Stories from

A shed fire, with flames showing, is reported at 6177 Walkers Corner Road, Byron.

There is a boat and other equipment nearby.

Byron and South Byron along with Stafford dispatched.

This afternoon we're talking with Pembroke's school superintendent, Matthew E. Calderon.  The stream is also available on YouTube.

Coming up at 11 a.m.: Census 2020: An interview with Felipe Oltramari, Genesee County Planning director.

To watch the stream on YouTube, where you can also comment and ask questions during the interview, click here.

It was a very different atmosphere in O'Lacy's Irish Pub in Batavia tonight -- St. Patrick's Day, an evening when O'Lacy's should be brimming with life and overflowing with Guinness.

Instead, it was quiet, perhaps even a bit melancholy, as the community adjusts to social distancing in the era of coronavirus.  

The good news is, O'Lacy's sold out of corned beef and cabbage dinners.

It was also a good night for take-out at Eli Fish (including take-out brews --  yes, local bars and restaurants can serve you take-out alcohol during the present executive directive). Other restaurant owners we spoke with said they are cautiously optimistic about how things will work out now that there is a temporary prohibition about on-site dining and drinking in bars and restaurants.

Click here for a list of local establishments offering delivery and pickup.

"Onward"

Genesee County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. A person over 65 who had been on mandatory quarantine while symptomatic. The person had not traveled, which means the was infected by community transmission.

Health care workers are investigating who the person might have had contact within the days prior to showing symptoms.  It's unclear where the person may have contracted it.

The patient has not been hospitalized and is isolated at home.

Due to privacy regulations, the person's identity is not being released.

MORE T/K

UPDATE:  Press release from the County Health Department:

We interviewed Merritt Holly, superintendent of the Le Roy Central School District, live and this video is a replay of that stream.

We'll get an update on how the district is dealing with the closure, what's available for students, and families, and how things are going in Le Roy.

If you're unable to view the stream on our home page, click here.  Also, if you follow that link, there is a live chat on YouTube where you can ask questions that I will try to incorporate into the interview.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, and I don't know why, the interview cuts off a minute or so early, a problem on YouTube's end I imagine.

Press release:

Nate McMurray, candidate for Congress in New York’s 27th District, is cancelling all public events scheduled ahead of the April 28th special election.

With 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Western New York, the campaign has stressed the importance of following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to minimize the spread of the virus and best protect those most susceptible to the illness. 

In place of public events, the campaign will shift its outreach efforts to online communications and asks those interested in volunteering to learn about alternative forms of engagement at www.votemcmurray.com/volunteer. 

"This is a pandemic, and we must take it seriously," McMurray said. "Going forward, we are postponing all public fundraisers and rallies of any sort. While this race remains important, we must put the health and safety of people over politics.

"We must work creatively and collaboratively because what we do now will set the tone for other upcoming elections, including the General Election in November. We have to pull together and find a way. That is what Americans do, that is what Western New Yorkers do. We will rise to the occasion. Stay with us. Stay positive. Stay strong.”

Efforts are underway to cooperate with the County Boards of Election to develop protocols to ensure ballot integrity, including a call for universal access to absentee ballots.

McMurray has reached out to the Democratic National Committee for their support in ensuring all voters will be able to participate in the special election. McMurray and his campaign team developed the following guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety and health of the community:  

1. All campaign events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities will be moved to phone outreach and online forums. 

2.  All campaign offices remain open and staff are available for literature pick up and to provide technical support to volunteers as needed.    

3. McMurray’s campaign staff are identifying community partners engaged in COVID-19 coordinated care and response; McMurray has pledged to offer his teams’ support and resources as needed to serve the public in this time of need.

WBTA interview on Main & Center about the local impact of coronavirus hosted by Dan Fischer and with Dan Ireland, CEO of UMMC; Mari Hamilton, public health educator with the Genesee County Health Department; and Kristine Voos, epidemiology coordinator with the health department.

Interview with Anibal Soler Jr., superintendent, Batavia City Schools.

If you can't view the video stream directly on our home page, click here.

Press release:

Amid a lack of federal direction and nationwide standards, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced a regional approach to combatting the novel coronavirus - or COVID-19 - throughout the tristate area.

These uniform standards will limit crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people, effective 8 o'clock tonight. This follows updated guidance that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more.

The three governors also announced restaurants and bars will close for on-premise service and move to take-out and delivery services only. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. These measures will take effect at 8 o'clock tonight.

Finally, the three governors said they will temporarily close movie theaters, gyms, and casinos, effective at 8 o'clock tonight. 

This uniform approach to social distancing is meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. 

"Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn't crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that," Governor Cuomo said.

"This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents 'state shopping' where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa.

"I have called on the federal government to implement nationwide protocols but in their absence, we are taking this on ourselves."

Governor Murphy said, "With all we are seeing in our state - and across our nation and around the world - the time for us to take our strongest, and most direct, actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus is now. I've said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family.

"But if we're all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn't just up to some of us, it's up to all of us."

Governor Lamont said, "The only way to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19 is by working together as states. We have shared interests, and a patchwork of closures and restrictions is not the best way forward. I know that because of this collaboration, we will save lives."

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Local bar and restaurant owners, email howard@thebatavian.com with the details of your delivery/pickup plans. Include the name of the business, hours of operation, link to a menu if available (or send us a PDF and we can host it for you), and phone number and we will include you in a post about local restaurants offering the service. 

Announcement from Batavia City Schools:

Due to Genesee County declaring a countywide state of emergency, Batavia City School District will remain closed until further notice, including all school-based activities.

However, the District is taking steps to do whatever it can to support our students and our families during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

Our nutritional services department will be providing free “grab and go” breakfast and lunch bags for all students (and all household family members under the age of 18). These will be distributed each school day from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. by the entrance of all District building properties, including the Robert Morris building, as pictured and as described here:

• Jackson: Pick up will be from the loop in front of the building (via Jackson Street);
• JK: Pick up will be in the parent loop (Vine Street);
• MS: Pick up will be on the side of the building; Please enter via Walker Place;
• HS: Pick up will be from the loop in front of the school (State Street);
• RM: Bus loop on side of the building (Union Street).

If this arrangement for food distribution poses a challenge for your family, please call your child’s school’s main office. The number for all District offices is 343-2480, then add the appropriate extension for your school building as follows: Jax is ext. 4000, JK is ext. 5000, BMS is ext. 3000, BHS is ext. 2000).

In addition, the District is collaborating with community partners about additional resources regarding food distribution and will provide updates as they become available.

Instructional information for students is also being made available so that students can continue to engage in their studies as much as possible.

All students, K-12 will have access to materials through the COVID-19 tab on our website, or through this direct link. In addition, Jackson Primary and John Kennedy will be providing paper packets for K-4 students that will be distributed with the “grab and go” breakfast/lunch bags.

Please continue to check our Facebook page and website. We will be providing updates as they become available. In addition, if you have specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by email, the “Let’s Talk” app accessed through our website, or a phone call to the appropriate office or building.

For further guidance and recommendations for staying healthy and protecting yourself, your family, and others during this outbreak, please consult the attached document about "social distancing" as well as these helpful guidelines and information sources:

~ https://www.cdc.gov/coron…/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

~ https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

~ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

A brush fire is reported on Route 262 just east of Transit Road on the south side, Byron.

Byron, South Byron, and Stafford fire departments dispatched.

UPDATE 6:18 a.m.: A chief on scene reports all equipment can be held in quarters.

Evan Eckerson, Newstead Homes Kings, watches his slap shot sail into the net for a second-period goal against the Genesee Orthopedics Canadians in the Batavia Mens Hockey League championship Sunday morning at Falleti Ice Arena.

Eckerson's goal cut the Canadians' 2-0 lead in half and the Kings went on to win 4-3 to become the 2020 champions.

Bare Antolos and Jim Mohn were credited with an assist on Eckerson's goal. 

The winning goal was scored by Jim Ernst at 13:55 in the third period with assists from Eckerson and Antolos.

Paul Greean and Dan Eckerson also scored for the Kings.

Scoring for the Canadians were Adam Siedlecki, Nick Busch and Ryan Difilippo.

For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.

This is a copy of an email I sent out earlier today to all the local business owners we have in our database, since that isn't everybody, and since emails are sometimes missed or misdelivered, I'm posting it to our home page to ensure all local business owners see it.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner:
 
I know from personal discussions that many local business owners are concerned about the local impact of COVID-19. Even if nobody in our community – and we certainly hope this is the case – ever contracts this coronavirus, the effort underway to contain the spread of the disease is already being felt in Genesee County.
 
The state has said all events and gatherings of 500 people or more should be canceled, other events should have attendance reduced by 50 percent, and restaurants and bars should restrict customer access to 50 percent of capacity.
 
That last restriction, enforceable by police, fire, and health officials, is of great concern to our local business owners and their employees.
 
The restrictions are understandable. The main goal of these policies is to keep our health care system from becoming overwhelmed, as has already happened in places like Iran and Italy and happened early on in China. When health care systems become overwhelmed, more people die and the virus spreads faster.
 
At the same time, lives also depend on healthy economies. People need to work. Businesses need to remain successful.
 
We are looking for ways to help the local business community. We’re going to continue to ask our readers, of course, to support first and foremost our locally owned businesses.
 
For locally-owned restaurants, we want to hear from you if you’re offering curbside pickup or delivery. We want to compile a list and publish it at no charge for our readers. Please email details to howard@thebatavian.com. Include business name, hours of pickup or delivery, location, and a link to an only menu if available. We will publish the list at no charge.
 
But also, to help promote these services we’re going to offer a discount on sponsored posts to businesses promoting curbside pickup and delivery. We’re taking $20 off the price of a sponsored post, making it $100. And to help increase and overlap exposure, we’ll boost that post on Facebook at no additional cost. For example, if you want to spend $50 to boost the post to our 19K followers on FB, we will only charge that $50 fee we pay to Facebook (no mark up).
 
If you’re interested, email howard@thebatavian.com.
 
And let me know any ideas you have for how The Batavian can help the local business community during this time.

This is our first live stream news interview. We're talking with Batavia Blue Devils Head Coach Brennan Briggs about the team's effort to to help the community by delivering groceries to those who need assistance while maintaining social distancing. 

If the stream isn't working, click here.

District announcement:

We will offer FREE breakfast/lunch meals to all students Pre K-12 starting 3/17 until further notice!‬ Click for more information about pickup.

‪Meals can be picked up at the Wolcott Street School's main entrance for outdoor pickup Mon-Fri between 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.‬

‪We encourage our families to take advantage!‬

Press release:

In response to the State of Emergency called by Genesee County officials and the closure of Genesee County schools, The Liberty Center for Youth will be closed until further notice.

The City of Batavia will continue to take all reasonable precautions to keep City employees, residents, and students safe from contracting and spreading the coronavirus. 

• Please continue to follow social distancing techniques;
• Stay home if you are ill;
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently;
• Above all, remain calm.

All official updates on coronavirus will continue to come from the Genesee County Health Department and you can stay up to date by visiting the County’s website.

Press release:

Following State of Emergency declarations this weekend in every county served by the Regional Transit Service, and confirmation of the second case of coronavirus in Monroe County, RTS released the following information today.

“Based on conversations over the past few days with Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza, RTS will continue providing service based on our normal schedule,” said RTS CEO Bill Carpenter. “Any future decisions we make regarding RTS service will be based on science, facts, and guidance from Governor Andrew Cuomo, the NYS Department of Health, County Executive Bello, and Dr. Mendoza.”

Preventive Measures:

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, RTS has taken the following steps:

Bus & Facility Cleaning:

• Buses are cleaned every day and detail cleaned with disinfecting wipes according to guidance from the NYS Department of Health.
• The RTS Transit Center is being cleaned and wiped down three times a day.

Focus on Prevention:

According to Dr. Mendoza and local health experts, preparation is a continuous process and the best way to help prevent the spread of the virus is to follow these tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash;
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes;
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces, and;
• Stay home when you are sick.

Contingency Plan:

If the virus spreads and leads to RTS needing to reduce service, we will do so in a way that is responsible and easy to understand. We have a plan in place and are ready to implement it if needed. To be clear, RTS is not implementing a service reduction at this time.

Bus Pass Information:

Rochester City School District (RCSD) Students:

Due to school closures, the bus passes students use have been temporarily deactivated. RTS is in close contact with County Executive Bello, Mayor Warren, Dr. Mendoza, and RCSD Superintendent Terry Dade, and the decision to activate the passes again will be made in coordination with them and at the appropriate time.

Our top priority is to ensure customers and employees stay healthy and safe. We are sharing this information with state and community leaders, employees and customers to ensure everyone understands what our plan is and what will drive the decisions we make. The public can help by following the advice of health experts and prevention tips such as staying home and avoiding public places when sick.

When updated information is available, it will be posted to the RTS website. 

Carpenter added: “We at RTS pride ourselves on providing high quality and reliable public transportation each and every day. Because of the trying circumstances under which the entire community is living, our mission is ever more challenging. In order to best serve you, we ask that you prioritize the reasons for your transit trips. RTS will serve every customer it can but we ask that you consider taking medical and other essential trips before any others. By working together we will get through this.”

For all other information, visit www.myRTS.com.

Press release:

In an effort to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) the following precautions will be implemented at the City of Batavia Police Department, effective immediately:

• Police Headquarters located at 10 W. Main St. will remain locked at all times. Anyone responding to the police station can utilize the phone in the vestibule, which will contact our dispatch center at all times.
• If you are in need of a copy of a report please contact our Records Clerk at 585-345-6303 before responding to the Station, you will be given directions on how to proceed with your request at that time.
• If you need to report a crime that has already occurred or simply want to speak with an officer, we ask that you contact our dispatch center at 585-345-6350. The dispatchers will obtain your information and an officer will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
• If you have an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately and officers will be dispatched to you.
• We ask that if you can do so to please meet the officers outside and speak with them rather than the officers coming into your home.
• Officers will be practicing “social distancing” techniques as advised by the County’s Health Department.

These measures are to ensure that we can adequately respond to emergencies and to help safeguard both the public and the police officers from accidental exposure to the virus. Please see the Genesee County Public Health Department website for additional information about the COVID-19 virus.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these difficult days together. Rest assured the City of Batavia; the Police Department and its employees are ready to aid in any way possible to ensure that our community remains safe at all times.