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.”

Medina won’t get a chance to defend state title this year

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jada Draper, left, leads the Medina field band as the drum major in this photo from the Fall Festival of Bands in medina on Sept 21, 2019. The Medina band performed to a program titled, “Walk the Path.”

There won’t be a fall field band competitive season in Medina or New York State.

“It is with great regret that our conference has voted to end the 2020 competitive field band season,” the New York State Field Band Conference announced on Tuesday. “After meeting for several months and creating multiple contingency plans, our directors remained hopeful that some version of our traditional in-person season could be offered. However, after careful research and discussion with directors, consultants and other state associations, the New York State Field Band Conference has decided that the 2020 competitive field band season must be cancelled.”

Destiny Jones is a member of the Color Guard for the Medina Mustang Band. She is shown during last year’s Fall Festival of Bands in Medina.

Medina is the only school district in Orleans County that competes in the program. Medina won the state championship last year, winning the Small Schools 1 Division at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

This season would have been Medina’s 54^th season competing as a marching band.

Jim Steele, Medina’s marching band director, this morning shared the news about the cancelled season on the marching band’s Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness that I announce to you that the 2020 competitive field band season has been cancelled by the New York State Field Band Conference,” Steele said. “This decision was not an easy one to make but in this crazy and ever changing world we are living in it was the right one.”

Steele said the conference acted out of safety for students and staff.

“The field band conference is looking into some alternative options to at least give the students of each school an opportunity to come together and perform in some way,” he said. “Details on that will be revealed at a later date from the conference.”

He said he is hopeful the band in Medina can still get together for rehearsals to keep their skills up to date. If the football season is allowed by the state, Steele said the Medina band might be able to perform at a game.

The NYS Field Band Conference urged school districts to safely allow in-person band rehearsals and parent/community performances this fall.

“We share in the immense disappointment of our performing students, educators, parents and fans,” the NYS Field Band Conference said in its announcement. “It shall continue to be the mission of the New York State Field Band Conference to encourage and provide a positive experience for all participants. We will still work to create opportunities for our students throughout the upcoming calendar year. Despite the lack of a formal competitive 2020 season, marching band in New York State will still exist. We will do everything in our power as directors to support and cultivate marching band for our current and future students.”

Lancaster’s Marching Band performed, “Into the Yonder Blue,” a tribute to the U.S. Air Force, during the Fall Festival of Bands at Vets Park in Medina on Sept. 21, 2019. KC Gust was the junior drum major for Lancaster. More than 1,000 people filled the bleachers for the show, which included nine marching bands.

Daniel Patrick Hurley sent in his photo from Lattin Road in Gaines this evening. It was a striking sunset after torrential rain the previous day.

The high temperature in Orleans County for Wednesday will reach 82, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Thursday it will be mostly sunny with a high near 81. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m.

Friday will be mostly sunny with a high near 81, followed by a high near 83 on Saturday.

Carol Neal sent in this photo of dark clouds hovered over a corn field. She was looking north on Platten Road in Lyndonville.

U.S. Census Bureau delays filing deadline from July to end of October

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today kicked off the State’s Census Push Week urging New Yorkers to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census before the Oct. 31 deadline and to make sure every New Yorker is counted in the upcoming census.

“There’s no doubt that Covid-19 has presented unprecedented obstacles to completing the Census,” Cuomo said. “However, the pandemic also highlights a key reason why the Census is so vital—New York State continues to seek substantial funding and aid from the federal government. I urge every New Yorker to complete the Census, and remember, New York State can help if you encounter any issues along the way.”

As part of Census Push Week, the Office for New Americans is hosting a Census Hotline Phone Bank Event on August 5th and 6th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to provide information and answer questions about the Census. The hotline phone bank event will be primarily Spanish-language, with full multi-language access available for all callers. ONA is partnering with El Diario and Telemundo to help promote the phone bank and increase participation of the Latino community.

State agencies are continuing outreach activities to encourage New Yorkers to fill out the Census, including:

• MTA is distributing census information across more than 5,434 digital screens in its system, including stations and transit vehicles.
• The Department of State is training its network of Community Action Agencies, which promote services that combat poverty, to raise awareness of the Census. In addition, the DOS Division of Licensing Services, which interacts with more than 800,000 New Yorkers in 39 occupations, is promoting the Census through its customer service phone line.
• The Department of Financial Services is delivering awareness messages and coordinating their use among the community banks, banks in underbanked areas, check cashers, and money transmission officers, among other entities licensed by the agency.
• Empire State Development is promoting the Census with and distributing materials to the REDCs and their members, welcome centers and other ESD facilities, among other activities.

State agencies are also continuing their coordinated effort across social media platforms to amplify the need for all New Yorkers to participate in the Census. The effort is being conducted in partnership with New York Counts 2020, a statewide coalition focused on maximizing participation in the 2020 Census.

“The Census gives New Yorkers the chance to profoundly affect our state’s future, and since federal funding and representation in Congress are determined by the Census count, it’s absolutely critical that every New Yorker is counted and that residents are informed that Census responses, regardless of the respondents’ immigration or citizenship status, are confidential, safe and secure,” Cuomo said.

In January, the Governor officially kicked off a campaign to raise census awareness, hosting the State’s first census conference where community stakeholders met with administration officials to learn how they could partner with the state to support a complete count.

A few weeks later, the Covid-19 pandemic struck the state, making it dangerous to undertake outreach and limiting the reach of State agencies. At the same time, the state’s finances were disrupted by the pandemic as the State went from projecting a near 7% increase in revenue to a 14% decline, and the federal government has taken no action to help states offset this loss. Recognizing these difficulties across the nation, the U.S. Census Bureau delayed the census filing deadline to the end of October from July.

“It has never been more important for all New Yorkers to complete the Census, and we want to make sure every single person living in New York State is counted,” said New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “Completing the Census is safe and easy, and the information you provide is confidential. New York is helping to ensure every single New Yorker, regardless of citizenship status, is counted and New York gets its fair share of funding for critical services such as healthcare, education and emergency services.”

The Census can be filled out by mail, over the phone or online (click here).

For more information on the Census, click here.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

ALBION — The Orleans County Animal Shelter remains closed to the public until further notice due to Covid-19.

Only animal control officers are permitted to enter the shelter and complete the adoption process at this time. We are now in the process of taking in stray dogs as well as voluntary surrenders of dogs and cats where applicable.

A list of our animals available for adoptions can be found on the Facebook page, “Friends of the Orleans County Animal Shelter.”

For any questions, please contact an animal control officer for a description or for a phone interview at (585) 589-5527.

We thank you for your understanding in this matter and appreciate your cooperation.

–  Sheriff Chris Bourke and Undersheriff Michael Mele

There are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in either Orleans and Genesee counties, the local health department reported this afternoon.

Genesee is reporting one more recovery for 187 total, while Orleans remains at 120 for recoveries among community residents. (That doesn’t include recoveries in nursing homes and other non-public regulated facilities.)

Both counties each have one resident hospitalized with Covid-19.

The Health Department also is reporting Orleans has 7 more people on precautionary quarantine for 2 weeks due to travel from a restricted state, while Genesee is reporting four more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County 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.

• Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state travelers from NYS restricted states, 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.

• Alcohol Sales Guidance: Executive Order 202.52 in effect starting July 17 requires all licensed establishments with on premises privileges (e.g. restaurants, taverns, manufacturers with tasting rooms, etc.) shall not serve alcoholic beverages unless such alcoholic beverage is accompanied by the purchase of a food item by each patron in a seated party.

• Community Testing Sites: Check with the testing site for any specific criteria necessary for testing such as illness, contact with someone who tested positive, essential worker, required for reopening/business, etc. Many need to have a doctor referral/prescription. Always call first.

• Oak Orchard Health: 301 West Ave Albion, NY 14411. Call (585) 589-5613 to be screened and to schedule an appointment – no walk-ins.
• WellNow Urgent Care: 4189 Veterans Memorial Drive Batavia, NY 14020.
• Rochester Regional Health Urgent Care: 16 Bank Street Batavia, NY 14020. (Rochester Regional Health has transitioned Covid-19 evaluations from the tents at 127 North Street to Urgent Care.)

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The driver of this Tacoma pickup was taken by COVA ambulance to Medina Memorial Hospital after an accident this afternoon at the intersection of Route 31 and Eagle Harbor Road. The person transported by ambulance didn’t appear to have serious injuries.

Frank Strasburger, owner of Frank’s Auto in Albion, towed away the pickup.

The driver is this Jeep declined medical treatment. Lyons Collision employees in Medina hauled the vehicle away from the scene.

Albion firefighters and COVA were dispatched to the scene at about 3:30 p.m., along with the State Police.

This is one of Orleans County most notorious intersections, with frequent accidents. No addition information is available about today’s accident.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The first Albion firefighter on the scene of a pickup truck on fire uses a garden hose to try to douse the flames.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about noon. The truck is owned by Mitch Conn and was parked in his driveway at the corner of West Park and Day streets.

The flames engulfed the front of the truck.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the garage.

The fire spewed a dark smoke high in the air.

Orleans County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that three more states – Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota – have been added to a list where travelers need to self quarantine for 14 days when they come to New York.

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

There are now 34 states on the travel advisory. These are states that have a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or they are states with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

The states on the list now include: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Cuomo said New York continues to keep its infection rate at about 1 percent, which is “great news” but he remains concerned about travelers from states with high infection rates.

Cuomo also said local governments need to enforce compliance with social distancing, mask wearing and crowd sizes to keep Covid-19 from spreading in the state.

He also shared that there were 81 people in the state who needed to be intubated in hospitals due to Covid-19, which is the lowest number since mid-March.

Of the 57,397 tests reported on Monday, 534 were positive or 0.93% of the total. Total hospitalizations are at 648, and 9 people died from Covid-19 on Monday.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is partnering with Western New York business Sunnking, Inc. to collect old electronics citizens are looking to responsibly dispose of in an environmentally responsible way.

The event will take place on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. It will be at a parking lot at 5130 E. Main Street, Batavia (Next to National Grid). Enter off Ag Park Drive.

“One of the biggest challenges that comes with trying to remain environmentally responsible is figuring out how to dispose of things not conventionally recyclable by the average person,” Hawley said. “This is where Sunnking comes in. I’ve had the pleasure to work with them in the past on events much like this one, and am grateful they are able to conduct this business safely and securely in the wake of the pandemic.”

Hawley will be joined by Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C,I-East Aurora) for the event. Those interested in participating or looking to spread the word are reminded to pre-register online at the following link (click here) or call (585) 637-8365. Otherwise Sunnking cannot collect your electronic recycling. Each vehicle is limited to four televisions or monitors total.

RIDGEWAY – The State Appellate Court last week upheld the decision by an acting Orleans County Court judge who sentenced a Ridgeway man to 20 years in prison.

Gerardo Quiros

Gerardo Quiros, 33, was convicted by a jury of sexual assault and rape charges during a trial in July 2018. He held a woman against her will for several weeks, while physically and sexually assaulting her.

He was found guilty by the jury of rape in the first degree (four counts), criminal sexual act in the first degree (three counts), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (two counts), assault in the third degree, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and unlawful possession of marijuana.

On Sept. 17, 2018, he was sentenced by Sara Sheldon, a Niagara County Court judge, to 20 years in prison, plus 10 years of post-release supervision.

Quiros, during sentencing, declined to address the court. His attorney, Scott Riordan, advised Quiros not to speak at sentencing because they would immediately appeal the conviction and sentence.

Riordan filed an appeal, and it was unanimously rejected on Friday by the State Appellate Division, Fourth Department.

Riordan in the appeal said the judge should have dismissed the indictment against Quiros because of testimony from a former girlfriend. Riordan said Quiros shouldn’t have faced multiple counts in the indictment because the former girlfriend didn’t provide specific details on precise dates.

The victim testified there were as many as 40 incidents of forced sexual assault. The prosecutor, District Attorney Joe Cardone, had clear dates for 10 counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree. Those counts should all be treated as separate counts or crimes, the court said.

“The victim’s testimony was detailed, graphic, and corroborated by receipts, photographs, and emails that allowed the victim to pinpoint the precise dates on which each of those incidents of forced sexual intercourse occurred,” the court said. “Because defendant was convicted only of those counts of [rape in the first degree] where pretrial notice of specific instances was given and where those specific instances were proved at trial, we conclude that dismissal of those counts as duplicitous was not required.”

Quiros was indicted in May 2017 for repeatedly raping and sodomizing his now former girlfriend in March 15 to April 29, 2017 at his house on Ridge Road.

He was subject of a manhunt on April 29, 2017. Quiros fled before police arrived, leading to a massive police search of the area and a stay-in-place order for nearby residents. The search was called off after several hours when police determined Quiros was no longer in the area. He was arrested two days later in Lockport.

He posted $200,000 bail and then faced other charges from a separate case. On Jan. 1, 2018, he barged into a home on Root Road in Barre and tried to drag a new girlfriend out of the house by her feet. He was stopped by her brother, who made Quiros leave at gunpoint.

Quiros pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors – criminal trespass in the second degree and attempted unlawful imprisonment in the first degree. He was sentenced to a year in the county jail for those crimes, with that incarceration to be served concurrently with the state prison sentence.

Press Release, NYS Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball

ALBANY – NYS Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball issued the following statement about reports of mislabeled packages of seeds from China.

“Our office has received questions from a few New Yorkers who have received unsolicited packages allegedly sent from China that are marked as containing jewelry but which actually contain plant seeds.

“Similar packages have been received in other states and the United States Department of Agriculture is investigating. People who receive seeds should not plant or handle the seeds. They should store them safely in a place children and pets cannot access and email USDA immediately at erich.l.glasgow@usda.gov for instructions.

“Seeds imported into the United States are rigorously tested to ensure quality and prevent introduction of invasive species, insects and diseases. We will continue to monitor this issue and will pass along guidance as it is received from USDA.”

Consumers who email the USDA should include their full names and telephone numbers, pictures of the package and any other relevant information.

KENDALL – The school district will host a community forum this evening at 6, and will discuss reopening plans, arrival and dismissal procedures for those on busses, and expectations for those in remote learning.

The forum is available through the Zoom videoconferencing or by calling in by phone. Click here for more information.

Kendall and all of the 700 school districts in the state need to submit reopening plans to the state by Friday. Those plans need to include three options: full in-person learning, a hybrid approach with in-person learning and on-line at home, and remote learning with no in-person classes.

Kendall’s reopening committees have looked at the district’s instructional practices, technology needs, sanitation, transportation and food service.

“The safety of our students, staff and community is paramount, as are providing a quality academic program and supporting social emotional needs,” Julie Christensen, the district superintendent, wrote in a letter to the community.

She said a survey of parents showed about 80 percent intend to send their children back to school this fall. If parents choose remote learning over in-person, Kendall will be using a Google platform to post lesson materials.

“We have developed plans and purchased supplies to accommodate the goals of all students all day, every day,” Christensen said in her letter.

The district superintendent said Kendall remains committed to providing a quality education.

There are some components required by the state Department of Health to reopen schools safely, Christensen said.

• Face coverings will be required for students and staff when social distancing can’t be maintained of at least 6 feet apart. Students will be required to wear face coverings on the bus, during passing time, at arrival and dismissal, and other times when social distancing not possible.

• Health screenings will be required each day before a staff member or child enters the building. Students should have daily temperature and health checks done every day at home. If a student has a temperature over 100 degrees, experiences a new cough, respiratory distress, vomiting or shortness of breath, he or she must stay home, Christensen said in her letter.

If students have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19, they must stay home for 14 days. If students have traveled to a designated state with a high infection rate, those students must stay home.

Students who are quarantined and asymptomatic will be encouraged to continue remote learning.

• Hygiene and sanitation practices: There will be increased sanitation in classrooms, common areas, cafeteria, busses and bathrooms. The district will post more signs throughout school buildings for proper hand hygiene and cleaning. Kendall will also make hand sanitizer available in all classrooms, common areas and on school busses. The district has also added day cleaners to increase sanitation practices.

• Food service practices: Kendall will add grab and go breakfasts, preorder lunches and maintain social distancing in the café and overflow spaces. All spaces will be sanitized frequently.

• Transportation: Routes will be modified to accommodate social distancing to the extent possible. Facial coverings must be worn on busses. In the district survey, about 50 percent of parents said they would transport their child to and from school.

Christensen said the state’s guidelines and health requirements often change on a  daily basis, requiring flexibility from districts as they prepare for the fall.

Provided photo: This photo shows flooding in Knowlesville late this afternoon after several inches of rain fell between Middleport and Albion near Route 31. The National Weather Service in Buffalo said Albion and Medina both received at least 5 inches of rain.

Heather Conley sent in these photos of kids swimming in the flooded lawn in front of the former Towne Primary School on Bates Road in Medina.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Proctor Brook by the Cobblestone Museum on Route 98 in Gaines was flowing high and up to many of the historic structures at the museum.

Proctor Brook flooded over its banks and inundated the front lawn with water at the Cobblestone Museum.

This fire hydrant on Route 98 in Albion is nearly under water. This hydrant is near the Faith Alliance Church.

Jessica Allen took this photo of her flooded backyard on Caroline Street in Albion

Lauren Ballard took this photo of a swollen Sandy Creek near Brown Street

Photo courtesy of Renee Miens: Culvert Road, where a tunnel goes under the Erie Canal, was flooded.

Photo courtesy of Connie Kelley-Warner: This yard and driveway vanished from all the rain this afternoon on Redwood Avenue at Oak Orchard Estates in Albion. “It’s a river running through the back gardens

Aaron Vosburgh sent in this photo of his flooded backyard Butts Road in Albion.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: A motorist sends water flying on East Center Street in Medina. A Village DPW truck was parking in the middle of the street in front of a flooded manhole cover.

Heavy rains caused the lake in Lakewood Village to overflow its banks. Neighbors said they have never seen the lake overflow before. The lake overflowed after at least 5 inches of rain.

A section of Genesee Street in Medina north of the railroad tracks was closed late Monday afternoon due to flooding.

Firefighters are busy pumping flooded basements

Photos courtesy of Justin Niederhofer

MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department pumps out a basement from Beach Street. There was flooding in Medina and Albion especially this afternoon after at least five inches of rain fell.

Medina firefighters had about 100 calls to pump out basements, including some with several feet of water.

Firefighters from Lyndonville, Shelby, East Shelby and Ridgeway were assisting with the pumping efforts.

The Albion Fire Department also has been busy pumping water from basements.

This photo shows a flooded backyard on Beach Street.

Part of West Center Street is flooded as water pours into a storm drain.

Photo courtesy of Dale Banker: This rain gauge showed that more than 7 inches of rain fell in Medina.