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Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after it was reported last night that the FBI and the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office have opened an investigation into Governor Cuomo and senior members of his COVID-19 Task Force.

“For weeks, I have called for a full federal investigation into Governor Cuomo and his staff for their actions to cover up the disastrous impacts of the Governor’s directive forcing COVID positive patients back into nursing homes.

This investigation is long overdue but necessary to the grieving families who have been cast aside, smeared, and talked down to by this Governor for simply seeking answers surrounding the death of a loved one.

“I will keep working tirelessly until we have these answers. This investigation should leave no stone unturned and thoroughly examine the deliberate and willful action to withhold information from federal prosecutors and the public. The Governor’s actions represent one of the greatest betrayals of public trust during this pandemic. He must be held accountable."

Dan Ireland, President of United Memorial Medical Center

Interview with Charitie Bruning, YMCA Child Care Director. We'll talk about services being offered by the YMCA to families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Press release:

Statement from AAA’s national office regarding Gulf Coast refineries and gas prices:

Since Monday, the national gas price average has increased seven cents to $2.575 ($2.58). This quick four-day jump is a direct result of all major Gulf Coast refineries being impacted by the recent storm, which has caused gas supplies to tighten and pump prices to increase.

The situation is very similar to a Gulf Coast hurricane’s impact. Refineries come offline, and until damage (if any) is assessed and operations are back up and running, supply is tight, especially with road conditions and power outages (mostly in Texas) reducing fuel deliveries – if stations even have power to accept them.

Until things thaw out and Gulf Coast refineries are running again (likely early next week), we do expect more expensive pump prices across the country, varying another 5-15 cents.

We urge motorists in the impacted areas to stay off the road and not rush to get gas. Gasoline will flow into stations as power is restored and roads are cleared. We are seeing temporary outages, not a shortage. On Monday the Colonial Pipeline reported no impact from the storm, which will aid in refueling quickly once roads can be traveled.

As in any national or local state of emergency, AAA expects gas prices to be held in check -- up and down the gasoline supply chain -- including prices set by refiners, distributors and dealers. If motorists are concerned about price gouging, they should contact their state’s Attorney General office.

Today’s (2/18/21) local gas price update:

The New York State average is $2.65 – up 5 cents since Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.61.

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

• Batavia -- $2.54 (up 2 cents since Monday)
• Buffalo -- $2.56 (up 4 cents since Monday)
• Ithaca -- $2.58 (up 2 cents since Monday)
• Rochester -- $2.59 (up 4 cents since Monday)
• Rome -- $2.67 (up 4 cents since Monday)
• Syracuse -- $2.57 (up 3 cents since Monday)
• Watertown -- $2.67 (up 4 cents since Monday)

Genesee County COVID-19 Briefing Feb. 18, 2021

A fully involved car fire is reported near a structure at 73 W. Main St., Le Roy.

Le Roy fire is on scene.

Fire police are closing Route 5 between Royal Drive and Gilbert Street.

UPDATE 6:31 p.m.: Fire is knocked down.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers regional State of the State message, hosted by Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Interview with Batavia Muckdogs Manager Joey Martinez.

UPDATE: This interview went very well. Joey Martinez is clearly excited about the upcoming season and he revealed the three local players who will be part of the 2021 Batavia Muckdogs.

The Knights dropped to 1-1 on the season losing at home Tuesday night to Livonia 58-48.

Mitch Hockey scored 10 points for Le Roy. Cody Lytle scored nine and had seven rebounds. Merritt Holly scored eight points.

In other boys basketball:

• Batavia beat Greece Olympia 62-51 (coverage)
• Geneseo beat Pavilion 58-41

In girls basketball:

• Alexander beat Attica 48-47
• Elba beat Kendall 66-36

Photos and info of Le Roy game submitted by Tim McArdle.

Even with four grapplers winning their matches, Le Roy's wrestling team couldn't hold on for a win in its first meet of the season on Tueday night at Cal-Mum, losing 36-16.

Winners for Le Roy:

• Joey Brennan, pin
• Cole Rauscher, pin
• Mike Covert, pin
• Brock Flint, major decision, 13-2

Photos and information submitted by Tim McArdle.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after Governor Cuomo’s press conference yesterday and New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt’s calls for NY Attorney General James to expand the scope of her investigation into Governor Cuomo’s nursing home death cover-up.

“I commend Senate Minority Leader Ortt and the entire minority conference for their tireless pursuit of the truth and their repeated calls for a full investigation. Attorney General James showed courage by releasing the report that has finally gotten grieving New York families closer to closure, but her work is not done yet.

"With the admission from the Governor’s top aide that the administration purposefully withheld information about nursing home deaths from federal officials, Attorney General James should continue her efforts and expand the scope of her investigation.

“The Governor once again tried to shift blame and avoid responsibility in his press conference yesterday, only to be met with a loud and public rebuke from members of his own party. He has proven he is not able to tell the truth or govern responsibly – as such, I am also reaffirming my calls for the Department of Justice to conduct a full criminal investigation into obstruction of justice. The Governor and his staff must be held accountable.

Jacobs has sent two letters, with the entire New York Republican congressional delegation, to the Department of Justice asking for a full and independent federal investigation into Governor Cuomo, (Health) Commissioner (Howard) Zucker, and administration staff.

This evening's sunset from Kelsey Road, Batavia.

Photo by Cory Coles.

James Tillery is proud to know Mr. Wirt Fuller. Fuller is a veteran, and to Tillery, "a hero and an honest man."

The 73-year-old Fuller is also the guy who plows all of his neighbor's drives on Farwell Drive and some on Elm Avenue, too, Tillery said.

Tillary moved to Farwell Drive in 2016 and Fuller has been plowing the drives on Farwell every winter since at least then.

"He does it and puts pride into doing it and never asks for anything in return," Tillery said. "The best neighbor! It can be a total of zero visibility and he still braves the elements to make sure we are all clear of heavy snow and ice.

"Mr. Fuller has gone up and beyond just being a neighbor," Tillery added. "He is considered a personal friend to all of us in the Farwell neighborhood."

Photo submitted by James Tillery.

Interview with Shawn Heubusch, chief of police, Batavia.

A possible structure fire, with heavy smoke, is reported at Hickory Lodge, College Village, 8170 Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

Town of Batavia fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: The apartment requires ventilation.

Three-year-old Matthew helps his father, Tom Cunningham, shovel snow on Kibbe Avenue.

Kathy Ferrara clears the sidewalk outside her business on East Main, Batavia's Original Pizzeria.

Dave Graney shoveling snow on Ellicott Avenue.

Elmwood Cemetery

Kibbe Park

Ellicott Street at Liberty Street

East Main Street

Snowman on Ganson Avenue

Medal of Honor recipient David G. Bellavia is being honored by the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley in Kansas as part of the Big Red One Year of Honor Opening Day events.

The event includes a street dedication in the name of Bellavia, with a street on the base becoming Bellavia Way. Three other streets will be renamed in honor of three other Medal of Honor winners this year.

Throughout the year, the 1st Infantry Division will celebrate the Big Red One Year of Honor, a yearlong tribute to the 37 Big Red One soldiers who have been awarded the nation’s highest honor.

Bellavia served in 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

The Byron-Bergen/Le Roy girls swim team won the Genesee Regional Championship over the weekend, placing first out of seven teams at the meet.  

The team scored 492 points. Notre Dame/Batavia finished second with 419 points.

Swim Coach Sara Stockwell said it has been 10 years since Byron-Bergen won the league championship meet.

Senior Alaura Rehwaldt won the 100-meter butterfly and broke her own school record with a time of 1:03.59.

Alaura Rehwaldt, Jorie Strzelecki, Peyton Koukides and Natalee Shepard won the 200-meter freestyle relay and also broke their own school record with a time of 1:46.36.

Information and photo submitted by Sara Stockwell.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.51, up 4 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.44. The New York State average is $2.60 – up 4 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.62.

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

• Batavia -- $2.52 (up 8 cents since last week, 7 cents less than last year)
• Buffalo -- $2.52 (up 5 cents since last week, 4 cents less than last year)
• Ithaca -- $2.56 (up 6 cents since last week, 7 cents less than last year)
• Rochester -- $2.55 (up 5 cents since last week, 2 cents less than last year)
• Rome -- $2.63 (up 5 cents since last week, 1 penny more than last year)
• Syracuse -- $2.54 (up 6 cents since last week, 5 cents more than last year)
• Watertown -- $2.63 (up 4 cents since last week, same price as last year)

Pump prices continue to increase again this week. In many areas across the country, gas prices have surpassed last year’s level. In Central New York, Watertown is on par with last year while Syracuse and Rome prices are slightly higher than one year ago. Other areas have not reached last year’s level as noted in the above list.

Increasing pump prices have been supported by higher crude oil prices and gas demand, which grew slightly last week though it remains lower than pre-pandemic levels, according to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Based on current trends, drivers will likely see pump prices continue to increase ahead of spring.

Last week, on Wednesday, crude prices reached the highest daily settlement price since January 2020. Crude and pump prices are likely to continue to move higher as crude inventories continue to drop and refinery utilization increases.

From GasBuddy:

"It's not surprising that gasoline prices continue to follow oil prices higher, as the national average now stands at its highest level since January 2020 as Pay with GasBuddy data shows U.S. gasoline demand rose over 2 percent last week," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"The rise in gas prices continues to be driven by improving demand in the United States, and has nothing to do with who sits in the White House, but rather how many motorists are filing their tanks on a daily basis, and from that data, it's no guess, but prices will continue to trend higher.

"This situation will last as long as OPEC continues to restrain their oil production, creating the situation we're in where demand is recovering faster than demand. The situation won't get better, just wait until spring, it's likely the national average will rise another 10 to as much as 50 cents per gallon if oil production doesn't respond to the continued recovery in demand."