Press release:

The Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund announced today that it has awarded more than $4.5 million to more than 300 nonprofit organizations in our region, bringing the total grant amount from the Fund to $13.1 million.

This collaborative funding effort was convened in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 health crisis and is now administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, in partnership with The John R. Oishei Foundation, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation.

A collaborative of many local foundations has been meeting regularly and monitoring the needs in our community since the onset of the pandemic. It became clear in early 2021 that, as the pandemic continued longer than initially expected, many nonprofits who are providing basic needs services such as food, housing, healthcare, childcare, mental health, transportation, and other emergency services, were continuing to face critical funding shortfalls. 

Emergency grants were awarded to organizations in all eight counties of Western New York and ranged from $500 to $300,000, based on the need the organizations shared with the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Grants are supporting efforts directing helping families and individuals with everything from stocking the shelves at small rural food pantries to providing childcare for students in remote and hybrid learning centers to supporting mental health organizations who have a growing waiting list of clients that need to connect virtually. 

“When the philanthropic community first came together to create the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund the group committed to continually monitoring the evolving needs in our community as a result of the pandemic," said Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, president/CEO of Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

"This round of emergency grant funding was the direct result of hearing that nonprofits providing basic needs services needed critical financial support to carry out their missions. In addition to these grants, the Fund is continuing its commitment to addressing long-standing systemic challenges through its Moving Forward Together initiatives that include more than 400 organizations working collaboratively on a number of different innovative solutions.” 

To date, nearly 90 foundations and corporations and more than 1,900 individuals have supported the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo received a grant from national philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in late 2020 and a portion of that funding is supporting this round of emergency grants.

To see a full list of contributors, or to join the effort, please visit www.WNYResponds.org.

DePaul Properties Inc., and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse are among 104 community providers in 41 counties to receive funding from the fifth round of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

Announced at the end of January, DePaul’s Batavia Apartments at 555 E. Main St. will receive $400,000 for an additional 20 units (beds) – increasing the facility’s capacity from 42 to 62 units – while GCASA will receive $250,000 for an additional 10 units (beds) to go toward operating costs of its supportive living program.

Additionally, DePaul’s Batavia Apartments have been granted $4.7 million from the New York State Homeless Housing Assistance Program to cover construction and design costs.

“We’re really excited for Genesee County,” said DePaul President Mark Fuller, also mentioning that the agency opened the 60-bed senior apartment building known as La Rosa Villas in Le Roy last September.

Fuller said he was particularly pleased that the project includes the installation of an elevator.

“The elevator will make it more user-friendly for both the existing and the new people,” he said. “I’ve been working on this for a while.”

He noted that when constructed about a dozen years ago, DePaul decided to save some money by not putting in an elevator.

“The first floor was handicapped accessible, but the reality is that a lot of our residents have real mobility problems – getting up and down – and they also have different handicaps. So, that has been an issue,” he said. “And other issue is that there has been a huge waiting list, twice as many people (as apartments that are available).”

Fuller said the push to build 20 more units has been in the works for about three years.

“This will enable an enhancement of the services that we’re providing,” he said. “And the need is definitely there. As Batavia, Genesee County and Upstate New York ages, we’re seeing more and more frail elderly, and they lack good, handicapped-accessible housing.”

He said the ESSHI money – broken down as $20,000 per unit times 20 units -- will be used to run the addition and will be reimbursed after it is open.

Of the new units, 10 will have no age requirements for tenants and 10 will be limited to those 55 and over. The previous 42 apartments have no age requirements, he said.

Rent is fixed for the one- and two-bedroom units but potential tenants are subject to income limits.

Fuller said the company has acquired building permits and is in the process of getting it designed en route to the financial closing. He said he hopes to start construction by June and expects completion within a year.

Funding Ups GCASA's Units to 15 in Genesee

At GCASA, Rosalie Mangino-Crandall, director of project innovation and expansion, said the ESSHI awards permit up to $25,000 per bed/unit and “that is what we ask for per unit or very close to it each time.”

“So, for the units about to open, we will have just shy of $125,000 (5 units x $25,000), and for the newly announced award, we will have about $250,000 (10 units x $25,000).”

GCASA also operates two units of ESSHI housing in Orleans County.

Mangino-Crandall said 100 percent of the ESSHI funds will go for operations of the program, which are paid when the agency submits a list of expenses incurred to the state for reimbursement.

She said for this project, renovations on the units of a property previously purchased are almost done, setting the stage to provide supportive housing for those with a substance use disorder who are homeless or a risk of not having a home, or have a history of housing instability. Individuals and families are eligible for this service.

The ESSHI, per its website, has been set up to provide $30 million annually to fund support services and operating costs for at least 1,200 units of supportive housing for homeless persons with special needs, conditions or other challenges. The conditional awards provide service and operating funding for permanent supportive housing units.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has joined the House Rural Broadband Caucus for the 117th Congress.

“Expanding broadband access is critical to rebuilding and advancing rural Western New York communitie,” Jacobs said. "This need has existed for years, but the pandemic has amplified these needs as schools have moved online, telehealth services are being used more frequently and vaccine appointments are being made online, and Western New Yorkers are working from home."

The House Rural Broadband is cochaired by Reps. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Peter Welch (D-VT-AL), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), and Bob Latta (R-OH-05).

The Rural Broadband Caucus works in a bipartisan way to promote broadband deployment. Since its inception, the caucus has successfully secured billions of dollars for expanding internet access to rural areas.

“Students shouldn’t have to sit outside a restaurant to do homework, farmers should not lose revenue because they cannot compete with high-tech competitors, and small businesses should have every available resource to grow and thrive in Western New York,” Jacobs said.

“This has been one of my priorities since taking office, and I worked with my colleagues to successfully secure $635 million in funding for the USDA ReConnect Rural Broadband Program in the most recent appropriations bill.

C'onnecting our region is vital to our future, and I am committed to supporting efforts to improve access for Western New Yorkers. Joining this caucus puts me in an even better position to advocate for the needs of my constituents.”

Press release:

ALBANY -- Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY), a joint program of the New York State Archives and the New York State Library, has secured a five-year contract to continue to deliver supports and services to New York State’s cultural collecting institutions.

With the program’s extension, more than 5,000 organizations that safeguard New York’s historical records are eligible to apply for collections-related assistance and participate in education and training programs, free of cost, through 2025.

“The State Archives and State Library are excited to continue to provide support services, assessment services, and training through our DHPSNY program, ensuring that repositories across the state continue to have access to the tools they need to preserve and make available the essential materials that tell the story of New York and its people,” said State Archivist Tom Ruller.

State Librarian Lauren Moore also emphasized the importance of the program’s extension, adding that it builds on the State’s track record of supporting cultural organizations.

“I am pleased that we can continue to offer valued statewide services to our library and archives communities," Moore said. "New York State has always been a national leader in providing preservation services and grants to our cultural communities and their stewards.”

The new contract includes thoughtful adjustments to DHPSNY services and important COVID-19 safety precautions.

In 2021-25, qualifying New York organizations such as archives, museums, and libraries are invited to apply to receive free virtual Planning & Assessment Services, including Archival Needs Assessments, Preservation Surveys, and Strategic Planning Assistance.

Often a prerequisite for grants and other funding opportunities, these services provide reports and recommendations that are designed to support New York organizations in improving and advancing program efforts while forming strategies for future growth and development.

“In a world where budgets are ever tighter, where demands upon our staffs increase and personnel additions may be impossible, DHPSNY's reports and recommendations can prove the worth of archival and other documentary-related repositories to funding agencies as well as to our patrons, donors, administrations, and ourselves,” said Daniel DiLandro, New York State Historical Records Advisory Board chair and Buffalo State Archivist/Special Collections librarian, stressing the value of DHPSNY services.

Application materials for DHPSNY’s Planning & Assessment Services will continue to be reviewed three times a year and can be submitted year-round on the DHPSNY website dhpsny.org.

Applications to be considered for DHPSNY’s Spring Planning & Assessment Services Round are due Friday, March 26.

In addition to its virtual Planning & Assessment Services, DHPSNY will offer a new service for institutions that need to invest in resource development and capacity-building before they can reasonably embark on implementing the more sophisticated recommendations that come with DHPSNY’s Planning & Assessment Services. Debuting in 2021, this service will have a shorter, less formal application and be offered on a rolling basis.

In 2021-2025, DHPSNY will also continue to offer free education programs, including webinars and mentorship opportunities, as well as regular virtual networking events and online courses in place of in-person workshops. While in-person interaction remains limited due to COVID-19, DHPSNY will host virtual Community Conversations on a regular schedule. 

Additionally, DHPSNY will continue to offer one-on-one technical assistance, provide web-based resources, and maintain the DHPSNY Community Facebook Group (bit.ly/DHPSNY-Community), which provides the stewards of New York’s history a safe space to unite to discuss topics of interest; ask questions, share learnings, and develop a network of peers.

Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York is a collaboration between two long-running New York programs dedicated to service and support for archival and library research collections throughout the state: the New York State Archives Documentary Heritage Program and the New York State Library Conservation/Preservation Program.

DHPSNY is supported by the New York State Archives, New York State Library, Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), and New York State Education Department. DHPSNY’s Strategic Planning Assistance curriculum was developed in collaboration with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON).

For assistance, questions about eligibility, or additional information, contact the DHPSNY team at info@dhpsny.org or (215) 545-0613, ext. 338. Sign up here to receive the DHPSNY newsletter for updates on services, deadlines, educational programs, and more.

Press release:

As part of the efforts to update Genesee County’s Comprehensive Plan – "Genesee 2050" – the Department of Planning recently reached out to superintendents at school districts countywide to get students involved in a contest to create and design a new flag.

“It’s important that we solicit input from the youth of our community as they will be the leaders of government and business in 2050,” said Felipe Oltramari, director of the Genesee County Department of Planning. “We hope their input in creating and designing a new county flag will reflect their vision for Genesee County 30 years from now.”

Competition guidelines for the design of a new county flag are available online here.

Submissions are due by Feb. 28.

The Genesee 2050 Committee will select the top finalists and then have an online vote where county residents will choose one winner.  

“This is an exciting activity to get our youth involved in an important lesson in civic duty and responsibility,” said Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein. “The youth of our county are our future and I am excited to see that vision reflected in a contest in the creation of a new county flag.”

The Genesee County Department of Planning also is continuing to ask for input from the public through a series of online surveys.  

The surveys seek public comment on various subject matters including recreation, recreation facilities, agriculture, food supply, the coronavirus pandemic and renewable energy siting.

Interview with Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC. We'll talk about the state of economic development in Genesee County, touching on the ag park, Downtown Batavia, and STAMP. We're scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

From movie nights to crafts, it’s been a fun-filled start to 2021 at La Rosa Villas in Le Roy!

Situated on the site of the former Lapp Lumber Mill on Mill Street across from Oatka Creek in Genesee County, DePaul’s La Rosa Villas feature 60 units for individuals 55 years old and above.

Thirty of the units have on-site supportive services, which promote stability, health and independent living for persons with histories of unstable housing.

There are 20 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act compliant) and three Hearing and Visually Accessible (HVA) units in the building. For more information about La Rosa Villas, click here.

Pictured, Shelley Gillman (inset photo above left) wears a homemade New Year’s Eve hat, and Cindy Barber (inset photo above right) shows off her beaded snowflake craft.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after the House Committee on Agriculture met today to consider the agriculture portion of the proposed COVID-19 budget reconciliation package. 

"This legislation was crafted unilaterally without any input from the Republican members serving on the Agriculture Committee. While there is some good in the bill, it contains many unrelated, partisan provisions that fail to meet the needs of our farmers and my calls for targeted, bipartisan relief.

"In my district alone, there are over 4,400 farms who produce 22 percent of New York State's total agriculture sales. Western New York farmers supply schools around the country with dairy and supply grocery stores throughout the United States with produce, meat and eggs. The impact of NY-27 farmers on our country is significant, yet we have not held one hearing to assess the current needs of farmers, and my Republican colleagues and I were not consulted. 

“Republicans offered several amendments that would improve this legislation by supporting small producers, restarting the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program halted by the President and redirecting money toward high-speed internet in rural communities. Democrats rejected these amendments, once again refusing to work with us to craft a bipartisan package.

"It is my hope this does not become the norm for this committee for the 117th Congress, but rather we work together to support America’s oldest and most substantial industry."

Jacobs has served on the House Committee on Agriculture since his election in June during the 116th Congress. He was reappointed for the 117th Congress in January of this year.

Press release:

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, the Section V Athletic Council met and determined the tournament structure for winter high-risk sports.

The team sports of boys basketball, girls basketball, and ice hockey will have a closed sectional tournament in which only the top eight teams in each classification will make their sectional tournament. Wrestling will hold class sectional tournaments starting on March 12.

The Fall II Sports Season (which includes boys volleyball, competitive cheerleading, football, and girls volleyball) will begin on March 1, and the regular season will end on April 23. Sectionals must be completed by May 2.

Indoor Track & Field is now looking to host a sectional tournament starting on Thursday, March 4.

Submitted image and press release:

Now more than ever, it’s important to be able to connect to the internet so the Hollwedel Memorial Library has a Wi-Fi area that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We know that not everyone has access to the internet, and especially during the COVID pandemic, residents have been using our Wi-Fi and computers for all sorts of tasks,” says Josselyn Borowiec, library director. “We want everyone to know that when we are not open, they can still pull into our parking lot Wi-Fi area and connect at any time of the day or night.”

Residents can also use the computer stations inside the library that have popular software and provide access to the internet at no charge.

Information about the many programs and services available at the library can be found on the library’s website at www.HollwedelLibrary.org. Residents with questions can also contact the library by phone at (585) 584-8843 or stop by 5 Woodrow Drive in Pavilion. 

Current hours are: Monday and Wednesday 2 to 7 p.m. / Friday 1 to 5 p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m. to noon / Closed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Photo: Hollwedel Library Director Josselyn Borowiec demonstrates using the library’s Wi-Fi in the Wi-Fi area designated by the signs in front of the building.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley joined his colleagues in the Assembly Minority in a press conference calling on members of the Assembly Oversight, Health and Aging committees to sign a petition that would trigger the delivery of a subpoena to New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard A. Zucker to testify and provide all data on nursing home deaths occurring during the coronavirus pandemic.

The subpoena would also request all communications from the Department of Health (DOH) and other parties that led to the decision to develop, implement and override its March 25 directive, and allow Zucker to provide answers as to why this information was kept from the Legislature and public for such a long period of time.

According to Section 62-A of Legislative Law, if a majority of members on a given committee sign a petition, they then have the authority to issue a subpoena for the individual in question to appear before the committee to answer questions.

Hawley has sought for months to hold legislative hearings in which Dr. Zucker would be compelled to answer questions regarding the thousands of deaths in New York nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic and about the attempts that followed to cover up the severity of the tragedy.

“Given the sheer tragedy of this situation, I am hopeful my colleagues in the Majority on this committee will do what’s right as human beings and compel Commissioner Zucker to provide the answers grieving families have waited far too long for,” Hawley said.

“If our governor’s own attorney general was able to put aside their partisanship for the sake of truth and justice, I can only hope those in the Majority on these committees will also put their humanity before their politics.”

Press release:

Today, Tops is proud to announce a major $3.5 million renovation project is complete at its store located at 390 W. Main St., Batavia.

This marks the 13^th renovation for the supermarket chain since 2020 and the first for this year. This renovation is a part of the company’s $40 million capital improvement plan.

Tops Friendly Markets will virtually cut the ribbon on this impressive 78,000-square-foot store at 11 o'clock next Thursday, Feb. 18. To see some of these exciting renovations, visit us in-store, on our Facebook page (@TopsFriendlyMarkets) or at our website. 

Kris Ponzi, store manager for the Batavia Tops, noted that “with all of our new amenities, our expanded signature floral, fresh fried donuts and custom cakes, to our wider selection of specialty and imported cheeses to our Tops Brew Market with plenty of local beers, guests are sure to enjoy all of our enhanced offerings.”

She invites her neighbors to visit this newly remodeled store during the Grand Re-opening celebration and even have the chance to win some great prizes like Tops gift cards for food and fuel, overnight stays at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, and free Grocery Express Delivery memberships.

Almost everything inside and outside of the store has been touched giving it a refreshed and modernized appearance. From updated new exterior paint and enhanced façade, new interior décor, energy efficient equipment, digital menu screens, and LED lighting, to a completely remodeled fuel station in the parking lot.

Customers will also enjoy the added convenience of 10 new state-of-the-art self-check outs added during the renovation which will help to expedite their shopping.

You’ll feel the freshness in the expanded produce area featuring a fresh prep cut fruit and vegetable station. Tops partnership with over 200 local growers, includes several of our neighbor’s right here in Western New York, bringing the freshest local produce straight from the farm to your table. Tops prides itself on carefully selecting, inspecting, and ensuring your produce arrives at the peak of perfection.

Tops is also a proud supporter of product grown by New York State farmers who adhere to the New York State Grown and Certified program’s requirements, which includes verification of safe food-handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs. 

The newly remodeled bakery now offers a wider selection of detailed custom cakes and confections for weddings and special occasions as well as an expanded assortment of freshly baked breads, pastries, and signature fresh fried donuts.

Throughout the store, shoppers will also see an increase of antibiotic-free meat, plant-based options, daily fresh chef-prepared sushi,and sustainable seafood selections, along with a wider selection of certified organic and gluten-free offerings including natural bulk dry beans, rice and grains. 

To stay hydrated there is an expanded section of the store dedicated to waters, seltzers, and sparkling waters, including many imported varieties, which are on trend.

Love local beer? Tops took to heart the recent challenges facing local breweries and increased its support by enhancing not only the selection of local favorites, but their overall offerings in the Brew Market.

And when ordering online, shoppers can even get all of their favorite traditional and craft beers, hard ciders, and seltzers delivered right to their homes.

The stores remodel includes the Pharmacy that has a new, safe and convenient waiting area which provides a wide variety of services to the community seven days a week.

Tops is committed to making it easy to get every healthy thing you need in one quick stop and offers a number of immunizations, is an authorized administer of the Department of Motor Vehicles' Vision test, provides low prescription prices along with the GoodRxapp, and accepts more than 3,000 insurance plans.

The Batavia Tops Pharmacy, along with 50 other Tops Pharmacy locations throughout our region, are also the safe and convenient location for COVID-19 vaccinations. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations, click here.

Tops shoppers can also save time by utilizing Tops Grocery Pick-up and Delivery services. With fast, online ordering, get your favorite items and the best deals in town that you love delivered from our store to your door in as little as two hours.

Customers can visit TopsMarkets.com/ShopOnline and enter their zip code to get started. 

Also new in Batavia, an innovative and interactive in-store program called “Flashfood” that allows customers to purchase food nearing its sell-by date to save money and to help reduce food waste. Items like fresh produce, meat, deli, bakery, and dairy, may be listed at up to 50-percent off on the Flashfood app and then are available for easy pick up inside the store.

Because of its tremendous success, Tops now offers this "Flashfood" service at 33 store locations.

“At Tops, social responsibility and sustainability have always been at the core of our mission, upholding standards that ensure we reduce environmental waste and energy consumption while providing customers with sustainably sourced, high-quality products, at a great value,” said Jeff Culhane, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Tops.

“The Flashfood program fits right into our business model and we’re excited to bring this unique, money saving opportunity to our customers.”

Learn more about Tops sustainability efforts here.

Genesee County Manager Matt Landers this afternoon reported that Genesee County has the lowest seven-day positivity rate for COVID-19 in the Finger Lakes Region.

“It’s a nice feeling to have, a nice distinction to have at this point – especially given that just several weeks ago we were not only the worst positivity rate in the Finger Lakes Region, but we were competing for the worst in the state,” Landers said during the regular meeting of the County Legislature via Zoom videoconferencing. “It’s nice to see the turnaround and that our positivity rate is below 3 percent.”

He called it a “quick turnaround” and said it is due to “all the hard work we have been doing in this community in terms of messaging, distancing and the testing and the vaccination.”

On another front, he said the Genesee County Police Reform and Reinvention Draft Report has been posted on the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office page of the county’s website -- Welcome to County of Genesee.

He encouraged residents to look it over and provide feedback by sending an email to: county.manager@co.genesee.ny.us

“I’ve gotten some comments already and I welcome more,” he said.

The Genesee County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative has set its next meeting for 6 p.m. Feb. 23 (via Zoom) -- not on the 22^nd as originally scheduled due to some members being unable to attend.

A resolution to accept the report is expected to be considered by the Public Service Committee on March 15, a couple weeks before it needs to be submitted to the New York State Office of Management and Budget.

In official action, the legislature:

• Voted in favor of accepting an $11,100 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund to launch the CallHub pilot program for the county’s Office for the Aging.

To be utilized over the remainder of this year, the grant will allow the Office for the Aging to help people safely connect with phone calls going through CallHub, a secure web-based tool that makes communication between individuals and groups of people easier, quicker and safer through a designated phone number.

The resolution that was passed indicated that CallHub is an application that allows for improved program management for staff and volunteer-based programs, through mass messaging and real-time data collection and monthly reporting capabilities.

OFA Director Diana Fox said the office’s “safe” number appears on the caller ID, keeping the caller's personal number private.

“This is advantageous for volunteer-based programs and staff working remotely due to the pandemic,” she stated.

• Approved amendments pertaining to the payment schedule of 2021 contracts with The Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans Counties, Restoration Society, Living Opportunities of DePaul, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Arc of Genesee Orleans.

Per New York State requirements, regular payments to these agencies should be paid quarterly, not monthly as the current contracts stipulate.

As a result of the legislation, quarterly payments will be as follows:

The Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans Counties, $95,142.75; Restoration Society, $71,113.50; Living Opportunities of DePaul, $11,201.25; GCASA, $387,668.25; Arc of Genesee Orleans, $10,436.25.

Landers said funds provided to these organizations are “pass-through” from the state.

“This is not what we traditionally consider outside agency funding,” he said. “When we refer to outside agency funding we refer to Genesee County taxpayer-supported funding for agencies such as the Holland Land Office or GO ART!”

Data Update –

• Genesee County received 13 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, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.  
• Nineteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Fifteen of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• We are very sad to report the COVID-related death of three of our county residents. All of the individuals were over the age of 65. We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individuals and their families. Our deepest condolences to the families and friends during this very difficult time.

Orleans County received 10 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, 30s, 40s, 60s, 80s and 90s.
• One of the new positive individuals were on quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Thirteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Two of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• Three of the new positive individuals are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County Republican Committee is proud to announce that it has endorsed Melissa L. Cianfrini as its candidate for Genesee County Court judge.

Cianfrini has more than 21 years of combined experience as a civil litigator, assistant district attorney and assistant county attorney. She has been licensed in three states and has handled complex litigation cases in numerous state and federal courts throughout the Eastern United States.

In addition to her vast civil experience, she was known as a tough, but fair prosecutor for nearly a decade and currently is employed as an assistant county attorney, where she prosecutes child abuse and neglect cases, family offenses, and advises the county on civil matters.

She possesses a strong work ethic and honors family values. Cianfrini resides in Genesee County with her husband, Mike Cianfrini, and their two children, Sophia and Jack.

Corrine Elizabeth Navarra, 39, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and third-degree welfare fraud. Navarra was arrested after an investigation by Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that starting on Jan. 17, 2020 she failed to report income while receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which would have lowered her benefit. It is alleged that Navarra received $3,840 in benefits that she was not eligible for. She was arraigned in Genesee County Court on Feb. 10 and released on her own recognizance. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Jason William Doohan, 37, of Jerome Place, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. Doohan was arrested after an investigation by Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. It is alleged that on March 1 of last year Doohan failed to report income he earned scrapping metal, which resulted in Doohan receiving $1,464 in public assistance benefits that he was not entitled to. The defendant is due in Batavia Town Court on March 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Michael Broccolo of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center as our next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series. The topic will be "The Underground Railroad in the Niagara Frontier."

The presentation will be conducted virtually via Zoom. To watch the presentation via Zoom please visit the museum's Facebook page or website for login information.

If you would like to witness the virtual presentation on the museum's big screen there will be a limited audience of 12 people. Those in attendance will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing protocols and must preregister by contacting the museum at (585) 343-4727. We are asking anyone in attendance for a small donation.

Press release:

The Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School Girls Basketball Team is currently organizing their 10th annual Shooting For A Cure! game in support of funding research efforts at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

We're extremely excited that we will be able to help raise funds and awareness for cancer research at Roswell Park.

Over the past nine seasons, our small community has raised more than $152,000 for cancer research at Roswell Park and we hope to uphold this benevolent tradition. Shooting For A Cure! has become one of Roswell Park’s largest community-based fundraising events.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions we will not be able to pack the hallways or the gymnasium as we've always done in the past; however we're trying to take a creative approach!

Top and bottom photos: Front -- Karli Houseknecht (25), Allyson DuBois-Rider (30), Serene Calderón (10), Emily Peters (32), Sydney Johnson (11). Back: Ariel Moss (50), Allie Schwerthoffer (14), Nicole Von Kramer (23), Isabel Breeden (2).