Stories from

There is a new structure in front of St. James Episcopal Church on East Main Street in Batavia. It is quite a bit smaller than the church, but don’t let the size of this Blessing Box diminish its mission. 

You’ve probably seen similar little structures placed along roadways or sidewalks. Often they hold books and promote family literacy. 

The Blessing Box has a different purpose. It will hold commonly used items such as food, warm clothing, or clean face masks; items intended to meet some daily needs of the local community.

The Blessing Box project began during discussions in a Ministry for Education study group for lay people. The group meets weekly and engages in theological learning and reflection, focusing on how they might serve their community. This offering of service to others is ever present in each of our daily lives.

The EfM discussion identified unmet needs of some local individuals, families and the homeless population. This particularly includes those living with physical or mental health disabilities and anyone prevented from earning a life-sustaining wage. 

The Blessing Box eventually became a reality through the collaborative efforts of churches along East Main Street, including the First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish, and St. James Episcopal Church. A local business -- Blue Pearl Yoga -- is also a partner, along with the important Genesee Region Center for Independent Living located in Batavia.

As the project evolved, it became apparent that resources are available and interest exists to meet some needs of others during this pandemic. If you are interested in donating or participating in this vital outreach to the community, you can find the project The Blessing Box-Batavia on their Facebook page and contact the group through messenger. 

Due to the limited access of our buildings during the pandemic, there will be a monthly donation drop off that will be advertised and posted on Facebook. A list of requested donations is also available, including cold weather items like handmade or new hats, gloves, and socks, COVID-19 safety items including disposable plastic gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer, personal hygiene items, bottles of water, and food items. In lieu of money, gift cards to Aldi, Tops, and BJ's will be accepted, too.

Press release:

Tompkins Bank of Castile has launched its online application portal for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) second round of funding for businesses, and is now accepting applications from businesses located within its geographic service areas who do not yet maintain an active business checking or loan account with Tompkins.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this SBA (Small Business Administration) funding,” said Tompkins Bank of Castile President and CEO John McKenna. “Our team understands how challenging these times have been and we are glad we can help members of our community access these vital funds.”

New business customers must visit a Tompkins branch location to apply for a business checking account prior to the submission of their PPP application through the portal. Minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the application process or to submit an application for PPP Funding, please visit the online portal here (same as link above).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Data Update – including data covering the weekend

• Genesee County received 33 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday.
  • 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.  
• Fifty-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Eighteen of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Orleans County received 26 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday.

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
• Six of the new positive individuals were on quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Forthy-four of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• Seven of the new positive individuals are residents of The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab.
• Three of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility.
• Orleans County is currently seeing an increase of positive cases in non-county regulated facilities, which is increasing the daily positivity rate.

The operation of youth sports in the LeRoy community has never been more important than in the past months.

Youth softball in LeRoy has been steadfast for decades, in the local community.

Officially incorporating in 2020 as a 501(c)(3), it has seen a resurgence with a fresh group of eager volunteers including: sponsors, parents, board members and coaches.

The David M. McCarthy Memorial Foundation recognizing the importance of youth sports in the local area, can be added to list of vital contributors. 

It was established in 2006 after a tragic car accident took the life Batavia native and sports enthusiast David “Davey” McCarthy. The foundation’s primary focus is to support youth sports in Genesee County, which David loved so much. 

Last summer, LeRoy Youth Softball was able to safely conduct several months of skills, drills and inter-squad scrimmaging. This winter our program has been holding safe indoor clinics for girls who meet the 8U up to 16U criteria. The 2021 season is already upon us with registration open now through Feb. 28th.

As the program continues to grow, larger equipment purchases are necessary, which includes a pitching machine. The contributions from the David M. McCarthy Memorial Fund will assist with that purchase.

The LeRoy Youth Softball players, coaches and Board of Directors would like to say THANK YOU to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Foundation for its generous contribution.

Jason Karcher

President

LeRoy Youth Softball

Photo, from left: Three girls on the LeRoy Youth Softball16U Team -- Lily Uberty, Anna Rose Winters and Sierra Burk.

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

Taking ownership of our decisions is something that we’re taught the importance of from a young age, such as when our schoolteachers told us the story of George Washington and his famous cherry tree. While that tale was just an American folk story, it taught us all that our greatest leaders are honest and take responsibility for their actions, just as we all should as citizens.

That message is more relevant than ever following our governor’s inability to take responsibility for the deaths of thousands of New Yorkers in our nursing homes. 

The unfathomable loss of life that took place this year is the greatest tragedy I’ve witnessed in my time as a legislator in Albany. As lawmakers and as human beings, we should all feel angry about the cover up that they tried to hide from us.

In recent months, we’ve heard lots in the media about unity and coming together to do what’s right. While in this moment, we have been provided the opportunity to stand together against something we should all be able to recognize as wrong.

The issue at hand is nothing nuanced or technical. The simple fact of the matter is that thousands of people died because of decisions our governor made, and we have been presented with a choice. Lawmakers can choose to seek justice and stand with the people or defend his wrongdoings and stand for his political interests.

We need hearings to hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable, and despite the hesitance of some in the Majority to do so, we need to disempower the governor to prevent him making further bad decisions that could bring our state even more pain.

With our governor clearly unwilling to own up to his own mistakes, we in the Legislature need to take back our role in government to protect our most vulnerable.

We all need to recognize that this tragedy was caused by the deliberate and unwise actions of our governor, and that it would be negligent of us to let him retain the emergency powers he used to hurt so many people.

All eyes are on us to see if we can do the right thing, and I assure you that the countless people in this state who had the ones they loved taken from them will not soon forget who had the conviction to stand up for the people, versus those who cared more about political gamesmanship and their own well-being.

In a time when people trust their government less than ever to do what’s right, let’s come together for once to address something we can all agree is reprehensible — the intentional coverup of thousands of preventable deaths.

Press release:

Genesee County announced today (Feb. 7) that the draft of Genesee County Police Reform and Reinvention Report is open for public comments until Monday, Feb. 22.

Genesee County residents and other stakeholders can submit comments to the draft plan via email at:  County.Manager@co.genesee.ny.us

The Genesee County Police Reform and Reinvention Report (pdf) can be accessed at the Genesee County Sheriff Department’s website. Click here to see it now. 

The 20-person stakeholder committee appointed by the Genesee County Legislature that wrote the draft of the report will consider the comments at its next scheduled meeting on Feb. 22^nd.

The committee reviewed the various practices, policies and procedures of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office which are outlined in the report.

The Genesee County Police Reform and Reinvention Report is in response to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Executive Order 203 issued on June 12.

Police departments across New York State are mandated by EO 203 to submit reform plans by April 1. Those government localities with law enforcement agencies that do not submit a reform plan will lose state funding for their agencies.

Comments will be discussed and considered by the committee at its Feb. 22^nd meeting with a final plan to be adopted by the committee by March 1.

The report and plan will be considered by the Genesee County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee at its March 15 meeting, and if adopted will be submitted to the Genesee County Legislature for consideration and approval at its March 24 meeting.

Data Update –

• Genesee County received 11 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, 60s and 80s.  
• Thirty of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Eighteen of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• We are very sad to report the COVID-related death of one of our county residents. The individual was over the age of 65. We will not be reporting any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual at this very sad time.

Orleans County received 13 new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
• Five of the new positive individuals were on quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Twenty-six of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility.