Wendy Williams reads "Fern Hill" by Dylan Thomas. Williams is a member of Batavia Players.

Below, a video analysis of the poem.

A crowd is reportedly gathered at Jackson and Watson streets in the city and they are allegedly drinking alcohol. City police are responding.

A female caller to dispatch reports being chased and bitten by a dog in the vicinity of 19 Forest Ave. in Oakfield. Law enforcement is responding.

Press release:

Yesterday, President Trump named political strategist and Republican campaign veteran Michael Caputo as the spokesperson of Health and Human Services. Caputo is a Western New York native, where he has engaged in years of misinformation, lies and political deceit in public relations positions locally and in Russia.

Up until very recently, Caputo was a registered agent of a foreign power. He will now represent the agency protecting the health of Americans during a national crisis -- despite no personal public health or executive experience.

Nate McMurray, the Democratic candidate for the NY-27 congressional district, said: “We know Caputo here. He’s the guy lying on local talk radio making up stories and attending Steve Bannon rallies. He’s the guy putting up billboards honoring disgraced Congressman Chris Collins, and begging people to vote for Collins.

"He is a prankster not a statesman and it’s important to make that clear, because appointing him to a position like this during a crisis is beyond reckless; it represents malice toward America.”

McMurray calls upon all candidates for the Special Election for NY-27 to denounce the appointment of Caputo at this critical time. He especially denotes the budding relationship between Jacobs and Caputo.

McMurray added, “Jacobs joined in with Trump’s local posse because he wants power. He will go along with anything for that power. That is why he voted against COVID-19 sick pay. That is why he followed Caputo’s lead and shared false stories about the Governor stealing ventilators from our hospitals.

"Jacobs should change course now because he may find out real quick what I am afraid the American people will find out soon enough; Caputo will betray you in a heartbeat if it helps him.”

It's been exactly one month since we last posted a Deal of the Day. After consulting with many of the businesses that have been participating in Deal of the Day, we are able to once again offer this program to our readers.

We hope to add more businesses in the next week or so but today's Deal of the Day post represents all the businesses currently offering their gift certificates through The Batavian.

All the same rules as before apply. They are listed below. Obviously, the gift certificates can be used for delivery (where available) or pick up.

Reminders of how the Deal of the Day program works:

• To make purchases, you must be registered. Deal of the Day uses a registration system that is not connected to the registration for commenting on The Batavian (the main user login in the upper left of the homepage).
• Once re gistered you must sign in using the "sign in" link in this box.
• You click on the orange button, which appears if the item is not sold out, and it takes you to a PayPal button. This allows you to pay either with your PayPal account or with a credit card/debit card. The login for PayPal is completely separate from our accounts.
• The first person to successfully complete the PayPal transaction wins the gift certificate.
• You are eligible to buy the same item only once in a four-month period. We use the registration system to track this for you so you don't have to.
• Only one gift certificate from the same business PER HOUSEHOLD is allowed in each four-month period. We do not have a way to automatically track duplicate purchases within a household; however, if we notice such a purchase, we reserve the right to cancel the purchase and refund the purchase money. Each individual buyer must use his or her own PayPal account for purchases. It's important that participating businesses not be asked to redeem multiple gift certificates from the same person/family at the same time.
• Gift certificates should be used within 30 days of receipt.

Health Department Daily Briefing:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m. today:
  • Genesee County received seven new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 87 positive cases.
    • Five positive cases reside in Batavia, one resides in Bergen, and one resides in Darien.
    • One individual is in their 20s, three individuals are in their 30s, one individual is in their 60s, and two individuals are in their 90s.
    • Three of the positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Three of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County: One new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 35.
  • Of the new positive cases today, one lives in Albion.
  • One individual is in their 80s.
  • Two have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Three of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received notification of the first COVID-19 related death.
• Due to the current limited swabbing kits, there continue to be guidelines in place for primary care providers to order COVID-19 swabbing. This is based upon screening for high risk categories. Contact your primary care provider first to discuss symptoms and ability to be swabbed.
• Contact tracing has been initiated for all new cases. Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms become present). 
• If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the County Health Department, quarantined and if warranted, swabbed if indicated. Limited information is provided to the public in compliance with HIPAA regulations and out of the respect of those impacted by this virus. 
• When, and if, there is a situation where potential contact is made in a public location where contact tracing doesn’t have actual names of close contacts, we will send out a media announcement to help seek contacts.
• If you are experiencing ANY COVID-19 related symptoms STAY HOME! Do not go to work, do not go to the store, do not go anywhere, YOU are spreading the virus. STAY HOME!

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans County online map of confirmed cases.

Above, Byron-Bergen STEAM Lab teacher Craig Schroth with printed mask in his home print shop.

Submitted photo and images and press release:

If a healthcare worker puts on a face shield inscribed with the words “Heroes wear scrubs, not capes,” it might have been designed by a Byron-Bergen fifth- or sixth-grader.

STEAM -- Science, Technology, Engineering And Math -- Lab Teacher Craig Schroth recently dropped off 100 face shields designed and donated by students to Face Shields ROC, an organization collecting face shields to distribute to medical facilities and first responders in the Rochester area.

Before Byron-Bergen Elementary School closed its doors in March, Schroth was granted permission to move the District’s three 3-D printers to his home with the idea of avoiding a backlog of printing student work when school recommenced. Three weeks later, he proposed a new project to his students.

“Many healthcare workers are short on personal protective equipment at hospitals and healthcare facilities,” Schroth said. “One thing that people are doing to help is using 3-D printers to print face shields. I wanted to give our students an opportunity to get involved with this project.”

Schroth invited students to add a positive message to the basic face shield design. Using the skills they gained while designing keychains and jack-o-lanterns in class, and guidance from Schroth via email, students worked on their designs from their homes.

They submitted their finished files electronically and Schroth printed them on the 3-D printers now in his basement.

Fifth-grade student Rena Wilson has submitted 55 designs with a goal of designing 100.

"I was glad to have the chance to thank these health workers by giving them a nice message that would brighten their day," Rena said.

“I’m very proud of our students for their enthusiasm in this project,” said Byron-Bergen Elementary Principal Brian Meister. “Mr. Schroth has shown amazing initiative in not only stepping up to produce needed resources for the medical community but creating a meaningful experience for his students.

"They will not forget this. Neither will the recipients of these unique face shields.”

As more designs are submitted, Schroth will continue to print and deliver the face shields on behalf of his students.

Submitted photos and press release:

It may be a bit early to tiptoe through the tulips but visitors to the Batavia Peace Garden will be delighted to find rows of hyacinth and daffodils in full bloom there. 

As Genesee County residents are sequestered indoors for days on end due to the coronvirus pandemic, it is refreshing to know that passersby can enjoy a burst of color at the Batavia Peace Garden.

With the help of dozens of volunteers, the bulbs were planted last fall. The majority of plants were provided complements of Delre's Greenhouse & Garden Center in Batavia, according to Batavia Peace Garden Director Barb Toal.

"It's nice to know that so many people can enjoy the serenity and beauty of this garden during a time when the whole world is on edge," Toal said. "That’s precisely what the Peace Garden was created for.

"Whether you pass by in your car or take a stroll through the garden with your family, you can’t help but feel good about the colorful blooms and the sweet scent of the hyacinths. But if you do decide to take a walk be sure to practice distance guidelines. At the Peace Garden, all are welcome.”  

The Peace Garden enjoys a variety of blooms annually spring through fall. The season for tulips approaches in mid-May. That is followed by Black-eyed Susan’s, yellow roses, daises, hydrangea and much more.

Volunteers are always needed to help with more planting and garden maintenance.

For information on how you can participate, visit the Batavia Peace Garden online here or contact the International Peace Garden Foundation here.

Press release:

Batavia Rotary Club has donated $1,000 to United Way of Genesee County to help provide food for its Backpack Program that assists local families in need.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary International Foundation made available $20,000 to clubs in District 7090, which includes the counties of Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada. 

Through Rotary's District Grant process, Batavia Rotary Club applied for and received a $1,000 grant specifically to provide financial assistance to United Way of Genesee County’s Backpack Program. This program supplies weekend meals to students within multiple school districts in Genesee County.

With students home continuously over these past weeks, the demand for the weekend meal program has increased substantially. Each week brings more and more new families registering in the program.

From Bob Knipe, Batavia Rotary Club President:

"We are very pleased to receive this grant to be used by United Way of Genesee County.  Providing food for our neighbors in Genesee County is vitally important at this time, especially for families with children.  The Backpack Program operated by United Way here in our county offers food to some of our most vulnerable citizens.  With the recent increased demand for food, Batavia Rotary is able to help fill some of the gap."  

Batavia Rotary Club has just completed celebrating its 100th anniversary year of providing service to our community.  Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self."

The United Way of Genesee County has been supplying services and funding to many agencies through this time of uncertainty. The funding received from Batavia Rotary Club will be wholly used to purchase food for the weekend Backpack Program.

From Tammy Hathaway, executive director of the United Way of Genesee County:

“We cannot thank Batavia Rotary Club enough for their continued dedication to our mission. This is proof that our community is doing what it does best, uniting to ensure the needs of households in Genesee County are met.”

For those wanting to join Rotary in supporting the efforts of the United Way of Genesee County in feeding our neighbors, please contact Tammy Hathaway at 585-343-8141 or tammy.hathaway@uwrochester.org.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley recently joined the Assembly Republican Conference in signing a letter for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Speaker Carl Heastie, among other political and agricultural leaders in New York, imploring them for quick and immediate action to ensure the relief for local farms, which have been feeling the negative repercussions of the state’s response to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.

“Farmers are one of our most important working groups, especially in a situation as dire as this one,” Hawley said. “If there’s any way to give them more support and more relief during this troubling time, we’re obligated to do so. It’s about keeping the supply chain running, keeping a small family farm’s doors open, and making sure everyone has food on the table. We can all agree we need to protect our farmers.”

Some of the policies that the letter calls for are extending the Milk Producers Security Fund, using the federal stimulus to invest in rural broadband infrastructure, suspending highway use taxes and tolls for transporting agricultural products, provide vouchers from food banks to purchase local dairy and agricultural products, and suspending, for one year, the 60-hour overtime threshold for farm laborers. Small steps like these are designed to support these farmers in a time when they need it more than ever.

Here's the letter

Dear Governor Cuomo, Legislative Leaders & Commissioner Ball:

As New York’s elected leaders, our responsibilities to constituents have never been moreimportant. Your efforts to provide leadership and stability during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis are genuinely appreciated.

With more than 180,000 cases of the virus, no state has felt the social, economic, and public health effects of the virus like New York. As we identify ways to manage and minimize the devastating impacts of the virus, we must consider immediate steps to provide critical relief to New York State’s agricultural industry.

Clayton R. Baylor, 23, of Batavia (no address provided), is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. He was arrested after a traffic stop on Route 19 in the Town of Middlebury April 11. Baylor was driving a vehicle which had fled the scene of an attempted burglary in the Village of Warsaw. Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputies stopped it and allegedly found Baylor in possession of a "blackjack" weapon. He also allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety testing. Baylor was processed at the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, then turned over to the Warsaw Police Department.

Mark Allen Knickerbocker, 22, West Main Street, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. At 6:48 p.m. on April 15, Knickerbocker was arrested at the Crosby's gas station and convenience store on Clinton Street Road in Batavia. It is alleged that he stole a box of candy valued at $48. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on June 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

A few days ago, we shared a photo from Sarah Wessel, in Alexander, of three eggs in a nest. Today, she shared this photo of two hatchlings.

Josh Hawkins shared these photos he took earlier this week of eagles in Elba.

He wrote:

For three days in a row, multiple bald eagles fed on a roadkill deer in a field on Route 262 in Elba. These were some of the better images I was able to capture with my 300mm zoom lens. The pair in the photos are mature birds because of their bright white head and tail, but I did also observe a juvenile eagle (some white present on the head and tail, but not much) at one point and was unable to capture a photo. They likely came from Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, although I've heard that there is a nest on or near Norton Road in Elba.

Jason Smith shared this photo from his backyard in Batavia, where a cardinal yesterday munched on a suet cake despite the snowy and frigid conditions.

Press release:

At this time Michael Caputo is not able to discuss his appointment by President Trump just yet. He has asked his friend and NY-27 Congressional candidate Stefan I. Mychajliw to speak for his family. The following statement from Mychajliw concerns Caputo’s White House appointment as Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services for Public Affairs.

“The Caputo family remains in East Aurora, as Michael and Maryna have decided it’s safer for them to stay here. Unfortunately, that also means Michael won’t see them for a long time, since he cannot move back and forth safely from Washington.

"Michael told me it wasn’t a hard decision. When the President called him, he saluted and packed up his things. Those of us who are close to his family know this is a huge sacrifice for them. They’re very close, having lived through the abuse of Russia investigations, surviving all the hardships, getting stronger together. His little girls are the most affected.

"Before he left, Michael and I talked often. He’s as worried as all of us are about the pandemic, but he’s been deeply affected by what he saw in East Aurora: local businesses closed, shopkeepers concerned for their survival, so many neighbors out of work. He called it a ghost town; it really spooked him.

"I’ve worked side by side with Michael on many campaigns, including President Trump’s victorious election in 2016. He is one of the best communications specialists in the country. Those of us who know him best know he’ll do well.

"We need measured leadership in Washington to help clearly communicate the hard work President Trump is putting in flattening the coronavirus curve and getting our economy back on track. Michael will be a strong asset for the President in delivering that message.”

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) seeks local donors to help 838 Girl Scout Troops with their remaining inventory of 212,064 packages of Girl Scout Cookies through its new Cookie Donor Buyout Program.

While GSWNY has suspended in-person activities and events, including Girl Scout Cookie booths, due to the spread of COVID-19, donors can still support girls and hometown heroes in their local community.

Through the Cookie Donor Buyout Program, donors may purchase and donate cookies to the hometown heroes of their choice such as hospitals, food banks, grocery store staff, blood donation centers, etc.

GSWNY made it clear through multiple communications that girls and volunteers may opt out of this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program without penalty. Continuing is a choice and many girls decided that they still want to meet their goals and give back to the community at the same time.

“The Cookie Donor Buyout Program has double the impact as it supports girls and shows appreciation for our hometown heroes as the donation recipients of all cookies purchased through the program,” said Alison Wilcox, Girl Scouts of Western New York CEO.

“Girls depend on the Girl Scout Cookie Program to fund life-changing, girl-led programs, experiences, and learning. We are always encouraged by the support and kindness of the WNY community and thank all the donors who will stand up for girls—especially in tough times.”

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest investment in girls annually and the financial backbone that helps GSWNY deliver life-changing programming to nearly 15,000 girls across Western New York.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck just as girls were starting their in-person sales. Being resourceful entrepreneurs and while adhering to social distancing and other safety precautions, girls came up with all sorts of innovative ways to sell in a virtual environment. Girls have made great progress, now they need the community’s help to cross the finish line!

Knowing that ample supply is available, and many donors are seeking ways to give back to the local community, the Cookie Donor Buyout Program is primed to have twice the impact.

Donors can purchase—$1,500: 25 cases; $900: 15 cases; $600: 10 cases; $300: 5 cases; $60: 1 case; or surprise girls with a custom amount and at some levels suggest their preferred recipients by going to gswny.org or contacting customercare@gswny.org.

Donors may also purchase cookies from Girl Scouts they know who are selling through virtual cookie booths as many innovative cookie entrepreneurs around WNY are reimagining cookie booths during this time of isolation, using the power of social media (with parental supervision) to make their sales pitch and collect orders.

No matter how donors purchase cookies, doing so allows Girl Scouts to continue to give back to their communities while the proceeds, which stay local, sustain innovative programs for girls.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program powers amazing experiences for girls and helps them build a lifetime of leadership. To learn more about the Cookie Donor Buyout Program, visit gswny.org. Other interested buyers or donors for the Virtual Girl Scout Cookie Program may also email GSWNY at customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410 and a representative will match them with a troop, or, they can contact Girl Scouts and adult troop leaders they know directly.

About Girl Scouts of Western New York

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) serves nearly 15,000 girls and over 6,000 adult volunteers across the GSWNY jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s administrative service centers are located in Batavia, Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world and take action to solve problems and improve their communities.

Press release:

• Directs All New Yorkers to Wear Masks or Face Coverings on Public Transportation Systems, While Taking Private Transportation or Riding in For-Hire Vehicles as Part of Executive Order
• Announces State Will Send 100 Ventilators to New Jersey
• Confirms 8,505 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 222,284; New Cases in 48 Counties
• Governor Cuomo: "Private transportation carriers, for-hire vehicles, any operator of a public system, an operator of a public carrier and for-hire vehicles must wear a mask at all times. ... So, is this inconvenient? Yes, but you're in a closed environment, by definition. You're not socially distancing, by definition. ... This is a precaution for everyone that I think balances individual liberties with a social conscience."
• Cuomo: "New Yorkers are the most generous and most gracious and we'll be there when people need help. New Jersey is still looking at their curve rising. The wave hasn't crested in New Jersey. They're our neighbors, anything we can do to help, I've told Governor Murphy all he has to do is ask. We're here and we're going to send 100 ventilators to New Jersey."
• Cuomo: "You stopped everything. How do you now restart that machine in a coordinated way that doesn't drive up the infection rate? That's the balance that we're trying to strike on un-pausing and having businesses open. ... This is not just government deciding. It's government deciding with private businesses who now have to take a look at this new normal, this new reality, and tell us how they think they can adjust to it."
• Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo earlier today announced all NYS on Pause restrictions and closures will be extended until May 15th. This action is taken in consultation with other regional states. The states will re-evaluate after this additional closure period.

Press release:

With remote work suddenly becoming the new normal for many teams at Hillside Family of Agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology tools are rising to the challenge.

In one example, Hillside has dramatically expanded the availability of TeleCare resources that make it possible for staff to meet virtually with youth and families using encrypted videoconferencing.

Recently, 236 Hillside staff members participated in a live virtual training session provided by Hillside’s Technology team and staff immediately put this new tool into action. Literally one hour after completing her training, Hillside staff used TeleCare to admit a youth into Hillside’s Family Crisis Support Services program and provide much-needed services right away.

This is just one of many examples of how Hillside continues to make a difference for children and their families while following all CDC guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The following day, more than 85 additional TeleCare sessions were provided to youth and families receiving services from Hillside. Hillside staff are continuing to adapt to this global crisis, and finding new and enhanced ways to put families first.

To learn more, please call 585-256-7500 or email:   info@hillside.com

Despite the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 Pandemic, real progress is being made on the construction of a new $3.2 million, 10,000-square-foot Town of Batavia Fire Department substation on Stringham Drive.

Building Committee Chair Gary Diegelman said the project is “50 percent done” and, if all goes well, should be completed by the end of the summer or early fall.

Diegelman provided an update this morning on the heels of the Batavia Town Board’s approval of a modification to the department’s borrowing plan at last night’s videoconference board meeting.

The Town Board authorized a change in wording to reflect that the fire department will be looking to borrow up to a maximum principal amount of $2 million, rescinding a previous resolution that fixed the amount at $2 million.

“We requested a change after looking at our finances and deciding we didn’t need that much,” said Diegelman, advising that the department has secured a $1.6 million, eight-year mortgage from M&T Bank. “And with our tax-exempt status, we were able to get a lower interest rate.”

Diegelman said that the main structure is done and the pouring of concrete is scheduled for next week.

“They’re mostly working on interior stuff now,” he said.

Thompson Builds of Churchville is the general contractor.

It has been two years since Diegelman presided over an open house at the Batavia Town Hall. The new substation, which replaces the current Station 2 located on the north side of Clinton Street Road at the corner of Stringham Drive, will feature two drive-thru bays and entrances from both roads.

The project also includes four dormitory rooms, a 25-car parking lot in the back and a five-car lot in front, a main entrance electronic message sign and a decontamination room to keep firefighters’ gear separate from the rest of the building.

Diegelman said the coronavirus situation hasn’t hampered construction that much and was quick to add that work continues due to the fact that the emergency services project has been deemed "essential.”

In another development, Batavia Town Supervisor Greg Post said the Town is “running at 95-percent efficiency, even with everybody working at home and remotely.”

Post said four public work ventures are ongoing – water main projects and a couple of sanitary sewer upgrades, both at the Ag Park and King’s Plaza -- and he expects that number to increase to seven or eight in another month or so.

“The highway department is working on touching up the last parts of Ellicott Trail as well as maintaining roadside culvert pipes and doing all the prep work necessary prior to full summer paving operations,” he said, adding that employees continue to maintain separation and keeping safe distances from one another per New York State coronavirus mandates.

Building Inspector Daniel Lang reported that his department is fielding “quite a few” building permit requests, conducting solar farm plan reviews and assisting the town assessor with “end of the year” items.

Photo of Town of Batavia Fire Department substation on Stringham Drive taken this morning by Mike Pettinella.