead in pausing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine “out of an abundance of caution,” said Dr. Howard Zucker, the state’s health commissioner.

The FDA and CDC recommended the vaccine the state’s pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six reported cases of a rare and severe blood clot. Nearly 7 million of the J & J vaccines have been administered in the U.S.

Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Johnson & Johnson developed a one-shot vaccine, whereas the others are two shots.

Zucker said the health and safety agencies will evaluate the next steps.

“As the CDC and FDA have said, any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ‘appear to be extremely rare’ and, ‘People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.’” Zucker said in a statement.

Photos courtesy of Jeremiah Knight

ALBION – Orleans Hub had an article posted on Monday about the ravens’ nest built in a crevice of the Orleans County Courthouse. We had photos of the nest, but none of the ravens which have been having around the Courthouse Square for about two months.

Jeremiah Knight has several photos of one of the ravens. He took the photos of the bird on one of the spires on top of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Holy Family Parish).

Knight took the photos from Park Street.

“There are two mates,” Knight said. “I see at least one of them every day.”

He is looking forward to seeing the baby ravens in flight.

“Wouldn’t that be awesome?” he said.

Press Release, GCASA

Added to the list of programs offered by Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse last September, the GCASA Reentry Program continues to provide support to men and women seeking to find their place in the community after being incarcerated

“The main goal of this program is to help reduce or remove some of the barriers that are associated with reentry,” said Christopher Budzinack, program coordinator. “As a former offender myself, I know how difficult this can be and we just want make sure our clients have an opportunity to get all the support they need in order to be successful.”

Simply put, the GCASA Reentry Program provides case management and peer recovery services to those who have been in jail or prison by connecting them to the following necessities:

• Substance use disorder treatment;
• Mental health treatment;
• Housing, food and clothing;
• Employment and/or job training;
• Childcare;
• Transportation;
• Medical care.

Eligible individuals are those who have a history of substance use, who were sentenced to jail or prison for a minimum of three months and who are returning to communities in Genesee County or Orleans County.

For more information about the GCASA Reentry Program, call 585-813-6570 or send an email to cbudzinack@gcasa.org.

File photo: Some members of the 4-H robotics team get their robot ready for competition in March 2019 at Rochester Institute of Technology. From left include Jayden Neal, Jack Finley, coach/mentor Jody Neal, Lance Moyer and Jace Conn.

KNOWLESVILLE – A local farm has picked the 4-H robotics program as the recipient of a $2,500 grant from the “America’s Farmers Grow Communities” program.

That program is sponsored by the Bayer Fund and partners with farmers to provide grants to local nonprofits to help their communities.

Local dairy farm Poverty Hill Farms, owned by the Neal family and based on Countyhouse Road in Albion, recently directed a $2,500 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to the Orleans County 4-H robotics program. The program will use the funds towards achieving their goal of building a STEM and robotics workshop.

Jody Neal, one of the farm’s owners, is a coach and mentor in the robotics program. His sons, Jayden and Zachary, are both part of the program.

“We are so grateful to Poverty Hill Farms for their support of the Orleans County 4-H robotics program,” said Kristina Gabalski, CCE Orleans 4-H Educator. “The on-site STEM and Robotics Workshop is something that is critical for the program and will be a huge benefit to local youth who learn technology, leadership, problem-solving and many more life skills through their participation in the robotics program.”

Since 2010, the America’s Farmers programs have awarded more than $59 million to nonprofits, aspiring ag students and public schools across rural America. Farmers are leaders in their communities, which is why America’s Farmers programs rely on them to help identify the most worthy causes.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone, including those in rural regions, and farmers play a critical role in helping communities overcome challenges, like the ones we’re currently facing,” said Al Mitchell, Bayer Fund president. “Bayer Fund is proud to work side-by-side with farmers to identify local eligible nonprofit organizations that are able to provide their residents with solutions that leave a lasting impact.”

To learn more about how America’s Farmers programs are making an impact, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is allowing walk-ins at two vaccinations clinics this week – GCC in Batavia on Wednesday and the Ridgeway fire hall on Thursday.

Currently there are about 1,000 doses available for the two days. As of about 6 p.m. today that includes 802 spots at GCC from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Click here to register online. Walk-ins will be accepted from 1 to 4 p.m.

The clinic on Thursday at Ridgeway will be from 12:45 to 5:30 p.m. There are currently 245 spots available. Click here to make an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted from 1 to 3 p.m.

These clinics are for the Moderna vaccine, which is available for anyone 18 and older.

Today’s clinic at Ridgeway had nearly 300 of the vaccine doses go unclaimed through appointments.

Actives cases in past week for 2 counties up from 131 to 169

There are 64 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Genesee and Orleans counties since the last update on Friday afternoon, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The new cases bring the total to 7,507 in the two counties in the past 13 months of the pandemic, which includes 2,665 in Orleans and 4,842 in Genesee.

In Orleans County there are 19 new positive cases since Friday. Those new cases are residents in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 70s.

The G-O Health Departments said one of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

There are currently 2 Orleans County residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 45 new positive cases, and they include residents in West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.

Genesee is reporting 31 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Five Genesee County residents are currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Of the new cases, 2 are residents of Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Batavia.

• Active cases continue to increase: The number of active cases in the two counties is at 169 today, compared to 131 a week ago, and 97 two weeks ago.

The active cases right now include 77 in Orleans compared to 45 a week ago, and 92 in Genesee compared to 86 a week ago.

Events can exceed 100 indoors and 200 outdoors depending on size of venues

Photo by Tom Rivers: Carol D’Agostino, the Kendall High School principal, addresses the graduates and the crowd during commencement last June 26. She is joined on stage by Lisa Levett (left), president of the Board of Education, and Julie Christensen, district superintendent. The stage was donated for use by Kludt Farms. The event was moved from the school auditorium to the lawn at the Fire Department. The state last year set the maximum size at 150 people for graduation ceremonies, unless people were in cars. Kendall decided to have an outdoor ceremony and allow families to drive in and park.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new updated guidance for graduation and commencement ceremonies organized by schools, colleges and universities.

Effective May 1, indoor and outdoor graduation and commencement ceremonies will be allowed with limited attendee capacity, depending on the event size and the location (e.g., stadium, arena, arts and entertainment venue).

All event organizers and venues hosting ceremonies must follow the state’s strict health and safety protocols, including requiring face masks, social distancing, health screenings and collection of contact tracing information. Detailed guidance for graduation events is available by clicking here.

“We’re once again approaching the end of the academic year which means we need strict rules in place to ensure commencement ceremonies are done safely in the context of the ongoing pandemic,” Cuomo said. “With more people getting vaccinated every day, we are so close to the light at the end of the tunnel, but we all need to continue being vigilant and I am urging everyone to celebrate smart.”

For events that exceed the social gathering limits of 100 people indoors or 200 people outdoors, event organizers and venues must notify the local health department and require attendees to show proof of a recent negative test result or proof of completed immunization prior to entry.

These requirements are consistent with the state’s guidance for other congregate commercial and social activities, including catered receptions, performing arts, and sports competitions.

Outdoor Events:

• Large-scale ceremonies of over 500 people at outdoor venues will be limited to 20 percent of capacity, applicable to venues with a total capacity of 2,500 or more.
• Medium-scale ceremonies of 201-500 people at outdoor venues will be limited to 33 percent of capacity.
• Small-scale ceremonies of up to 200 people or 2 attendees per student at outdoor venues will be limited to 50 percent of capacity. Proof of recent negative test result or proof of completed immunization is optional.

Indoor Events:

• Large-scale ceremonies of over 150 people at indoor venues will be limited to 10 percent of capacity, applicable to venues with a total capacity of 1,500 or more.
• Medium-scale ceremonies of 101-150 people at indoor venues will be limited to 33 percent of capacity.
• Small-scale ceremonies of up to 100 people or 2 attendees per student at indoor venues will be limited to 50 percent of capacity. Proof of recent negative test result or proof of completed immunization is optional.

This announcement builds on the Governor’s recent measures to further re-open the economy amid a steady decline in New York’s Covid-19 positivity and hospitalization rates.

Governor Cuomo announced that professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity and smaller, regional sports venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors can also reopen, with an initial capacity limited to 10 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors, beginning April 1.

The Governor also announced, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoor, beginning April 2nd. Additionally, on March 15th, Governor Cuomo announced wedding receptions and catered events could expand to larger scale events subject to following the Department of Health guidance.

The state is sending 35,000 vaccines to the student population at SUNY schools and private colleges.

This initial allocation will include 21,000 vaccines to be administered to SUNY students and 14,000 vaccines to be administered at private colleges. The vaccines will be administered to residential and non-commuter students who are leaving for the summer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today.

“We’re now focusing on students, and we want to get students vaccinated before the end of the school year,” Cuomo said. “The 18 to 24 population is growing in positivity, and many of them are in colleges and universities. It makes all the sense in the world to use the schools as the base for the vaccine.”

Cuomo urged people to get the vaccine to “help us stamp out the Covid beast.” There have been 12 million doses administered so far in the state, and Cuomo said “overwhelmingly data shows it’s safe and effective.”

He said many young adults see themselves as superheroes, that Covid can’t affect them. But the governor said younger people have died or been badly sickened by Covid. Many others without severe symptoms have “long haul” symptoms and have been affected for months.

Others without symptoms can still spread the virus to others.

“Do you want to play Russian roulette with your life?” he said about people not wanting to get the vaccine.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said the SUNY system will push to have students vaccinated before they leave for summer break. Getting students vaccinated “is the key to restoring normalcy on our campuses when students return in the fall,” he said.

Courtesy of DOT: This map shows where the bridge will be replaced on Route 104 in the Town of Ridgeway.

RIDGEWAY – The upcoming bridge replacement on Route 104 over the Oak Orchard Creek has caused concern for the growing kayaking community.

The Oak orchard has become a very popular spot for kayakers, who pass underneath the bridge over Route 104.

That bridge will be closed to motorists beginning in two weeks on April 26 with an anticipated reopening in early September.

Union Concrete and Construction Corp. of West Seneca is the general contractor on the project. John Olinger, Ridgeway highway superintendent, spoke with Union officials and the company said the Oak Orchard will remain open to kayakers.

“During the project they will have signs and a spotter to direct all river traffic,” Olinger said today. “Union Concrete is the company that is doing the work , and have plenty of safety measures in place so everyone stays safe. They will be working 6 days a week and have Sunday off.”

There will be times when no traffic will be allowed such as when they are removing steel or setting or removing parts of the new or old bridge, said Town Supervisor Brian Napoli.

The state Department of Transportation is overseeing the $2.65 million bridge replacement, which is 80 percent funded by the federal government with the state paying the other 20 percent.

The new bridge will replace one from 1954. The new bridge is a single span multi-girder bridge featuring two 12-foot-wide travel lanes and two 6-foot-wide shoulders. New approaches will also be constructed as part of the project. The new bridge is expected to last at least 75 years.