Colleges urged to develop plans for students to return for in-person classes, campus housing in fall

Press Release, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he will issue an Executive Order strengthening state enforcement during the phased reopening to protect New Yorkers and ensure business compliance.

Businesses that violate the reopening rules and guidelines are subject to immediate loss of their liquor license and a shutdown order. The Governor also announced he will issue an Executive Order to expand the enforcement areas of the State Liquor Authority by giving bars responsibility for the area immediately outside their locations.

The Governor also announced the State will issue guidance to colleges and universities to allow some in person instruction and on-campus housing and for the fall semester. Campuses must develop a plan, which attests to meeting the guidance and file plans with the State.

The Governor also announced a final decision on New York City entering Phase Two this Monday is expected to come tomorrow following a review of data by global experts. Business guidance for Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan is available here.

“As we go through these phases of reopening, the compliance and enforcement function of local government gets more difficult. We’re going to take an added step by issuing Executive Orders to increase the State’s enforcement capacity,” Governor Cuomo said. “We have done this now in every region across the state, and it has worked overall, but it works better or worse depending on compliance and enforcement and how people follow the rules. New Yorkers have done an incredible job in fighting this virus, but our success will rely on all of us continuing to be smart.”

The State again reached the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests yesterday since the pandemic began. Out of the 68,541 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, only 618, or less than one percent, were positive.

ALBION – An Albion man missing since May 27 has been found and is safe, his daughter, Donna Maynard-Ault, said today.

“My dad Larry Maynard has been found and is in safe hands!!!” she wrote in an email to the Orleans Hub.

Her father was last seen at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

No additional information is available.

Park Strategies gives Orleans ‘a louder voice’ with state and federal governments

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has renewed a contract with a lobbyist at $90,000 a year.

Park Strategies will be paid $5,000 a month ($60,000 a year) for its assistance with state government affairs and $2,500 a month ($30,000 a year) for its lobbying efforts with the federal government on behalf of the county.

The County Legislature renewed the contract during its May 27 meeting.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said Park Strategies has been effective in helping the county secure state and federal aid, and also sets up important meetings with county officials and representatives from the state and federal governments.

“We may be a little county but they have given us a louder voice,” Johnson said Park Strategies.

She said the firm will be advocating on behalf of the county for the state and federal governments to maintain reimbursements and other funding during an economic downtown when the county budget will be stressed.

A top priority for Park will be assisting the county with obtaining state or federal assistance to expand broadband internet in the county, especially in rural areas. The lack of high-speed internet puts businesses, students and residents at a disadvantage.

Businesses often can’t file reports or download information without high-speed internet. Students also often can’t do research or their homework with broadband.

“We are going to see this through,” Johnson said about broadband.

This will be the sixth year the county has contracted with Park Strategies. County officials believe the relationship has benefitted residents. Park helped make the county’s case for canal bridges to be repaired. The state is spending about $10.7 million on seven bridges.

The state also has repaved portions of the Lake Ontario State Parkway, committed to dredging harbors on Lake Ontario and also allocated funds to protect lakeshore properties from flooding.

The state has also approved more than $15 million in REDI projects in Orleans County, to protect and strengthen infrastructure and public assets.

Johnson said Park Strategies sends a weekly report, reviewing state and federal legislation that could have an impact on the county.

“We don’t view this as an extra,” Johnson said about retaining Park. “We view this as necessary for state aid and grants. They are worth their weight in gold.”

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Photo by Tom Rivers – A fisherman is pictured at Point Breeze in this photo from May 3, 2015.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a Free Fishing Weekend for June 27-28. The event is the second of six Free Fishing Days offered in New York State every year.

“This free fishing weekend could not have come at a better time,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Amid the uncertainty of these challenging times, being home together has allowed many families to get outdoors and experience new activities. Free fishing days provide the perfect opportunity for all New Yorkers – from Brooklyn to Buffalo and from Montauk to Mt. Marcy – to try fishing for the first time and encourage those who have fished before to dust off their fishing rods and get outside.”

DEC encourages all anglers, new and experienced, to recreate locally and seek out fishing opportunities close to home.

Additional Free Fishing Days in 2020/2021 include: National Hunting and Fishing Day (Sept. 26); Veterans Day (Nov. 11); and President’s Day Weekend (Feb. 13-14).

During these designated free fishing days, New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license. Free fishing day participants are reminded that although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.

DEC reminds anglers to maintain safe social distancing while fishing this year to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Guidelines to protect yourself and others include:

• Fish local: Stay close to home. Keep your fishing trip short. Avoid high-traffic destinations.
• Be safe: Avoid crowds and groups. Keep a distance of six feet or more from others. When fishing from a boat, make sure it’s large enough so persons on board are at least six feet from one another.
• Stay home: If you’re not feeling well, stay home. Anyone 70 and older or with a compromised immune system should postpone their trip.
• Be adaptive: Move quickly through parking lots and paths. If crowded, choose a different fishing location, or time to visit.
• Anglers fishing from boats should be able to maintain at least six feet of distance between one another.

Press Release, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Photo from Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Facebook Page: Kathy Hochul gets a tour of Noblehurst Farms and Creamery in Pavilion on Wednesday.

Nourish New York, Governor Cuomo’s initiative to get food from farmers to families in need during the COVID-19 outbreak, reached a milestone this week as the amount of surplus dairy and produce provided through New York’s food banks reached more than three million pounds.

As of Wednesday, food banks have purchased more than $3.2 million in Nourish NY product from New York’s farmers and processors. This includes 1.36 million pounds of dairy products, including fluid milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream, and more than 1.6 million pounds of produce, such as fruits and vegetables, that have been provided to more than 100,000 New York households.

There have been more than 350 Nourish NY distribution events across the state since the program was launched in May, including food distribution sites in Orleans County.

The Nourish New York initiative aims to quickly reroute New York’s surplus agricultural products to people who need them through the state’s food banks. The state is providing $25 million to food banks and other emergency food providers so they can buy surplus milk, yogurt, cheese, vegetables, fruit and more.

The Nourish New York program also provides support to the state’s food producers who have lost markets as a result of school and restaurant closures. The program is administered by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Department of Health.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the Nourish NY program on Wednesday during a stop at Noblehurst Farms and Creamery in Pavilion, Genesee County, saying, “Nourish New York has connected local farmers with food banks to help struggling New Yorkers put food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state-funded initiative has delivered more than three million pounds of food and dairy from across the state to those in need since its launch in May. Nourish New York is helping to support local farms and grow the agriculture industry as we continue to work to make sure New Yorkers have the resources they need as we reopen and build back better for the post-pandemic future.”

New York State Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball said, “As the Governor has said, Nourish New York is all about connecting our farmers who can’t sell their products right now to consumers who are facing challenges in being able to buy them. The need on both sides is critical and I am pleased that Nourish New York allows us to rise to meet that need.”

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “New York Farm Bureau commends the Nourish NY program for quickly reaching this milestone just a few weeks after its launch. The effort provides a new distribution channel for the state’s farmers at a time when the pandemic seriously disrupted the food chain. By connecting the dots, Nourish NY is eliminating food waste, compensating farmers, and feeding our fellow New Yorkers with healthy, locally produced food.”

Chris Noble, farm partner in Craigs Creamery said, “When COVID-19 hit, we as dairy farmers temporarily lost many markets for our products, including schools and restaurants. The Governor’s Nourish NY initiative has helped local demand for milk and dairy recover more quickly by providing hunger relief for our local communities, specifically from New York farmers and food producers. We are hopeful that we can continue to build on these new supply chains by creating a local and more resilient food system.”

Kirby’s Farm Market co-owner Chad Kirby said, “I think Nourish NY is a fantastic program for the community and for farmers. It’s been a huge benefit and it has made a massive difference.”

The State is asking any philanthropies that would like to help the State’s food banks to contact Fran Barrett, Director of Non-Profits at COVIDPhilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Botello: Alma Botello stopped by Kelly Picardo’s home today and presented her with a basket of goodies. Picardo was Alma’s teacher in third and sixth grades. Picardo helped Alma build her confidence in the classroom.

KENDALL – The Kendall community has adopted seniors in high school, showering them with gifts and goodies since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alma Botello, 18, had two different people adopt her. She appreciates the efforts of the community to make her and her classmates feel some love at the end of the senior year, which has been disrupted since mid-March.

They have been doing on-line learning at home and haven’t been allowed inside the school.

Alma and her mother, Crystal Botello, thought it would be a nice gesture to adopt one of Alma’s teachers who made a big difference in Alma’s school career.

Alma immediately thought of Kelly Picardo, Alma’s teacher for third and sixth grades. Picardo was a constant encourager, and helped Alma build her confidence in the classroom, especially with her least favorite subject of math.

“She was always there and she was a voice in the back of my head, telling me, ‘You can do this,’” Alma said this evening by phone.

She and her mother filled a basket with treats and pool toys, and stopped by Picardo’s home today.

Alma has stayed in touch with Picardo over the years, visiting Picardo’s classroom in the elementary school for open houses. Alma has younger siblings in the school.

She has stayed in touch with Picardo, and continues to hear her voice in her head when the schoolwork is difficult.

“Mrs. Picardo always said I could do it,” Alma said.

She will graduate on June 26. Then she will enroll at Genesee Community College and plans to work at a childcare center. Her goal is to become a special education teacher.

“Mrs. Picardo definitely inspired me,” Alma said. “Being a teacher is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

MEDINA – Now that governor has increased the maximum size of social gatherings from 10 to 25 people, the Medina Village Board is returning to in-person meetings.

The board has been meeting through Zoom since late March.

The board will meet this Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. for a workshop at the Shelby Town Hall on Salt Works Road, with the regular meeting to follow at 7 p.m.

Mayor Mike Sidari said any attendees will need to wear a face covering.

State also recorded 17 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, fewest in more than 3 months

Chart from Governor’s Office, showing percent of positive tests in each region.

There were nearly 60,000 people tested for Covid-19 in the state on Tuesday and less than 1 percent were positive for the coronavirus. That is the lowest percentage in the 3 ½ months since the state had its first confirmed case of Covid-19.

Out of the 59,341 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, 567 were positive.

“60,000 tests across the state,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today. “Number who tested positive, less than 1%. That is the lowest percentage of positive that we have had since we have started. Period. That is one of the lowest levels in the United States of America and we once again have demonstrated that we’ve gone from the worst infection rate in the country to the best infection rate in the country.”

The state also recorded its fewest confirmed deaths from Covid-19 on Tuesday, with 17. That is a significant drop from a high of 799 on April 18.

“The only way I can feel better is if that number ever becomes zero,” Cuomo said. “But 17, we remember in our thoughts and prayers the 17 lives lost, but this is great, great news compared to where we’ve been.”

The low numbers with new infections and deaths has Cuomo confident that state’s staretgy is working to contain the virus while the state eases off some restrictions and more businesses reopen.

“Just think about what this state accomplished, what the people of this state accomplished,” he said about the low infections and deaths. “If I told you 108 days ago we were going to accomplish that, what would we have said? What would I have said? I would have said I didn’t believe it. I would have said I didn’t believe it was possible.”

Cuomo today also signed legislation (S.8397-A/A.10326-A) prohibiting health care employers from penalizing employees for making complaints of employer violations. This new law will provide medical professionals with greater protections and allow them to speak more freely about their working conditions and employee or patient safety in the workplace.

Cuomo also announced that Friday will end the streak of his daily briefings on Covid-19. He has been holding them each day for more three months.

The governor also said the New York State Department of Financial Services has reached an agreement with New York’s credit reporting industry to help New York consumers facing hardship caused by Covid-19 to avoid unjustified negative impacts on consumers’ credit reports. DFS also urges New York State-regulated financial institutions to furnish credit information in ways that minimizes negative impacts on consumers.

Credit reporting agencies will:

• Provide one free credit report each month through November 2020;
• Inform financial institutions of procedures that allow institutions to report missed or delinquent payments in ways that minimize the impact on consumers’ credit histories and credit scores;
• Apprise financial institutions of their credit reporting obligations under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides relief for consumers; and
• Communicate with financial institutions about credit reporting that may not comply with the requirements of the CARES Act.

Orleans County is reporting one more death from Covid-19, a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of this individual during this very difficult time,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a statement.

The death reported today brings the total to 50 in the county who have died from Covid-19. Those deaths include 19 at Orchard Rehab and Nursing, 30 at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, and one resident of the community.

Orleans is also reporting three more confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, bringing the total to 259 who have tested positive for coronavirus in the county.

The new positive cases include people who reside in Ridgeway, Murray and Gaines. One of the individuals is in the 20s, another is in the 60s and the other is in the 70s.

One of the individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

There are 15 residents from the county who are currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

In Genesee County, there are no new confirmed cases. Genesee has had one more resident recover from Covid-19, bringing that total to 143. Genesee doesn’t have any residents currently hospitalized from Covid-19.

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

The facility breakdown shows the total positive cases from those facilities where the Health Departments has been notified of a positive swab of Covid-19.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• A new GO Health Minute has been uploaded on the GOHealth NY YouTube channel. Today’s GO Health Minute is hosted by Marlee Diehl, a local Rotarian sharing about those who are “immunocompromised.”

• Phase 3 is open.  With that in mind, everyone in Phase 3 should have developed and implemented their Business Safety Plan and have it in place prior to opening whether it be a business, house of worship, not-for-profit organization, etc.

You are responsible to have your plan and all necessary supplies in place prior to opening.  You will not be submitting your plan, however it must be on the premises in the event of a state, local or safety inspection.  Keep checking the New York Forward website for your industry/organization summary guidelines.

• Social gathering size: 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.

• Antibody Testing:  This is a current snapshot of the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test results both departments have received and will be updated periodically, but not daily.

• Genesee County: Of the 1,507 antibody test results received there were 41 who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG (the virus that causes COVID-19) antibodies.
• Orleans County: Of the 654 antibody test results received there were 17 who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG (the virus that causes COVID-19) antibodies.

Residents in the villages of Albion and Medina are annoyed about fireworks being set off in recent days and weeks.

It’s a problem in other communities, too, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari posted on Facebook today.

He said the Medina Police Department has arrested one person so far due to the fireworks displays.

Sidari urges people to call the police at 585-798-5602 if they know who is setting off the fireworks, where they are being set off or where they are being sold.

Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said fireworks are becoming a problem. The ony legal fireworks in the state are “sparkling devices that are ground-based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke.”

Firecrackers, aerial fireworks and those that make noise from an explosion are not legal to use or possess, Nenni said.

“We usually allow for a not as strict enforcement approach around the 4th of July, but there have been excessive uses of them for the past several weeks,” he said. “The main issue that we are seeing is that certain people are not just using loud illegal fireworks for a one time ‘show,’ they are doing them days on end and causing annoyance to neighbors and others.”

Albion police officers have been instructed to charge persons who are creating a nuisance with them. Charges can range from violation noise level charges to misdemeanor unlawful possession of fireworks.

Press Release, Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital will continue to follow the CDC, CMS and State Regulations that were put in place on March 13th and continue to not allow visitors at Medina Memorial Hospital.

This restriction is to ensure the continued safety of our nursing home residents, patients and staff.

The same visitor exceptions will remain in place: Nursing staff and attending physicians will work with families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or injured family member, end-of-life situations, etc. on a case-by-case basis.

• Radiology/Imaging/Cardiac Services are available at Orleans Community Health by appointment only:

To make an appointment for Radiology at the Albion Healthcare Center (14789 Route 31, Albion), please call (585) 589-2273. To make an appointment for Radiology, Imagining and/or Cardiac Services at Medina Memorial Hospital (200 Ohio Street, Medina), please call (585) 798-8054.

• Lab services are available by appointment only at Medina Memorial Hospital. Please call (585) 798-2000.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we all work together to keep our residents, patients and staff safe.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is signing an executive order to make Juneteenth a holiday for state employees.

The order would be in effect for Friday, June 19. That date is celebrated as the anniversary for the ending of slavery in 1865.

“This is a first step for our state,” the governor said during a news conference today.

He will push to have Juneteenth be an official state holiday next year.

“Friday is Juneteenth – a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States – and it’s a day that is especially relevant in this moment in history,” Governor Cuomo said. “Although slavery ended over 150 years ago, there has still been rampant, systemic discrimination and injustice in this state and this nation, and we have been working to enact real reforms to address these inequalities.

“I am going to issue an Executive Order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees and I’ll propose legislation next year to make it an official state holiday so New Yorkers can use this day to reflect on all the changes we still need to make to create a more fair, just and equal society.”

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the news of liberation came to Texas more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863.

African Americans across the state were made aware of their right to freedom on this day when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops to read General Order No. 3 announcing the end of the Civil War and that all enslaved were now free, as well as to maintain a presence in Texas for the purpose of enforcement of emancipation among slave-owners throughout the state.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – This snapping turtle is shown last week after it managed to cross Route 31 in Fancher. Many snapping turtles have been seen crossing roads to find spots to lay their eggs.

This deer is in a field along West Bacon Road in Gaines on Monday evening.

The area will see a stretch of warm weather with the highs topping 80 degrees.

This highs for the next several days include 82 today, followed by 84 on Thursday, 84 on Friday, 86 on Saturday and 86 on Sunday.

ALBION – The school district will count the absentee ballots for the budget, propositions and the candidates for the Board of Education on Thursday.

That differs from most local school districts, which counted the ballots on Tuesday.

Albion is giving the public a chance to review a list of people and their addresses who submitted more than 1,700 ballots. The district website has information about the list and the election.

To be an eligible voter, a person needs to be at least 18 and a resident of the district for at least 30 days at the time of the vote.

People who want to challenge a ballot must do so in person at the district office today.

The district plans to start counting the ballots at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with a special Board of Education meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to accept the results of the election and vote.

The 1,700-plus ballots is about three times more than the 558 who voted in person in the last election on May 21, 2019.

LYNDONVILLE – School district voters passed the school budget, approved funding for buses and the library, and also elected Jerod Thurber to the Board of Election.

The absentee ballots were counted on Tuesday. The district, like others in the state, didn’t do in-person voting due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The district had 581 people vote for the budget, compared to 159 during the last election on May 21,2019.

• School budget, approved with 432 in favor and 149 opposed: The $14,698,217 is up by $526,516, mainly due to increased bond payments. The budget increases the tax levy by 2 percent.

• Proposition #2, Yates Community Library, approved in 379-202 vote: The $108,873 for the library is up by $5,123 or 4.94 percent from the $103,750 in 2019-20.

• Proposition Transportation for bus purchase, approved 447-134: The district will spend up to $130,000 for a new 64-seat bus, using money from a transportation reserve fund. It will replace a bus No. 90 from 2010.

• Board of Education: There were five candidates for one seat on the Board of Education. Jerod Thurber was elected with 205 votes. Other candidates include incumbent Kelly Cousins, 186; Ralph Smith, 95; Ace Strickland, 48; and Jeanne Crane, 40.