WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 10 — In January, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness (pdf). The plan is driven by science, data, and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust, accountability and a sense of common purpose in our response to the pandemic.

1. Restore trust with the American people.
2. Mount a safe, effective, and comprehensive vaccination campaign.
3. Mitigate spread through expanding masking, testing, data, treatments, health care workforce, and clear public health standards.
4. Immediately expand emergency relief and exercise the Defense Production Act.
5. Safely reopen schools, businesses, and travel while protecting workers.
6. Protect those most at risk and advance equity, including across racial, ethnic and rural/urban lines.
7. Restore U.S. leadership globally and build better preparedness for future threats.

• Feb. 1: Biden Administration Halts Residential Evictions in USDA Multifamily Housing Communities in Accordance with CDC Guidance: USDA extended the eviction and foreclosure moratorium to affected multifamily housing residents through March 31, 2021, providing relief to the tens-of-thousands of Americans who rely on USDA-supported multifamily housing communities.
• Jan. 29: USDA COVID Workplace Safety Memo from Interim Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Dr. Gregory Parham (pdf)
• Jan. 27: USDA Temporarily Suspends Debt Collections, Foreclosures and Other Activities on Farm Loans for Several Thousand Distressed Borrowers Due to Coronavirus: USDA temporarily suspended past-due debt collections, foreclosures, non-judicial foreclosures, debt offsets or wage garnishments, and referring foreclosures to the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office.
• Jan. 22: Biden Administration Expands P-EBT to Benefit Millions of Low-Income and Food Insecure Children During Pandemic: USDA is increasing the Pandemic-EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school closures.

• Feb. 10: The USDA Forest Service has deployed 64 Incident Management Team personnel and they are currently assigned to the National COVID Vaccine Campaign staffing vaccination centers, providing logistical support, planning at regional/state levels with FEMA and states, and more.
• Feb. 9: The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has deployed 63 employees, including 53 employees to Nevada and Oklahoma to administer vaccinations at a variety of rapid points of distribution including mobile teams and pop-up clinics; four employees to Washington State to assist in planning vaccination efforts; and six employees to support FEMA.

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is now accepting registrations for its new 4-H Junior Master Gardeners Club.

The club is open to youth age 8-13 and is a collaboration between the Genesee County 4-H Program and Genesee County Master Gardeners. Participating youth will work on a variety of hands-on gardening projects.

The club is scheduled to begin meeting on Wednesdays in late April.

Space is limited. Youth must be enrolled in the Genesee County 4-H Program to participate. Enrollment fees for Genesee County residents are $25 per youth or $50 per family of two or more youths.

To register or receive more information, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 101. Enrollment forms are also available on our website.

Sparked by 33 points from Mark Sanders, Notre Dame opened a COVID-shortened basketball season against Oakfield-Alabama with a 65-62 win at home.

For the Fighting Irish, Jordan Welker was the only other player to hit double digits, scoring 10 points. Ryan Fitzpatrick had six and Jimmy Fanara had six.

Travis Wiedrich led the Hornets with 31 points. Gaige Armbrewster scored 18 and Kaden Cusmano scored 14.

Also on opening night for boys basketball:

• Byron-Bergen beat Alexander 47-42
• Batavia beat Eastridge 52-48
• Pembroke beat Lyndonville 56-54

In girls basketball, Elba beat Albion 63-22.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has joined the House Northern Border Caucus.

“As someone who represents a major section of New York’s northern border, it is critical I am in a strong position to advocate for border communities and economies," Jacobs said. "Cross-border travel and tourism are major economic drivers for our area, and they have been deeply harmed by the ongoing travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada.

“In addition, cross-border families and property owners have faced restrictions for nearly a year as a result of COVID-19. My first priority is working with my colleagues, the Biden Administration, and our Canadian counterparts to open the U.S.-Canadian border with a safe and fair set of standards for both nations.”

The House Northern Border Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26). It was originally founded in 1994 and serves as an advocate and to analyze policies regarding the economic and political relationship between the United States and Canada.

“Western New York farmers, small businesses, major industries, and families all rely on cross-border travel and commerce. The Northern Border Caucus will allow me to work in a bipartisan way to ensure these groups are supported by northern border policies implemented at the federal level, and I look forward to getting right to work on their behalf."

Press release:

At Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, the Batavia City School District announced its new Community Schools Initiative.

Batavia’s Community Schools Initiative is a transformational researched-based strategy that is focused on the whole child with key participation from school and community leaders, educators, community partners, students, families and residents.

Moving forward, Batavia’s Community Schools Initiative will be rolled out and in place at all four of the district’s schools. Each school will see the community as a resource for learning and development and as a partner in the education of all children.

Batavia’s Community Schools will also develop respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with families, neighborhood residents, agencies, and community-based organizations that are focused on the well-being of children and youth.

Batavia’s Community Schools Initiative will focus on four key areas in an effort to support the whole child:

• Expanded & Enriched Learning Time

• Integrated Student Supports

• Family and Community Engagement

• Collaborative Leadership Practices

The Batavia Community Schools Advisory Board, which is comprised of various district staff, community-based organizations and partners, has developed the following vision and mission statements to help guide the work and focus of district schools moving forward.

Vision

Build a better Batavia by promoting equitable learning opportunities, cultivating healthier families, and establishing a stronger community.

Mission

Our mission is to unite our Batavia community and schools through shared resources, working partnerships, and open, collaborative communication.

The advisory board also developed a new logo that will help brand and identify events and programs that are directly aligned to the community school’s initiative and also place an emphasis on equity, opportunity and family.

Video supplied by the school district.

Previously: City schools tackling initiative to care for the community in support of education

The Genesee County Planning Board on Thursday night is expected to act on a staff recommendation to approve a site plan submitted by the owner of a Jackson Street building to be renovated with support from the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

The monthly meeting will take place via Zoom videoconferencing starting at 7 o’clock.

Jack Waggoner, of Corfu, is looking to change the exterior appearance of the structure that currently houses Gilliana’s Diner (41 Jackson St.) and Michael Anthony’s Hair Salon (43 Jackson St.) on the lower floor and five office units on the top floor.

Waggoner said that a law firm (Block, Longo, LaMarca and Brzezinski, P.C.) will be moving in next month to 39 Jackson St., which had been the site of Art Ah La Carte.

Proposed changes include building out storefront entrances flush to the face of the building, replacing windows, installing exterior down lighting on the face of the elevation, removing existing ridged canopy projections and installing new retractable fabric awnings.

Additionally, the project calls for the installation of a new aluminum-clad wooden door with transoms and side lights on the west and south elevations and new aluminum-clad wood storefronts with transom windows on the west and south elevations.

An architect’s rendering has signage with the name of the business above the retractable awnings, something that Waggoner said is a possibility.

Part of the Downtown Business Improvement District, the building is one of several to receive Building Improvement Fund assistance.

Andrew Maguire, director of economic development for the Batavia Development Corporation, said the project was awarded $100,000 of the $600,000 in BIF money available through the DRI. The BDC is charged with implementing, administering and executing this grant program, which mirrors the Homes and Community Renewal New York Main Street Grant program.

The building at 1 School St., home to Batavia Massage Therapy, is connected to the primary building and may see some improvements as well, Waggoner said.

“Not like the Jackson Street façade, but I’m still working on it – seeing how the budget works out. Possibly, do new doors over there and maybe some windows, but nothing spectacular there,” he said.

Following county planners' review, the referral will be considered by the City of Batavia Planning & Development Committee at its Feb. 16 meeting.

Per the grant program, work on the building is subject to a competitive bidding process. Waggoner said he is in the process of contracting with an architectural firm and hopes to begin renovations in May.

The county planning department staff is recommending approval, noting that the exterior changes align with the city’s design guidelines.

Thursday’s agenda also includes the following referrals:

• An area variance request submitted by The Daily News, 438 E. Main St., to have Signs by John’s Studio place a 4-foot by 40-foot non-illuminated pole sign identifying itself outside of the required 40- by 40-foot clear area for a corner lot at East Main and Harvester Avenue.

The referral will have to go before the City of Batavia Zoning Board of Appeals for area variances due to the fact that pole signs are not permitted in the Commercial C-1 district and the minimum vertical clearance under pole signs is 10 feet – not 2 feet as proposed.

Submitted documentation indicates that the sign will create no undesirable change in the district and is necessary because the building owner does not permit wall signs on the structure.

The planning department staff is recommending approval as the proposed sign should pose no significant countywide or intercommunity impact.

• A site plan review and special use permit request Ryan Dewitt Oil Co. of Pearl Creek to place a car wash in a Commercial C-2 district at 13 Lake St. (Route 19) in Le Roy. Previously, it was the location of a gas station.

Planning department staff recommends approval as long as the applicant obtains a driveway permit from the New York State Department of Transportation for the change in use and merges the two parcels into one to avoid the need for variances.

• A site plan review and area variance referral from Peter Yasses, of Byron, who is proposing to construct a self-storage unit on an acre parcel in a Commercial district on Byron Holley Road (Route 237), near Mill Pond Road.

Variances are needed to allow for less than minimums of lot size, frontage and depth, and front and side setbacks.

The planning staff recommends approval with modifications, which include Yasses obtaining a driveway permit from the state DOT for the change in use prior to final approval by the town, and installing on-site lighting so as to not shine directly onto neighboring properties or cause a hazard for motorists.

• Zoning text amendments submitted by the Le Roy Village Board to include laundromats in Commercial C-1, Commercial C-2 and Industrial districts upon the issuance of a special use permit and to include business and professional offices to the list of permitted uses in an Industrial I-1 district.

Planning staff recommends approval of both amendments.

At top -- Architect's rendering of improvements planned for 39-43 Jackson St., Batavia.

With little fanfare, the Batavia City School District staff has taken on a strategy to help families in need as part of an overall effort to care for the whole child and to become a greater asset to the community.

A former kindergarten room at Robert Morris School has been converted into a community center where children and parents can get assistance not just with school work but with many life needs -- from doing the laundry to ensuring everybody has appropriate clothing.

Julie Wasilewski, a district social worker, and Julia Rogers, Batavia High School assistant principal, have spearheaded the effort. They presented the community center idea to the Board of Education during Monday's meeting as part of a presentation of the new Batavia Community Schools Initiative.

The initiative is described as a reform strategy "to promote child well-being, student success, and educational equality."

(NOTE: The school board meeting was held via Zoom and Wasilewski and Rogers were on a shared device and it was impossible to see who was talking when and so quotes are generically attributed to "she said.")

"Community schools are for student education and development," she said. "They are a place where we fundamentally pay special attention to and ensure students' physical, medical, safety, their social-emotional needs are met. When we meet these needs, families can then fully engage in the opportunities afforded by public school education."

A great school is one that cares for the whole town, they said. It involves working with residents throughout the community to support learning. It includes not just educating children but educating parents. 

"We're powered by strong relationships with agencies, businesses, health care providers, clubs and organizations," she said. "Every family and community member can be leveraged as an asset to children's lives. So far, we have 82 of these arrangements with community leaders who are willing to extend the power of their organizations."

The new engagement center is one part of the plan, but so far it's the most concrete effort to serve the community.

"When a family enters the family community engagement center, they are treated with the utmost respect and compassion, regardless of whether they are making optimal life decisions or maintaining a sober lifestyle," she said. "Four hundred and 16 donations have been made to children ... clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, toys, books, housewares, bedding, and food. The closet contains appropriate clothing so an individual can be successful and feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, both in school and in the community."

"There is no Batavia community member who has to skip an interview or a day of work because they don't have appropriate clothing," she said.

Shoes are available to children so they always have something appropriate to wear on the playground or walking outside.

A recent example of how the engagement center assisted community members outside of a school environment was when Tammy Hathaway from United Way contacted the center looking for 30 winter coats. The coats were donated to GCASA because people who are waiting for their methadone treatment are required, because of COVID-19, to wait outside.

The initiative comes at a time when schools are already required to adjust to meet student needs.

"Amid the hardships of COVID-19, community schools have readily adapted to changing conditions and needs, devising innovative mechanisms to deliver food, technology, health care, and other essential services to support student learning and well-being," she said.

Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. called it a "win-win" for the community.

"Batavia is one of those communities where you grow up here, you live here, everyone knows everyone, and everyone wants to support everyone, but we don't always have the conduit to do it," Soler said. "So the hope is the school becomes the hub for the conduit. The school becomes the hub for the community."

From Bill Davis, superintendent of city Water and Wastewater:

The water main on the west side of the City Centre has been repaired and water has been restored to the area.

From Genesee County Board of Elections:

Primary Election Party Enrollment Change Deadline

Any party enrollment change requests must be received at the Board of Elections office by close of business Friday, Feb. 12^th in order to be eligible to vote in the Primary on June 22^nd or the Early Voting dates beginning June 12^th.

You can find a voter registration form to print off from our website.

Be advised that if your registration is being mailed to Board of Elections, County Building One, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.

It must be received no later than Feb. 12^th.

Please call (585) 815-7804 if you have any questions.

Data Update –

• Genesee County received 28 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in the:
    • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
    • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
    • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.  
• Thirty of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Seventeen of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Orleans County received three new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s and 40s.
• Two of the new positive individuals were on quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Thirteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

After undergoing a heart and liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic last month, former Batavia resident Matt Grammatico was finally discharged Monday, into his wife Rhonda’s waiting arms.

It was the first time the couple had seen each other since Matt was admitted there on Oct. 16. 

He hasn’t been able to have visitors since entering the hospital. Rhonda would sit in the waiting room for hours, just to be near him, until the time came that she wasn’t allowed to enter the hospital at all.

What a long journey is has been, one that actually started when Matt was an infant.

He's the firstborn son of Mike and Mary Jane Grammatico, of Batavia, and his father said they knew at 5 weeks of age something was wrong.

“We thought he had a cold, but our doctor told us we needed to take him to a pediatric cardiologist,” Mike said. 

It was determined at Strong Memorial Hospital Matt had been born with a three-chambered heart with no right ventricle. He underwent surgery a week later and doctors told his parents they didn’t know if Matt would make it.

At the age of 11, matt underwent open heart surgery to make his heart more like a normal one, and until now, he’s made it work, Mike said. The real problem stemmed from a blood transfusion contaminated with hepatitis C that he received unknowingly, which was not detected for more than 20 years.

Mike said it was their faith in the Good Lord which has kept Matt going.

The native of Albion met and married Rhonda in 1997 and they lived in Albion. They moved to Batavia a year and a half ago, then decided to return to live in Albion after Mike was hospitalized.

In a phone call from the Cleveland Clinic two weeks ago, Mike explained his heart defect means he wears out quickly, putting pressure on the liver. 

In spite of this, Matt has been able to work at his auto repair shop and support his family, which includes his 19-year-old son Nate. He said he able to lead a fairly normal life until four years ago, when he learned he would need both a heart and a liver transplant. 

Matt’s dad praises his doctor in Middleport and his cardiologist at Strong, Dr. Michael Joynt, a Medina native and son of former Oak Orchard School Principal Cathy Joynt, for the care they gave him, which kept him functioning until donors could be found. 

Dr. Joynt finally told Matt he needed to get to the Cleveland Clinic.

His dad said Matt has always been a trooper, and Rhonda is a trooper, too.

Rhonda has been staying in a nearby hotel since Matt entered Cleveland Clinic, where he has been bedridden while waiting for his transplants. 

Originally, a donor was found in December and Matt was scheduled for surgery on Dec. 30, but at the last minute, doctors determined the liver was not as good as they first thought and the procedure was canceled.

The family’s prayers were answered however, when another donor was found and Matt went into surgery late in the morning on Jan. 12. The surgery would take 19 hours, ending in the early hours of Jan. 13.

The normal time for a patient to be on a respirator after a procedure like this is a week, but doctors were able to take Matt off in four hours. 

“I’ve cut all their normal times in half,” Matt said. 

Mike said the Cleveland Clinic has done two previous transplants with Matt’s pre-existing conditions, and that they have been studying Matt for the last three years.

In spite of all he’s been through, Matt said God has been good.

Rhonda said Matt has been a fighter his whole life, but he was beginning to lose the battle. 

“These last three years, we watched Matt’s slow and heartbreaking decline,” she said. “But he gave his best effort. And his amazing doctors, all of us, we were all standing by Matt’s side, giving all we could to help him fight. We knew the statistics. We knew the outcome we wanted was not a guarantee.

"There were many dark days, but we made a resolution to trust God’s plan, because we know God is good and He does love and He knows best. We put Matt in God’s hands and we watched and waited. And now, here we are in the middle of an absolutely glorious story.”

For the time being, Matt will have to stay at the hotel in Cleveland with Rhonda so he can report every day to the Cleveland Clinic.

His most immediate wish was to see his wife and focus on getting his strength back.

He said he is looking forward to not being in pain, returning home and getting back to a normal life.

Photos courtesy of Rhonda Grammatico.

Top photo: Matt and Rhonda Grammatico are all smiles after he was discharged from the Cleveland Clinic on Monday. It was the first time the couple had seen each other since October.

Below: Matt Grammatico gives a thumbs up in the ICU at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was recuperating from a heart and liver transplant Jan. 12 and 13.

Below: Rhonda Grammatico stands outside the Cleveland Clinic as she waits for her husband Matt to be discharged.

Below: Matt Grammatico is wide-eyed as he sees his wife Rhonda for the first time since Oct. 16.

Below: Matt and Rhonda Grammatico are happy to be together again.

Cozy living room with gas fireplace, a really eclectic kitchen with cute built-in bench for your table, overlooking a central dining room with pretty French doors that lead into a room that could be anything from a breakfast room to great home office or toy room or even a first-floor bedroom, if needed as it has a full bath directly off of it!

Pretty wide staircase that leads to second floor with 3 large bedrooms, an awesome second floor laundry room, another full bath and stairs to a semi finished attic area – if you need another place to hang out or more storage! The basement is large and dry and currently used for a game/hang out room. Also tons more additional storage room!

Outside has inviting front porch small well-kept yard, 2-car detached garage, and within steps of Centennial Park if you want to get out and run! This house packs a lot in come see it for yourself! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today, (585) 344-4663 or click here for more information.

A car has reportedly hit a tree in the area of 6209 Knowlsville Road, Alabama.

Injuries are reported.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: There is one occupant, with an arm injury.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Oakfield fire also responding.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: Traffic is not blocked. The patient also has complaints of pain in his neck and back.

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

Reporting Unemployment Fraud

The Batavia Police Department has received many calls regarding unknown persons fraudulently filing for unemployment benefits in the name of citizens.

These cases are investigated directly by NYS Department of Labor – Office of Special Investigations and not by local law enforcement.

Citizens who are victims of this type are fraud are asked to contact the NYS Department of Labor at 1-888-598-2077 or online here.

Submitted photo and press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley has been awarded the New York Beef Producers Association 2020 Friend in Government award, which he received Feb. 5 during their annual meeting held virtually on Zoom.

Hawley has been supportive of New York agriculture as a lawmaker and as a citizen for decades. He is a 42-year member of the New York State Farm Bureau, has served as President of the Genesee County Farm Bureau, and has been a member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Agriculture for 15 years.

The award is given to legislators who have been notably vocal advocates for those in the industry of beef production, and Assemblyman Hawley is one of only two legislators to receive this award this year.

“As a former farmer myself, it has been my honor to stand up as a voice for everybody who works in agriculture in our state, including beef producers,” Hawley said.

“I look forward to continuing to champion the causes of our farmers, and even as we face a challenging year ahead I look forward to working with producers to make the best of it and assure their voices are heard in our Legislature.”

Press release:

In compliance with a new 2021 federal law (pdf) that took effect Jan. 1, Rochester Regional Health has posted a master list of charges and contract rates on its website for provided items and services.

The law requires each hospital operating in the United States to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide in two ways:

1. As a comprehensive machine-readable file with all items and services.
2. In a display of shoppable services in a consumer-friendly format.

This information will make it easier for consumers to shop and compare prices across hospitals and estimate the cost of care before going to the hospital.

To make this list more accessible to patients, the health system has developed a new easy-to-use tool to foster price transparency.

The new patient estimates self-service tool provides real-time estimates for patients that details their out-of-pocket responsibility.

To access the RRH tool, click here.

The doors at John Kennedy School are getting extra checks on a daily basis to ensure they're closing completely after a door that was left ajar was used by an unauthorized individual to gain entry and pull a fire alarm.

The man's name has not yet been released by Batavia PD. He is apparently undergoing treatment and will be charged once he has been released from care.

Det. Eric Hill confirmed the incident took place and that charges are pending.  

The incident on Jan. 28 was discussed by the Batavia City School District Board of Education during its meeting Monday night, following a school review presentation by Principal Brian Sutton.

"The first door he pulled on, it was open," Sutton said. "He entered the building. He was in the building for about less than a minute, 55, 56 seconds. He stopped, looked at a bulletin board, and on his way, walking out of the loading docks, he pulled the fire alarm. We then had a fire drill where we accounted for all the students, all the individuals.

"Mr. Smith, our head custodian, and I went and checked out the alarm and could see it had been pulled. As soon as it was deemed safe, we had a headcount on everyone, we re-entered the building. Mr. Dehm, our security aide, pulled the camera up and we got an image of the individual and contacted our SRO Officer Davis, and they then apprehended the man down the street quite a bit, a few moments later."

Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. told the board a man matching the description of the subject at John Kennedy had been seen earlier around Batavia Middle School and police were already in the area looking for him when the call came in from JK.

"He happened to pull on a door that happened to work for him," Soler said. "It was definitely an unfortunate situation. No one was obviously impacted. And we did communicate immediately with families that day of the event."

Sutton said as a result of the incident, the school's custodian is now checking on the doors more frequently each day to ensure the doors are closing after people pass through them.

'It's one of those things where it's a good reminder to make sure we check in multiple times," Soler said. "Now we have an alarm set on them. If they don't close all the way, they'll hear an alarm go off in the main office."

A two-car accident is reported in the area of 606 Broadway Road, Darien. The location is west of Harlow Road, near the county line road.

A first responder reports a vehicle is off the roadway in a ditch. A person is trapped, extrication required, possible serious injury.

Darien fire and Corfu fire dispatched.

The westbound lane of Route 20 is blocked.

UPDATE 11:45 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene for a driver requesting transport.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:51 a.m.: The entrapped driver has a minor child who was not in the vehicle, but will need to be transported. There is also a male who ran from the scene and ran into a house. Law enforcement is attempting to gain entry to the house.

UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: Medics have made contact with the entrapped patient and are extricating the person.

UPDATE 12:04 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting a patient to ECMC.

UPDATE 12:08 p.m.: A total of four ambulances were called to the scene. First responders are still trying to contact the fourth patient, the man who ran into a house.

UPDATE 12:18 p.m.: Two patients were transported to hospitals -- the entrapped driver to ECMC and a child to Children's Hospital in Buffalo. A third patient was a sign-off. Law enforcement was unable to make contact with the fourth patient -- a male who ran from the scene into a house. The Darien assignment is back in service.

Photos courtesy Erie County Blotter.

Press release:

Batavia Girls Fastpitch Softball (BGFS) is overwhelmed with gratitude from the community stepping up with very generous donations to allow for the installation of a brand-new electronic scoreboard at Lions Park, the home of the Batavia Stingers. 

In particular, BGFS wants to give a special thank you to the two lead sponsors of the sign, Batavia’s Original Pizzeria and Batavia Restaurant Supply Inc. These two local businesses understand the importance of youth sports for our community and backed up this belief with critical financial support that made this scoreboard a reality.

When speaking with Batavia’s Original owner, Kathy Ferrara, and Batavia Restaurant Supply owners, Stacey Schrader and Nate Charvella, they were all moved by the disparities in girls and boys sports, and we're excited to help provide the girls with the first electronic scoreboard in Batavia for girl’s softball.

We hope people pay attention to these businesses that give back to our community, as they deserve our support the most!

In addition to the very generous lead sponsorships by Batavia’s Original and Batavia Restaurant Supply, BGFS would also like to give a special thanks to the almost two dozen sponsors that are permanently listed on the banner below the sign at Lions Park.

Three of these sponsors listed as Primary sponsors for their generous donations are the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Lawley Insurance, and the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation. These are more examples of organizations and businesses that value the importance of youth sports.

Lastly, but certainly not least, BGFS would like to give a big THANK YOU to the project coordinator, and guy that pulled it all together, JC Kabel. He spent countless hours fundraising and leading the project design and installation. 

The BGFS Board is forever grateful for helping us have our ladies look up at that beautiful scoreboard and think it is normal for girls to have the same opportunities as the boys.

Press release:

The City Water Department is responding to a water leak on the west side of the City Centre. Water may be turned off from the corner of Alva Place and State Street to Main and Jackson streets. This will affect businesses in the southwest area of the City Centre and the surrounding vicinity.

This could result in low water pressure conditions for some residents and businesses. Other residents in the area may experience discolored water, which should return to normal once repairs are complete. Residents should check to make sure water clarity has returned before resuming activities such as laundry, which may be impacted.