It’s flu season and cases are started to show up, especially in Western New York.

The State Health Department reported there were 197 cases of the flu from Nov. 8-14, and 102 of those were in Western New York.

Erie County had the most with 79. Orleans County didn’t have any confirmed cases that week, but its neighbors had some. Genesee County had two cases, while Niagara reported six cases, and Monroe had 9.

So far this flu season there are 648 cases. The 197 from Nov. 8-14 are up 17 percent from the 162 the previous week.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department encourage people to get their flu shots to build up their immunity.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brian Bruski takes down a sugar maple located between two houses on East Park Street in Albion today.

Part of the tree fell in last week’s wind storm, totaling a resident’s vehicle.

Bruski, owner of B & B Tree Surgeons in Albion, said he has been working in the tree business for 42 years, since he was 14. He has owned his own company since 1993, and works between Buffalo and Rochester.

Bruski is up about 50 feet in his bucket truck, taking the tree down in sections. He tied a rope on the big branches so when they were cut they wouldn’t land on a house.

A flock of geese flew by while Bruski worked on taking down the tree.

Photo courtesy of Medina Police Department

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department’s Police Benevolent Association has used donations collected from “No Shave November” to purchase Thanksgiving meals for some local family.

Pictured from left are PBA Union President Greg Fraser, First Presbyterian Pastor William Wilkinson and Police Chief Chad Kenward.

Members of the Police Department were allowed to grow facial hair during “No Shave November” and collect donations to be giving to a good cause.

This year the PBA chose to purchase Thanksgiving dinners for local families. The Medina Area Association of Churches helped to select recipients. Today the meals were purchased and delivered by MPD police officers.

Hospitalizations from Covid up to 17 in the 2 counties

Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting 106 new cases of Covid-19 since Friday, and also 73 recoveries of people who had Covid and have been released from mandatory isolation.

Orleans has 29 new confirmed cases since Friday,  bringing the county’s total to 571 since March.

The new positive cases are residents of Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates.

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Nine individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Department reported this afternoon.

Orleans also has 36 more recoveries of people who tested positive for Covid and have been removed from the isolation list.

The county has two people hospitalized due to Covid.

(The Health Department also reported that four of the 29 new totals being reported today were not included in the mandatory isolation count as their positive test results were received after their isolation period was completed. The local health officials encourage anyone who has been tested to self-isolate and limit contact with others while waiting on the test results, especially if there are symptoms.)

• Inmate at Albion Correctional tests positive: An inmate has a confirmed case of Covid at the Albion Correctional Facility. This is the tenth inmate to test positive at the women’s prison.

• Albion Middle Schooler tests positive for Covid: The Albion school district also reported this afternoon that a Middle School student tested positive for Covid on Saturday, Nov. 21. The student is a hybrid learner in the middle school.

Since the student was last in school on Friday, Nov. 13, the Health Department determined there is no need to do further contact tracing due to the 48-hour look-back period, school officials said on the district website.

In Genesee County, there are 77 new confirmed cases since Friday, bringing the county’s total to 729 since March.

The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Pembroke.

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The Health Department reports that 37 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.

In Genesee, there are 15 people hospitalized due to Covid, which is up from eight on Friday.

• 3-county data: Click here to see the confirmed cases in genes, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are currently 254 active cases in the three counties, with 168 in Genesee, 36 in Orleans and 50 in Wyoming.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, with a stop in Greene County today, has completed a 62-county tour of the state. This is the 22nd year he has made it to all 62 counties.

Schumer was able to go to all of the counties despite Covid-19 and the increasing demands of his role in the U.S. Senate as minority leader.

Schumer said he is the first state-wide elected official to visit every single county in New York each year he has been in office.

“Twenty-two years ago, upon my election to the United States Senate in 1998, I promised that each and every year I served, I would visit all 62 of New York State’s diverse counties,” Schumer said. “Not only has this ritual remained a steadfast passion of mine because of all I learn from my constituents and bring to Washington, D.C. as both a senator and the Democratic Leader of the Senate.”

Schumer said he made 86 visits to upstate New York and Long Island. Last Thursday he was in Orleans County at Medina Memorial Hospital to highlight the need for federal funding to expand Covid testing in rural areas, especially options for free testing sites.

“Especially this year, when New York battled the global health and economic pandemic especially hard, visiting all 62 counties was vital for me to learn firsthand the struggles and needs of New Yorkers, from one end of the state to the other,” Schumer said. “Through a year that much has changed – I, too, traveled with masks and disinfectant in tow to much smaller and more understated events – one thing remained the same: my commitment, dedication, and love for New York.”

In recent years some of Schumer’s stop in Orleans County included:

• On Nov. 27, 2019, Schumer visited Miller’s Organic Hemp Farm on Route 98 in Carlton to discuss the emerging hemp industry and the need for federal government to improve regulations for sampling and testing hemp. Terry and Gina Miller hosted Schumer’s visit to their farm.

• Schumer was at the Village of Holley Police Department on Aug. 24, 2018 when he was in Orleans County. He launched a push to pass the “Providing Officers with Electronic Resources (POWER) Act” as part of a package of bills to address the opioids crisis across Upstate New York and the United States.

• The senator stopped in Kendall on Oct. 9, 2017 at the Eagle Creek Marina to highlight a push for federal funds for infrastructure updates that will improve Great Lakes fisheries and restore habitats through the Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act.

• On Nov. 11, 2016, Schumer joined Nelson Leenhouts, chairman and CEO of Home Leasing, to discuss the importance of keeping federal tax incentives for redeveloping historic sites, including the former Holley High School. Those tax credits were an importance piece in allowing Home Leasing to complete the $17 million renovation. Schumer also observed Veterans Day at the Holley VFW earlier that day.

• Anthony Piedimonte Farms in Hulberton hosted Schumer on June 29, 2015 to discuss a June 9 computer crash of the federal system that processes temporary farm-working visas. Schumer joined local farmers and urged the U.S. Department of State to fix the computer glitch. That computer crash created a backlog of stalled applications and prevented farms across the state from accessing legal temporary workers to harvest their crops.

• Aug. 14, 2014, Schumer was in Holley at the former Diaz Chemical, where he pressed the federal EPA to continue a Superfund cleanup.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer shakes hands with Terry Miller, owner of Miller’s Organic Hemp Farm, during a stop at the farm on Nov. 27, 2019.

Event that honors memory of Nicholas Kovaleski has raised $25K for scholarships in 10 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: Dancers rehearse the opening number of the 10thannual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. Performers will be videotaped today with the show available to watch online beginning Dec. 4. A $10 purchase gives 24 hours of access of watching the show. There are also baskets up for raffle. Tickets can also be purchased online for the baskets or in person at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy.

ALBION – Covid won’t be stopping the 10^th annual Hometown Christmas show in Albion. While there won’t be an in-person audience the show will be available to watch online.

Nicholas Kovaleski

Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, has directed the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas shows the past decade. They honor the memory of one of her dancers.

Nicholas Kovaleski also excelled in football, swimming and tennis for Albion, and was a Boy Scout. He valiantly battled leukemia and passed away at age 15 on June 29, 2011.

The Hometown Christmas show includes some of Miss Amy’s dancers and other performers from the community, including singing by Gary Simboli, Marcy Downey and Riley Seielstad. Jim Babcock, a local contractor, will appear as Santa and two of his employees, Craig Lane and David Karcz, will be dressed in reindeer costumes.

Sidari also will give a message about love, community and unity during this difficult year.

“With love we can overcome the negativity, the restrictions and feelings of lost hope,” Sidari said. “With Covid, our whole community has gone through its own grief. We’re a group that wants to bring joy to people.”

Kelly Kovaleski will share with the audience about her late son, who was upbeat while pushing himself to excel. The Hometown Christmas shows have raised $25,000 in scholarships which are given to Albion seniors selected by Kelly and Jay Kovaleski who “Live with Purpose.”

Kelly Kovaleski and Amy Sidari have worked together on the Hometown Christmas shows in memory of Kovaleski’s son, who passed away from leukemia at age 15 on June 29, 2011. They are wearing facemasks with the “Live with Purpose” message that a guiding principle in Nicholas’s life.

That was the guiding principle for their son. Albion seniors submit applications for the scholarship, and the Kovaleskis want to honor students who step up for their families and friends.

The scholarships have ranged from $500 to $800. Last year the Kovaleskis were able to award three scholarships – Laiken Ricker, Masey Ferchen and Colby Ferchen were the winners.

The scholarships and fundraising are through the Jim and Diane Salmon Children’s Fund, which is a 501c3 organization, allowing tax exempt donations.

Salmon, a home repair radio host for WHAM in Rochester, had Nicholas as a guest on the show.

“He was sick, but he was wonderful,” Salmon said. “He did a great interview.”

Salmon said the Hometown Christmas continues to honor Nicholas’s memory, and this year provides an important outlet for the performers and the audience.

“This show is a testament of the tenacity of Miss Amy, and Jay and Kelly Kovaleski,” Salmon said. “They have found a way to do the show and do it within the rules.”

Michayla Kovaleski rehearses a dance on Sunday for this year’s Hometown Christmas show. She is Nicholas’s sister and works as a dance instructor at Miss Amy’s. She recently graduated from Nazareth College.

People can purchase an online ticket for $10 and then have 24 hours of access to watch the show, which will be about an hour. The show will be available on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.

Sidari also will host watch parties at the studio for small groups to view the performance on the big screen. (Sidari’s Cabaret at Studio B has already done online shows with Gary Simboli.)

The event also includes the chance to win at least one of 40 baskets donated by the community. Tickets can be purchased and placed in-person at Miss Amy’s or purchased online with notes sent to Miss Amy on which baskets the tickets should go.

For more information on the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas, click here.

Photo courtesy of Jen Lilleby

MEDINA – Lyla Lilleby, 14, of Medina shot her first deer on opening day Saturday while hunting with mom, Jen Lilleby.

Lyla lives in Medina. She got the 6-point on Blackburn’s farm on Fruit Avenue. This is Lyla’s first year of hunting.

“She loves all outdoor sports including fishing with her grampa and is very competitive,” her mother said.

Cost of classic Thanksgiving dinner increases from $46.37 to $49.23

Press Release, New York Farm Bureau

File photo by Tom Rivers: These turkeys were part of the 2014 meat auction at the 4-H Fair in Knowlesville. The cost of a turkey is up about $2 compared to Thanksgiving a year ago.

New York Farm Bureau’s 2020 Market Basket Survey shows the price of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner saw a modest 6 percent uptick from last year’s meal.

The average total price, which includes a 16-pound turkey and other common items found on a holiday dinner table, is $49.23 or a $2.86 increase over last year. (The survey showed the average price for the Thanksgiving dinner was $57.54 in 2018.)

Turkey prices are about $1.41 per pound in New York State, which is about an 11% increase over last year’s average price in this informal survey. Prices found by volunteer shoppers ranged from $.68/lb. to $1.69/lb. This price is above the national average of $1.21/lb. As we move closer to Thanksgiving, turkey prices may continue to drop in the stores, reflecting sales in the final days before the holiday.

The New York numbers revealed price increases in several categories including for a gallon of whole milk, Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Mix, fresh cranberries and a 14-ounce package of cubed stuffing. Some ingredients saw decreases. These include whipping cream and a carrot/celery veggie tray.

This year’s survey also includes a more notable increase for an expanded menu that includes a four-pound ham, five-pound bag of russet potatoes and a package of frozen green beans. When those prices are included, the total meal price jumps to $64.31, more than $4 over last year’s number.

The survey highlights that the classic meal remains affordable with a price point of under five dollars per person for a 10-person meal. The affordability demonstrates that although farmers and ranchers dealt with significant issues this year related to market and distribution disruptions due to the pandemic, consumers are still benefiting from relatively low retail prices, in part because the actual cost of the food – the portion paid to farmers – is only eight cents of each dollar consumers spend on food at the store.

“It has been a challenging year for every New Yorker, but farmers haven’t stopped doing what we do best, growing quality, nutritious food. Market disruptions have affected some prices, but overall, our volunteer shoppers found the traditional dinner remains affordable for many shoppers,” said Darleen Krisher-Meehan, chair of New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee. “While the holiday season may look a little different this year, we should all give thanks that our food supply remains strong and stable thanks to our farmers and employees who have proven to be essential workers in 2020.”

This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and Education Committee and is part of the national effort with the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 35th annual informal national price survey found the average national cost of this year’s feast is $46.90, about $2 less than New York’s number.

New York Farm Bureau’s volunteer shoppers sampled prices at 14 different supermarkets throughout the state trying to get the best prices available, but they did not use promotional coupons or special deals such as “buy one-get one free.” They were also encouraged to use online shopping because of the pandemic.

The shopping list includes 15 common Thanksgiving food items ranging from turkey and rolls to stuffing and celery to pumpkin pie mix, enough to feed 10 people around the dinner table. An average for miscellaneous ingredients, like flour and butter, is also included. The 2020 Thanksgiving survey displayed considerable price variation across the state. The best advice for shoppers is to compare prices to save money.

For more on the survey, click here.

A report on sales tax revenues for the first 10 months of the year shows a significant drop for the state, but an increase in Orleans County.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Office shows sales tax is down $3 billion statewide through October. The total sales tax collected in the state the first 10 months is $46.8 billion.

The sales tax for counties and cities is down 5.2 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2019, according to the comptroller.

Orleans County, however, is up by 7.7 percent or by $1.1 million, from $14.4 million to $15.5 million.

The county’s sales tax has seen some big swings each month: $1.4 million in January (up by $100,000), $1.2 million in February (up by $100,000), $1.9 million in March (up by $500,000), $900,000 in April (down by $500,000), $900,000 in May (down by $400,000), $2.6 million in June (up by $700,000), $1.2 million in July (down by $100,000), $1.2 million in August (down by $200,000), $3.0 million in September (up by $1.0 million) and $1.3 million in October (same as 2019).

The comptroller’s monthly report on October showed a 5.2 percent drop state-wide compared to October of 2019. DiNapoli said that decline is less severe than in other months during the pandemic.

“Statewide local sales tax collections have declined year-over-year for eight straight months,” DiNapoli said in a news release. “Our local governments are on the forefront of the pandemic response and they need financial aid from the federal government to help them get through this crisis.”

DiNapoli reported last month that local sales tax collections dropped 9.5 percent in the July-September quarter, down $452 million from collections in the same quarter of 2019.

“Revenues are down and New York continues to withhold billions of dollars in spending due to the fiscal impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” DiNapoli said. “Caution is needed because rising infection rates may force more shutdowns and even greater economic damage. Washington must respond with more economic stimulus, including real relief for state and local governments.”

While Orleans is up so far in sales tax revenue, that isn’t the case for other local counties. Here are how some nearby counties are doing through the first 10 months of 2020, compared to the same time period last year.

• Genesee County: $33.7 million (down 3.9 percent or by $1.4 million)
• Livingston County: $29.2 million (up 1.0 percent or $300,000)
• Orleans County: $15.5 million (up 7.7 percent or by $1.1 million)
• Wyoming County: $16.0 million (up 2.8 percent or by $400,000)
• Monroe County: $412.6 million (down by 4.1 percent or $27.7 million)
• Niagara County: $104.5 million (down by 1.3 percent or $1.4 million)
• Erie County: $661.0 million (down 2.7 percent or $19.5 million)

Orleans County officials in a tentative 2021 budget plans to continue sharing $1,366,671 with the 10 towns and four villages. That has been the number since 2001.

However, the county is seeing the state take some of the local sales tax and divert it. The county will see $102,814 in its sales tax withheld by the state in January and sent to the Fiscally Distressed Hospital Fund, with another $87,460 to be withheld later 2021, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The county also will have $290,276 taken from its sales tax for AIM (Aid and Incentives to Municipalities). That used to be paid for by the state to some towns and villages but now comes from the local sales tax.

The shifting of sales tax to AIM and the Distressed Hospital Fund will cost the county $480,550, Welch said.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today called on Congress to renew and expand federal support programs for unemployed Americans — many of which have expired or will end just days after Christmas.

The programs provide critical benefits for millions of American families that have faced unemployment as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including supplemental benefits for individuals and support for local and state governments. Cuomo, who is chairman of the National Governors Association, sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to act quickly as states across the country face another surge of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths while millions of Americans remain unemployed.

“The pandemic has not just impacted Americans’ health — it has also created an unprecedented economic crisis. As we enter the holiday season, and as states once again enact stronger measures to stop Covid, critical federal unemployment benefits are about to expire. Inaction from Washington is putting millions of Americans’ financial security at risk.”

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, New York State has paid more than $55 billion in unemployment benefits to 3.8 million New Yorkers — which represents more than 26 typical years’ worth of benefits.

“Congress moved decisively this spring to address the economic impacts of the pandemic and should once again take action before the calendar year ends to bring badly needed support to millions of struggling Americans,” Cuomo said.

Nationwide, more than 20 million Americans are currently receiving unemployment benefits, including 12 million covered by programs that will expire on December 31, 2020. In New York, that includes 1.2 million current claims from New Yorkers receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which provides benefits for freelancers, self-employed workers, and others who do not typically qualify for traditional unemployment benefits, and 682,000 claims from individuals who are receiving 13 additional weeks of benefits under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program after exhausting the 26 weeks of traditional benefits.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – This sign was in the front yard of a residence on Ohio Street, across from Medina Memorial Hospital, showing appreciation for nurses who are on the front lines of providing healthcare in the community.

Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health and the hospital, spoke at a news conference on Thursday outside Medina Memorial with U.S. Sen. Charles Schemer. The senator said he is pushing for federal funding for a free Covid testing site in Orleans County.

Shurtz praised the local healthcare workers for stepping up during the Covid pandemic to serve residents, many who are critically ill.

“Our health workers are on the front lines of this pandemic every day,” Shurtz said at the conference.

Photo by Derek Reiner/Supportive Care of Orleans: Gilbert Cain of Medina, a volunteer at Supportive Care of Orleans (Hospice), was honored this week by the New York State Office for the Aging as an outstanding community service volunteer.

ALBION – Gilbert Cain has volunteered for Hospice (now known as Supportive Care of Orleans) since June 2015. This week, in celebration of the annual Older New Yorkers’ Day, Cain was recognized by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and director of the New York State Office for the Aging, Greg Olsen, in a virtual ceremony.

Because Cain does not have access to the internet, Supportive Care of Orleans streamed the broadcast for him at their Conference and Counseling Center on the Hospice grounds on Route 31 in Albion.

Hospice patients and family members are amazed all Cain does at the age of 85. He has mastered the hospice residence volunteer meal service position and now trains new volunteers. He won the 2018 Hospice of Orleans Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding volunteer service. In 2019, he provided more than 700 hours of service.

“Gil is the kind of volunteer who takes time to learn people’s favorite foods and makes certain those foods are available,” said Derek Reiner, manager of Development and Public Relations at Supportive Care of Orleans. “Gil has been known to deliver spaghetti dinners, lemon pie and special donuts to patients at all hours of the day and night. Gil donates holiday meals prepared by Tops and Wegmans for residence patients and their families. He works at least six shifts per week in the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence. Gil also participates in hospice fundraisers and is a friendly, welcoming face around the campus. We can’t wait to welcome Gil and all of our volunteers back to campus once the pandemic ends.”

Cain retired from Lipton’s after 38 years, where he worked as a distribution analyst. In addition to volunteering at Hospice, he is an active volunteer in his church.

Cain would tell others that volunteering is a great way to keep your mind and body busy.

“Volunteering and giving to others is a great way to lift your spirits and feel rewarded at the end of the day,” he said.

The Orleans County Retired Teachers’ Association has announced the donation of $100 each to a food pantry in each of Orleans County’s five school districts.

According to treasurer Ann Czajkowski of Newfane, the donations were made possible by a contribution of $500 to each of the 10 counties in the Central Western Zone of the Retired Educators of New York. The CWZ was able to do this because of the generosity of its members during the 2020 President’s Appeal, which created excess funds, Czajkowski said.

The $100 checks were given to Community Action in Albion, Medina Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina, Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, Lyndonville/Yates Food Pantry in Lyndonville and the Kendall Food Pantry in Kendall.

Feeling Thankful for a Life to be Lived

Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying” holds special meaning this Thanksgiving. The lesson: don’t take for granted tomorrow and don’t hold back on your dreams. Click here for a video of McGraw’s song.

You never want to look back and wonder why you allowed yourself or others to hold you back. Life is a gift to delight in and hopefully not fear. Rise up each day as if it might be your last and live it like you were dying.

That perspective as depicted in the song would be a great gift. Run, skip, love, hug, show kindness. Know that God is with you, don’t be afraid. A positive perspective that propels me daily is, “I would rather die tomorrow knowing each day I lived life than live forever knowing I was afraid to live.”

It is the power of quality over quantity, because you never know what news you could get tomorrow that could change everything. A three-month illness was a true wakeup call, a turning point. When you lay in bed at night, sometimes in tears because there is so much pain, you tell yourself, “if I can get to the bottom of this illness and get myself better, I will never take my days and life for granted.”

I guess that is why I am so sensitive to feeling as if others are trying to hold us back. If illness falls upon me again, I don’t want to look back and say “I should of, when I could of.” And if you noticed I said “Get Myself” better. Never depend on others to keep you safe. That is up to you. Do what is needed to be your best self and allow yourself to live life to it’s fullest.

If you are not your best self take 100 percent pride in getting yourself there, if it is within your ability. If others are willing to make the sacrifice you must be willing to also look within yourself to be your best self. In the song he reads the Good Book and realizes that life is meant to be lived like you were dying.

We may not go skydiving or rocky mountain climbing, but we should hug often, laugh often, twirl around, sing, throw our hands up to the sky. Love deeper, forgive others, let the weight of the world evaporate and experience true joy. Don’t be someone who might wonder what they would do if they could do it all over again.

Tomorrow is a new day, a second chance. Start living like you were dying. Living life to the fullest, while becoming a better person. When you look back at your life, if it ended tomorrow, what do you hope to see? Make it happen now because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Travel, see those you love, hug them, laugh with them, share adventures with them. Because the dawn of a new day brings a new reality. Make that reality one that makes you feel fulfilled. What is on your Joy List?

Have a blessed Thanksgiving full of love, family and of course food. And Happy Birthday today to my husband Brian, who is 60!! Looking forward to many more adventures together. xoxo

Visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.

Truly,
Debbie London

Press Release, Sheriff Chris Bourke

In an effort to keep our roadways safer during the Thanksgiving holiday, Orleans County law enforcement agencies are joining forces in a zealous effort to stop drinking and driving during a Thanksgiving DWI crackdown from Nov. 25 to Nov. 29.

As Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, it is vital that law enforcement presence be at its peak on this night. People are encouraged to have a sober plan while traveling.

Although STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol-related fatalities, there are still too many lives lost due to DWI crashes.

You can help save lives, by not drinking and driving and having a sober plan for getting home.

• Plan a safe way to get home.
• Call for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi, public transportation, or Uber.