Group would like E-8 coaches to be restored for excursion rides

MEDINA – Two historic E-8 locomotives owned by the Medina Railroad Museum have been parked on the tracks north of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library since they were purchased 13 years ago.

The engines blocked the library’s view from all their north windows, but the Railroad Museum thought they couldn’t move them because the tracks are owned by Genesee Valley Transportation, which operates the Falls Road Railway through Medina.

Town of Shelby employees hook a chain from their front end loader to the Medina Railroad Museum’s E-8 locomotives as they get ready to move them away from the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s windows.

Recently, however, the museum contacted the railroad, who sent down their vice president of operations, Chris Henriei, to inspect the tracks. The tracks were approved and Henriei suggested the museum contact someone with heavy equipment.

Grace Stewart, who is volunteer and staff coordinator at the museum, said the town of Shelby came with their heavy equipment every year to unload Thomas when the attraction arrives by truck for Day Out with Thomas.

The museum contacted Shelby’s highway superintendent Dale Root, who said they could help.

Before they could attempt the move, the museum had several weeks of work to do, said Brody George, who is a conductor on train excursions and layout operator in the museum. He said they had to kick the brake shoes off all the wheels so they would turn. A door on the train was left open during the move so when the train was towed to its new location, someone could jump in the door and set the brakes, as the new site is on a slight incline.

“The move couldn’t have gone smoother,” said Rick Henn, president of the Medina Railroad Museum board.

“The actual time to move the locomotives 90 feet took two minutes,” Brody said.

The E-8 locomotives, which each weigh 350,000 pounds, were purchased by museum founder Marty Phelps in 2007. Phelps envisioned them restored and operating for museum excursions.

These E-8s are painted in a unique lightning strike pattern and were used by the New York Central as far back as the 1940s, Henn said. They would have hauled the Empire State Express from New York to Buffalo and beyond.

“They were the cream of the crop for passenger trains for decades,” Henn said. “There are only eight of these locomotives left in existence.”

A Shelby highway employee watches as the front end loader begins to tighten the chain hooked to two 350,000 pound E-8 locomotives.

The museum still hopes to restore them and put them into service. The next step, according to Henn, is to bring in a professional to inspect them mechanically and electrically.

With the museum in negotiations to purchase the coaches from Western New York Railway Historical Society, having the E-8s running would mean the museum would not have to lease any equipment for its excursions.

Henn said he realizes there would be an extraordinary cost to restoring the E-8s, but they definitely would be an attraction.

The Medina Railroad Museum reopened for visitors on Aug. 1, and they have been busy, said Caitlyn Klotzbach, group sales coordinator.

She said every precaution has been taken to maintain Health Department regulations during the Covid pandemic. All visitors must wear a mask, and if a large group arrived at once, they would be separated and let in in increments.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Planting Your Feet

I bet you are wondering why I am showing a picture of my feet.

Well, I have been “Earthing.”

My friend’s parting words to me before she moved were, “Go outside and walk barefoot in the grass as often as you can,” because she knows I am at a bit of a crossroads lately.

My response was that my arthritic knees can not handle that. I need my shoes, or my back will suffer. But I tried anyway. Come to find out, it really makes you feel like smiling, and my back did not hurt. She was on to something.

Remember when you were a kid and you went barefoot outside, or being on a beach with your toes in the sand? The moments were met with a great sense of freedom. It is your right, and no one can take the Earth from you and your bare feet.

Back before shoes, the Native Americans believed in keeping your feet and body close to the Earth. They felt shoes could be deadly. Those of you who collect and adore shoes might find this belief … well, unbelievable. However, humans are electrical beings. We depend on the Earth and the electrical energy it provides to stabilize our bodies. Not to get too scientific, but above Earth there is positive energy, and below Earth there is negative energy. But we need this negative energy to help keep us “grounded.”

This grounding is thought to greatly reduce illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, migraines and more. It is the universe’s tonic.

The Earth collects electrons from the sun and lightning. When we root our bare feet to the ground, we soak up all those good electrodes into our body. I read this stabilization of energy increases your red blood cells, keeps your heart pumping nicely, reduces anxiety and, in the end, leaves you peacefully slumbering at night. It’s free therapy straight from Mother Earth. It is as if she is charging us up like battery packs, and who couldn’t use a good charge?

When you are my age, free energy is a welcome gift. It feels good, and there is nothing artificial or pharmaceutical about it.

Even if you think this is all a bit unorthodox, it does create an opportunity to take time for yourself to breathe and think about all your blessings. You can not deny that, when you are out in nature, everything feels a bit more possible and positive.

Take it a step further and kick your shoes off. Let the cool blades of grass peak through your toes, and feel the energy rush over your body. Plant your bare feet in the ground, and heal yourself. Any ground will work – sandy soil, rocky soil, grassy soil, even just plain old dirt. The goal is just to get your bare skin in contact with the Earth, whether it be your feet, your hands, your back, or even your bum!

Take control and let the magic of the Earth be your grace. Only then can you put your fancy shoes back on and walk upright with the energy of a thousand suns.

When was the last time you planted your feet? Visit my blog live online and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.

Debbie London

Provided photo: This safe was left in a field on East Barre Road but hasn’t been able to be opened. It had a message on it: “If you can open you can have what’s inside.”

BARRE – A mysterious safe was discovered Thursday morning in a field owned by Barre farmer Kirk Mathes on East Barre Road, near Route 31A.

The safe included a note: “If you can open you can have what’s inside.”

News of the safe quickly spread through town by word of mouth and social media. A group showed up with crowbars and sledgehammers and tried to pry it open in the field, but to no avail.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office showed up Thursday and urged the crowd to go away.

The Mathes farm hauled the safe back to the home farm with a Skid Steer. Mathes estimated the safe weighs 500 to 600 pounds.

They tried at the farm to get it open but haven’t had any success.

“I don’t know how the thing will get opened,” Mathes said today. “I expect it’s empty.”

Mathes has no idea why the safe was put in his field, if it’s a practical joke or what the reasoning is behind it.

MEDINA – The amount of stones needing repair and trees which need trimming or replacing at Boxwood Cemetery is beyond the Village of Medina’s capacity to take care of, both financially and in terms of labor, said Kathy Blackburn, chair of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission.

Recently, Gabrielle Barone, who is a member of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission and Friends of Boxwood, came up with a suggestion.

She suggested having a fundraiser in which projects which need addressing in the cemetery are identified with yellow ribbons. This would include trees which need trimming, cutting down or replacing and stones which need repairing or replacing.

Members of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission took time out from their Aug. 3 meeting to identify several trees and stones which need attention. They have announced a fundraiser in which the public can adopt any tree or stone with a yellow ribbon on it and make a donation toward trimming or replacing the tree or repairing a stone. Clockwise from left front are Nicki Fredericks, Darlene Witte, Gabrielle Barone, Kathy Blackburn, Rob Klino and Todd Bensley.

Last week, the Cemetery Commission held their meeting on the banks of Glenwood Lake and finalized plans to kick off the fundraiser.

Commission members included Rob Klino, Todd Bensley, Gabrielle Barone, Darlene Witte, Shirley Whittleton, Dale Short and Joe Perry. They demonstrated how ribbons would be tied around trees and stones. A tag of some sort will also be attached to each ribbon with a number on it. Community members who would like to support the project can send a check to Friends of Boxwood, in care of Medina Village Clerk, 119 Park Ave., identifying the number of the ribbon. Checks may be for the entire cost of a project or a donation toward the cost.

From left, Rob Klino, Shirley Whittleton, Nicki Fredericks, Gabriele Barone, Todd Bensley and Kathy Blackburn tie yellow ribbons on stones in Boxwood Cemetery which are in need of repair. The public is asked to look through the cemetery and make a donation toward trimming or planting new trees or repairing stones which are identified with the yellow ribbons.

Blackburn said they are also facing the cost of re-leading the stained glass window in the chapel. A restoration group in Buffalo has indicated the cost will be $10,000. The Gothic Revival chapel was built in 1903 of Medina sandstone.

Boxwood Cemetery was established in 1849. The Boxwood Cemetery Commission was founded decades ago, but became inactive for a period of time. About nine years ago Whittleton and Blackburn expressed an interest in activating the organization again, and the cemetery board appointed them to the commission.

Friends of Boxwood was founded about 20 years ago and includes many member of the Commission, as well as other supporters. It was the Friends group which identified trees and stones in the cemetery which need attention. In recent years, the Friends of Boxwood raised money for the new flagpole in the newer section on the north side of the cemetery and painting the caretakers house in the front.

Members of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission chose a warm sunny night to have their August meeting on the banks of Glenwood Lake. Clockwise from left are Rob Klino, Darlene Witte, Todd Bensley, Nicki Fredericks, Shirley Whittleton, chair Kathy Blackburn and Gabrielle Barone.

Press Release, Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward

MEDINA — At least two vehicles were hit with bullets during a block party in Medina last night, Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward said today.

No one has been confirmed to have been injured after a black male discharged a handgun into the air several times, Kenward said.

There was a large group of people at a house party in the 300 block of West Avenue. Medina police officer Mark Prawel reported there were shots fired at about 11:30 p.m. in the 300 block of West Avenue.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a verbal altercation ensued among people at the party and that spilled over to the parking lot at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

“Numerous shell casings and mangled bullets have been removed from the scene,” Kenward said.

The Medina PD is continuing its investigation into this incident. Medina was assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police.

Joe Grube takes the oath of office on Jan. 2, 2018, when he started as Gaines town supervisor.

GAINES – Joe Grube has resigned as Gaines town supervisor after almost three years as the town’s top elected official.

Grube submitted his resignation at the end of the Gaines Town Board meeting on Monday. He was promoted in February as Northeast regional manager for 911 solutions for Motorola. That job keeps him very busy.

“My new duties just don’t leave me enough time to do justice as town supervisor,” Grube said this morning. “I’m the type of person if I can’t put in a hundred percent I don’t want to do it.”

Tyler Allport, a town councilman, was appointed by the board to step in a town supervisor. The position will be up for election in November 2021. Allport works as the Hazard Insurance Manager at KeyBank.

Allport vacated councilman’s position was filled by Kenny Rush, who works on a farm with his father, Gregg Rush.

Grube was first elected town supervisor in November 2017, defeating Carol Culhane, for a two-year position. He didn’t face opposition when he was re-elected last November.

Grube said the town was able to update its zoning in his tenure and was able to bring back its Plannign Board. The Planning Board had been abolished with its duties shifted to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Now the town has a ZBA and Planning Board like most other municipalities.

The Grube-led Town Board formed a Zoning Advisory Committee to review the zoning. That committee worked with LaBella Associates on the project.

The new zoning regulations and map include an expanded commercial district on Route 104, from the Cobblestone Museum going east to Brown Road. That allows for more options for development on Ridge Road that aren’t in a historic district.

The town also eliminated a commercial zoning district in the Eagle Harbor hamlet, while keeping the commercial district at the 5 Corners and expanding the district at the routes 279 and 104 intersection.

The project updated a comprehensive plan for land use, that Grube said was originally adopted in 1983.

The revisions include more detail on development in the commercial districts, especially with signage, and includes samples in the zoning code for signs that fit the historic district.

Other highlights include:

• Established regulations for R-1 Residential District and Planned Development District as floating zones. They are not specified on the zoning map, but can be added to rezoned land if the Town Board deems either district appropriate.
• Established new regulations for the Commercial Historic District, including standards for building design, building placement, parking and landscaping, with a goal to prevent incompatible development with the historic district.
• Added provisions for farm labor and agricultural packing and processing facilities.

“The end change is very good,” Grube said about the zoning regulations. “We solved issues with historic district. We have the Planning Board back. The Zoning Board of Appeals is fully functional with processes more in line with other towns.”

Pioneer resident known as ‘Paul Revere of Ridge Road’ for warning of British attack in 1813

By Freeman Lattin, intern at Cobblestone Museum

(Editor’s Note: This is the first article in a series about the historic Hamlet of Childs in the Town of Gaines.)

GAINES – The hamlet of Childs lies just north of Albion at the intersection of Routes 104 and 98. In 2019, Childs was selected to be on the Landmark Society of Western New York’s “Five to Revive” list.

This is the only known photograph of John Proctor.

The Five to Revive draws attention to significant historic aspects of our built environment where redevelopment can become catalytic projects for the communities that surround them.

Tom Castelein, chair of the Five to Revive committee, explained that “the ultimate goal is to return these important historic resources to places of prominence in their respective communities, as economic and social assets that spark even more investment and revitalization.” (Click here for more information on that designation.)

While working with the Landmark staff, we found ourselves enjoying both the history and present-day ambience of Childs and decided to share some of this with a greater audience. It seems appropriate to start this series on the hamlet of Childs at the beginning, with a biography of its founder, John Proctor.

Born to a wealthy family in Massachusetts, John Proctor first came to this area in 1810 at the age of 23 after purchasing several large parcels of land from the Holland Land Office. It’s hard to imagine how wild and unpopulated this area was 200 years ago, but in “Pioneer History,” Proctor says he had to travel seven miles to get bread baked, and the nearest established village was Batavia, about 20 miles away.

He built a cabin in what is now Childs and lived modestly for his first few years in the area, surviving on a few acres of corn, wheat, and potatoes. In 1812 he returned to Massachusetts on foot to marry his first wife, Polly.

Perhaps John Proctor’s most famous accomplishment is his role as the “Paul Revere of Ridge Road.” In December of 1813, Proctor’s nearest neighbor (who lived four miles to the west) woke him in the middle of the night bringing word that the British were invading from Canada and had already burned the village of Lewiston.

Proctor owned the only horse in the area, and so he rode 15 miles from Childs to Clarkson to warn other settlers that the British were coming. Afterwards, Proctor joined the local militia that had been raised and headed west to defend Lewiston. He recounts that he was grazed by several bullets in skirmishes and that he assisted in the capture of a group of redcoats and natives who were caught unarmed and very drunk at a tavern.

Located in front of John Proctor’s home on Ridge Road in Childs, this plaque commemorates his participation in the war of 1812 as well as Governor Dewitt Clinton’s visit to Childs in 1818.

By this point, John Proctor had begun to make a name for himself. He was an active Mason and a prolific public servant, serving as the first collector for the town of Ridgeway as well as an overseer of the poor for the town of Gaines.

Proctor had a vision for the hamlet and began to sell and rent his land to settlers, businesses, and churches that were starting to spring up in and around what is now Childs. In 1834 he paid for the construction of a cobblestone church for the Universalist Society of Gaines, and later sold a house of worship to the Free Congregationalist Church, an abolitionist congregation. Proctor was such a notable figure that before he named the hamlet Fair Haven, it was colloquially referred to as “Proctor’s Corners.”

The Proctor family obelisk, located at Mount Albion Cemetery. The other sides of the monument memorialize Proctor’s wives and children, several of whom died in a typhoid breakout in 1828.

Although he was an outstanding member of the community, Proctor’s personal life was marked by tragedy. John was married four times and had to bury three of his wives, and while he had six children, only two of them survived to adulthood.

Proctor alludes to these troubles in his short autobiography in “Pioneer History of Orleans County,” where he recounts getting out of jury duty in Batavia due to the “situation of [his] family.” I think it’s interesting that he dedicates an entire paragraph to recount a story of him shooting a deer but doesn’t write about three of his wives or any of his children. One can imagine how this might have been a sensitive subject for him.

John Proctor died on January 28, 1868. A Masonic memorial in the Orleans American described him as “an example of energy, frugality, [and] moral excellence.” I think it speaks to his character that his name isn’t plastered all over Childs today.

He owned hundreds of acres around the hamlet and could have named it “Proctorville,” but he chose to call it Fair Haven. There is no Proctor Road, and the brook named after him was only discovered to be named so over a hundred years after Proctor’s death.

In a 1988 pamphlet from the dedication of Proctor’s Brook, Dee Robinson refers to him as a “pioneer entrepreneur,” which seems to me like a fitting title for a man who did so much for his community and put Childs on the map.

MEDINA – A popular event and fundraiser for United Way of Orleans County has been shut down by the Orleans County Health Department.

Dave Green, organizer of the Friday night cruise-ins in Medina’s canal basin, said Friday night he received a call from the Health Department about 3 p.m. this afternoon saying the event was attracting more people than the state allowed and they would have to cancel it.

Green said they took all the precautions they could – providing hand sanitizer, asking people to stay behind their cars and making them wear masks if they walked around.

The cruise-ins were started five weeks ago and attendance has grown weekly, Green said. They had 46 cars the first night, but one night there were 126.

He said it was a shame they had to cancel as the event is sponsored by United Way of Orleans County and proceeds from their nightly 50-50 drawings benefit United Way. Green said he had about $800 to turn over to the agency.

The Super Cruise featuring Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald which annually ended the summer cruise-ins was already canceled, and Green said they had only planned to have them through July and August.

501 test results since Monday – all negative

Orleans County has no new confirmed Covid-19 cases to report today for the fourth straight, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a daily update.

Orleans has received 501 test results since Monday and all came back negative for Covid-19.

The county has 6 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19, an Elba resident in the 60s. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee has now had 272 confirmed cases of Covid-19, while Orleans has had 282.

Genesee is also reporting 13 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. Three Genesee residents are hospitalized due to Covid-19.

Click here to view an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

• Statewide data: Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported there are 727 new confirmed Covid-19 cases out of 87,900 test results, a 0.85 percent positive rate.

• Patient Hospitalization – 554 (-1)
• Number ICU – 127 (+3)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 59 (+3)
• Deaths – 3 (Total Deaths in NY from Covid-19 – 25,232)

“On the numbers it’s been extraordinary, so congratulations to New Yorkers because their actions created this result,” Cuomo said. “While the other states are seeing real trouble we are doing very well – we have to protect the progress from outside our borders and continue to enforce compliance within our state among establishments.”

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is celebrating the state’s decision to allow local bowling alleys to re-open at 50 percent capacity this upcoming Monday.

All bowling alleys will be able to start up with food being served by wait staff, ensuring that local economies receive the boost in revenue they need while also allowing locals to get in some exercise and play after being cooped up inside for so long.

“I’m thrilled to hear that progress continues to be made with the re-opening of the state,” Hawley said. “I had written a letter some time ago to the governor asking for bowling alleys to be opened as soon as possible for the sake of local economies alongside the service they provide citizens in stretching their legs and having some light fun.

“Our conference had then sent another letter requesting much of the same. It’s good to hear that the governor is hearing us and taking into account the steps needed to ensure that people are protected and remain healthy during this continually challenging time.”

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced bowling alleys throughout New York will be allowed to reopen starting Monday with strict safety protocols in place.

Bowling alleys will be able to operate at a 50 percent maximum occupancy limit; face coverings and social distancing will be required at all times; every other lane must be closed; patrons need to stay with the party at their assigned lane; thorough cleaning and disinfection of shared or rented equipment between each use will be required; and all food service must follow all state-issued guidance.

Due to restrictions on indoor dining, food and beverage service will not be allowed in New York City bowling alleys.

The Governor also announced that New York City museums and other low-risk cultural institutions can reopen starting Monday, August 24. The institutions include museums, aquariums, and other low-risk indoor cultural arts. All institutions that reopen will be subject to state guidance.

These institutions must obey strict safety protocols, including a 25 percent maximum occupancy limit, timed ticketing required with pre-set, staggered entry, strict enforcement of face coverings, social distancing, controlled traffic flow to avoid crowding, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols.

“New York City’s world-class cultural institutions have long provided comfort and creativity for generations of people in one of the world’s most vibrant places, and when the COVID-19 pandemic began to threaten the city and this nation, it was especially heartbreaking to see them close their doors,” Governor Cuomo said. “This pandemic is far from over, but we’ve determined that institutions can reopen if they adhere to strict state guidance and take every precaution to keep visitors safe, and I look forward to seeing them inspire New Yorkers once again. I’m also happy to report that we will be able to open bowling alleys across the state with strict safety protocols in place, providing a level of fun and recreation at a time when New Yorkers really need it.”

CARLTON – Orleans County is moving forward with two public works projects in Carlton that are part of the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), a $300 million state-wide effort.

The county will be redoing the public boat launch at Point Breeze, the one near the Black North Inn, and also will be stabilizing the shoreline along about 1,500 feet of Lakeshore Road.

The high Lake Ontario water levels in 2017 and 2019 chewed away the shoreline by Lakeshore Road, east of Point Breeze.

The state will pay 95 percent of the costs through REDI, a state program announced last year to protect public infrastructure and assets from Lake Ontario flooding.

The county is working with engineers on design to prepare the projects for bid.

• The Lakeshore Road project will cost an estimated $2 million. The county will hire a contractor to re-establish the shoreline, which was eroded from the high water levels in 2017 and 2019.

Big rocks will be brought in for about 1,500 feet of the shoreline by the road, east of Route 98. The project also includes drainage improvements along the road, said John Papponetti, the county’s DPW superintendent.

Work on that project is expected to start in the fall. The county is responsible for 5 percent of the costs.

• Point Breeze Boat Launch: The county also will upgraded the public boat launch at Point Breeze, a project estimated to cost $750,000.

The county will be replacing the ramp, the two boat launches and the docks at the site.

When the lake levels are high, the boat launch is useless for boaters because their vehicles flood out trying to launch a boat.

The project includes floatable walkways which will tie into a concrete ramp. The current concrete ramp will be removed and a new one put in that will be pulled farther back on land.

The contractor will likely need to set up a coffer dam and pump out water during construction to work on the project. The launch will be regraded and concrete poured for the new ramps and docks.

The project also includes milling and paving the driveway and parking lot.

Construction is expected in the fall after the boating season with a goal to be done next spring before the start of a new boating season, Papponetti said.

Provided photo: Brent Sensenich (right), FMC Middleport Agricultural Sciences Plant manager, presents one of the two $1,000 scholarship checks awarded to Royalton-Hartland graduating seniors Madison Ohol of the Town of Royalton (second from left) and Abigail Ander (far left) of Gasport. The scholarships were awarded based on their winning essay submissions on the theme: “picking an experience from your life and explaining how it has shaped you for the career you have selected.”  Both graduates will be pursing nursing studies in college.

Press Release, FMC Middleport

MIDDLEPORT – FMC Corporation, which operates the Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport, has honored two Royalton-Hartland High School graduating seniors with separate $1,000 FMC Scholarships from the local plant.

The scholarships were awarded to Abigail Ander of Gasport and Madison J. Ohol of the Town of Royalton based on their submission of a 300-word essay with the main focus on “picking an experience from your life and explaining how it has shaped you for the career you have selected.”

“FMC, a company dedicated to our local community, is proud to honor these two outstanding Roy-Hart graduates with scholarships and extends our best wishes for continued success in their future academic studies,” said Brent Sensenich, FMC Middleport plant manager.

Abigail Ander was selected and participated in Leadership for the Youth of Niagara County and served as a captain of the school’s varsity field hockey team and as class secretary. She will be studying nursing at the State University of New York at Brockport.

Madison Ohol was a member of Roy-Hart’s varsity swim team and school band, and participated in the Niagara County Legislative Intern Program. She plans to study nursing at Niagara University.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer is working a dry field in Yates on Tuesday at the corner of Marshall Road and Route 18.

Most of Orleans County is considered abnormally dry by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Much of the south shore counties along Lake Ontario are abnormally dry. At that intensity, crop growth is often stunted, fire danger is elevated, lawns brown early and surface water levels decline.

Parts of northern New York and Long Island are in moderate drought, the next stage after abnormally dry.

The drought conditions in the state and country are released weekly by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Genesee has 2 new cases, 1 in 20s, and 1 under age 20

For the third straight day, there are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting.

In Genesee County, there are two new cases, both are Le Roy residents with one less than 20 and the other in the 20s. Genesee has now had 271 people test positive for Covid-19. (Orleans has had 282 cases.)

In Genesee, the newly positive cases are people who weren’t on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee is reporting one more recovery, two people who are hospitalized from Covid-19, and 14 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Orleans County is reporting eight new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• Survey about Health Department’s communication efforts: The local health departments want to hear from the public about the communication efforts during Covid-19. Click here to see the survey. The survey will be available for input until August 24.

• Statewide update: New York set a new high on Wednesday with 87,900 test results. There were 737 new positive cases or 0.84 percent of the test results.

The state also set a new low since mid-March with 56 people intubated due to Covid-19.

There were 10 Covid-19 deaths in the state, bringing that total to 25,228.

“New York State continues to stay vigilant in the face of an ongoing crisis across the country as we pursue a phased reopening,” Governor Cuomo said. “Yesterday we did a record-high number of tests – which is critical to our cautious, data-driven reopening strategy – and we’ll keep closely monitoring the numbers we receive daily.”