By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 4:32 pm
County has 3 more confirmed cases, now has had 263 test positive
Orleans County is reporting its 51st death from Covid-19, a resident of the Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this very sad time,” according to a news release from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Orchard Rehab & Nursing Center has now had 20 of its residents pass away from Covid-19.
The Health Departments also reported the county has three new confirmed cases of Covid-19, including two who are residents of Orchard. The other new case is a resident of Murray.
The 3 new positive cases of Covid-19 bring the total to 263 who have tested positive in the county.
One of the new positive cases is a person in the 50s, another person is in the 70s and the other positive case is in the 90s.
The new positive community case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, according to the Health Departments.
The county has also had three more recoveries in the community to bring that total to 107. There are also 12 people hospitalized with Covid-19.
In Genesee County, there are 4 new positive cases of Covid-19 for 212 positive cases. Of the new cases, one lives in Batavia, one resides in Bethany, and one resides in Darien. One of the new positive cases is a resident of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.
One of the individuals is in the 20s, one is in the 50s, one is in the 70s, and the other is in the 80s. One of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee has two of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation. That brings the total recoveries in the community to 146.
In Genesee, one person is hospitalized with Covid-19.
Click here to view an online map of the confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
The facility breakdown is only showing the total positive cases from those facilities with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
More from the Health Departments:
• Keep checking the New York Forward website for industry/organization summary guidelines.
• Per Governor Cuomo gatherings (groups, assembly, meeting, etc.) of 25 or less are permitted with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place through July 15.
The Health Departments do not authorize or allow exemptions from the Governor’s orders. If you have questions about the orders you can go to forward.ny.gov or e- mail the Finger Lakes Regional Control Room at flnyf@esd.ny.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 3:39 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion teachers worked in the Community Kitchen on Friday at Christ Church. Della Morales, left, is the high school media specialist. She scoops a serving of ham and scalloped potatoes.
Julie Keller, a second grade teacher, is at right.
“We’ve been looking for more opportunities to let the students we’re still here and we want to be involved with them for a long time,” Morales said.
Albion just recently teachers started volunteering with the kitchen. On Friday, they arrived at 11 a.m. to start preparing a meal for more than 200 people.
This group of five in the kitchen includes, from left: Kelly Uderitz, high school special education teacher, Jay Kovaleski, high school physical education teacher, Chris Keller, middle school English; Dawn Arnold, elementary teacher; and Kelly Adams, whose husband Don is an elementary PE teacher.
Chris Keller, president of the Albion Teachers Association, said the group has been looking for more ways to serve the community.
“We’ve been trying to do more community outreach,” Keller said. “We have awesome people who have just been chomping at the bit.”
He praised the kitchen’s director Faith Smith and her husband Michael for their long-term commitment to preparing the meals and serving the people. Smith, the director the past 11 years, tries to line up donations and secure food to make a well-balanced meal.
Jay Kovaleski, a high school physical education teacher, helps in the kitchen on Friday.
The teachers are going to work in the kitchen the third Fridays this summer. They donated $200 to the kitchen, in addition to volunteering.
Faith Smith, the Community Kitchen director, said the teachers have been a big blessing. They have been prepping, cooking and serving to-go meals.
“They are a great group of people who work very well together,” Smith said. “They not only are giving their time to volunteer but they are also collecting donations for the kitchen.”
She praised them for their efforts on Friday in a hot kitchen, making the scalloped potatoes and ham, and baking brownies.
“They are going above and beyond teaching in the classroom and giving back to the community,” Smith said. “I think what they are doing is wonderful. I am grateful they choose to help and support the Community Kitchen.”
The teachers on Thursday also did a parade through the school district, spending two hours on the road, going by homes in Albion, Barre, Carlton and Gaines.
Betsy Krenning, one of the Albion Teachers Association leaders, said the group with 163 members wanted to let students know they have been missed since the school campus was closed in mid March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Krenning is shown at the Save-A-Lot parking lot while teachers decorated their vehicles.
Mindy Kenward, an Albion fifth grade teacher, drives the truck for the fifth grade teachers during the parade on Thursday.
The ATA also purchased banners that are on the tennis courts, congratulating the Class of 2020.
The group earlier this month also paid for a platter of sandwiches for the staff and The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, and also purchased plants for residents.
The teachers for at least the past five years have had a spot in the downtown during Beggar’s Nite, handing out candy to hundreds of children the Friday before Halloween.
Teachers also have had a booth at the Albion Strawberry Festival, giving out several hundred books for children to read over the summer. This year’s festival was cancelled, but it is expected to be back next June.
Some of the prekindergarten team includes Peggy Lemcke, left, who is retiring as an aide and teacher Jennifer Waters. They had fun during the parade last Thursday.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is aware of the recent string of fraud cases that have developed in the wake of an overwhelmed New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) doing what it can to assist as many people as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a significant number of people to lose their jobs.
The scam stems from evidence that individuals throughout Western New York have received letters concerning unemployment benefits from the NYSDOL, despite never having sought unemployment claims at all. Hawley is urging everyone to remain vigilant and responsible during this time.
“I have my reservations when it comes to government agencies operating efficiently,” Hawley said. “I am coordinating with the NYSDOL to ensure those who need legitimate support receive it, and those who are falling victim to these identity thieves know what steps to take to set things right.”
NYSDOL is still developing a comprehensive set of instructions that it will make public for those wondering what steps to take should they receive such a letter. Until that time, Hawley is encouraging all citizens to stay vigilant, monitor their mail, and should they notice anything suspicious coming from the NYSDOL in the mail (particularly when they have not claimed unemployment), they should report it to the Fraud Department by calling toll-free at (888) 598-2077, or click here for an online form.
Citizens are also encouraged to email the FBI branch in Buffalo if they have received a letter or related debit card contact at: rochester.bf@fbi.gov or call the number of the New York State Police Troop A Headquarters at (585) 344-6200.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 11:08 am
The state had 10 people die from Covid-19 on Sunday, the fewest since March 21, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today.
The 10 deaths follows 15 on Saturday and 24 on Friday.
The state also has reduced the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 to 1,122, which is down from 1,142 on Saturday and 1,220 on Friday.
“In New York, we’ve been following the science and the data and the metrics from day one. We have the best numbers that we’ve had since this started today in New York,” Cuomo said. “Yesterday, we only had ten deaths, down from a high of 800. We have about 1,000 people in our hospitals, which is one of the lowest numbers we’ve had since this began. Because of the changes New Yorkers made, we now have the lowest transmission rate in the United States of America.”
There were also 56,780 tests conducted in New York State on Sunday and 552 were positive or 0.97 percent.
The Governor also announced that global public health experts cleared the Mid-Hudson Valley to enter Phase 3 of reopening tomorrow. Long Island is on track to enter Phase 3 of reopening Wednesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 10:23 am
Polls also will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Orleans County Board of Elections has already received 4,288 absentee ballots for Tuesday’s special election and primary.
The office received requests for 7,197 absentees. The county currently has 23,111 registered voters.
In addition to the absentee option, the Board of Elections offered early voting over nine days from June 13 until June 21. There were 151 early voters.
The polls will also be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To see a list of the polling places, click here.
There are primaries at the local level (Orleans County Clerk, Republican Committees in Murray and Ridgeway), and federal positions (special election for NY-27th and Republican Primary for NY-27th) and the Democratic Presidential primary.
The County Board of Elections encourages voters to wear a mask if they go to the polls on Tuesday.
‘We are asking the public to please keep yourself, your loved ones, and other village residents and their property safe by not discharging fireworks.’ – Chief Chad Kenward
Press Release, Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward
MEDINA – In recent weeks, our agency, along with several surrounding agencies, have received multiple fireworks complaints from citizens.
These incidents are happening at multiple locations, and it can be difficult for officers to identify a specific suspect who set off these devices. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that is isolated to the Village of Medina, and though our investigations, we believe that a majority of these illegal devices are being purchased outside of the area. We assure you that we are as frustrated with the problem as you are.
Over the weekend, additional officers were put on the street. These officers were able to take some enforcement action, and effected multiple arrests in direct relation to these situations. Here is a brief recap of the charges filed by our agency over the weekend, and the corresponding number of arrests:
Due to current legislation, arrests for these offenses are non-bailable offenses, meaning, after the arrest, subjects are released to appear in court at a later date.
We have had multiple instances where arrested individuals have been believed to have continued setting off fireworks after being arrested and released. Despite these difficulties, our agency will continue enforcing NYS law in regard to possessing and discharging illegal fireworks. It should be strongly noted, that individuals who maintain any premise where this illegal activity is conducted may also be charged with Criminal Nuisance, even if they are not the ones discharging the fireworks.
It should go without saying, but fireworks are very dangerous. Annually, approximate 10,000 people are hurt or killed by fireworks, including 1/3 who are under the age of 16 years old. In addition, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year. We are asking the public to please keep yourself, your loved ones, and other village residents and their property safe by not discharging fireworks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 9:19 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion firefighter Marty Stirk responds to a fire with Albion’s ladder truck at about 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.
ALBION – Fire investigators are unable to determine the cause of a fire on Saturday morning that badly damaged an Albion home at 19 West Academy St.
The fire likely started in the cupola of the house, but the fire destroyed the cupola, leaving only two posts. The floor and steps leading to the cupola also are gone because the fire.
“It is undetermined because there was so much damage,” said Fire Investigator Justin Niederhofer.
The fire also resulted in extensive smoke and water damage to the house, owned by Angelo and Ondrea Pate.
ROCHESTER – The Golisano Foundation announced today that it has awarded $416,000 to 11 organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida in its third round of COVID-19 Response Grants.
This brings the Foundation’s total COVID-19 Response Grant funding to date to $1,107,800.
Grants announced today totaling $416,000 will help the following organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with urgent needs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic:
Arc of Erie, $42,000
Arc of Ontario, $41,000
Arc of Genesee Orleans, $61,000
Arc of Wayne, $75,000
Gavras Center, $15,000
Lifespan, $18,000
Lifetime Assistance, Inc., $50,000
Mozaic, $20,000
People Inc., $10,000
LARC (Southwest Florida), $39,000
STARability (Southwest Florida), $45,000
“The most recent round of applications has signaled a change from emergency preparedness to careful planning for reopening programs and services according to NYS guidelines,” said Ann Costello, Executive Director of the Foundation. “As much as everyone would like things to get back to normal, agencies are proceeding with caution given the vulnerability of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the reality that the COVID-19 virus is still with us. The Foundation is pleased to be able provide financial assistance during this difficult time.”
• About COVID-19 Response Grants
Now through the end of October 2020, the Foundation is redirecting approximately $2 million in grant funding to assist organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida due to the coronavirus crisis.
Grants may help cover items such as short-term operating expenses for essential programs, safety net and specialty services; the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies/equipment; new technology and technical assistance for virtual commuting and telemedicine; cleaning supplies for health and hygiene; efforts to ensure safe distancing in group homes and facilities among others.
• Overview of COVID-19 Response Grants
The grant application process was announced and opened on April 24. The first round of grants to 14 organizations totaling $426,300 was announced May 14.
The second round of grants was announced May 28, and awarded $265,500 to 10 organizations. The third round of grants announced today to 11 organizations totaled $416,000
The next round of grant decisions will be made by July 22, 2020. Application eligibility and guidelines may be found by clicking here.
• About the Foundation
The Golisano Foundation was founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano – entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, and founder and chairman of Paychex, Inc. – who “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $45 million in gross assets, it awards about $2 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2020 at 9:48 pm
BARKER – Mike Zeliff sent in these photos of the sunset on Lake Ontario last night, the official start of summer and the longest day of the year for peak sunlight.
Zeliff took these photos from the Golden Hill State Park in Barker.
Summer got off to a hot start with temperatures in the high 80s this weekend.
Monday will have a high near 88 with a chance for showers in the morning and a chance for more showers and a thunderstorm on Monday night, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
The highs the rest of the week include 87 on Tuesday, 78 on Wednesday, 79 on Thursday, 80 on Friday and 82 on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2020 at 1:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – The firemen’s sauce is added to chicken during today’s barbecue at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company.
The 800 chicken dinners sold out fast in the drive-through event. They were all gone by 11:44 a.m.
Ricky Tuohey, a Ridgeway firefighter, helps serve the chicken barbecues today.
The event was scheduled to start at 11 a.m., but the fire company started to serve the meals around 10 a.m. due to a lineup of vehicles.
Deputy Fire Chief Jason Bessel, left, and Fire Chief Pat Kelly work in the fire pits with the last batch of chicken. Firefighters arrived at 6 a.m. to start cooking the chicken.
Bessel and Kelly said the fire company has lost about $10,000 with cancelled fundraisers during the Covid-19 pandemic, including a gun and money raffle in May.
The fire company expects to make about $2,000 from today’s chicken barbecue. Kelly and the fire company also wanted to keep the event going, which has been a Father’s Day tradition the past 49 years.
Today’s chicken barbecue was drive-through only. Usually many people prefer to eat the meals inside the fire hall. But the fire hall remains closed to big crowds. The state currently has limited social gatherings to no more than 25 people.
Joleen Bessel, left, and Valerie Busch add bottles of water to the meals.
This group works on the dinners in the kitchen. Henry Charache scoops the beans into the meal container. Tracey Hendrick, center, is president of the auxiliary and April Fearby, right, is vice president. They had three lines going during the busiest time.
Justin McAdoo wheels some of the meals to a truck bay, where they were picked up in a drive-through lane. Some of the children of the firefighters hitched a ride in the bottom of the cart.
Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson helped take the orders.
Kristin McAdoo, first assistant chief for the Ridgeway, collects the money.
Ridgeway’s next big fundraiser will be a gun and cash raffle on Oct. 9.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2020 at 9:56 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Christa Construction of Victor has construction equipment and supplies on site for a 40-unit apartment project in Albion.
DePaul Properties of Rochester last year took down three houses on Liberty Street, between the railroad tracks and Beaver Street.
That land will become the DePaul Boxcar Apartments, which will have 36 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units. The one bedroom units can have up to two people and the two-bedroom apartments have room for up to four people.
The sign for the project says the new complex should be complete in July 2021.
DePaul will have staff on site to oversee the apartment complex, and also to take residents to appointments with a DePaul van.
DePaul is designing the project to support people with disabilities, including senior citizens and veterans. The organization will do extensive background checks for credit, criminal and sex offender history and evictions.
DePaul is calling the property the Boxcar Apartments to reflect its location next to the railroad.
The new apartments will be created to fill the need for housing for persons earning up to $31,800 for a single person and a family of four earning up to $45,420.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2020 at 8:53 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jim Preston, co-owner of Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping, works on a new veterans’ memorial at the Courthouse Square in Albion on Saturday morning.
Preston’s brother Aaron put in the stone pavers for the site and Jim is doing the landscaping work.
The Albion Knights of Columbus Council No. 1330 is paying for the memorial, which was approved by the County Legislature last December.
The memorial includes a flag pole, currently flying a POW/MIA flag. A monument and bench will be added to the site.
Jim Preston was joined by his wife Molly and their son Blake with the landscaping work on Saturday.
Today is the big day. The day to celebrate “The Captains of the Ships” or as my Dad would ask,”Who is the Captain of the Ship?” and us kids would respond with heartfelt excitement, “You are Dad!”
Of course as we got to be teenagers the enthusiasm waned a bit, but we still responded properly, “You are Dad.”
There are different kinds of Dads. There are quiet and thoughtful Dads, loud and jokester Dads, patient and nurturing Dads, Get-Er-Done Dads, and more.
No matter the type, Dad is still the Captain of the Ship. Maybe that is why Dads are so hard to buy for because the Captain would have everything he needs already for proper Ship navigation. Look up Father’s Day gifts on-line and you will find BBQ items, ties, golf clubs, mugs, food, T shirts.
I admit I have fallen into one of these gift traps on, well..many occasions. Maybe even this year, again, if truth be told. And I am all about telling the truth because my Dad taught me that “Honesty is Always the Best Policy”! Wish I could get that on shirts for both of us and we could be matching. One could include the phase, “I taught her that” and the other could say, “he taught me that.”
And what about those greeting cards, geesh. For Mother’s Day there are all kinds of lovely cards, but for Father’s Day not so much. So many with tools on them or images of Dads taking a nap in the recliner with the remote next to them. I just need a plain card to let my Dad know that I appreciate him, I love him and I am grateful I grew up on his Ship.
I don’t know about everyone, but in my family my Mom says “don’t give me any gifts” but then slips in a few hints for something she might like in her next sentence. I appreciate that because it makes the gift giving much easier and makes me giggle too because we all want to be noble, but lets face it, a gift is nice too.
However with my Dad, he says “do not get me anything for Father’s Day.” He wants me to take my money and do something good for myself. Truly. If you know him you know that is what makes him happy. Knowing we have the most so we can achieve and enjoy the most. That is pretty awesome right?
When you are the Captain it is important to see your Crew succeed because no one wants the Ship to sink. In a family when one goes down, we all go down. Because the Captain taught us, “A family that works together stays together” and we lived by that motto growing up.
I won’t be able to go see Dad without a gift or corny card, but I think he will forgive me again. I am pretty sure that he will be happy that we can spend time together, which is the most important part!
If you are missing your Captain or a Captain missing their Crew, know this..the lessons taught on your “Ship of Life” transcend time and live in our hearts forever.
Happy Father’s Day to my Dad John Burgoon, my father-in-law Jerry London and all Dads.
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2020 at 6:35 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Stacey Kirby Steward was up high on scaffolding in the Hoag Library today, working on a mural of three swans flying over the countryside in Albion.
The mural is about 23 feet long. It is in the Curtis Room, the main meeting room of the library.
The public will be able to see the finished mural for the first time on Tuesday, with the meeting room used as a polling site in a special election and primary. Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The family of the late Marion M. Moore paid the artist fee for the mural. Moore served as director of the Swan Library from 1961 to 1973. Albion’s public library was known as Swan Library from 1900 to 2012. The new Hoag Library opened in July 2012.
The mural shows three swans flying over the Erie Canal. The painting also highlights the farm fields, Lake Ontario and some of the cobblestone houses.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2020 at 4:57 pm
RIDGEWAY – Hannah Hill of Ridgeway sent in these photos taken this morning, when she saw a mother possum carrying a bunch of babies on her back on Oak Orchard River Road.
The Orleans Hub has been around for more than 7 years and many people have sent in wildlife photos. I believe this is the first time we’ve had possums featured.
“I know it’s not news, but local and adorable none the less ?,” Hill said in an email to the Orleans Hub.
I didn’t know that the mother possums have a pouch in their abdomens for the babies when they are small. As they get bigger, the babies climb on the mother’s back while she is out scavenging.
