Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Gary Roberts of Medina helps cook some of the chicken halves in the pits at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds today. Roberts has been volunteering with the dinner for about 35 years.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County put on their annual chicken barbecue today even though the 4-H Fair was cancelled this week because of concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tickets were only available by presale or online and all 1,200 sold before the dinner started at 4 p.m.

Mitzi Peglow carries a tray of cherry desserts. Kelly Dudley, left, helped in the kitchen at the Trolley Building. There were about 25 volunteers helping with the meals.

It took 50 dozen ears of corn, at half an ear per meal, to fill all of the takeout containers.

The crew inside the kitchen at the Trolley Building passed for a brief photo.

Mason Roberts spreads the Cornell Barbecue Sauce on the chicken halves. He has been helping with the dinner the past 12 years. He used to show llamas at the fair when he was in 4-H.

There were long lines of vehicles that waited about an hour for their dinners. The meals were takeout only.

The dinner was sold out. Some people who showed up wanting a dinner were disappointed all the pre-sale tickets were gone.

Orleans County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person in the 40s from Gaines, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Orleans has now had 275 people test positive for Covid-19.

The county also has one additional person on precautionary quarantine for 2 weeks due to travel from a restricted state with high Co id-19 infections.

Genesee County has 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 255 positive cases.

The new positive cases include a Batavia resident and a person from LeRoy. One of the individuals is in the 40s and the other is in the 50s.

Neither of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also has three new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• Hospitalizations at lowest level statewide since March 17: Both Genesee and Orleans each have a resident hospitalized with Covid-19. Gov. Andrew Cuomo today reported there are 586 people in the state hospitalized with Covid-19, the lowest number since March 17.

The number of ICU patients statewide is at 142 today due to Covid-19, the lowest number since March 16.

More from the local Health Department:

• Travel Advisory: New York is requiring travelers from the following 34 states with high coronavirus rates to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The list also includes Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures.

In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home, do not give them any information and call 911.

The state has approved $235,256 in high-tech security upgrades at Medina Central School. The project was included in the latest round of funding through the Smart Schools Bond Act.

The money is available through a $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, which was passed by NY voters in 2014. (In Orleans County, the five school districts were approved for about $7 million combined in technology aid as part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act. The state breaks that down to $2,238,441 for Albion; $1,311,463 for Holley; $967,959 for Kendall; $733,151 for Lyndonville; and $2,000,222 for Medina.)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced that $94 million in projects have been approved at 131 school districts and five special education schools. Those projects include classroom technology, high-tech security and school connectivity.

“As the ongoing public health crisis has shown, now more than ever we must do everything possible to help schools modernize their infrastructure and are equipped to keep students up with their studies even when they can’t be in the classroom,” Cuomo said in a statement. “With this funding, we are helping schools navigate the pandemic while expanding opportunities and providing students with the skills and technology they need to succeed in the 21st century economy.”

The Smart Schools Review Board met today for the 15th time to consider investment plans submitted by school districts and special education schools. The Board is composed of the Director of the Budget, the Chancellor of the State University of New York, and the Commissioner of the State Education Department.

The plans approved today were submitted by 131 school districts and five special education schools. Projects include $52.2 million for classroom technology, $13.7 million for school connectivity, $24.9 million for high-tech security and $2 million for pre-kindergarten classrooms.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State has adopted a first-in-the-nation drinking water standard for emerging contaminant 1,4-Dioxane, setting the maximum contaminant level of 1 part per billion for 1,4-Dioxane.

The Governor also announced maximum contaminant levels for emerging contaminants PFOA and PFOS in New York’s drinking water, which are among the lowest in the U.S. for PFOA and PFOS at 10 parts per trillion. These announcements follow a public comment period and approval by the Public Health and Health Planning Council.

“While the federal government continues to leave emerging contaminants like 1,4-Dioxane, PFOA and PFOS unregulated, New York is leading the way by setting new national standards that help ensure drinking water quality and safeguard New Yorker’s health from these chemicals,” Cuomo said. “The environmental movement was founded in this great state and we will continue to move forward to protect our most precious resources for generations to come.”

The new regulations require public water systems in the state to regularly test and monitor for these chemicals, regardless of size. All three contaminants have been detected in drinking water systems across the country, yet remain unregulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for setting regulatory limits under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

In lieu of federal action and as part of the State’s commitment to ensuring clean drinking water for all New Yorkers, the Drinking Water Quality Council was established as part of the 2017-2018 Executive Budget to provide recommendations to the New York State Department of Health to address emerging contaminants in drinking water resulting from decades-old industrial pollution in communities statewide.

The Council’s scientific review of PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane was part of its first directive to set standards for these man-made, emerging contaminants, which are persistent in the environment and have been detected in drinking water systems nationwide. The Council’s members, comprised of academic scientists, engineers, public water system professionals, and experts from the New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation, followed the available science regarding potential health impacts and technology available to remove these chemicals when recommending the standards for adoption.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “New York State’s unwavering commitment to addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water is a cornerstone of protecting public health now and into the future. These new standards are some of the lowest and precedent-setting nationwide and were carefully considered over months of scientific review with stakeholder input to ensure successful implementation.”

The Nation’s Most Protective MCLs for PFOA/PFOS Accepted 

At 10 ppt for PFOA and 10 ppt for PFOS, the MCLs are among the most protective levels in the nation. PFOA is a chemical that has previously been used to make non-stick, stain resistant, and water repellant products. PFOS has been used in aqueous film forming fire-fighting foam. New York State has invested millions through the State Superfund Program to install granular activated carbon filtration systems that are successfully removing PFOA and PFOS from impacted water supplies in several communities. Ultimately, the State is holding the potential polluters accountable for cleanup expenses incurred at state and local levels.

First in the Nation MCL for 1,4-Dioxane adopted 

New York is the first state in the nation to adopt an MCL for 1,4-Dioxane and has set that standard at 1.0 ppb. 1,4-Dioxane is a chemical that has been used as a stabilizer in solvents, paint strippers, greases, and wax. The State approved an effective new treatment technology for 1,4-Dioxane called Advanced Oxidative Process, which was first approved to treat a well in the Suffolk County Water Authority on Long Island in 2018.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board cancelled its meeting on Monday due the torrential downpour on the village, when at least 5 inches of rain fell.

Medina firefighters and neighboring fire companies pumped out about 100 flooded basements due to the storm that flooded some streets.

The board has rescheduled the meeting for Saturday morning at 9 at the Ridgeway Town Hall. (Originally this article said the meeting would be at the Shelby Town Hall, but Shelby will be using the building for court on Saturday morning.)

Press Release, Holley Police Chief Roland Nenni

HOLLEY – A food distribution event will be held on Friday at the Holley Jr.-Sr. High School parking lot. This event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., however, because many arrive early, the event will begin as soon as the food arrives and is ready for distribution.

The event could start as early as 8:15 a.m. The event will conclude at 11 a.m. or when the food is gone.

To access to the event, enter the school grounds from High Street and then follow the bus garage access road that leads to the High School. After receiving the sealed boxes of food, vehicles will exit the school grounds via Lynch Road. Vehicles will not be allowed to enter other than from High Street.

Signs will be posted to where vehicles should begin to line up. Please have your vehicle ready as you enter the distribution site with the trunk or rear hatch open and the windows closed.

These events draw many vehicles that cause traffic issues because of the long lines that are created. We are hoping that the plan we have developed and the location for this event will have the least impact on traffic and residential streets.

This event is being conducted by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Foodlink and the Orleans County Office of the Aging.

We would like to thank the Holley School District for the use of the parking lot.

Middle and high school students may go alternate days in hybrid model

File photo by Tom Rivers: Students are quick to get off the bus on the first day of school at Albion in this photo from Sept. 7, 2016.

ALBION – The school district on Wednesday updated the community about a reopening plan that needs to be filed with the state on Friday.

Albion and the 700 other school districts have until Friday to submit the plans to the state Education Department. Districts need to develop plans for in-person learning, a hybrid model with both in-person and remote learning, and a plan for on-line only.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state will review the plans and make an announcement by Aug. 7 whether school districts will be allowed for in-person instruction.

School districts were forced to go to on-line only beginning on March 16 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The school buildings didn’t open again to students for the rest of the school year.

In a Q & A posted on the district website, Albion said the reopening plan will be posted on the school website on Friday.

The district said it is pushing to have students in prekindergarten through grade 6 to be able to attend in-person classes each day.

“By converting some rooms used for special areas and supports into classroom space, we may be able to have all of the students attend and still be able to use social distancing in classrooms,” the district said. “That is likely not going to be the case at the 7-12 level.”

At the 7-12 level, Albion is planning a hybrid manner of instruction with a group of students attending one day, and another group the next day.

“We are still working out the format that best fits for all of the needs of our students,” the district stated.

Families will have the option to keep their children home from school for remote instruction, even if in-person schooling is offered.

“We understand that there are reasons why a family would want to keep their child home and so, we will offer the opportunity for remote or virtual learning whether we can bring students in or not,” the district stated.

Albion will be surveying parents to determine the preference for in-person learning or remote.

The district said the school schedule will be a similar format as last year. However, Albion plans to stagger arrival and dismissal times to avoid students entering and leaving the building in a group.

“More specific information will be shared with families later in August after we get word from the governor regarding the format that we will be able to plan on to start the school year,” the district said.

The big difference for the 2020-21 school year will be the social aspect for students, with social distancing and mask wearing.

“The same requirements will prevent students from gathering in hallways between classes or having close conversation at lunch time,” the district said. “We are looking at other ways to allow students to socialize with one another, but whatever we come up with will look different than what they are used to.”

Photo courtesy of Randy LeBaron

A double-rainbow appeared after it rained this evening. Randy LeBaron took this photo on Allen Road in Albion.

Mark Vosburgh sent in this photo of the double-rainbow from Allen’s Bridge Road in Albion.

Andrea Orton sent in this photo of the rainbow in Holley on State Street. “It was pouring in my driveway and sunny and dry at the house next door!” she said.

Business’s top seller: handmade masks, many with superhero themes

Photo by Tom Rivers: Lynn Palmer is pictured inside Upscale Overstock at 339 North Main St. She opened the business on Nov. 29 and sells general merchandise and customized handmade items.

MEDINA – Lynn Palmer launched a new business on Nov. 29. Upscale Overstock sells general merchandise that was often in the big box stores.

When those stores looked to change merchandise and shift to a new season, overstock stores like Palmer’s often acquire the items. They are still new, but haven’t been used.

She tends to receive a shipment each week with one or two pallets of overstock items. Children’s clothing has been popular. She has clothes with popular characters from Disney, Minecraft, Super Mario, Frozen, Toy Story, Harry Potter and DC comics. She also has clothing and merchandise with NFL teams, including the Buffalo Bills.

“These are all brand new,” Palmer said at the store, which is at 339 North Main St. “This is not a thrift shop. None of this came from someone’s house.”

The store also sells toys, housewares, bed and bath products, and pillows, blankets and sheets.

Provided photo: These masks made by Lynn Palmer’s daughter, Samantha, have been popular, especially with parents and grandparents looking to buy face coverings for children.

The store got off to a good start, opening during the holiday season late last year. But the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Palmer was able to stay open, but was in the store by herself. She promoted items through the Upscale Overstock Facebook page. Customers could also peak through a front window, that opened for Palmer to hand off the purchases.

“That hurt us big time because people want to come in and look around,” she said.

The store is now fully open to customers (except they can’t try on the clothing). They need to wear masks, and maintain social distancing. Palmer has hand sanitizer for them.

Palmer, 50, worked in childcare for 30 years before starting the store. She also worked at Walmart. That is where she realized stores rotate out products and merchandise removed from the shelves can be sold by overstock businesses.

She took a 10-week small business class through the Orleans Economic Development Agency to prepare for launching her business. She liked the location on Main Street, including the building where she is based. Down the hall from her is a candy store, Mandeos Candy Shoppe, and Mystic Dragon’s Lair, which sells quartz, gemstones, crystals and other products.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 15 issued an executive order, requiring masks to be worn in public when social distancing isn’t possible.

Palmer’s daughter Samantha started making masks. Upscale Overstock has sold more than 500 of those masks.

“This has kept us alive during the pandemic,” Palmer said.

Her daughter also makes string art creations, paints signs on canvasses and also sells home-made scrunchies for hair.

“They’re all one-of-a-kind,” Palmer said.

She said business and traffic have been picking up this summer.

“People are definitely out more,” she said. “There are some people who dock their boats and go up and down Main Street. Medina is a unique little town.”

Upscale Overstock is open every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekends.

For the second straight day Orleans and Genesee counties both don’t have any new confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Each county currently has one resident hospitalized with Covid-19. Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported today there are 619 people in the state hospitalized with Covid-19. That is the lowest number since March 18.

The two local counties have added people to precautionary quarantine due to travel from one of 34 states with high rates of infection and hospitalization from Covid-19.

Orleans added 11 people to precautionary quarantine, and now has 74 on quarantine for two weeks. Genesee added 17 and now has 151 total on precautionary quarantine, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

More from the local Health Department:

• Travel Advisory: New York is requiring travelers from the following 34 states with high coronavirus rates to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The list also includes Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures.

In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home, do not give them any information and call 911.

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Senate negotiates the next coronavirus relief legislation, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to extend enhanced unemployment benefits in the upcoming legislation.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, 30 million people have lost their jobs, 49 states have experienced rising unemployment and with states scaling back plans to reopen businesses, unemployment numbers continue to rise.

In the week ending July 18, there were 1,416,000 new unemployment insurance claims, an increase of 109,000 from the previous week. While the CARES Act authorized Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) those benefits are set to expire on July 31.

In a letter to McConnell, Gillibrand called for these benefits to be extended to provide a vital lifeline to families struggling during this public health and economic crisis.

“It’s been more than two months since the House passed the HEROES Act, which included an extension of the $600 benefits through the start of next year. Meanwhile Senate Republicans have dragged their heels and failed to come up with a viable alternative to help struggling families weather the COVID-19 crisis,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It’s urgent that the Senate extend these vital unemployment benefits in the next package as unemployment numbers continue to rise in every corner of our country. I’m urging Leader McConnell to act now to provide desperately needed relief for struggling American workers.”

Unemployment insurance benefits have been one of the most effective means of stimulating our economy in previous recessions and during the pandemic, families have relied on the federal enhanced unemployment insurance benefit to cover their health insurance, utilities, food, and rent and mortgages.

Now, as the first of the month approaches and the moratorium on evictions set to expire at the end of July, millions of Americans are at risk of being evicted if they are unable to afford rent after receiving their last enhanced unemployment check. Congress must include the critical $600 per week unemployment benefit through January 31, 2021 to keep families afloat during this crisis, Gillibrand said.

States across the country—from Tennessee to Ohio to Louisiana—have warned that McConnell’s plan could lead to weeks or even months of delays in unemployment payments.

The full text of Gillibrand’s letter can be found by clicking here.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that DMV-licensed driving schools can now conduct distance learning Pre-Licensing Courses.

Due to the Covid-19 public health crisis, driving schools across the state have been unable to offer the Pre-Licensing Course – also known as the five-hour course – to students. In order to safely meet the demand for driver training while adhering to social distancing guidelines, the State Department of Motor Vehicles has issued guidance to driving schools allowing them to conduct Pre-Licensing Courses using established and secure technology, such as Zoom, WebEx, Go To Meeting and Skype.

“As we continue establishing a new normal it’s important to be flexible in how we administer certain services including the process for getting a driver’s license,” Governor Cuomo said. “The pre-licensing course is critical for New Yorkers to learn how to drive safely, and allowing driving schools to teach this course remotely will allow courses to resume without risking the health and safety of those participating.”

Any DMV licensed driving school that is currently authorized to teach Pre-Licensing and chooses to conduct the course via distance learning technology may do so immediately under the following conditions:

• Schools are not required to seek approval from DMV prior to implementing the distance learning option, but they must have a valid Pre-Licensing endorsement to deliver courses and employ one or more qualified instructors.
• Courses must be delivered live, in real-time, by the school’s Pre-Licensing qualified instructors through video sessions. The school’s teleconferencing option must provide for interaction between instructors and students, face-to-face, just as they would in a traditional classroom, but in the virtual environment. Software or computer programs to deliver the course without a qualified instructor are not allowed.
• Students must pre-register and present their learners permit so the school can identify the student, ensure that the student is eligible to take the course and record the student’s information as listed on the permit. Driving Schools must abide by all applicable social distancing guidelines issued by the state Department of Health and local jurisdictions, and to any operating restrictions required by New York Forward, if pre-registration is done in-person at the school’s place of business.
• At the time of enrollment, the school must provide the student with instructions explaining the requirements for course participation and completion, including any technology requirements of which the student must be aware.
• The DMV approved Pre-Licensing Course Curriculum and content must be delivered before the instructor issues the MV-278 course completion certificate. Driving Schools must ensure that course completion certificates are issued only to students who have completed the course, are eligible and have been identified by the Driving School at the time of enrollment and throughout the course. Upon course completion, the instructor-signed certificate will be mailed to the address on the client’s permit with instructions for the student to sign it before scheduling a DMV road test appointment.
• Distance learning courses will not be subject to classroom approval requirements, but the location where the instructor is presenting from must be appropriate, free of distraction and conducive to learning.
• The school must maintain records in accordance with regulation and, in the case of distance learning, must also maintain and record the delivery method and instructor delivering the course.
• The school and its instructors utilizing distance learning are responsible for preserving the safety and privacy of students and the integrity of the course within the above-listed parameters and in accordance with all laws, regulations and policies governing driving schools, driving school instructors and the Pre-Licensing Course.
• Violations of law, regulation or policy, including those listed in this notice, are subject to suspension or revocation of the driving school license and instructor’s certification.

Questions or concerns should be directed to the DMV Driving School Unit at DriverTrainingProgram@dmv.ny.gov or (518) 473-7174, Option #3.

ALBION – The State Assembly has approved naming a portion of Route 31 in Albion in honor of Charles Howard, who founded a Santa Claus School in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. The school still bears Howard’s name but is now operated in Midland, Mich.

The state road officially will still be known as Route 31, and East and West Avenue in the village. But there will be signs at each end of the Town of Albion on Route 31, noting the stretch of Route 31 is the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.” The section in Albion goes from Transit Road to Wood Road.

The State Senate also has approved the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.” The legislation needs the governor’s signature before it’s a done deal.

Mr. Howard, in addition to founding a Santa Claus School, established Christmas Park in Albion on Phipps Road near Route 31. He portrayed Santa in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City for 18 years.

This photo shows Charles W. Howard with a Santa at Christmas Park in Albion. Howard operated the Park and a Santa Claus School in Albion until his death on May 1, 1966.

He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.

Howard remains a revered figure among the Santa portrayers world-wide. They have an annual conference, which twice in the past decade has been in Albion.

“Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School,” according to a resolution from the Orleans County Legislature last August in support of naming a section of the state road for Howard.

Jane Holland, Charles Howard’s granddaughter, sent an email on July 31, 2019 to Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee. The Betterment Committee has stepped up efforts to recognize Howard’s role in the community. The Betterment Committee has put up a gateway sign on Route 98, declaring Albion as Howard’s hometown. The group also has “BELIEVE” signs in the community and is working on a memorial bronze statue of Howard in downtown Albion.

The Betterment Committee has sought support for the road naming from local, county and state officials.

Holland said the family endorses having Route 31 be dedicated for Howard, who was a farmer and active in the community as a volunteer, in addition to running Christmas Park and training Santas at the school.

“Grampa was a humble man of little means but a big heart and a giving, caring soul,” she said in her email. “To see him honored on his beloved trail to and from the town – the family still today cherishes and welcomes its comfort when we visit – would be a great privilege.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced the Assembly approved the road naming. The Assembly also approved designating Route 77 between Pembroke Town Park and the intersection of Indian Falls Road in the Town of Pembroke in honor of a local soldier killed in the Vietnam War.

That section of 77 in Pembroke will be known as the “SP4 C. Jay Hall Memorial Highway.” Hall served as a rifleman in the United States Army in Binh Duong, Vietnam. On October 7, 1969, he was on a reconnaissance patrol in an area of known enemy activity. He and his group were suddenly subjected to an intense attack from enemy forces.

With complete disregard for his personal safety, Specialist Hall exposed himself to hostile fire while his comrades were able to obtain cover. During this action, he was mortally wounded.

“I’m proud that the Assembly passed these bills to help us recognize the men of our community so they will be remembered now and forevermore,” Hawley said about naming the portions of the state roads for Howard and Hall.

Provided photo

ALBION – Dan Leverenz, the ALDI store manager in Medina, presents $525 worth of gift cards from the store to Vicki Havholm, Meals on Wheels coordinator in Orleans County.

Leverenz visited the site on East Academy Street in Albion on Monday.

Meals on Wheels is run by The Arc of Genesee Orleans in partnership with the Orleans County Office for the Aging.

The congregate meal sites remain closed in Albion and Kendall, but Meals on Wheels continues to deliver 122 meals to senior citizens around the county, Havholm said.

Meals on Wheels drivers deliver the lunches and also do wellness checks. The drivers have been wearing gloves and masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We’re always looking for volunteer drivers,”  Havholm said.

For more information about volunteering, call Meals on Wheels at 589-7817.

The OFA refers senior citizens in the program. Havholm said some of the routes have a waiting list. The routes are planned so the meals can all be delivered hot within 2 hours.

ALBION – The county government is bringing back workers who were temporary laid off in April due to fiscal constraints on the county due to plummeting sales tax revenues, and delays in aid and reimbursements from the state.

The County Legislature on April 18 voted to temporarily lay off 34 employees and also not fill 10 vacant positions.

The county has already recalled nine of the laid off workers in the past month. County officials have notified 25 other employees they should report to work on Aug. 1 or their first scheduled day of work in August. The county will keep 11 positions vacant for now, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The layoffs were voluntary with the employees receiving the $600 weekly in enhanced federal unemployment assistance, on top of the usual unemployment. The $600 from the federal government expires this week.

Republicans in Congress have proposed extending the enhanced federal unemployment benefits at $200 a week, while Democrats are pushing for the $600 weekly stipend to continue.

Welch said the county’s budget situation would be vastly improved if Congress and President Trump approve aid for local and state government as part of a stimulus and federal relief package currently under negotiation in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been pressing Congress and the president to approve federal funding for states and local governments or else there will be drastic cuts in services with local tax increases.

“Until we know where we stand in state aid we are not planning across-the-board type of cuts,” Welch said. “We are looking to target cuts directly with the reduction with state and or federal aid reductions. We need a few more pieces of this puzzle before we could make wise and prudent decisions. August will hopefully be the key month when all of these pieces finally come together.”