Stories from

Briefing

The Genesee Wyoming Music Educators Association is honoring past scholarship winner Elise Hoerbelt, a trumpet player and a 2019 graduate of Batavia High School.

Here instructors through the years have included Dawn Mark, Jane Haggett, and Derek Reiss.

Her secondary instruments are voice, french horn, and violin.

She is attending Ithaca College and majoring in Music Education.

What are your favorite college/ high school music experiences?

My favorite music experience in my career so far has been my first concert at Ithaca College. It was amazing getting to play with so many talented musicians and it was the first concert of my college career. 

What ensembles/performance opportunities do you aspire to be a part of?
Since I aspire to be a music educator, I would like to be the conductor of a band of students someday. 

What is your favorite performance venue you have performed at? 
My favorite performance venue was at Kodak Hall in the Eastman School of Music when I performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in the Holiday Pops Chorus. 

What are your main musical influences and/or role models?
My teachers and friends have been my main influences in my musical career.

What is your ultimate music goal or music dream?

My goal is to become a music educator and teach students about the power of music.

Video and press release submitted by Tricia Werth.

Please meet this year's Genesee County Dairy Princess Court.

• Dairy Princess -- Miah Werth
• Dairy Ambassadors -- Amelia Brewer, Jillian Brewer, Georgia Luft, Carolyn Sybertz and Maggie Winspear
• Dairy Maids -- Chloe Lamb, Claire Lamb, Caroline Luft and Annalise Sybertz

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the girls were unable to have their annual pageant. They chose to think outside the box and designed this pageant video.

They had a lot of fun creating each of their videos, even enjoying some bloopers along the way.

Dairy Princess Miah Werth and her Court are eager to help support our local dairy farmers while promoting the dairy industry over the next year. Miah said that this year will look extremely different, but she is excited for everyone to see all the ideas she and her Court have been thinking of.

The Genesee County Dairy Princess Program is made possible through the support of American Dairy Association North East, the local planning and management organization funded by Dairy Checkoff Program dollars. They help to build demand and sales for milk and dairy food in the local region

ADA North East represents more than 10,000 dairy farm families in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia.

ADA North East also assists in developing local programs to drive milk and dairy sales at retail stores and in schools.

Please reach out to gcdairyprincess@yahoo.com or Miah's mother, Trisha Werth at (716) 560-0843 if you would like the Genesee County Dairy Princess Court to help promote the nutritional value of dairy products at your next event.

Submitted photo below: Front -- Caroline Luft, Annalise Sybertz, Chloe Lamb; Back -- Georgia Luft, Jillian Brewer, Miah Werth, Carolyn Sybertz, Amelia Brewer and Maggie Winspear. Not in picture: Claire Lamb.

The National Weather Service is warning residents to expect a hot and humid day today with high temperatures reaching the upper 80s to low 90s.

The heat index could top out at 95 degrees.

"Take precautions if you need to be out in the heat today by taking frequent breaks inside and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated," the weather service advises.
 

A firearm retrieved from a creek in Oakfield last week had been in the water for "a considerable amount of time," Chief Deputy Joseph Graff said this morning.

The Sheriff's Office took possession of the firearm after a caller who was "magnet fishing" in the area of 6000 Fisher Road reported the find.

Graff said there isn't much information about the firearm but that the Sheriff's Office is looking into it.

"It is very rusted/corroded and not identifiable in its present state," Graff said. "We will be sending it to the lab to see if anything identifiable can be restored."

In accordance with restrictions on social gatherings, area veterans conducted their annual Memorial Day Service at the War Memorial in Batavia, which included a reading of the names of Genesee County veterans who died during the previous 12 months.

An older man has suffered a serious arm injury in a farm equipment accident on Summit Road in Pavilion.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding. Mercy Flight is on an in-air standby.

UPDATE 5:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight response not required. Ice packs and blankets requested to treat the patient for possible heatstroke.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received three more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has two new cases (bringing the total to 202) and Genesee has one (bringing the total to 180).

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff. Two of the Orleans County individuals are community residents. Genesee County’s one individual who tested positive is a community member.

We have also received word of the death of two individuals who had tested positive for COVID-19 and residents of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center (now for a total of 26 deaths related to COVID-19 for The Villages and a total of 29 deaths for Orleans County). Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad and difficult time.

There is currently no further information to release on ages and locations. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Tuesday afternoon due to the Memorial Day holiday.

We hope everyone had a peaceful and safe Memorial Day. We appreciate the sacrifice of those who served in the armed forces and gave their all.

We ask residents to continue social distancing, mask-wearing, and proper hygiene even in the company whom we trust the most -- like family, friends, and coworkers. We can all show people that we care and respect them by continuing these practices to keep everyone safe.

Photos from the Memorial Day service today at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (The Upton Monument) in Batavia.

We'll have video report posted tonight or tomorrow of the Memorial Day Service at the War Memorial at St. Jerome's.

Press release:

The Committee to Elect David Krzemien for Genesee County Sheriff would like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day!

The last Monday in May has been deemed Memorial Day dating as far back as 1868. This day is set aside to remember and honor those military members who lost their lives serving our country. In today’s world with increased restrictions on our freedom, the ultimate sacrifice that so many made means so much more.

Men and women sacrificed their comfort, and ultimately their lives to protect and defend the rights and liberty we have in America today. It is our job to teach younger generations about the brave men and women who never made it home after defending our country.

The sacrifice made by those military men and women should be remembered and celebrated today and every day. God Bless America, we are strong and will make it through this together!

Pictures included were taken at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Cemetery. Special thanks to David Krzemien, Michelle Krzemien, Christopher Parker, Cooper Parker, Lonnie Nati, Julia Pettys, Trevor Krzemien and Emily Burow for taking the time to place flags on the graves of service members.

A house at 12 Union St., Le Roy, has reportedly filled with the odor of natural gas.

Le Roy fire on scene.

Union is closed by Stafford fire police between Wolcott and Summit streets.

Photo submitted by Dan Street from East Bethany.

Photo submitted by Lisa Ace from Batavia. Taken in Le Roy.

Photo by Josh Wallace, Le Roy.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received seven more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has six new cases (bringing the total to 200) and Genesee has one (bringing the total to 179).

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff. Five of the Orleans County individuals are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and one is a community member. Genesee County’s one individual who tested positive is a community member.

The health department was made aware that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) did swab all residents and employees of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Any questions regarding specific issues should be addressed to The Villages or NYSDOH.

We have also received word of the death of an individual who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center (now for a total of 24 deaths related to COVID-19 for The Villages and a total of 29 deaths for Orleans County). Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad and difficult time.

There is currently no further information to release on ages and locations. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Tuesday afternoon due to the Memorial Day holiday.

We ask residents to continue social distancing, mask-wearing, and proper hygiene even in the company whom we trust the most -- like family, friends, and coworkers. We can all show people that we care and respect them by continuing these practices to keep everyone safe.

As the weather warms up, we understand it’ll be hard to stay away from family and friends, but we still have a ways to go before we can get back to normal.

Chris Kuehl, of East Bethany, took this photo of a pileated woodpecker.

Her husband, Chuck, who submitted the photo, said and his wife have lived at their residence for 17 years and added, "We see pileated woodpeckers all the time but this is the first time one keeps coming to our suet and boy does he go through it. We live by a very large wooded area and get a very large variety of birds. Just love living here!!"

Message from Pastor Roula Alkhouri, Batavia First Presbyterian Church.

Genesee County Public Health announced this afternoon that are no new positive COVID-19 tests to report in the past 24 hours.

Anthony J. "Science" Welch, 39, of Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, after allegedly being found in possession of crack cocaine following a traffic stop by the Local Drug Task Force.

The charge is premised on the allegation that the amount of the narcotic in Welch's possession indicates he intended to sell it.

Welch was a passenger in a car driven by Steven R. Colombo, 33, of Batavia, who was allegedly driving while his privilege was suspended.

Another passenger, Amy L. Coulson, 33, of Batavia, was also arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd.

Following the traffic stop, Welch and Coulson were taken to the Genesee County Jail and based on a search warrant they were searched. Welch was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine that he tried to hide during the traffic stop. 

Welch was also charged with tampering with physical evidence, promoting prison contraband, and criminally using drug paraphernalia.  

Colombo was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd.

Following arraignment, Welch was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and Coulson and Colombo were released on appearance tickets. 

The Task Force was assisted by Batavia PD, Corrections Officers, and the District Attorney's Office.

Press release:

• After meeting contact tracing metric, Mid-Hudson Valley will join Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions, which have met the seven metrics required to begin reopening.
• If number of deaths continues to decrease and tracing is online, Long Island could reopen Wednesday, May 27th.
• State is partnering with Advantage Care Physicians to establish 15 new testing sites at medical centers Downstate.
• New York State now has more than 760 testing sites.
• Reminds New Yorkers to vote in the Wear a Mask New York Ad Contest by Monday, May 25th.
• Confirms 1,772 additional coronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to359,926; new cases in 50 counties.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Mid-Hudson Valley is on track to meet all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state's regional phased reopening plan starting Tuesday, May 26th, joining the Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions.

The Mid-Hudson Valley as now identified enough contact tracers to meet the state's guidelines, and the tracers are being trained in preparation for the Mid-Hudson Valley entering phase one, which includes construction; manufacturing and wholesale supply chain; retail for curbside pick up and drop off or in-store pick up; and agriculture, forestry and fishing.

On Long Island, the number of deaths is continuing to drop and contract tracing is coming online, and if this trend continues Long Island could be ready to open by Wednesday, May 27th. Business guidance for phase one of the state's reopening plan is available here. A guide to the state's "NY Forward Reopening" Plan is available here. The state's regional monitoring dashboard is available here.

Governor Cuomo also announced the state is partnering with Advantage Care Physicians to establish 15 new testing sites at medical centers Downstate, including testing centers in low-income and minority communities. New York State now has more than 760 testing sites across the state. The Governor also encouraged eligible New Yorkers to visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov to find a nearby testing site and get tested.

The Governor also reminded New Yorkers to vote in the state's Wear a Mask New York Ad Contest, which was launched by the Governor on May 5th and is being overseen by his daughter Mariah Kennedy Cuomo. New Yorkers can vote for the winning ad until Monday May 25th at WearAMask.ny.gov. The winning ad will be announced on Tuesday, May 26th, and that ad will be used as a public service announcement.

"The numbers are going down every day and we're making real progress to stop the spread of this virus, and now we're focusing on reopening," Governor Cuomo said. "Reopening has been different in different regions all across the state, but each region has to meet the same criteria to reopen and we are keeping New Yorkers informed with where each region stands.

"We don't want a region to reopen before its ready, and the Mid-Hudson Valley Region has now met all the criteria necessary to begin reopening on Tuesday. This has been a tough situation, but New Yorkers are tough and we've shown how tough we really are here."

Interview with Michael Plitt, chairman of the Democratic Party in Genesee County.

James Elmore shared this photo from Thursday morning of an oriole eating some jelly in his backyard.