Genesee County COVID-19 Briefing May 18, 2021
Empire Access, a service provider for many customers in Batavia is experiencing a service outage that seems to be affecting more than just local customers.
The outage has also been reported in Elmira.
The company issued the following statement on Twitter.
Internet service update - we’re currently experiencing an internet service interruption, which may effect your connection. Our technicians are working to restore service. We apologize for the inconvenience.
— Empire Access (@EmpireAccess) May 18, 2021
We've attempted to reach a company spokesman for more information and have not yet received a response.
UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: Service has been restored, per Empire Access.
Internet service is now restored. If you are still experiencing issues with connecting to the Internet, please call our office at 800-338-3300.
Press release:
Today, Senator Ed Rath called on the Department of Budget (DOB) to release critical funding grants for emergency services. Senator Rath was joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Genesee County Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein, Undersheriff Brad Mazur, Genesee County Director of Emergency Communications Steven Sharpe, members of the Genesee County Legislature and members of the 911 Advisory Board.
“The delay in the release of this funding for our communities is extremely damaging," Senator Rath said. "As ranking member on the Senate Local Government’s Committee, I know the extreme duress many of our counties are under as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the State to be delaying the release of this funding, with no end in sight, is completely unacceptable.
"We need to be working with our counties and local governments, not adding unnecessary burdens. Unfortunately, this seems to be all too typical for our State. I am calling on the Department of Budget to release these grants (2020-21) and inform our counties when they will be able to apply for the current fiscal year’s grants (2021-22)."
Assemblyman Hawley said: "Our heroes of healthcare have been working dutifully throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure emergency services were not overwhelmed or interrupted during the highly contested time. To see that our 9-1-1 services are now under threat of being underfunded is unacceptable, and the State needs to take immediate action to ensure that our emergency telecommunications are not stifled."
"County governments must work alongside the State to ensure the funding needs are met for these important emergency services," said Genesee County Legislator Gregg Torrey, Human Services chair. “I want to thank Senator Rath and Assemblyman Hawley for fighting to secure our fair share of critical 9-1-1 funding which is needed to support our County Public Safety operations."
Genesee County Legislator Gary Maha, Public Service chair, said: "We have been fighting this battle for years through the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, the New York State 911 Coordinators Association and the New York State Association of Counties. It is time the Governor stops using these funds for other purposes than 9-1-1 services."
"The delay in releasing already collected 9-1-1 surcharge revenue money could cost Genesee County over $500k in the 2021 budget," said L. Matthew Landers, Genesee County manager, budget officer. "While we have long been advocating that a greater share of the collected surcharge go to the intended recipients, namely emergency communications operations such as the Genesee County Dispatch Center, this recent delay in funding is unexplainable and undermines emergency communications operations across the State."
Emergency Communications Director Sharpe, of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and NYS 911 Coordinators Legislative Committee chair, said: “Over the past year, our first responder community needed to address the pandemic while continuing to provide emergency services to the public.
"Our friends at the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications (DHSES/OIEC) have been excellent partners by assisting local communities setting up communications for testing sites, emergency clinics, and now mass vaccination sites. DHSES/OIEC also hosted teleconferences for local and county partners to discuss best practices during the pandemic.
"Unfortunately, the State of New York has not honored their commitments regarding grant funding. Counties provide a majority of public safety answering point (9-1-1 center) services throughout the State and also administer a majority of public safety communications systems. During this pandemic, the State has inexplicably halted and delayed grant funding despite the funding stream for those grants increasing during the pandemic.
"We are asking our partners at the State to honor their words, obey the laws of the State of New York, execute the law in a timely manner, and release the grant funding that is now above a year overdue."
The State has yet to release the 2020-21 grant funding or the application information for 2021-22.
Le Roy's Trap Team tuned up this weekend at Northwoods for the final weak of the season. There are 16 members of the Oatkan Knights team participating in the NYS HS Clay Target Championship on June 13.
Photos and information from Tim McArdle.
Press release from AAA:
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.05, up eight cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $1.88. The New York State average is $3.06 – up six cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.16. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
- Batavia -- $2.96 (up 2 cents since last week)
- Buffalo -- $2.96 (up 3 cents since last week)
- Ithaca -- $2.98 (up 3 cents since last week)
- Rochester - $2.99 (up 2 cents since last week)
- Rome -- $3.07 (up 4 cents since last week)
- Syracuse -- $3 (up 6 cents since last week)
- Watertown -- $3.07 (up 4 cents since last week)
The Colonial Pipeline shutdown lead to an increase in gas prices at the national level at a time when prices were already rising due to higher crude prices and demand ahead of Memorial Day. The national average is now topping $3 per gallon.
States that have been experiencing supply strain should get relief with a decline in prices in coming days. Yet Memorial Day typically brings some of the highest prices of the year. AAA does not expect the recent rise in prices to deter Memorial Day travelers.
From GasBuddy:
"The national average gas price surged last week thanks to big price jumps in Southeastern states due to the previously shut down Colonial Pipeline, but most areas outside that region saw smaller fluctuations," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "With the pipeline now back in service, I expect prices to come down in the hardest hit states, specifically the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Virginia.
"The drops should lead the national average to soon fall back under the $3 per gallon mark, but motorists shouldn't get too excited- prices may start to head higher in a few weeks should Memorial Day gasoline demand be red hot. In addition, motorists in the affected areas should see outage numbers continue to decline this week, especially early in the week when gasoline demand tends to be lowest. I'm optimistic that there will be enough recovery by Memorial Day for motorists in these states to fill up without having to search for gasoline."
Playground equipment at Farrall Park (101-111 Otis St.) has been vandalized and Batavia PD has opened an investigation into the criminal activity after being contacted about it by The Batavian.
Last night, a reader emailed these photos to The Batavian to alert us to the vandalism. We contacted Sgt. Marc Lawrence and he said he wasn't aware of the incident.
After looking into it today, he he confirmed playground equipment was spray-painted but there had been no prior complaint or notification to Batavia PD of the vandalism.
He said it appeared that the paint was relatively fresh, probably spray within the past couple of days.
He indicated there is no further information available on the case at this time.
Anybody with information that might assist in the investigation can contact Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370
Reader-submitted photos.
For the second time in seven months, a fire has been extinquished at the site of an apparently unoccupied construction trailer on Liberty Street in the City of Batavia.
This time, City firefighters saw the smoke filling the sky east of their fire hall and were en route before the call was dispatched.
The trailer was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.
Because the fire is suspicious in nature, Sgt. Marc Lawrence said there will be an investigation to see if any criminal activity is associated with the fire.
Previously: Brush fire on Liberty Street under investigation
Photo submitted by Tristine Vanice.
Photo submitted by Frank Capuano.
Photo submitted by Frank Capuano.
Photo submitted by Chris Crocker.
Members of the group Bikers Against Child Abuse, Niagara Chapter, rode through Genesee County today, one of the counties it serves in Western New York, and stopped for lunch at Oak Grill and Cafe in Oakfield as part of its 120-mile tour.
The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of child abuse and let people know the group exists. According to the group's pamphlet, one of its services is to assign a member of the organization to an abused child to help provide a sense of protection and give the child confidence.
Oakfield-Alabama beat Alexander in girls softball yesterday 22-7. The winning pitcher was CJ Ryan, who tossed five innings and gave up five hits will striking out four.
At the plate, Ryan was 4-5 with two triples and a double, and six RBIs.
Kelsey Schlagenhauf, 4-5, three RBIs. Katie Raziano, Jenna Gilbert, and Lily Davis each had two hits.
"This is a huge win for our young team," said Manager Jeff Schlagenhauf. "To be able to beat a great team in Alexander and one of the best pitchers in the area, Sam Sawyer, gives our kids a ton of confidence.
"We just want to keep improving each and every day. The girls are playing with a ton of energy and believe in each other. It’s a great recipe for success."
Photos by Kristen Smith. For more photos, click here.
A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on Route 20 in Bethany at East Road.
Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Bethany's ambulance transported a patient to UMMC. One of Bethany's trucks is back at the hall.
Photos by Glenn Adams.
Voters from throughout Genesee County are asked to go to the polls on Tuesday and vote on school district budgets and school board candidates.
Here is a summary of what is on the ballot and links for additional information for each district.
Alexander
Batavia
Byron-Bergen
Elba
Le Roy
Oakfield-Alabama
Pavilion
Pembroke
For the first time today, students at Jackson School got to play on their new playground, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Yesterday evening's sunset in Pembroke.
Photo by JoAnne Meiser.
One vehicle T-boned another at the intersection of Main Street and Center Street at about 10:30 a.m.
People in both vehicles were being treated at the scene. There was airbag deployment in one vehicle.
The accident is under investigation and no further information was available at the scene.
Eastbound traffic was blocked until the accident was cleared.
There will likely be a traditional graduation ceremony for the seniors of Batavia High School but it will comply with the state's COVID-19 guidelines, according to Superintendent Anibal Soler.
The plans for the ceremony are in development in cooperation with students and families, Soler said.
The June 26 ceremony will be held at Van Detta Stadium and each graduate will be allowed four guests. Because of state guidelines for events attended by more than 200 people, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
Students and families that opt out of the requirements will be able to participate in what Soler called a "micro-ceremony."
"Every student will get their moment of getting their diploma," Soler told the school board on Monday evening.
Plans are also being finalized for a senior prom with attendance limited to less than 200 people and held outdoors. Under state guidelines, that event won't require proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Mayers has been a school counselor for 16 years and worked at BMS for eight years.
Currently, her focus is on school attendance, academic achievement, and providing social-emotional skills to students.
She was instrumental, according to information released by the school district, in implementing a daily social-emotional learning program for middle school students. Students are given daily SEL prompts that officials say have been beneficial during the coronavirus pandemic.
She is a certified trauma illness and grief responder.
A tractor waiting to do more work this morning in a field off of Downey Road in Oakfield.
A total of 37 pots filled with flowering plants will be placed along Main Street in the Village of Oakfield this spring and summer, paid for by residents and business owners to help bring a little color and vibrancy to the community.
Spearheaded by Village Clerk Kim Staniszewski and Judy Boyle, they asked people to donate $25 for each pot and then the donor will have a sign in the pot recognizing a local achievement (such as the fine seasons of the basketball teams), memorializing a loved one, or mentioning a business sponsor.
The plants and material were purchased from Pudgie's Lawn and Garden with Pudgie's staff assisting in selecting the plants so "we make sure this spring and summer they really grow and flourish and look pretty," Staniszewski said.
Today, members of Oakfield-Alabama's Future Farmers of American potted the plants.
Kaden Cusmano
Colton Yasses
Karly Smith
Sixth Ward Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian spoke up Monday at the city schools board of trustees meeting on behalf, she said, of her constituents, decrying the high cost of education in an age of tighter household budgets.
"I really don't have any solution," Christian said near the end of her remarks. "I'm asking you to seriously think about the people who live in this community and are having a hard time right now."
She noted that assessments have gone up throughout the city and that is putting more of a squeeze on some households.
She asked if the board considered reducing salaries for teachers and other staff members.
"Everything is escalating and it's hurting everyone, even you," she said.
She also asked that Sacred Heart once again be used as a polling station in school district elections.
On May 8, voters will chose among four candidates for three positions on the school board and whether to approve a $661 spending plan for the district for 2021-22, an increase of $625,935 from the current year.
The proposed tax levy (the aggregated of all property taxes collected in the school tax) is $19,493,958, exactly as it is in the current year.
State and federal aid covers most of the rest of the district's spending.
Photo: Still from video of Monday's meeting.
A motorcycle accident with what is believed to be serious injuries is reported in the area of 6545 N. Lake Road, Bergen.
Bergen fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 10:56 p.m.: Confirmed by a first responder, one person on the ground. Mercy Flight on ground standby.
UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: Mercy Flight can stand down. The subject is conscious and alert.
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