Stories from

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received four new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 161 positive cases.
    • Two of the positive cases reside in Batavia, one resides in Bethany, and one resides in Alabama.
    • Two individuals are in their 30s, one individual is in their 40s, and one individual is in their 50s.
    • Three of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received 15 new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 124 positive cases.
    • One of the new positive cases resides in Yates, one resides in Shelby, one resides in Albion, one resides in Gaines and one of the new positive cases resides in Kendall.
    • Ten positive cases reside at The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
    • The newly positive cases has two individuals in their 30s, one individual in their 50s, four individuals in their 60s, three individuals in their 70s, five individuals in their 80s, and one individual in their 90s.
    • One of the community newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Eight of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • “We are reporting that an individual (over 65 years of age and who had underlying health conditions) who lived in the community, who had tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away,” said Paul Pettit, director of the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments. “We have also had an individual who lived in The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center pass away. Due to privacy issues, we are not releasing further details about either of these individuals. I would like to express my sincerest sympathy for these individuals’ family and friends.”

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans counties' online map of confirmed cases.

Briefing

Daily Briefing:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received three new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 157 positive cases.
    • Two of the positive cases reside in Pembroke and one resides in Batavia.
    • One individual is in their 20s and two of the individuals are in their 30s.
    • Two of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Zero of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • We have removed a "positive / recovered" individual that was determined to be a false-positive result. Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in our data. No further information will be shared.
  • Orleans County received four new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 109 positive cases.
    • Two of the new positive cases reside in Ridgeway and one of the new positive cases resides in Shelby.
    • One positive case resides at The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
    • The newly positive cases has one individual in their 40s, two individuals in their 50s and one individual in their 80s and older.
    • None of the community newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Eight of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • We have also received word of another death of an individual who lived at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual at this very sad time.

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans counties' online map of confirmed cases.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider a proposal from Bright Oak Solar LLC for a 4-megawatt community solar project at the GCEDC’s May 7 board meeting.

The proposed $6 million project would be located on Galloway Road in the Town of Batavia.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be conducted via conference and online at www.gcedc.com. The meeting starts at 4 p.m.

Bright Oak Solar LLC is the sixth community solar project proposed to the GCEDC board in 2020. If the project is approved, the projects combined would generate approximately $28 million of capital investments in the County ultimately generating up to 26 megawatts of solar energy.

The proposed incentives would set PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) payments over the next 15 years, which are estimated to generate $122,610 in revenues to Genesee County and $257,845 in revenues to the Oakfield-Alabama Central Schools.

The total increase in PILOT payments and real property taxes for the project is estimated at $394,139 over 15 years.

If the project’s application is accepted, a public hearing would be held in advance of a final resolution for project incentives.

Lydia Geiger is the second winner of a 2020 John Mikulski Scholarship announced by the Genesee Wyoming Music Educators Association. 

Geiger is a senior at Batavia High School. Her primary interest is flute.

Press release:

When asked what her greatest HS memory was Lydia responded: 
College visits and auditions, masterclasses, lessons, and playing in orchestras.

Lydia's goal is to become a music educator and performer.

When asked what her favorite performance venue she had performed at she responded: 
The Musical Arts Center at The Jacobs School of Music in 2018 with the Indiana University Summer Music Clinic Orchestra. We performed Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5.

Lydia's main influences are her music teachers.

Lydia is undecided as to where she will be attending school for Music however she has these amazing colleges to choose from: 
Schulich School of Music at McGill University, Ithaca College, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, or SUNY Potsdam.

Lydia is very excited to be performing at the Wiener Musikverein in Vienna, Austria with the Honors Performance Series in 2021.

A 51-year-old Rochester man was arrested Monday on drug charges following a traffic stop on Route 98 in Batavia by members of the Local Drug Task Force.

Roy L. Watson is charged with:

• Criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd;
• Criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th;
• Driver's view obstructed;
• Unauthorized sticker;
• Possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Watson was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine.

Following arraignment in Batavia City Court, Watson was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

The Drug Task Force was assisted by State Police, the Sheriff's Office, Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 "Frankie," and the District Attorney's Office.

Press release:

A new television ad released by the Jacobs Campaign will highlight President Trump’s “complete endorsement” of Chris Jacobs for New York’s 27th Congressional District.

In his endorsement of Jacobs, the President stated, “Chris will be a great Congressman who will always fight for the people of New York. He supports our MAGA Agenda, will continue to secure our border, loves our military, vets, and is strong on the [Second Amendment].”

“I’m deeply grateful and proud to be the only candidate with his endorsement," Jacobs said. "The President is working tirelessly to defeat COVID-19 and the challenges it has created.

"While Democrats, like Nate McMurray and Nancy Pelosi, are abusing the situation to advance their radical socialist agenda -- I look forward to joining President Trump on June 23rd and getting right to work fighting for the people of Western New York and helping the President get tough on China, secure our borders, and rebuild our economy.” 

A caller reports smoke coming from the back of a residence in the area 6966 Swamp Road, Byron.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched.

UPDATE 8:49 a.m.: Working trailer fire at 6966 Swamp Road. Second alarm sounded. Oakfield, Bergen, Elba, Stafford, and City of Batavia FAST team dispatched.

UPDATE 8:56 a.m.: Fire police requested to shut down traffic on Swamp Road between Hessenthaler Road and Pocock Road. The trailer is reportedly unoccupied.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: City fire's Fourth Platoon recalled to city headquarters.

UPDATE 9:16 a.m.: Fire is out.

Daily Briefing:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19. for a total of 155 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Darien.
    • The positive case is in their 80s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Three of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received three new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 105 positive cases.
  • The three positive cases reside at The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
  • The newly positive cases has one individual in their 70’s and one individual in their 80’s and one individual in their 90s and older.
  • Six of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans counties online map of confirmed cases.

Interview with James Kennedy, WNY U.S. Attorney.

Batavia Society of Artists produced this video for their annual spring art show, this time, as a virtual tour of submitted works.

Students at St. Joseph Regional School helped produced this video for their teachers as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. 

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider a proposed $3 million mixed-use project at the Buffalo East Technology Park in the Town of Pembroke at the GCEDC’s May 7 board meeting.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be conducted via conference and online at www.gcedc.com.

The proposed $3 million project by J & R Fancher Property Holdings LLC would include a 32,254-square-foot, three-story facility to be constructed on two acres in the park.

The project will add 17 market-rate, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments on the second and third floors, and an interior space comprised of four spaces for commercial tenants, as well as indoor parking and a fitness center.

This is the third project with a residential component that is seeking incentives from the GCEDC board in 2020. The addition of 17 market-rate apartments would bring the total number of new residential units to 82 in the County. The capital investment of the residential projects is $31.6 million.

J & R Fancher Property Holdings LLC is requesting approximately $615,924 of property, sales, and mortgage tax incentives. The project is estimated to produce $5.50 of economic impact for every $1 of proposed incentives.

If the project’s application is accepted, a public hearing would be held in advance of a final resolution for project incentives.

Friend and family drove their cars down North Lyon Street in Batavia on Saturday evening in a show of support for Sterling Stroman.

Stroman has been fighting cancer for six years now but is losing that fight. He has been on hospice at home. A caretaker says Stroman is declining.

The parade, with more than 50 cars, was a surprise for Stroman, a 20-year employee of GCASA.

Daily Briefing:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 154 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Alabama.
    • The positive individual is in their 20s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • One of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Six of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 102 positive cases.
  • The positive case (community) resides in Ridgeway.
  • There was one new positive individual for The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
  • The new positive cases have one individual in their 40s and one individual in their 70s.
  • The community individual had not been on mandatory quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
  • Five of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans County online map of confirmed cases

State Police have released the identity of a 77-year-old man who apparently drowned on his property at a residence on Broadway Road, Darien, on Saturday.

David Scott reportedly had gone out to set up a pump in a retention pond. At about 12:27 p.m. his daughter found him partially submerged in the pond. 

Volunteers with the Darien Fire Department along with Mercy EMS personnel attempted to revive Scott but were unsuccessful.

Press release:

• State will monitor four core factors to determine if a region can reopen: number of new infections, health care capacity, diagnostic testing capacity and contact tracing capacity.
• Outlines new safety precautions each business must put in place upon reopening.
• More than one million New Yorkers have been tested for COVID-19 to date.
• New York's National Guard has made nearly 300,000 testing kits to collect samples.
• Announces special enrollment through the marketplace will remain open through June 15, 2020.
• Confirms 2,538 additional coronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to 318,953; new cases in 45 counties.
• Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today outlined additional guidelines for when regions can reopen.

The state will monitor four core factors to determine if a region can reopen:

1. New Infections: Based on guidelines from the CDC, regions must have at least 14 days of decline in total net hospitalizations and deaths on a three-day rolling average. In regions with few COVID cases, the region cannot exceed 15 net new total hospitalizations or five new deaths on a three-day rolling average. In order to monitor the potential spread of infection in a region, a region must have fewer than two new COVID patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day.
2. Health Care Capacity: Every region must have the health care capacity to handle a potential surge in cases. Regions must have at least 30 percent total hospital and ICU beds available. This is coupled with the new requirement that hospitals have at least 90 days of personal protective equipment stockpiled.
3. Diagnostic Testing Capacity: Each region must have the capacity to conduct 30 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month. The state is rapidly expanding capacity statewide to help all regions meet this threshold.
4. Contact Tracing Capacity: Regions must have a baseline of 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents, and additional tracers based on the projected number of cases in the region. The state is currently building an army of contact tracers with Mayor Bloomberg to meet the needs of each region statewide.

Governor Cuomo also outlined which industries and businesses can open in each phase of the state's reopening plan. Businesses considered "more essential" with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to customers will be prioritized, followed by other businesses considered "less essential" or those that present a higher risk of infection spread.

Regions must not open attractions or businesses that would draw a large number of visitors from outside the local area.

The Governor also outlined new safety precautions that each business must put in place upon reopening to help lower the risk of spreading the virus. Businesses will be required to:

• Adjust workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace;
• Enact social distancing protocols;
• Restrict nonessential travel for employees;
• Require all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent contact with others;
• Implement strict cleaning and sanitation standards;
• Enact a continuous health screening process for individuals to enter the workplace;
• Continue tracing, tracking and reporting of cases; and
• Develop liability processes.

The Governor also announced that more than one million New Yorkers have already been tested for COVID-19 to date.

The Governor also announced New York's National Guard has made nearly 300,000 testing kits to collect samples, 60,000 of which are being sent to labs and hospitals across New York State.

The Governor also announced the special enrollment period through the NY State of Health Health Plan Marketplace will remain open through June 15, 2020.

"While we continue to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we can begin to focus on reopening, but we have to be careful and use the information we've learned so we don't erase the strides we've already made," Governor Cuomo said. "Reopening is not going to happen statewide all at once -- New York has diverse regions and those regions have different circumstances, so rather than wait for the whole state to be ready to reopen we are going to analyze the situation on a regional basis.

"We will measure whether a region can reopen based on four factors -- the number of new infections, health care capacity, diagnostic testing and contact tracing -- and we will continue to monitor these factors throughout the reopening process to prevent a second wave of the virus and protect the health and safety New Yorkers."

Nickie Fazio, wife of Batavia High School softball Coach Jim Fazio, made this video as a tribute to the 2020 softball team, whose season has been canceled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Fazio said:

I wanted to do something special for the Varsity girls since they did not get to play this year. My heart goes out to all of them, but especially the seniors. Took me the whole week to get it done. Thank you to everyone that sent me pictures to help me put this together. It evolved into something much bigger than I originally planned. This was the best way Coach and I could express how much these girls mean to us.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $1.78, up 1 cent since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.90. The New York State average is $2.16 – down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.97. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.23 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.21 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.13 (down 6 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.18 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.11 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.06 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.13 (down 2 cents since last week)

After steadily declining because of low gas demand and cheap crude prices due to COVID-19, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased for the first time in 10 weeks.

Today’s national average is still historically low – at $1.78, which is $1.12 less than a year ago. Data from the Energy Information Administration reveals that domestic gas demand continues to increase, which helped to push up the national average. It grew from 5.31 million b/d (barrels per day) to 5.86 million b/d recently; however, it is still 3.37 million b/d lower than last year’s rate at this same time.

As more states aim to end their stay at home orders and businesses around the country begin to reopen, gas demand is likely to continue increasing and pump prices are likely to slow their decline and possibly increase as well. Local prices continue to drop as they are slower to react to national trends.

From GasBuddy:

"It's becoming a bit clearer that those 99 cent per gallon gas prices from the COVID-19 pandemic are solidly behind us as gasoline demand rebounds across the country as cities and states slowly reopen. The lowest-priced stations in the country will see some upward movement, but most areas will still see declines," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

"While oil may continue to struggle, a disconnect between low oil prices and rising gasoline prices has emerged at the hands of refineries that have slowed production over the past month to avoid flooding the market with unwanted gasoline. As demand stages a rebound, it remains to be seen how quickly refiners will raise production to meet the locations that have or will begin to re-open in the days and weeks ahead.

"For now, expect prices to see upward potential- but only in the lower -- priced states -- as we await a boost in gasoline production."

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received five more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has two new cases and Genesee has three. 

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individual will be notified by Health Department staff. Both of the Orleans County individuals are residents of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center.

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 Monday afternoon.

“We are also saddened to report one more death of an Orleans County resident from The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very challenging time,” said Paul Pettit, Director of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

We continue to encourage our residents to be vigilant about handwashing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, properly wearing cloth face coverings over the mouth and nose, keeping your hands away from your face, limiting time out in public and when you do need to go out for essentials you designate one person from your household, keep social distancing and stay home if you are sick.