Stories from

Press release:

A Million dollar capital project to replace the air header system at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is nearly complete.  This morning the air delivery system was placed back in service for all three ponds serviced by the line.  

Over the next week, we are hopeful that there will be marked improvements of odors coming from the Waste Water Treatment Plant as the ponds recover from the previously compromised air supply.

The City advanced the project to the top of the capital improvement list for 2021, but supply chain delays delayed the project by about two months.  Upon material delivery, Keeler Construction Company of Albion, NY, worked an accelerated schedule to get the system back in service.  Other than the incidental, restoration the project is substantially complete.  

Flows from users with heavy constituents will be added back into the system gradually over the next few weeks to ensure that there is not a major impact on the system. 

Press release:

Valerie L. Marucci, 42 of Attica pled guilty to one count of Disorderly Conduct and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge in Batavia Town Court on August 24, 2021.

Marucci was originally charged with two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing and one count of Grand Larceny 4^th after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi revealed that she failed to report income.  She subsequently received $2725 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

In addition to the reduced charges and conditional discharge, Marucci was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year and she has made full restitution to the Department of Social Services.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit at (585) 344-2590, ext. 6417 or 6541

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement in response to the deadly bombings outside of Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul today.

“The attacks that occurred today outside of the airport in Kabul are horrific and tragically took the lives of 12 American service members. My heart is with each of their families, and I ask every American to join me in praying for them and every American service member still in harm’s way.

“This heartbreaking situation is the direct result of the President’s reckless withdrawal from Afghanistan. This administration must immediately present a coherent plan to secure the area around the airport, safely return every American from Afghanistan and extend the deadline past 8/31 until this is completed, and bring the terrorists who committed these atrocities to justice. 
 

Press release:

In support of Breastfeeding Month, today the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) held a virtual ceremony for its WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence winners in the Northeast Region, including seven in New York.

“USDA established the award program to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support to WIC moms,” said Lizbeth Silbermann, Northeast Regional Administrator for USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. "The intent is to provide models to help other WIC clinics strengthen their breastfeeding programs to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates nationwide.” 

A major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the health of babies and moms through breastfeeding; WIC serves about half of all babies born in the country and is uniquely positioned to help moms successfully breastfeed.

In New York the following WIC clinics received Gold awards: 

• Catholic Charities WIC of Buffalo, Buffalo
• Oak Orchard Health WIC, Batavia
• Ryan Health WIC Program, NYC
• Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center, Brooklyn
• Morris Heights Health Center WIC, Bronx
• SBH Health System, Bronx
• Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island

“Peer counselors have a unique ability to relate to participants and play a key role in providing support beyond the office when parents need it most, especially throughout the pandemic,” said Corie Nadzan, WIC Director for New York State. “These awards highlight the dedicated efforts of WIC staff to empower families to meet their breastfeeding goals beginning prenatally, through delivery and beyond. Having worked in a local agency myself, I know this is no easy feat, and I am incredibly proud of these agencies for their outstanding services.”

The award is given at three levels of performance that build on one another: Gold, Premiere, and Elite. 

One hundred and one awards were handed out across the country throughout the month of August, including 16 awards presented today to clinics in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as WIC - serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. More information about WIC can be found at www.fns.usda.gov/WIC.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visitwww.fns.usda.gov. 

Press release

Students in the inaugural Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Boot Camp graduated Thursday, with four of them preparing to enter full apprenticeship programs and a fifth heading to a technician training program.

Participants split their days at the boot camp's six-week electro-mechanical technician training program between on-the-job training at local employers and hands-on training on Amatrol equipment in the Genesee Valley BOCES expanding electro-mechanical lab.

The boot camp is supported by the Genesee Valley BOCES, Rochester Technology Manufacturers Association, Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program, SUNY Genesee Community College, American Apprenticeship Initiative of Western New York, GLOW Workforce Development Board, Genesee County Economic Development Center and other partners.

Top photo: Front from left, Tom Pelino, Cole Sullivan, Jack Duyssen, and Eli Hopkins; back, Maggie Poray, GV BOCES Batavia Campus executive principal; Chris Suozzi, GCEDC; John McGowan, GCC; Rich Monroe, ElectroMechanical Trades Instructor at the GV BOCES Batavia Campus ElectroMechanical Trades instructor; Jon Sanfratello, GV BOCES director of Instructional Programs; Bob Coyne, RTMA; Rich Turner, FLYAP.  Matthew Bills also graduated from the Boot Camp. Photo by Alecia Kaus.

Press release:

Trina Grimmer, 50, of Byron, pled guilty to one count of petit larceny and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge in Batavia Town Court on August 17, 2021.

Grimmer was originally charged with six counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st and one count of Grand Larceny 3rd after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Dakota Nicholson revealed that she failed to report that her son and his father were also residing in the home.  Grimmer subsequently received $8104.00 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

In addition to the reduced charge and conditional discharge, Grimmer was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year and has made full restitution to the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit at (585) 344-2590, ext. 6417 or 6541

Press release:

Randy Houser, a long-time friend of Tracy Lawrence, is picking up this date as a favor from one artist to another.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lawrence is unable to keep this date, so his buddy Randy Houser is bringing his full crew to put on the show of the summer.

Jam At The Ridge is your Family Concert and Recreation destination, according to their guests and concert fans.   With plenty of space to distance and a kid-friendly environment (children 17 and under are free when accompanied by a paying responsible adult).

Tickets are available through the http://www.jatrny.com website, by calling their store directly 585-768-4883, or directly at: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4542083

Press release from Genesee County Office for the Aging:

HEAT ADVISORY:  TODAY

With high temperatures, we want to be sure you understand possible dangers.  To protect oneself from heat-related stress and prevent heat-related problems, the CDC recommends the following tips:

• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him/her how much you should drink when the weather is hot.)
•  Rest.
• Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.
• If possible, seek an air- conditioned environment.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
• Do not engage in strenuous activities.

Danger signs for Heat Exhaustion

Call the doctor if any of these symptoms arise:

Heavy sweating, tiredness, headache, skin cool & moist, paleness, muscle cramps, dizziness, weakness, nausea or vomiting, fainting, pulse rate fast & weak, breathing fast & shallow.

Danger signs for Heat Stroke

Needing immediate medical attention:

• extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F)
• red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
• rapid strong pulse
• throbbing headache
• dizziness and nausea

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) introduced the Reservists Opportunity Act to give more flexibility to members of the National Guard and Reserves.

“Making the decision to serve our country, especially on active duty, is an honorable and selfless one, so when members of our Reserves and National Guard decide to volunteer for active-duty assignments, they should not be met with red-tape, Rep.Chris Jacobs said. “This legislation removes an unnecessary barrier and allows these members to easily find opportunities from their own computers. Streamlining this service and increasing access will improve our military readiness and retention of qualified service members.”

“When our soldiers want to step up to serve full-time, the last thing that should stop them are technological barriers. This bill will ensure that these soldiers can access the opportunities available for active-duty service from their personal devices. Not only does this make sense, it improves readiness and retention. I look forward to its swift consideration in the House,” Rep. Tim Ryan said.

The Reservists Opportunity Act introduced by Jacobs and Ryan would allow for National Guard and Reserve members to access the Army’s Tour of Duty system, which serves as a military job board, from personal devices. Currently, this service is only accessible on devices connected to Department of Defense (DoD) networks limiting the ability for some members to easily find active-duty opportunities in a timely manner.
 

Press release:

City of Batavia Police Department members raised an impressive $1,500.00 among their ranks to support the Challenger Sports program run by the Batavia Y and supported by the Arc of Genesee Orleans.  

It was Police Sergeant Lawrence’s idea to target their fundraising proceeds to Challenger Baseball.  “I have a law enforcement colleague in another state that’s involved in Challenger,” the Sergeant said.  “We have a lot of new hires on the force.  This is a great cause to encourage them get involved in the community,” he stated.

Challenger sports benefits children with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities and has offered them the opportunity to swim, bowl, dance, play baseball, soccer, basketball and tennis. 

Batavia Police department members that contributed to the Challenger fundraiser were: Officers Borchert, Cronmiller, Defelice, Flanagan, Freeman, Girvin, Gombos, Perkins, Rissinger, Chief Heubusch, Detective Hill, Sergeant Lawrence and Parking Enforcement Officer Sheflin. 

Y representatives shared the funds will be used for supplies such as adaptive equipment for future programs.

Press release:

Due to the rapid transmission of the Delta variant and increased positive COVID-19 cases, Rochester Regional Health will be re-implementing a stricter visitation policy effectiveWednesday, August 25 at 9 a.m. at the following locations:

• Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic
• Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
• Rochester General Hospital
• Unity Hospital
• United Memorial Medical Center
• Rochester Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Linden Oaks Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Westfall Ambulatory Surgery Center

New York State Department of Health continues to require masks inside healthcare facilities this includes visitors and patients. Visitors must have their temperature checked and be screened for symptoms when entering any of these facilities.

No visitation allowed 

• COVID-19 positive patients 
• Emergency department patients
• Cancer infusion center patients
• Only exceptions: pediatric patients, labor and delivery patients, patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and cognitive impairments including dementia and patients at the end-of-life (see below)

Hospital visitation policy

• Each COVID negative patient can have one visitor at a time at the bedside 
• Different visitors can visit the patient throughout the day as long as it is limited to one at a time
• Visitors must be 12 years of age or older
• Labor and Delivery (Obstetrics)
  • One visitor at a time
  • One support person (in addition to a visitor) is allowed at the beside at all times
• Pediatrics
  • Two supports persons and one visitor
  • One visitor in pediatric ED
  • If the patient is COVID positive, one support person and one visitor
• Patients undergoing ambulatory procedures or surgeries
  • One visitor only for pre-procedure (surgery) and post-procedure (surgery)
• Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and cognitive impairments including dementia
  • One support person may be present on-site at a time in the emergency room or during hospitalization
  • An additional visitor may also be with the patient during hospital-designated visiting hours 
•  Behavioral Health inpatients
  • There is no change to the current visitation rules for Behavioral Health Inpatients
    • Two visitors during site-specific hours
• End of life patients (appropriate PPE will be required if the patient is COVID positive):

o   Up to two visitors at the bedside at a time 

o   One support person (in addition to visitors) is allowed at the bedside; clergy are not considered a visitor

o   Social distancing must be maintained

Hospital daily visitation hours 

• Rochester General Hospital: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Unity Hospital: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic:  12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Newark-Wayne Community Hospital: 12 p.m.  – 8 p.m.
• United Memorial Medical Center: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. 
• Behavioral Health Facilities – call specific site for hours

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced a resolution expressing the need to safely evacuate American citizens and allies from Afghanistan.

“The President has failed the American people and left our citizens and our allies trapped behind enemy lines without any plan to rescue them and ensure they are safely evacuated,” Jacobs said.“This administration failed to plan, has failed to execute a cohesive strategy, and has weakened our nation's image on the global stage. The President has done immeasurable damage to our nation and national security, but before we can even begin to repair that we must safely evacuate every American and ally we have in Afghanistan.”

Jacobs’ resolution expresses the need for every American citizen and ally to be safely evacuated from Afghanistan and calls upon the President to provide a clear plan to ensure this happens. In addition, the resolution highlights the dire conditions on the ground in Afghanistan with reports of beatings, executions, and growing security concerns.

“The President, our Commander-in-Chief, has a sworn and solemn duty to protect American citizens both at home and abroad, so far he has failed to meet that obligation,” Jacobs said. “The United States does not leave Americans behind, and we do not abandon our allies. It is far past time for the President to stop shifting blame and dodging the hard questions. He must present and execute a clear plan to rescue and evacuate every American and Afghan ally in harm’s way.”
 

Press release:

A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on the inauguration of Gov. Kathy Hochul

 “By swearing in a new governor, I remain hopeful we can use this moment as an opportunity to correct the course set by our former executive. Given her experience in local and county government, I hope that her tenure will be free of the burdensome mandates on small businesses, schools, places of worship, and other institutions which characterized her predecessor’s style of leadership and were so harmful to the people of our state.”

Press release:

Let’s celebrate getting together again with in-person art events! The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!)  is thrilled to announce this cycle of mini-grants for live performance. Covid-19 has been hardest on the performing arts and on live art of all kinds, and we’ve all been eager to restart. To this end GO ART! has been given the opportunity to distribute grant funds to arts organizations providing live, in-person events in Genesee and Orleans Counties in 2021-2022.  While funding priority will be given to Performing Arts organizations, all events with a live component will be considered. 

GO ART!  is inviting any non-profit organization, or group able to partner with a nonprofit organization, to apply for funding for projects to be completed by June 30, 2022, featuring a live component to be held in Genesee and/or Orleans Counties. A final report regarding the project will be required 30 days after project completion. Applications are due September 30, 2021, and there will be no exceptions or extensions. Further information and applications can be found at goart.org/grants 

The Statewide Community Regrants program is a regrant program made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. 

Press release:

Six Flags Darien Lake, The Thrill Capital of New York, is excited to announce an all-NEW Holiday tradition, the Magic of Lights drive-through experience. The theme park will be all decked out and shining bright this holiday season from November 18 through January 2, 2022. This 1.25-mile magical route winds guests through the park and campground from the comfort and warmth of their own cars. and will be overflowing with spectacular lighting displays that bring favorite holiday themes and characters to life.

“We are delighted to be extending our calendar into this magical time of year with this truly unique event. This new drive-through experience is sure to delight guests of all ages and help create fond, new memories for families and friends. We look forward to Magic of Lights becoming a holiday tradition at our park for years to come,” said Six Flags Darien Lake President Mark Kane.                                                 

Magic of Lights will run daily from November 18 through January 2, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Closed November 25, December 24 & 25)

The drive-through experience is FREE to all current Members and Season Pass holders. Season Passes for the 2022 season are now available and includes admission to this holiday event. Magic of Lights event tickets will be available to purchase this fall. More information can be found at sixflags.com/darienlake.

Submitted photos.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The management of Batavia Downs and the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association has announced that starting Wednesday (Sept. 1) purses for all races held at the track will be increased by 10%. The increase is due to the recent success in business the VLT’s have seen on the gaming floor and also from an increase in the live racing handle at the track.

“We are pleased that our recent success on the gaming floor and through increased live racing handle, we will be helping the horsemen and women that race here. As a public benefit corporation, we strive to support the communities and people around us and by helping the local horse racing industry with these larger purses, the economy surrounding the sport also benefits,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Western Regional OTB and Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel.

Reflective of the new structure, the bottom purse at the Downs will be raised from $3,800 to $4,200 and the top purse will jump from $11,200 to $12,300.

“These purse increases are great news for our racing participants after the bad year the industry as a whole experienced in 2020 due to the pandemic. Everyone has been trying to get back on track financially and this increase will go a long way in helping all local horse people do that,” said Todd Haight, General Manager/Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is seeking new volunteers and 4-H clubs!  4-H is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18.  Volunteers are essential to our program and allow you to share your hobbies with interested youth.  Projects can be as varied as sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, animal science, and more.   4-H volunteer opportunities range from coordinating monthly club meetings to leading a one-time craft project.  Whatever you have to offer, 4-H has a place for you!

New members and volunteers are always welcome to join the 4-H program.  For more information on how to join or start a 4-H club, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040 ext. 131.  Enrollment forms are also available on our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development/volunteer-resources