A barn fire, with flames showing, is reported at Star Growers, on Starowitz Road, Elba.

Elba fire dispatched. Byron and South Byron asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: A first responder confirms working structure fire and requests a second alarm.

UPDATE 10:02 p.m.: Town of Batavia, Byron, South Byron, along with City Fire's Fast Team dispatched.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: Video posted. Fire crews are still on scene. This was a significant structure fire with equipment inside. Chief Mike Heale said crews heard explosions inside upon their arrival. No livestock were involved. No injuries reported. The cause has not been determined.

If he could open Batavia city schools up to in-class learning five days a week any time soon, he would, Superintendent Anibal Soler told the Board of Education at its regular meeting on Monday.

He said he knows some neighboring districts are going to daily in-person instruction, but he said the district won't violate any state or CDC guidelines to make it happen in Batavia.

"From our standpoint, if we can put more kids on the bus, we already would have done it," Soler said. "If we could get more kids in a class, we already would have done it."

He said he is staying abreast of guidelines and if changes are announced, the district will be able to work quickly and diligently to adjust.

Also during his superintendent's report on Monday, he said guidelines on masking have changed. Under the new policy, if you have your mask on and the other person has his or her mask and you're not within six feet of each other, you're not going to be subject to quarantine if the other person tests positive for COVID-19. Under the previous policy, anybody in the same enclosed space, such as a classroom, even if 20 feet apart, would be subject to quarantine. 

"This is meant to limit the number of kids and limit the number of teachers who get quarantined," Soler said. 

Soler also updated the trustees on testing.  

The U.S. Department of Education denied the state's request to waive all required state testing for students in grades 3-8 and the Regents test for grades 9-12. As a result, the district will be required to test all in-person learning students, third grade and up, in Math, ELA, and the Regents exams. The state has said these tests will only be used for diagnostic purposes and will not harm school accountability reports. The state is considering not using Regents exams as a requirement for graduation. 

Soler said the district expects to receive more information on testing and graduation and when that information is released, principals will be communicating directly with students, families and staff.

Finally, photo below, Officer Jason Davis, who has served recently as the district's resource officer, was honored by the district as approaches retirement for his service to the community and the district.

Photo courtesy of Anibal Soler.

You can help support local news by supporting The Batavian.

Data Update – 

• Genesee County received 16 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in the:
    • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
    • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
    • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. 
• Twelve of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Four of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Orleans County received five new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, and 50s.
• Three of the new positives were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Two of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

From the NYS Police:

On March 4, at 11:12 a.m., Troopers out of SP Batavia responded to a two-vehicle collision on State Route 237 and East Morganville Road in the Town of Stafford.

Further investigation revealed that a 2010 Kia was traveling east on East Morganville Road and stopped at the stop sign at State Route 237. The Kia proceeds into the intersection, not yielding the right of way and was struck on the driver side by a 2002 Peterbilt refuse truck traveling south on State Route 237.

The operator and only occupant of the Kia, Ann K. Wood, 73, of Le Roy, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Collision Reconstruction Unit assisted in this investigation.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

This property has a little bit of something for everyone -- two bedroom, fully remodeled, 1985 mobile home. Move-in ready and situated on over 7 acres with a 36x40 barn, two ponds and some great woods!

Home has all new windows, 3-year-old metal roof, newly remodeled kitchen and bath, super cozy wood burning stove and appliances included! 200 amp electric and 4-year-new septic an added plus. Sliding glass doors lead to covered back patio area and great views.

Great woods and could be logged for extra ready income! The barn is ready for all your toys or shop needs -- water ready, plumbed for bath, cement floors and 100-amp electrical service. Also for all those with technology needs there is high speed cable available as well!

Definitely come ready to take a walk and discover everything this property has to offer! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today, call 344-HOME (4663). Click here for more info.

Michael Anthony Flatley, 33, of Sage Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- with a previous conviction within 10 years; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree; operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; and failure to keep right on a two-lane road. At 1:12 a.m. March 3, Flatley was arrested on the charges after a traffic stop on Alleghany Road in Alabama. He was arraigned in Alabama Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due in Genesee County Court on May 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Jeffrey Richard Doherty, 45, of Timberpoint Road, East Islip, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; driving left of pavement markings; and improper signal. At 6:65 p.m. on March 3, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Buffalo Street in Alexander and Doherty was subsequently arrested. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Alexander Town Court on April 27. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Press release:

The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for March.

Roughly half of all households participating in SNAP will receive the supplemental allotment later this month, which will result in an infusion of roughly $100 million into the state’s economy.

"Supplemental SNAP benefits have provided crucial support for families and individuals around New York State as they struggle through the global pandemic," said Mike Hein, commissioner of OTDA, which administers SNAP in New York State.

"This infusion of federal dollars will help New Yorkers avoid food insecurity and bring welcome business to local retailers as our state embarks on the road to economic recovery."

Additionally, all SNAP recipients will continue to receive a 15-percent increase to benefits for March, which will be reflected in their normal monthly allotment. With the 15-percent increase included, the maximum benefit level for an individual is $234 and $782 for a family of four.

Federal legislation adopted in December provides for this increase to continue each month through June.

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to those SNAP households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month. The additional food benefits will be distributed starting in the second week of March and continue through the end of the month. 

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients’ existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account and can be accessed with their existing EBT card. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will be automatically carried over to the following month.

Under the direction of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo last spring, OTDA submitted a plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide emergency supplemental payments to any SNAP household getting less than the maximum monthly benefit. Since that time, more than $1.2 billion in additional benefits have been distributed, bringing much needed federal dollars to local retailers throughout the state.

Struggling New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. As of December 2020, there were more than 2.7 million SNAP recipients throughout the state, a 6.7-percent increase from the same month in 2019.

A recent federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy found that every dollar invested in food benefits can generate up to $1.54 in economic activity. The study also found that an additional $1 billion invested in new SNAP benefits could support roughly 13,560 jobs nationwide.

For more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.

A two-vehicle accident with possible entrapment and a person possibly unconscious is reported in Stafford at Route 237 and Randall Road.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: This was reportedly a T-bone accident. Another caller reports the driver is unconscious.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: The accident involved a garbage truck and a passenger vehicle.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:27 a.m.: Mercy Flight, which was in air en route to the scene, is cancelled. More manpower requested to the scene for traffic control.

UPDATED 2:46 p.m.: This was a fatal accident. NYS Police at the scene declined to provide further information at this time.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: Stafford fire is back in service. Randall Road is being reopened; Route 237 will remain closed for a little while longer until tows can remove the vehicles.

A well-balanced offensive game propelled Oakfield-Alabama to a 70-63 victory over Lyndonville on Wednesday.

Gaige Armbrewster scored 14 points, Ty Mott 13, Kyle Porter 12, Payton Yasses 11, Travis Wiedrich 10, and Kaden Cusmano 8.

Nathan Dillenbeck scored 21 points for Lyndonville.

The Hornets are now 7-2 on the season. 

In other boys basketball:

• Alexander beat Kendall 71-45. 
• Notre Dame beat Byron-Bergen 79-57
• Holley beat Elba 74-68

In girls basketball:

• Dansville beat Le Roy 76-20
• Pembroke beat Akron 57-40
• Alexander beat Kendall 60-34
• Notre Dame beat Byron-Bergen 55-24
• Pavilion (now 9-0) 47-29

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after voting against H.R. 1 – the “For the Politicians Act.”*

"This week, Speaker Pelosi has continued her track record of partisan policies that benefit her party but hurt the American people. H.R. 1 would direct public money toward politicians' reelection campaigns, not COVID response, infrastructure, or schools. Given the many challenges our nation faces and the substantial debt we have already amassed this year alone, there are infinite better uses for this funding than Democrats' reelection efforts.

"This legislation is also a threat to secure and timely elections. H.R. 1 would federalize our elections to throw out voter ID laws, legalize ballot harvesting, irresponsibly expand mail-in voting, and make the Federal Election Commission a partisan entity. These changes will not improve our elections. Instead, they will cause massive delays, limit voter verification, and an unconstitutional attack on First Amendment political speech and state-run elections.

"Many Americans have concerns about the integrity of our elections, but this legislation does not ease those concerns in the slightest. Only legal, verifiable, and registered American voters should be allowed to vote. This legislation erodes safeguards in our election processes to the benefit of the Democrat party.

*Here's the bill, H.R. 1 – “For the People Act," which was introduced in January.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after voting against the Democrat’s policing reform package. 

"This legislation will not protect our communities – it will undermine police officers who are forced to make life or death decisions in service of the public. The bill will make it easier to sue officers for reasonable mistakes and creates a public registry of complaints against them before those allegations can be properly investigated. 

"In addition, this legislation further strains our police with unfunded mandates and by limiting their access to lifesaving surplus equipment, such as bulletproof vests. It further hinders officers' ability to effectively respond to dangerous situations by limiting the tools and resources at their disposal.

"There are challenges in local law enforcement that we need to address. We need to ensure those entrusted to protect our communities are highly trained and act responsibly, and we must hold those accountable who commit crimes and break public trust.

"However, it is critically important that we support the brave men and women of our law enforcement and ensure they have every resource needed to continue to protect our communities – this legislation focuses more on partisan politics than effective policy."

Press release:

The New York State-run temporary mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic was opened for appointments this morning at 7:59 a.m. By 9:20 there were no appointments available, however that has been fluctuating. We encourage those who are seeking vaccination to periodically check the site as some may cancel their appointments or the system catches up.

“We realize this may be disappointing and frustrating for our local county residents as it is to us," said Paul Pettit, director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. "We will continue to advocate for increased vaccine allocations moving forward.” 

“Every dose of vaccine that comes to our counties are administered within the week of receipt. We will continue to call on the state to increase allocations to rural counties as our vaccination rates continue to lag in comparison to surrounding counties.”

As a reminder, these clinics are for those in priority groups 1A and 1B, and those 65 and older, or under 65 but at least 18 with co-morbidities.

You can check for appointment availability at https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or call 1-833-697-4829.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley's statement to The Batavian this morning regarding the mass vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College:

"We sent out a letter to the governor and the (New York State) Department of Health commissioner -- our friends, Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Zucker -- indicating our extreme dismay over the fact that it is going to be open to anyone. The rural counties in New York State, the percentage of completion of vaccines is way, way below the state average, and our surrounding counties' average.

"I think at last count, a couple days ago, the state was at over 15 percent completion of shot one and Orleans County was at about 8 percent, and I don't remember Genesee's (which is slightly higher than Orleans) or Wyoming either. But they're all way below and we've got a pandemic going on here.

"We've got people who can't find appointments. I get 20 to 25 calls every day from people who are trying to find a place to go on. If you're working or are caretaking or whatever, you can't sit in front of a computer all daylong, and if you don't have broadband, you can't get on.

So, this is very, very disheartening. We're New Yorkers, too. This is our health -- life and death in many cases, unfortunately, as we've come to learn. Very, very disappointed. I asked them to change their minds and I haven't heard back."

UPDATE: All vaccination appointments for clinic at GCC booked in less than 90 minutes

In what is turning out to be a good news, not-so-good news situation for citizens of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, Genesee Community College officially has been designated as a COVID-19 mass vaccination site, beginning this Friday, but the five-day clinic will be open to those who reside outside those counties.

In reaction to this morning’s announcement, Genesee County Manager Matt Landers is urging Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming residents to act fast by logging on to this website -- New York Covid-19 Vaccine (ny.gov).

“It was already going to be competitive because we know the demand is there for our three counties,” Landers said. “It was already going to go fast. Now, it will go even faster.”

Landers said local government leaders are “disappointed” in the decision in that they were led to believe the clinic at GCC would be only for the tri-county residents. 

“I’m 100-percent saddened and want to do all I can to make sure our folks get access," he stated. "We definitely expected this to be restricted to only Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming residents. We were informed that it would be open to anyone at 9:30 on Tuesday night (after officials had commented for the press release below)."

On Feb. 22, legislative leaders and public health directors in the local tri-county area sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo urgently requesting the designation of a regional mass vaccination clinic at the GCC campus to provide the vaccine exclusively to residents of the rural counties.

The letter, in part, read that “Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties have consistently been left out of the COVID-19 response with delays in testing supplies and now with very limited vaccine allocations. All three counties are medically underserved and having a regional clinic with less than a half-hour commute would benefit these communities."

Landers said the reason for getting a clinic at GCC is because the vaccination rates in the rural counties are lower.

“That was the whole point of this," he said. "This is what gave us some hope. This is what the letter was asking for. It’s unfortunate that at the last second that it’s going to be open to everyone because that isn’t going to directly improve the numbers when folks right on the border of Erie and Monroe can flood into our zone.”

Landers said the plan is to distribute 500 doses on Friday, 1,000 doses on both Saturday and Sunday, and 500 doses on both Monday and Tuesday.

------------

Here is the press release issued by New York State this morning:

BATAVIA, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health have agreed to host a temporary regional mass vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College (GCC) main campus center (1 College Road, Batavia) to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to rural counties.

The announcement comes after the legislative leaders and public health directors of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties sent a letter last week to the Governor urgently requesting the designation of such a clinic to serve rural populations in the region. 

“We are pleased to see this allocation for the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County area,” stated Lynne Johnson, chairperson of the Orleans County Legislature. “Our three counties have been underserved throughout this pandemic, especially with the lower vaccine allocations, which in turn produces lower vaccination rates.”

This state-run clinic, expecting to vaccinate 3,500, is targeted to Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County residents who are in the state eligible groupings. The state has confirmed, as of 03/02/21, the vaccine will be the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) one-dose vaccine. The clinic is located at the GCC Athletic Center where signs will guide those with appointments to the entrance. The clinic will be held starting:

• Friday, March 5^th from noon to 4 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday (March 6^th and 7^th) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday and Tuesday (March 8^th and 9^th) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Appointments must be made via the New York State "Am-I-Eligible" webpage https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or by calling the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-697-4829 only. 

“We are pleased to be a part of this mass vaccination clinic,” stated Rebecca Ryan, chairwoman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors. “This will help put a dent in our priority groups.”

“To say this COVID vaccination site is necessary is an understatement, as I speak with constituents daily who are told they have to travel hours in some cases just to get their vaccine,” said New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

“I am hopeful we will see progress made toward opening this site for the convenience of all who wish to receive the vaccination in the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County communities. We need to do all we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout New York State.”

"I am very happy that GCC will be serving as a vaccination site for Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties," said New York State Senator Edward Rath. "In the joint legislative health hearing this past Thursday, I specifically requested Commissioner Zucker establish a vaccination site at GCC.

"I am pleased that this all is happening very quickly, and we can work to get residents in our rural counties vaccinated. Thank you to our local leaders for their leadership on the issue."

“We hope this is just the beginning of our region getting an equitable share of the vaccine,” stated Rochelle Stein, chairperson of the Genesee County Legislature. “In order to continue to provide vaccine to those in rural counties, we encourage the state to continue to provide these limited mass vaccination clinics to assist our counties and get the vaccine in the arms of our residents who choose to get it.”

At the suggestion of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce’s tourism staff and Airbnb officials, County Attorney Kevin Earl and Manager Matt Landers today led a discussion about changing a local law to impose a “bed tax” on residents who rent out their homes on a limited basis.

Speaking at the legislature’s Ways & Means Committee meeting, Earl said he is communicating with representatives of Airbnb, the popular vacation rental online company that helps (for a commission) homeowners arrange lodging for tourists.

His proposal, if supported by the legislature, would generate additional income for the Chamber to run its tourism operations.

“First of all, the Airbnb proposed agreement applies to occupancy taxes – bed taxes as we call them … and the second thing is the important discussion we have to have (because as of now) our law has an exemption for under six units,” Earl advised.

The attorney said a house being rented out for travelers would be considered as one unit.

“So, we would have to have the consent to go ahead and change that to allow the law to apply for under six units,” he said. “Number three is a corollary of that, if we do that, we want to make sure that if somebody rents their house or apartment for a couple days, a couple weekends or one week, that they don’t have to go through all of the process (of) collecting and enumerating bed tax to the county.”

Less Than Six Units, More Than 10 Nights

He then suggested changing the law so that it would apply to less than six units, but only under circumstances when they are rented for more than 10 nights during an entire calendar year.

By modifying existing law, the 3 percent bed tax currently in place for motels and hotels would also be charged to the rental units (homes, apartments and even the small structures at campgrounds).

The hotel adds this charge to the customer’s bill (which also includes an 8 percent sales tax) and remits this occupancy tax payment on a quarterly basis to County Treasurer Scott German, who then appropriates it to the Chamber for tourism purposes.

A nickel of each dollar generated is kept by the county as an administration fee and the remaining 95 cents goes to the Chamber..

Landers said the proposal “has been expressed to us as a matter of fairness because this is something that would even the playing field. Hoteliers have to pay this and (there are) people who are utilizing Airbnb services throughout our county.”

He also mentioned that he did a “quick search” a couple summers ago and found that there were 28 of the Airbnb-variety units in the county, giving him reason to believe a change in the law would be warranted.

“If there was one or two, maybe it wouldn’t be worthwhile but there is enough out there and something that our Chamber of Commerce has expressed interest in exploring,” he said.

He reported that Airbnb has similar contracts with other New York counties.

Landers: Looking for a Consensus

“Kevin and I didn’t want to go through the process of making all these changes – it’s a policy change – if the legislature didn’t have the desire to go forward with these changes,” Landers said. “We can come back again in the future with actual recommended changes of the local law and go to a public hearing … if there is a consensus.”

Legislator Gary Maha asked Landers if he has an estimate of the amount of revenue that would be realized by such a change. The county manager said he did not, referring back to the 28 units he identified a couple years ago but didn’t have a breakdown of the dollars received.

“It’s nothing that would come to the county … the lion’s share goes directly to the chamber,” he said. “This is an area I think will only grow in the future. Airbnb is getting more households and is easier to deal with, and revenue is probably going to be growing. I can’t tell you an estimate of how big it is right now, but if I had to place a guess, it’s only going to go up.”

Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein asked if the modified local law would have an effect on campsites “where folks have those little houses that folks can rent.”

“If they rent those through Airbnb at a campground will that be impacted? And are campgrounds that have those little chalets, I’ll call them tiny houses, are they already paying a bed tax and a sales tax?”

German responded affirmatively, noting that Darien Lake’s campground has “several of those little huts and they are being taxed at 3 percent.”

Law Would Target Booking Companies

Earl said wording of a new law would have general language that would define Airbnb as well as businesses such as Flipkey, HomeAway and VRBO as booking companies.

“So, this will apply to any that are now known or any in the future. We will make the definition broad enough so that if XYZ company comes in as a booking agent – and even realtors (who) could possibly book houses,” he said.

Committee Chair Marianne Clattenburg asked if the new law was implemented, would the Chamber help promote those individuals and companies offering homes for rent by including them in a list available to the general public. Landers said he would expect that to be the case and would share her view with the Chamber staff.

Still, at first sight, she sees the proposal as “more regulation” and said she needs more information before supporting it.

Legislator Christian Yunker asked who is responsible for keeping track of the number of nights and the revenue -- Airbnb or the homeowner?

Landers said that while Airbnb captures the money and remits the funds to the county, individual owners would have to provide a report to the treasurer’s office for reconciliation purposes. Hotels and campgrounds also are subject to that requirement, he added.

Klotzbach contended that Airbnb should be responsible for reporting, but Landers and Earl said the company just wants to pass the money along and is not in favor of a process where individual homeowners’ identities are disclosed.

There's a Cost of Doing Business

At that point, Landers shifted the debate by offering to change the time period.

“Instead of 10 days, if we really want to capture people that do this a lot, then it could be over 30 days or over 60 days,” he said. “I guess at that point you should know if you’re renting a place out for that many days in a row that’s a cost of doing business versus maybe two weeks out of the year, you rent the place out or you’ve got a room that you’re renting out and it’s something you don’t think about.”

He said the county doesn’t seek to be “overly regulatory” but acknowledged the request from the tourism agency “that was hit particularly hard during COVID as a way to capture revenue from people outside of our area to assist with tourism.”

Legislator John Deleo said he didn’t have a problem with someone trying to make some extra money to “keep the water level below their nose” but agreed with Clattenburg that more information is needed before deciding.

Earl said there is no time limit, but is ready to move forward when the legislature approves. Clattenburg then asked Landers and Earl to provide further details while Ways & Means does its own research.

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting its next Trivia Night at the Museum on Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, the topic will be Irish History. You can either join us in person at the museum or via Zoom.

Our in-person audience will be limited to 12 people, and masks and social distancing will be required. If you would like to attend in person, please preregister by calling the museum at 585-343-4727.

If you would like to come in person we are asking for a donation in place of the regular admission. For the links to attend via Zoom please visit the museum’s Facebook page or website, www.hollandlandoffice.com, for more details.

The Holland Land Office Museum welcomes back No Blarney on Wednesday, March 17^th at 7 p.m. for another St. Patrick’s Day concert. No Blarney will play all of your favorite Irish tunes from every era.

The concert will only be available via the museum’s YouTube channel, Holland Land Office Museum, as it will be livestreamed thanks to Paul Figlow. Please visit the museum’s Facebook page or website, www.hollandoffice.com, for the details to watch the livestream of the concert.

The Holland Land Office Musuem welcomes Nellie Ludemann of the Seneca Falls Historical Society on Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. for its next edition of its Guest Speaker Series. The presentation will be on the life of an early women's rights activist, Amelia Jenks Bloomer.

The presentation will be available via Zoom and in person to a small group of up to 12 people to come to watch on our big screen.

All those in attendance must wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. If you would like to attend in person, please contact the museum by phone at (585) 343-4727 to preregister. Please visit the museum’s Facebook page or website, www.hollandlandoffice.com for more details.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation and Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble Honorary Chairperson Gina G. Giese ('91) have confirmed the Sixth Annual Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble will take place on Monday, July 19, at Stafford Country Club in Stafford.

Giese, a Batavia resident, earned an associate degree in Business and Marketing from GCC in 1991, a bachelor's degree in the same from Buffalo State College and an MBA from Canisius College. She has spent her career as a local business leader. She is currently retail regional manager, administrative vice president at M&T Bank in Batavia, where she started her career with the bank 32 years ago.

A devoted volunteer and member of GCC's Alumni Council since 2011, Giese has served on many committees including the Cougar Classic and GCC Alumni Panel Series. She and her husband, Walter, are golfers and have also volunteered on the PGA Tour.

"I am sincerely grateful to Gina for serving as chair for the sixth annual Cougar Classic," said Executive Director of the GCC Foundation, Justin Johnston. "In my time at GCC, I've enjoyed collaborating with her on our Alumni Council. Gina's leadership is vital to so many areas of GCC, and I look forward to working with her on this important initiative to raise scholarship funds for our GCC students."

The Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble allows up to 36 foursomes for the 18-hole event at the esteemed Stafford Country Club. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, all beer and nonalcoholic beverages during play, lunch and dinner with a cash bar, and much more!

Most importantly, all proceeds from the Cougar Classic support GCC student scholarship programs, making higher education possible for deserving students in our communities.

Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of this event's advertising opportunities and lock in sponsorship levels are encouraged to act early and contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield directly at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

Exciting new event details, registration and sponsorship forms will be available here.

Photo from a previous Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble, from left: Erik Fix, Samantha Schafer, Gina Geise and Walter Szczesny.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley joined other legislators in the Assembly Minority in calling on the governor to ensure the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), PAVE-NY, and Emergency Winter Recovery Fund remain fully funded, if  funding is not increased.

This effort comes after the governor's 2021-22 Executive Budget proposed cutting all funding for the Emergency Winter Recovery Fund and shifting a significant portion of CHIPS funding to signature projects, as opposed to core preservation, which maintains local roads and infrastructure. 

While unfunded state mandates placed on localities have increased over the last decade, CHIPS base-level funding has remained stagnant since 2013. Local governments are responsible for maintaining about 87 percent of all roads in New York State and half of the state’s 18,000 bridges, of which 36 percent of bridges are deficient. Additionally, 38 percent of roads in the state have been rated poor or fair.

“By maintaining and improving our roads, we create jobs, make our communities safer, and avoid larger problems that may otherwise arise in the future,” Hawley said.

“Cutting Emergency Winter Recovery funds would only slow our economic recovery, and we should instead be talking about increasing CHIPS funding to put people to work and give families, businesses and healthcare providers the means to get where they need to be safely and efficiently."

UPDATE: Statement from U.S. State Department:

The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State. We are aware of a U.S. citizen missing in Ecuador. When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can.

A Batavia resident with years of volunteer service locally and overseas, including the Peace Corps, is reportedly missing in Ecuador.  

Travis Sackett has reportedly been missing since Feb. 21 after going on a hike to the Imbabura Volcano.

Recently, he has been a volunteer at a farm in Ecuador.

The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador has reportedly been notified that Sackett hasn't been heard from since he left for the hike. Local search efforts began on Feb. 25.

The Batavian has been unsuccessful in attempts to confirm his status either through a family member or by contacting the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador or the U.S. State Department. 

Cassie Toulet-Crump has set up a GoFundMe page to assist his mother, Lucy Sackett, with expenses related to the search for Travis, including a reward. 

The GoFundMe page says Sackett's parents are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the safe return of their son. Donations will help increase the possible amount of the reward.

Word of Sackett's possible disappearance and the GoFundMe page has been spread widely in the community over the past 24 hours over social media and local email chains.

Data Update – 

• Genesee County received 21 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in the:
    • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
    • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. 
• Thirteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• Fourteen of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center.

Orleans County received seven new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 50s and 60s.
• Two of the new positives were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Three of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• One of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.