By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2020 at 4:42 pm
Student tests positive at BOCES in Batavia
Orleans County is reporting one new confirmed case of Covid-19 today, a resident of Shelby who is in the 0-19 age group.
The individual was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, said the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Orleans has now had 344 people test positive for Covid-19 since March.
Two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 164.
Orleans also is reporting 3 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
Genesee County doesn’t have any new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, and remains at 345 positive cases since March.
The Health Departments, however, are reporting a student at the Genesee Valley Area Partnership who attended the BOCES site in Batavia has tested positive for Covid.
“The individual has been placed under mandatory isolation where they will remain until they are fully recovered,” The Health Departments said. “Contact tracing is in process. Individuals identified by the health department as being close contacts have been and/or will be contacted and placed under mandatory quarantine. Individuals identified by the health department as being close contacts will be expected to follow the New York State Department of Health quarantine guidelines.”
Genesee also is reporting two more Covid recoveries and those people have been released from mandatory isolation. Genesee now has 266 recoveries in the community from Covid.
Genesee also has 25 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
In the past week, Orleans reported 18 more confirmed cases of Covid while Genesee has 10 more.
To see an online map of confirmed in the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here.
More from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments:
• Flu Season: With flu season quickly approaching it is important to get your flu shots now to build up immunity. It generally takes two weeks before immunity is built up after getting the shot.
Once you have the flu vaccine, if you do get the flu, research shows that the vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness. Getting a flu vaccine can save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses. Talk with your primary care provider today.
• Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state or international travelers from NYS restricted states or countries, whether arriving by land or air, must self-identify by completing a traveler health form or be subject to a $2,000 fine. Click here for the traveler health form.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2020 at 1:32 pm
The new historic marker will include this logo of the Lafayette Trail.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved a new historic marker to be placed by the Erie Canal by the gazebo on Platt Street.
The project is led by a middle school service learning class taught by Tim Archer.
The sign will commemorate Marquis de Lafayette, who as a young French aristocrat and military officer served with George Washington and was instrumental in the Continental Army securing American independence from the British monarchy.
In 1824 Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, he was met with great enthusiasm in visits across 24 states.
Lafayette sailed on the Erie Canal on June 6-7, 1824, travelling between Lockport and Rochester during his farewell tour.
The sign is to be paid for from the Orleans County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. It will note Lafayette’s journey on the Erie Canal during the farewell tour, and the sign will also include The Lafayette Trail logo.
The Village Board, in approving the new marker on Wednesday evening, agreed to install the sign and be responsible for its ongoing maintenance, which is expected to be minimal.
The Lafayette Trail Inc. notified the Albion officials that the organization is planning bicentennial celebrations of Lafayette’s farewell tour in 2024-2025.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2020 at 11:44 am
ALBION – David Snell remembers standing in line at Fischer’s Newsstand, and paying 5 cents for a paper cup of root beer.
Lots of kids would gather at Fischer’s for a cup from the Richardson Root Beer Barrel Dispenser.
Snell, owner of Snell Realtors, for years ran his business next door. When Fischer’s closed in August 2015, Snell soon acquired the property and expanded his real estate offices next door.
He has wondered about the old root beer dispenser, thinking it would be a nice addition to the office as a display. Instead of dispensing root beer, Snell thought maybe it could dispense daily trivia for people walking by the front windows.
Snell’s father-in-law Darryl Preston is an antique dealer with a business in Allen, Mich., which he said is “The Antique Capital of Michigan.” Snell was talking to his father-in-law about the old root beer barrel, wishing he could get it back on site in Albion.
Turns out Preston, a former Albion resident, is the one who bought it. He said he acquired it about 25-30 years ago. He has had it on display at his antique business, and it hasn’t been for sale despite drawing a lot of interest.
When Snell realized his father-in-law had the barrel, he asked that it come “home” to the Fischer’s site. Preston agreed and drove it to Albion recently.
“I get questions about it all the time,” Snell said about the barrel, which has left a lasting impression on many Albionites. “I want to display it for the community.”
He is working on those details to best showcase the barrel. He said he is grateful his father-in-law was willing to part with it.
“Darryl was very generous to bring it back,” Snell said.
ALBION – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists of closures expected to take place next week along Allens Bridge Road in Albion for bridge maintenance.
Daytime closures will be in effect Monday, October 19, through Wednesday, October 21, to perform steel repairs on the structure carrying Allens Bridge Road over the Erie Canal.
While there will not be a signed detour, motorists are advised to use nearby canal bridges at Presbyterian Road and Eagle Harbor Road while work is being performed.
All construction activities at this location are weather dependent and subject to change.
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2020 at 10:02 am
Agencies wait to hear if program will be extended into November
Photos by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Volunteers and representatives from Community Action of Orleans & Genesee gave out boxes of food this morning in Clarendon in the parking lot for the rec hall and Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company on Route 31A.
This was the first time a food distribution was at the spot in Clarendon. The previous ones in Holley during the Covid-19 pandemic have been at the former Jubilee parking lot and then at the Holley school district.
Volunteers including Mark Dickinson of the Iroquois Job Corps put in boxes in trunks of vehicles. There were about 300 boxes and each one contained about 30-40 pounds of produce, dairy and meat.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding the Farmers to Families Food Box Program through the end of October. There isn’t an indication yet if the program will continue in November.
The schedule for the rest of the month in Orleans County:
Friday, October 23rd – Ridgeway Fire Department, 11392 Ridge Road, Medina – no lines before 8 a.m. The entrance will be on Horan Road and the line will be facing north towards Ridge Road. Exit will be on to Ridge Road
Friday, October 30th – This event will be at the Community Action Main Street Store, 131 S. Main Street.
ROCHESTER – Regional Transit Service (RTS) announced today that it is expanding the free fares for military veterans program to Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
The free fares apply to regular route service only. Dial-a-ride service is not included.
“Through our work with county leaders and veterans throughout the RTS service area, we learned that transportation is a barrier to veterans having access to important destinations and services in their communities,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said. “These brave men and women volunteered to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom. Instituting free fares is our way of removing that barrier and saying thank you.”
This announcement follows implementation of free fares for veterans in Monroe County in July. RTS is working with the Veterans Outreach Center to implement the program. The VOC, in partnership with veterans’ programs in each county, is managing the process veterans will follow to apply for and receive a customized Veteran’s Pass. Veterans must use this pass to receive the free fare.
“All of us at VOC wish to thank RTS for their support of our local veterans,” said Laura Stradley, Veterans Outreach Center executive director and Army veteran. “Through their partnership with the bus pass program, we are able to ensure our veterans have reliable, free of charge transportation. We are excited to expand the bus pass program to our surrounding counties and look forward to teaming up with local Veterans Service Agencies to offer this service to those who live outside of Monroe County.”
How to Apply
Veterans should follow these steps to apply for their ID:
Review the eligibility requirements by clicking here.
Complete the “I need services” form linked on the webpage
A VOC employee will reach out to the veteran to complete the process
Additionally, the VOC will be on site in each county over the next few months to help veterans apply for and obtain their ID. They can make an appointment to meet with VOC representatives in their respective county according to the following schedule.
• Genesee County
When: 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/23
Where: Genesee County Veteran Service Agency
3837 West Main Street, Batavia
• Livingston County
When: 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27, 12/11
Where: Livingston County Veteran Service Agency
7 Murray Hill Drive, Mt. Morris
• Ontario County
When: 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16, 12/30
Where: Ontario County Veteran Service Agency
3010 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua
• Orleans County
When: 10/26, 11/9, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21
Where: Orleans County Veteran Service Agency
13996 Route 31 West, Albion
• Seneca County
When: 10/22, 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 12/17
Where: Seneca County Veteran Service Agency
1 Dipronio Drive, Waterloo
• Wayne County
When: 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
Where: Wayne County Veteran Service Agency
7376 Route 31, Suite 1300, Lyons
• Wyoming County
When: 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10
Where: Wyoming County Veteran Service Agency
5362 Mungers Road, Silver Springs
Flyers for the VOC on-site visits in each county can be found by clicking here.
Veterans can contact the VOC regarding their RTS free fare ID or any other veterans-related issue by calling them toll-free at 1-866-906-VETS (8387).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 October 2020 at 4:37 pm
Orleans and Genesee counties each are reporting four new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today.
In Orleans, the new positive cases are residents of Albion and Carlton. The individuals are in their 20s, 40s and 50s.
None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Orleans has now had 343 people test positive for Covid since March.
The county also is reporting another recovery in the community, bringing that total to 162.
There are also 4 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
Genesee County’s new positive cases reside in Batavia and Pembroke.
One of the new cases is a person between the ages of 0-20, while another is in the 30s, another in the 50s, and someone in the 60s.
None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments said in an afternoon briefing to the media.
Genesee has now had 345 people test positive for Covid-19.
“We are diligently working on reporting the numbers from the previous days,” the Health Departments said. “A complete count will be reflective on the GOW Covid interactive map by Friday. Thank you for your ongoing patience.”
To see the interactive map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 October 2020 at 10:41 am
LYNDONVILLE – Christmas may be a couple of months away, but at the United Methodist Church in Lyndonville, it looks like Christmas is already here.
The church has recently received an abundance of Christmas decorations – so many, in fact, they don’t have room to display them.
Ruth Hedges is heading up a sale of Christmas decorations of all kinds at Hope Resales. The merchandise is set up in the church’s fellowship hall and may be purchased during regular hours Hope Resales is open.
Ruth Hedges, who was instrumental in starting the churches thrift shop, Hope Resales, said they are struggling to find room to put all the decorations – all beautiful and some unique.
The donations started coming in right after the thrift shop was allowed to reopen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I think people must have had time to clean out their houses during the pandemic, because the donations began to pour in,” Hedges said.
While church volunteers don’t know where to display all the items, Hedges said they are also grateful for a community which supports their Hope Resales Thrift Store.
Hope Resales opened March 30, 2019 and the church was planning a big one-year celebration for the end of March this year, when they had to close. Ruth and her husband Doug had come back from Florida on a Thursday to get ready for the celebration, and on Saturday they closed the store.
On a positive note, the church used that time to renovate their space in the church’s basement. They painted the floors and shelving and bought new racks, which gave the store a more organized look, Hedges said.
Support for the thrift shop has been overwhelming, and they have so many donations of merchandise, they could use more room.
Then the problem arose of where to display the tons of Christmas decorations which started coming in.
An end of the fellowship hall upstairs in the church was finally partitioned off and tables set up and filled with candles, figurines, Santas, stockings, dolls, tree toppers, ornaments, china and more. The floor is lined with tubs of Christmas lights, garlands and wreaths. More boxes line the hall, which have not yet been unpacked.
An assortment of angel tree toppers fills a table in the Fellowship Hall of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church. The church has recently received donations of so many Christmas decorations, they don’t have room to display them.
The Christmas decorations are on sale during regular hours of Hope Resales, which are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Hours may change after the end of October, Hedges said.
Customers should enter through the basement entrance of Hope Resales on the north side of the building.
Hedges also wants the public to know they have an assortment of good winter coats in many sizes. They have also acquired nursing scrubs, a selection of XXX men’s clothing, Beanie Babies with tags on, Halloween costumes and a large collection of Barbie dolls.
Hedges would like to expand the thrift shop with more crafting items and yarns.
To entice shoppers, Hedges has begun putting together gift baskets on different themes. One is a scrapbooking basket with more than $100 worth of related merchandise in it.
Profits from the thrift shop are divided half to the church and the other half to local and global missions.
In keeping with Health Department regulations during the pandemic, customers are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. A limit of three will be allowed in a room at one time, unless members of the same family.
The Lyndonville United Methodist Church is located at 102 North Main St. More information is available on their Facebook page.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 October 2020 at 9:36 am
Albion Correctional has had 9 Covid cases, none at Orleans Correctional; 1,141 negative tests at 2 prisons
The union for the corrections officers in state prisons is asking the state to immediately suspend inmate visitation at prisons that have seen a recent uptick in positive Covid-19 cases among in the inmate population.
The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. issued a statement on Wednesday, urging the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision cease inmate visitation.
The union highlighted Elmira Correctional Facility saw an uptick in both staff and inmate positive tests, with more than 30 positive cases and more than 120 individuals under quarantine. At Greene Correctional Facility more than 70 inmates have tested positive in the last two weeks and there are close to 300 tests pending. More facilities are on the brink, NYSCOPBA said.
DOCCS reports online that 1,375 staff have tested positive, 886 inmates have tested positive, and 99 parolees have tested positive as of Oct. 14.
Of the 886 inmates who have been positive, 761 have recovered and are out of isolation
Of those total cases, 26 have died, including 17 inmates, 5 staff, 4 parolees.
DOCCS offers a breakdown online of testing among inmates at each prison (click here). That report shows that nine inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility have tested positive while 549 of the inmates at the women’s prison have tested negative.
At the Orleans Correctional Facility, 592 of the male inmates have been tested and all have come back negative.
NYSCOPBA worries a new wave of Covid is happening. The number of new cases has been on the rise in the past week nationally.
“Governor Cuomo unveiled new lockdown measures for recent ‘micro-clusters’ in and around the New York City area that are surging, and similar lockdown measures should be applied to State Prisons where the coronavirus is surging,” NYSCOPBA said. “Visitation should be immediately suspended at hotspot facilities and DOCCS should require anyone who visits an incarcerated inmate provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within the last 14 days.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 October 2020 at 8:52 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This time it will be a drive-through only event at the Orleans County Public Safety Building, 13925 State Route 31. Participants are encouraged to wear a face covering at the event.
This is a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the Orleans County Public Health Department.
This is a great opportunity for the public to surrender unwanted and/or expired medications and sharps for safe & proper disposal,” said Sheriff Chris Bourke.
“Events such as these have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, as well as increasing awareness of this critical public health issue,” Bourke said.
This will be the only authorized collection site in Orleans County on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
“We apologize for the inconvenience of not having additional collection locations for this event,” Bourke said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2020 at 9:25 pm
File photos: A sign in the Riley family’s garden notes the homestead was established in 1960.
ALBION – The Village Board this evening approved changing the name of Braley Street to Riley Place after a request from the Riley family.
The Rileys have the lone house on the dead-end street that is off Moore Street near Butts Road. Their property borders the Erie Canal.
The new name of the road is believed to be a first in Albion where a street is named for a Black family.
Alma and Henry Riley moved there in 1960. They raised nine children at the house. Two of them served as local elected officials with Jeannette Riley on the Albion Village Board and Joyce Riley on the Albion Board of Education (for two different stints).
The Rileys made the request and the Village Board held a public hearing this evening on the matter. No one spoke against the change.
The family was praised for maintaining an elaborate garden that has been featured on local garden tours.
“It is very pretty,” said Mayor Eileen Banker. “You’ve done a beautiful job in that area.”
Jeannette Riley attended the public hearing and her brother Xavier also was available through her phone, Facetiming during the hearing.
Jeannette continues to live at the house with her mother. Jeannette’s father passed away in 1996.
The family has offered to pay any village expenses for replacing the street signs and updating the village code.
The board also approved changing the address for the Riley property from 40 Braley Street to 1960 Riley Place.
Jeannette Riley gives a tour of the property in this file photo from July 2017. The Rileys have hosted garden events through the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener program.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today reminded all New Yorkers to complete the Census now. The Census can be completed from home in less than 10 minutes online, by phone or mail. The US Census Bureau recently announced the deadline to complete the Census is this Friday, October 16, at 6 a.m. ET.
“The Census only happens once every 10 years and it’s one of the most important ways New Yorkers can help ensure the state gets the representation and funding we need in Washington,” Cuomo said. “This process profoundly affects our state’s future, and I strongly urge every New Yorker to participate and do it now. As New York continues the fight for aid from the federal government to help us respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, the time is now for New Yorkers to complete the Census.”
Once every decade, the nation conducts the Census, which is a constitutionally mandated count of every American, regardless of their citizenship status. The decennial census is one of the nation’s most important programs.
New Yorkers’ fair share of federal funds for programs essential to health care, education, emergency planning, housing, economic development and transportation, as well as our congressional representation in Washington, all depends on an accurate and fully counted census response.
Four Ways to Respond. There are four ways to respond to the 2020 Census: online, by phone, by mail or in person (with the help of Census taker who will be visiting households which have not yet responded). Click here to complete the Census online or call 1-844-330-2020 to complete the Census by phone. Additional phone numbers for a variety of languages can be found by clicking here. You can also mail in the form you should have received in March from the Census Bureau.
Questions Asked. The Census asks how many people are living in your household as of April 1, 2020. The Census asks just 10 basic questions: name; number of people living or staying in the home on April 1, 2020; whether the residence is owned or rented; telephone number (only to be used if needed for official Census Bureau business); sex; age; date of birth; Hispanic origin; race; and relationship with other household members.
When completing the Census, please note that college students should be counted where they would have been staying on April 1, 2020, even if they went home early due to a Covid-19 school closure or a shift to distance learning.
The Census will never ask for citizenship or immigration status, social security numbers, money or donations, anything on behalf of a political party or for your bank or credit card account numbers.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed into law legislation (S.8598/A.10628) designating Juneteenth as an official public holiday in New York State.
The new law celebrates Juneteenth, a day which commemorates the end to slavery and celebrates Black and African American freedom and achievements, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. Earlier this year, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for New York State employees.
“I am incredibly proud to sign into law this legislation declaring Juneteenth an official holiday in New York State, a day which commemorates the end to slavery in the United States,” Governor Cuomo said. “This new public holiday will serve as a day to recognize the achievements of the Black community, while also providing an important opportunity for self-reflection on the systemic injustices that our society still faces today.”
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the news of liberation came to Texas more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863.
African Americans across the state were made aware of their right to freedom on this day when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops to read General Order No. 3 announcing the end of the Civil War and that all enslaved were now free, as well as to maintain a presence in Texas for the purpose of enforcement of emancipation among slave-owners throughout the state.
Senator Kevin Parker said, “Finally, we are beginning to acknowledge the historic oppression and injustices that African-Americans have endured. This holiday is a first step in reconciliation and healing that our great state needs in order to ensure equity for all people. Thank you Governor for your support and advocacy.”
Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman said, “Juneteenth serves as a piece of history towards Black liberation in this country. I am glad to serve along with my colleagues in government and Governor Cuomo, as a part of ensuring these important parts of Black American history will continued to be told in our great state of New York.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2020 at 4:33 pm
Genesee has 5 new cases since Monday
Orleans County was notified today of two more confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total to 339 people who have tested positive for Covid since March.
The new positive cases are both Albion residents. One of the individuals is in the 20s, and the other is in the 30s. Both of the individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.
Orleans has 15 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
Genesee County continues to have ongoing technology/internet issues, and can’t offer a full update in Covid cases since Friday.
However, the Health Department is able to report there was one new case on Monday, two more on Tuesday and two more new cases today.
Since Oct. 9, Genesee has 37 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Snell, owner of Snell Realtors, for years ran his business next door. When Fischer’s closed in August 2015, Snell soon acquired the property and expanded his real estate offices next door.
