Press release:

• Genesee County received four new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 253 positive cases.
  • The positive individuals reside in Batavia and Le Roy.
  • Two of the positive individuals are in their 30s, one is in their 40s, and one is in their 80s.
  • The positive individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Five of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Six new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • One of the individuals is hospitalized.
     
• Orleans County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 274 positive cases.
  • The positive individual resides in Ridgeway.
  • The positive individual is in their 20s.
  • The positive individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Two of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Sixteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • One of the individuals is hospitalized.

A car slammed into a tree in the front yard at 5446 Main Road in Stafford. The male operator is unresponsive, according to a first responder. The person appears to have a head injury. Stafford Fire Department is called and Mercy Flight in Batavia is on a ground standby.

The location is between Batavia Stafford Townline Road and Fargo Road.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m. "Pick it up; the subject is not responsive; still breathing," says a first responder. The Mercy rig is two to three minutes out.

UPDATE 4:41 p.m.: The driver will need to be extricated; the vehicle door cannot be opened.

UPDATE 4:43 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called to the scene. The door is being removed from the damaged vehicle.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department is called to provide mutual aid on this call.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: The landing zone will be right on the property where the accident occurred.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed, just west of the house. Town of Batavia's engine has arrived.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, en route to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

UPDATE 5:43 p.m. (by Howard): The driver apparently suffered a medical condition. His work truck appears to have been westbound on Route 5 when it crossed the two eastbound lanes and over a ditch and a driveway on the east side of Extreme Sportswear before striking the rear of a parked car. Either that car or the truck glanced off a tree before the truck came to rest right-side up in a position parallel to the car. The driver was extricated and transported to Strong hospital by Mercy Flight. Sgt. Andrew Hale said the driver was breathing and talking with medics but did not seem coherent. We'll have video from the scene later this evening.

Angela Schlaggel spotted this white pigeon in the parking lot of The Salvation Army in Batavia and noticed it was wearing a bracelet. 

The pigeon had been at the location for the last two hours at the time Schlaggel sent us the picture this morning.

"It has a bracelet and isn't bothered by my presence at all so I think it may be someone's escaped pet," she said. 

Anna Fenton shared these photos of a butterfly she found in her back yard.

Can any readers identify it?

From Genesee Community College:

An outdoor ceremony for graduates of the Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing at Genesee Community College was held Friday afternoon.

As the next line of first responders, the nurses were honored with a tribute from others on the front line. A Mercy Flight helicopter flew above the campus, tipping its wings at the newly minted nurses. Town of Batavia firefighters on Ladder Truck #22 were there, with lights flashing, siren and horn blaring.

Ingenuity, kindness, tradition and hard work converged to nudge aside the COVID-19 pandemic for just an hour so for the annual Recognition Ceremony, organized this year as a drive-in event in keeping with New York State's social distancing guidelines.

Graduates and their families parked their cars facing the lectern that was set up outside on the berm by the Student Success Center, and all guests could listen to the program on WGCC 90.7FM from their car radios, or watch it remotely through the livestream access.

"It certainly was an evening to remember," said Laurel Sanger, director of the Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing. "With the help and support of numerous people and departments across GCC's campus and our wonderful community, I think we gave the Class of 2020 a memorable event. It really is a testament to how proud we are of these graduates."

This class of nurses were not officially "pinned," however. Rather they were handed the emblem and certificate representing their accomplishments, and all were wearing masks and standing safe distances apart.

Pinning ceremonies are a time-honored nursing school tradition that signifies official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses. In a typical year, this event happens the same day or weekend of GCC's annual Commencement. But the nursing staff and College administrators decided to plan something special and a little different this year.

Approximately 18 graduates from a total class of 54 were able to attend Friday's event. Another 49 watched the program via livestream.

"For the easiest access of parking lots, late Friday afternoons in the summer are best for the campus community," Sanger said. "Yet we were worried that families would not be able to hear the ceremony from their cars. That's when WGCC stepped in, and then Media Services provided the remote live streaming access.

"And of course, it was wonderful that our Campus Safety team was able to network with local authorities for the parade. We are grateful to all for a special twenty-first century plan of action during a pandemic for this centuries-old tradition."

Pinning ceremonies are rich with symbolism and history and date all the way back to the Crusades of the 12th century. During this time, the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist tended to the injured and infirmed Crusaders with new monks vowing to serve sick soldiers in a ceremony where each monk was given a Maltese cross, the first badges given to those who nurse.

In more modern dates, Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War in the 1850s. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. By World War I, the practice of pinning new graduates and also awarding them caps, became a standard practice throughout the United States.

Genesee Community College continues its own tradition of teaching the next class of nurses and welcomes potential new students to sign up for one of the upcoming online Nursing Information Sessions scheduled at the following times:

Non-LPNs Only:

Monday, Aug.10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 17, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Advanced Placement (LPN-RN) Only:

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 9 - 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 4 - 6 p.m.

To register online go to: https://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/health/nursing/

Photos courtesy of Genesee Community College.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.18, which is down two cents from a week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.74. The New York State average is $2.26 – down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.88.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.23 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.21 (no change since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.19 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.24 (up one cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.30 (no change since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.20 (no change since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.28 (no change cent since last week)

Gas prices are mixed to start the week. The national average is down slightly as travel remains limited in some areas. While road trips are the main source of travel, travel levels are down significantly compared to last year. The Energy Information Administration (EIA), says gas demand is down in the U.S. Decreasing demand for gasoline has helped pump prices to decrease in the last week, and if demand continues to drop, we could see cheaper pump prices in the coming week.

From GasBuddy:

"We remain stuck in neutral when it comes to gasoline prices. While Pay with GasBuddy data showed a small rebound in gasoline demand, oil prices have again failed to break out, leading to yet another week of little change at the pump," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"It's a bit too early to tell if the small rise in gasoline demand last week will continue into this week, but it does seem the most likely situation. The V-shaped recovery in gasoline demand has been put on hold for nearly all of July as coronavirus cases surged, but once we recover from that and we see demand show several weeks of recovery, we'll likely see gas prices begin to tick higher. For now, however, that gives motorists more time to fill up without having to worry about big jumps in prices."

A trio of goats in a tiny pen in the hot sun in a field off Route 63 has a caller to the Genesee County Animal Shelter concerned, and the animal control officer asked to speak to the caller, according to a dispatcher.

Earlier today, The Batavian received an email from a passerby who does not live locally. She wrote:

"I was traveling through yesterday on Route 63 between Batavia and Oakfield and noticed three goats in a VERY small fenced enclosure with no shade available. There was a small plastic 'house' but I'm not sure they would all fit inside and I'm sure it would be horribly hot if they could have. The enclosure was in the middle of a field not far from the road.

"I went by before noon and back again around 5:30. They were all still there. ... I felt so bad for them. What they need is definitely a larger fenced area and some thing to provide shade -- even a tarp over part of the fence would be OK."

A two-car accident with injuries -- an arm injury and concussion -- is reported at Drake Street Road and Fisher Road in Oakfield. Oakfield Fire Department, Sheriff's deputies and Mercy medics are on scene. A first responder reports the injuries appear to be minor.

UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: Scene command reports that National Grid should be notified that a guy wire is snapped in half and that Town of Oakfield should be notified that the Drake/Fisher road sign is knocked down. Two tow trucks are en route.

UPDATe 4:33 p.m.: The Oakfield assignment is back in service.

A caller reports three kids are hanging on the new Walnut Street Bridge, part of the new Ellicott Trail, and jumping into the Tonawanda Creek. City police are responding.

A woman who lives in the 9200 block of Shepard Road in Batavia is "extremely upset" because a bat flew into her kitchen and she does not know what to do. She tried enlisting neighbors' help but it wasn't too helpful. A sheriff's deputy just arrived "in the kitchen." He'll know what to do.

Press release:

The 74th season of live harness racing at Batavia Downs kicks off on Wednesday and opening night features some of the best horses on the grounds, including the Open filly and mare pacers and the Open class trotters. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

The Downs will conduct a 43-day meet, with racing on Wednesday and Friday this week, before switching to a Wednesday/Saturday schedule for the remainder of the meet that runs through Dec. 12. Post time for Wednesday is 5 p.m. and Saturday is 6 p.m. Post time for Friday (July 31) is 5 p.m.

Two special Sunday matinee cards are scheduled for Aug. 2 and Aug. 9 when the New York Sire Stakes come to town. Those cards will feature all-stake races that will see the 2- and 3-year old trotting fillies compete on Aug. 2 and the 2- and 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings go to the gate on Aug. 9. Post time for both of these dates is 1:15 p.m.  

The New York Sire Stakes will be the only stake races at the Downs this year as the track's signature race, the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Pace, will not be contested in 2020.

“We look forward to another exciting race meet,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and chief executive officer of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, the owner of Batavia Downs. "During these difficult times, we’ve made a series of adjustments that we hope will lead to a successful season."

Fans will not be allowed to attend the races at this point due to ongoing concerns and New York State regulations surrounding the coronavirus. However, listed owners of horses in to go will be allowed on the track apron starting opening night as per New York State Gaming Commission regulations.

Listed owners must make a reservation to attend in advance and be put on a list that will allow them to enter. Reservations must be made 24-hours before race time by calling Mary Bucceri at (585) 344-6144 or by e-mailing your request to mbucceri@westernotb.com. Listed owners who register will receive an email confirmation. Security will only let in those who are on the list.

There will be no food or beverage service available, however, owners may bring food, water or soft drinks in until the gaming floor opens. 

Upon arriving at the Downs, a temperature check and health status questionnaire must be completed by each listed owner in the lobby. Once that process is complete, the owner must then proceed through the Park Place Event Center hallway to the apron. No one is allowed to walk through the gaming floor to the apron. Also, only hotel guests will have access to the second floor.

Anyone coming to the track as a visiting owner on the apron or as a trainer, driver or groom in the barn area or paddock must wear a mask at all times and practice social distancing. This will be strictly enforced.

Listed owners only will be allowed in the winner’s circle for pictures if their horse wins while wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.

Also please be aware that any horsemen or owners coming from states that are on the New York State Coronavirus Quarantine List are not allowed to Batavia Downs attend at anytime. 

Wagering will be available at all WROTB branch or EZ Bet locations, WROTB Dial-a-Bet System for account holders and online at bataviabets.com. The Downs signal is also simulcast to a vast number of brick and mortar and ADW betting sites and may also be wagered on through them. Replays of the Downs races can be viewed the following day at bataviadownsgaming.com, where all Downs racing information can also be found.

On the track, all the local horsemen will be back including 2019 driving champion Billy Davis Jr., Jim Morrill Jr., Dave McNeight III, Drew Monti, Shawn McDonough and Ray Fisher Jr. On the training side, last year’s conditioning champ Jim Clouser Jr. brings his stable back along with Maria Rice, Gerry Sarama, Mike Ohol and Ryan Swift.

“This is definitely going to be a different year for us,” said Todd Haight, director/general lmanager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. “Without fans allowed in the stands, we won’t have any promotions this year like our traditional dollar hot dog and draft days, Family Fun days including the wiener dog races, nightly giveaways and our Labor Day driver’s bike race that goes back to 1978.

"Right now we are happy that the horsemen can continue to work and hope that with constantly improving Covid test numbers in the state, we may welcome back our guests at some point before the meet ends.”

A caller to dispatch reports a small white car with a small yellow dog barking inside is parked near the pharmacy entrance at Walmart. An animal control officer is responding. It's about 82 degrees outside.

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: "Can I get someone to get me into this car please?" an officer asks a dispatcher. A deputy is responding.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: The deputy gained access to the vehicle and the animal control officer is taking the pooch to the Genesee County Animal Shelter. She asked what the initial time of call was -- 1:08 p.m. -- and noted that no one had come out to vehicle while they were there.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: The animal control officer asks what the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center is showing for the local temperature and the reply is 84 degrees.

UPDATE 2:55 p.m.: A deputy is out with the registered owner of the vehicle at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

From the Town of Alexander Board:

Genesee County has shared sales tax revenue for many years with its towns and villages. Due to increased capital needs to fund building a new jail and the repair and or replacement of large culverts and bridges throughout the County, a new revenue sharing agreement was proposed where the level of funding for towns and villages would be capped at the amount shared in 2018.

The County would use any increase in sales tax to Fund Capital Projects and if there was a decrease in sales tax the decrease would be shared equally by all parties. The County passed a resolution in 2018 and another in 2019 committing the legislature to sharing sales tax revenue at the 2018 level for years 2020 and 2021 so that the towns and villages could incorporate those revenues when creating their budgets.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic started there were projections of decreased sales tax revenue and the County legislature passed a resolution to rescind the previous resolutions, which committed them to sharing sales tax revenue with the towns and villages for years 2020 and 2021. They had already made the first quarter payment for 2020.

At the same time New York State was short on cash so they decided to not fund CHIPS. CHIPS is money that the state and federal governments provide to reimburse municipalities for road repair and building. We do the road work and then submit the bills for reimbursement; 80 percent is funded by the federal government and 20 percent has been in the past been funded by New York State.

What does this mean for the Town of Alexander 2020 budget?

We have a budget of $1,770,000 for 2020. Of that, $519,000 comes from your taxes; $582,000 from sales tax revenue;, $126,000 from CHIPS; $190,000 from services to other governments, which is plowing and mowing state and county roads in our town; $172,000 from other services and $181,000 from Fund Balance.

We anticipate that the CHIPS reimbursement will be down 20 percent (-$25,200). The sales tax revenue will be down $309,000 if no more money is shared by the County. Also other state aid may be reduced.

We had a highway truck ordered to be delivered in 2020 and on advice from our highway superintendent we cancelled the order, which reduced our expenditures by $221,500, but it also reduced our potential revenue by $15,000 as we no longer have a used truck to sell.

We are looking at ways to reduce expenditures to bridge our current budget gap and if necessary will use more Fund Balance to get us through this year.

As you can see the Water District #5 in the southwest corner of the Town is progressing. The funding for this project is through a federal loan and grant which are guaranteed once we commit to the project and are not part of our Town budget.

Press release:

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will launch a third round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program purchases with distributions to occur beginning by Sept.1 with completion by Oct. 31.

The purchases will spend the balance of $3 billion authorized for the program. So far, more than 46 million Farmers to Families Food Boxes have been invoiced and delivered.

“This third round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program purchases is a testament to the great work done by vendors in support of American agriculture and the American people," Secretary Perdue said. "It is also a testament that the program is accomplishing what we intended – supporting U.S. farmers and distributors and getting food to those who need it most.

"It’s a real trifecta, which is why we call it a win-win-win. The efforts of everyone involved form the backbone of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program and its goal to help fill the hunger gap in all of our communities.”

Background:

In this third round of purchases, USDA plans to purchase combination boxes to ensure all recipient organizations have access to fresh produce, dairy products, fluid milk, and meat products.

Eligibility in the third round will be open to entities who can meet the government’s requirements and specifications. Proposals will be expected to illustrate how coverage will be provided to areas identified as opportunity zones, detail subcontracting agreements, and address the “last mile” delivery of product into the hands of the food insecure population.

A notice explaining the solicitation process will be issued in the days to come with a webinar and other educational opportunities provided for those interested in participating. 

In the ongoing second round of purchasing and distribution, which began July 1 and will conclude Aug. 31, USDA aims to purchase up to $1.47 billion of food for the program. For the second round, USDA extended contracts of select vendors from the first round of the program worth up to $1.27 billion. Some contracts were not extended at the vendors’ request or reduced based on information provided by the contractor.

Additionally, in the second round, USDA approved up to $202 million in new contracts, via a new acquisition activity, with select vendors whose offers were not previously accepted due to various issues in their proposals. These distributors were selected to increase the focus on Opportunity Zones in order to direct food to reach underserved areas, places where either no boxes have yet been delivered, or where boxes are being delivered but where there is additional need.

The first round of purchases totaling more than $947 million occurred from May 15 through June 30.

More information about the third round of food box purchasing will be made available on the Farmers to Families Food Box Program website at www.usda.gov/farmers-to-families. Please monitor the website or subscribe for updates.

A motor-vehicle accident has been reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 400 with four people trapped in a vehicle.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, along with East Pembroke and two ambulances from Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:07 a.m.: The only reason the four people can't get out of the vehicle is they are blocked in by trees. No injuries.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: All occupants out of the vehicle.

A working fire is reported at 438 Ellicott St. in the City of Batavia. City fire is responding. Third platoon is called in.

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.: All available manpower at city fire is called to the scene. Town of Batavia Fire Department is asked to stand by in city headquarters on Evans Street. The fire scene is between Ellicott Place and South Swan Street.

UPDATE 8:23 p.m.: Commands calls for a National Grid rep to the scene and a building code inspector.

UPDATE 8:28 p.m.: National Grid has been notified; not ETA provided.

UPDATE 8:42 p.m.: Fire is under control.

UPDATE 8:50 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 9:14 p.m.: The Salvation Army or American Red Cross, whichever is first available, requested to the scene to assist one adult and two teenagers with lodging. 

UPDATE 9:16 p.m.: Batavia PD has a traffic stop on a vehicle that drove through the fire scene.

UPDATE 9:41 p.m.: Ellicott Street is reopened.

UPDATE 10:34 p.m.:  Engine 11 remaining on scene. Engine 14 returning to quarters.

A caller reports a person is videotaping at the TA Travel Center in Pembroke, saying he plans to post to YouTube, and is threatening to harm truckers and/or their vehicles. Law enforcement is responding. The Center is located at 8420 Alleghany Road.

A caller outside Marshalls in Towne Center at Batavia reports a white male in blue jeans, a grey, button-down shirt, safari hat, and with his face fully covered is walking around putting flyers on cars and "looking suspicious." 

The caller wishes to speak with a patrol officer.

An animal control officer is responding to BJ's Wholesale Club parking lot for a report of a dogged locked inside a gray Chevy Silverado. The engine is running; the window is cracked; the dog is barking. It's about 80 degrees outside today.

UPDATE 12:04 p.m.: The caller reports the driver of the Silverado is leaving and a license plate was provided. The officer says she will call the complainant.