A police officer has reportedly pulled over Santa Claus somewhere in the city.
A dispatcher responded to the license check confirming the license for Santa Claus is valid and the license expires in October 2025.
No word on whether the registration and inspection on his sleigh are up to date.
A passenger was seriously injured in a one-vehicle rollover accident in the eastbound lane of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 380.5 this afternoon.
The patient was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance responded to the scene.
Le Roy Chief Tom Wood said the driver of the vehicle was not injured.
Traffic was shut down during the incident.
State Police are handling the investigation.
Photos and information from Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.
Press release:
Data Update – Due to the Christmas holiday, we will not be reporting out on Friday. Monday’s report will include Friday and the weekend coverage. We would like to take this time to wish everyone a healthy, safe and Merry Christmas! Please limit contact and time with non-household members, wash hands frequently and wear a mask/face covering to limit the spread.
o Genesee County received 123 new positive cases of COVID-19.
The new positive cases reside in the:
Submitted photos and press release:
The Genesee County Office for the Aging’s Home Delivered Meals program offers a nutritionally balanced, hot meal at lunchtime, up to five days per week. The meals are delivered with a smile by dedicated RSVP volunteers and Office for the Aging staff.
Each person receives ongoing case management, an important piece of the program, which supports their health and independence in the community.
This week, due to the generosity of a local couple’s bequest, a local dentist and his wife, and individuals employed by Genesee County government, the older adults participating in the program were treated to a holiday gift bag.
The Office for the Aging has seen tremendous growth in the program; a 55-percent increase since the beginning of the pandemic. The support of the local community has been tremendous and necessary to meet the demand.
During this season of giving, the office wishes to thank everyone involved in making this program one that the community can depend on.
If you wish to support the Home Delivered Meals program by volunteering or donating, please call (585) 343-1611 or email OFA.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us.
More volunteers are particularly needed to deliver meals in the City of Batavia at this time.
Financial donations to the Genesee Senior Foundation Inc., a nonprofit affiliated with the Office for the Aging, are always appreciated.
Press release:
National Grid is preparing for a potentially powerful winter storm that is forecasted to impact much of Upstate New York beginning today. To prepare, the company has increased its statewide staffing to include 1,900 line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety workers.
The bolstered field force includes external resources and will be deployed as necessary, as high winds, rain and heavy snow are forecasted through Saturday for several counties in Western and Central New York, including communities east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. In Eastern New York forecasts call for wind, heavy rain and the possibility of isolated flooding.
National Grid will continue to closely monitor the weather, and has activated its comprehensive emergency response plan, including:
Calling in extra resources, and mobilizing field and tree crews.
Prestaging crews and materials in areas anticipated to be most severely impacted.
Proactively reaching out to elected, municipal and emergency management officials to keep them updated on our preparations and provide safety information.
Reaching out directly to customers through traditional and social media, email and texts and on our website to provide safety information and to urge them to be prepared.
Conducting outbound calls to life support and critical facility customers to ensure they are prepared.
In anticipation of the storm, the company is encouraging customers to keep safety a priority with the following reminders:
Electricity & Generator Safety
If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
Never touch downed power lines; always assume they are carrying live electricity. Downed lines should be immediately reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 9-1-1.
Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.
Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642- 4272. In a medical emergency, always dial 9-1-1.
Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices before the storm.
Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.
Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.
Use Caution When Addressing Ice and Snow Buildup
National Grid reminds home and building owners to be especially cautious as they work to clear snow and ice by following these safety recommendations:
Gas customers should clear snow and ice from gas meters and regulators by gently using a snow brush or broom. Never kick, hit or use sharp objects to remove snow and ice. If a meter and/or regulator is encased in solid ice, call National Grid at 1-800-642-4272.
Gas customers should ensure vents for natural gas appliances are clear of snow and ice. Covered or clogged vents can lead to the build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide.
Customers who detect an odor of natural gas or suspect carbon monoxide is present in their home, should go outside immediately and breathe deeply. If CO poisoning symptoms, such as headaches or drowsiness, are severe, immediately call 9-1-1.
Customers experiencing gas odors or electricity emergencies should immediately callNational Grid’s emergency number: 1-800-867-5222.
Keep all ladders, shovels, roof rakes and other devices well clear of any service lines coming from the street to the structure.
Start clearing snow from the opposite end of the roof from the service point where electricity is delivered.
If you are unsure of how to go about clearing snow and ice, or if your roof is particularly steep, contact a qualified roofing contractor.
As snow is removed from the roof, be aware of what is below that could become buried as snow hits the ground. Be especially mindful of the location of your electricity and gas meters, as they could be damaged by falling snow and ice.
Snow removal equipment operators should also be aware of the presence of electricity and natural gas equipment and avoid coming in contact with meters or piling snow around vents and other equipment mounted on the outside of buildings.
Stay informed and connected
Customers with active electricity accounts who text "REG" to 64743 can have personalized alerts sent to them via text, email or phone call when we detect an outage on their properties.
Customers also can text "OUT" to 64743 to report an outage.
For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm safety information, visit National Grid’s Outage Central website. Customers who create an online profile also can sign up for email alerts.
Visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook.
Tongue-in-cheek press release:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued a movement permit to S. Nicholas Claus, of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 7 p.m. December 24, 2020 and 7 a.m. December 25, 2020, through or over any U.S. border port.
“This is a holiday season like no other. But as I told my grandkids, Santa has immunity to COVID, so he and his reindeer will circle the globe as planned,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Greg Ibach.
“We are all looking forward to Mr. Claus’ special brand of Christmas cheer, this year more than ever. To help ensure a smooth trip, USDA worked with Worldwide Gifts Unlimited to issue this permit in advance and waived all applicable fees.”
Veterinary officials ensured the reindeer met all entry requirements before issuing the permit. It was noted on the health certificate that one reindeer, Rudolph, has a minor physical anomaly. The veterinarian indicated that Rudolph’s red nose, while bright, was normal for him and not a concern.
The reindeer will arrive pulling a wooden sleigh with jingling bells attached, filled with brightly wrapped gifts. Port personnel, who will wear appropriate personal protective equipment and follow all COVID-19 safety rules, will clean and disinfect the runners and underside of the sleigh at the time of entry. They will also conduct a short visual inspection of the reindeer. Claus will disinfect his boots and thoroughly wash his hands. These measures are intended to prevent the entry of any livestock diseases the team may encounter during deliveries to farms around the world prior to entering the United States.
Claus also provided an advance list of what port personnel should expect upon their arrival. This includes a variety of food items, all of which come from approved locations and none of which pose a threat to U.S. animal or plant health.
“It’s important that Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited take all the right steps and precautions to protect against the potential introduction of pests and diseases,” Claus explained. “I appreciate USDA’s assistance every year as we gear up for our big night.”
Whether you see the smiles, joy, and wonder on children’s faces this Christmas morning in person or on video chat, enjoy the moment. Happy holidays from USDA!
Amanda Coggiola submitted these photos of a bald eagle at the Tonawanda Creek off South Main Street Road, Batavia.
She said, "My kids and I saw this eagle at our house this morning. They asked if I could send the pictures to you because we know sometimes you post the pics on your website. Merry Christmas: Amanda, Ben, Lilly, and Jake Coggiola"
Funeral home owner Michael S. Tomaszewski, arrested in July after an investigation that uncovered multiple incidences of potential fraud, was arraigned in Genesee County Court today on more than 200 counts of grand larceny, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument in filing, scheme to defraud, and failure to deposit.
As he did when first arrested and arraigned in Town of Batavia Court, Tomaszewski entered a not guilty plea.
Tomaszewski waived his right to have a grand jury review the evidence against him and potentially issue indictments against him. He was arraigned on what's known as Superior Court Information (SCI) that lays out all the charges in the same form as a grand jury indictment.
It is 101 pages long.
Tomaszewski is accused of taking money people used to prepay for funerals and instead of depositing the money in appreciate bank accounts then using the money for other purposes.
The SCI indicates the majority of customers lost from more than $2,000 up to $15,500 each.
The charges include: 67 counts of third-degree grand larceny; 28 counts of fourth-degree grand larceny; four counts of falsifying business records; 93 counts of failure to deposit; seven counts of petit larceny; and counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree; and scheme to defraud.
During the virtual arraignment today, the attorneys discussed the possibility of reaching a plea deal within the next six weeks.
Tomaszewski remains released from custody on his own recognizance. His next scheduled court appearance, which will also be virtual, is 1:30 p.m., Feb. 2.
Alecia Kaus/Video News Service contributed to this report.
Previously:
A 52-year-old Batavia man already previously convicted on child pornography charges has been indicted once again in Federal Court.
Matthew Barber is charged with receipt and possession of child pornography, which carries a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office of Western New York was previously convicted in 2007 and was sentenced in 2007 to 74 months in federal prison. He was given five years of supervised release but he failed a sex offender treatment program.
Barber reportedly had a job in Batavia. He was dismissed after allegedly placing a USB flash drive into a work computer. He May, he was charged locally with unauthorized use of a computer.
As a condition of his parole, Barber was required to notify NYS Parole if he was terminated from employment. That day, U.S. Probation and NYS Parole searched his residence and seized a cellular phone and a flash drive.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, investigators found 1,100 images and 40 videos of child pornography on the drive. Several hundred other images and 200 videos were allegedly found on the phone.
Barber was arraigned today in Federal Court.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Sliwinski; and the Batavia Police Department, under the direction of Chief Shawn Heubusch.
Press release:
Data Update - COVID-19 is widespread throughout Genesee and Orleans counties. With the high prevalence of active cases, we are changing the way we are reporting the positive cases to regionally rather than listing each of the towns. Detailed demographic data is still being captured by the state
Press release:
Eleven years ago the attorneys working in the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office at that time had an average of 25 years of experience. Current First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell was still the “new guy“ in the office, having been there for 19 years.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman has now been with the office for nearly 39 years and Finnell, with 30 years of experience as a prosecutor, is no longer the “new guy." From March of last year until September of this year, all five of the other Assistant District attorneys began their careers with the office, along with the office’s two new paralegals. In other words, seven of the office's 13 employees started within that 18-month period.
These are the new attorneys and paralegals:
Kaitlynn Schmit joined the office as an Assistant District Attorney in March of 2019, having previously worked as an Assistant Counsel with the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and briefly as a Staff Attorney with the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo.
Joseph Robinson joined the office as an Assistant District Attorney in June of 2019, immediately after graduating from law school and becoming an attorney.
Cheryl Nielsen worked at a private law firm, the Wayne County Public Defender’s office and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office before joining the Genesee County District Attorney’s office in January of this year.
Robert “Bo” Shoemaker started with the office in April of this year after serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County for five years, an Appellate Court Attorney with the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department for two years and a litigator with the New York City Law Department for one year.
Andrew DiPasquale became an Assistant District Attorney in Genesee County in August of this year, after spending three years working in Albany for the New York State Senate and then the New York State Legislative Bill Drafting Commission.
Gabrielle Krzemien became a Paralegal with the office in December 2019 after working as a Legal Assistant at the law firm of Connors and Ferris in Cheektowaga for one year and then as a Paralegal for the Buffalo law firm of Goldberg Segalla for a year and a half.
Alexandria Almeter joined the office as a Paralegal in March of this year, after working in the same capacity at the DiMatteo and Roach law office in Warsaw for one year.
In addition to Friedman and Finnell, the other “long term” employees of the office are Confidential Secretary Lacie Snell and legal clerk typists Kathleen Schrider, Rhonda Natalizia and Andrea Agan-Silverling. Rosanne DeMare, a Victim Counselor employed by Genesee Justice, also works out of the District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Friedman and First Assistant District Attorney Finnell are very proud of their staff and happy to have all of these new additions to the office, who all fit in well and are doing great in their new positions.
Press release:
With Christmas just two days away, many people in our community aren’t experiencing the joy that the season brings, but are struggling with substance use disorders and the resulting feelings of depression and loneliness.
Leaders of the local law enforcement agencies and fire department involved with the Public Safety Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative want residents in those situations to know that they understand and are available to help them on a road to recovery and sobriety.
PAARI, a program of the GOW (Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming) Opioid Task Force, is a joint venture of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department, Le Roy Police Department, and City of Batavia Fire Department that provides support and resources to create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery.
Those dealing with substance use issues can connect with these agencies throughout the coronavirus pandemic and holiday season to access safe and nonjudgmental support, said Christen Ferraro, task force coordinator.
“We appreciate our law enforcement and fire department locations for continuing to offer this line of assistance to our community,” she said.
City of Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said his department is “committed to helping those in our community that need help the most.”
“We have worked closely with the Opioid Task Force and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to make the City Police Department a place that anyone suffering from substance abuse can come to and be connected with services, no questions asked,” he said. “If you or a loved is in need, you can access the Department 24/7 by coming to Police Headquarters located at 10 West Main Street and ask to speak with an officer. They will connect you with a peer advocate from GCASA to help you on a road to recovery.”
City of Batavia Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano echoed Heubusch’s sentiments.
“The City of Batavia Fire Department, located at 18 Evans Street, is pleased to provide a judgment free and safe area of refuge for those seeking assistance in dealing with substance abuse,” he said. “Having the ability to partner with so many agencies to assist those in time of need coincides with our department's mission.”
Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron said his office is “proud” to participate in the initiative.
“We fully recognize that addiction has no boundaries, and we are committed to providing assistance to anyone at any time,” he said. “Please do not hesitate. Let us help you obtain the treatment that you deserve to overcome your addiction.”
For more information, contact Ferraro at cferraro@gcasa.org.
Press release:
Senator-elect Ed Rath has been appointed Ranking Member of the Elections Committee and the Local Government Committee.
“I am looking forward to the start of the legislative year," Rath said. "There is a lot that needs to be done this year in Albany and I am ready to begin that work. As a former Erie County Legislator, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing our local governments.
"The pandemic has put a huge burden on local governments’ budgets and the services they provide. I look forward to working with local leaders across the district to address their specific needs and concerns.
“Over the last few legislative sessions, we have seen tremendous changes to our election laws in New York State, the work of this committee critical. We need to assure that our elections are run smoothly, transparently, and effectively. We need to work with our local board of elections to learn what can be done to improve our election system in New York State. It is imperative that we get to Albany and work to help our suffering, local communities.”
“Senator-elect Rath’s experience and leadership as a former Erie County legislator will bode well for him as ranking member on the New York State Senate Committee on Elections, and the New York State Senate Committee on Local Government," said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
"For more than a decade, Senator-elect Rath has been a fighter in his community and county government. His placement on these committees will allow him to continue to champion the issues important to local communities and taxpayers in his district and across New York.”
A complete list of Senate Standing Committees is available at nysenate.gov/committees.
Four and a half years after a reorganization at the top of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation – action that advanced the careers of Michael Nolan of Elma and Henry Wojtaszek of North Tonawanda – things have turned ugly for the public benefit company that operates Batavia Downs Gaming, Batavia Downs harness racetrack and OTB parlors across 15 counties plus the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.
As reported by the Buffalo-based Investigative Post earlier this week, Nolan, WROTB’s chief operating officer until his dismissal last Friday, has enlisted the services of Steven Cohen of the HoganWillig law firm with the intent to file a civil lawsuit for at least $5 million in damages.
Nolan, in a Notice of Claim submitted on his behalf in September, alleges that he has been the target of a “deliberate, relentless and malicious campaign of harassment and hostility” by his superiors, President/Chief Executive Officer Wojtaszek and Board Chairman Richard Bianchi.
Both Cohen (this morning) and Daniel Oliverio of Hodgson Russ, the attorney representing WROTB (on Tuesday), spoke to The Batavian about the situation.
“Michael Nolan promoted transparency and believes in the organization, and his superiors wanted him to sweep things under the rug, which he refused to do,” Cohen said. “And now he’s being punished for it.”
Cohen said that Nolan has been ostracized and shut out of OTB developments since April of 2019 for sharing information with federal and state authorities as part of an inquiry into practices such as health insurance plans for board members, use of sports tickets and luxury boxes, and awarding of contracts.
“After speaking with other members of the board, the federal and state authorities were referred to Michael for specific answers to specific questions. Michael gave honest answers, and Michael’s superiors have maintained a policy of obfuscation and opacity, and are punishing Michael for being honest with the authorities,” Cohen added.
Oliverio said evidence gained through months of examination and interviewing of more than 30 witnesses does not substantiate Nolan’s claims, and that his termination was carefully considered and appropriate as it pertains to job performance.
“We are so sick of Steve Cohen and Mr. Nolan offering up absolutely false, unsupportable allegations about OTB and its officers and directors, none of which have been supported by any witnesses whatsoever,” Oliverio said. “We have done a thorough investigation over months – interviewed witnesses that Mr. Nolan told us to talk to and nobody supports his stories.”
Oliverio said that he has tried to sit down with Nolan to “find out what is on his mind, but his story shifts like grains of sand in the wind.”
Cohen: Problems Needed to be Addressed
Cohen said that Nolan “wanted to make OTB all that it could” by trying to rectify some problems, “but the greed of his superiors prevented him from doing so.”
“They didn’t want to put an end to board members receiving a lifetime health insurance (plan) that was valued at approximately $33,000 per year per board member,” he said, offering that opinions of the state attorney general and comptroller indicate that board members’ compensation should be limited to $4,000 per year.
Cohen said Nolan wanted to end that policy and his action caused Wojtaszek and Bianchi to retaliate against him. He also said Nolan shined a light on the improper use of luxury boxes and tickets to Sabres and Bills games and the “improper use of the VLT fund, or purse fund.”
“That purse fund is only supposed to be used to remunerate racehorse owners, but instead it was used as a general revenue source by OTB and Michael tried to put a stop to that,” he said.
Cohen said OTB officials have tried to stop the civil suit from being filed.
“They have invoked sections of the law, and they’re trying to delay us from filing this lawsuit,” he said.
Oliverio: Motivation is in Question
Oliverio said Nolan is not a whistleblower and is out to “impugn the integrity of the OTB board, Wojtaszek and others who operate the business from day to day.”
“He will tell you that the FBI called him as they were hearing some things that were going on at OTB that they wanted to look into. Now, Mr. Nolan’s a whistleblower,” he said. “Mr. Nolan has admitted to our investigators there’s nothing there regarding any of the allegations that have been made – regarding tickets and contracts, what have you.”
Oliverio said he can’t wrap his head around Nolan’s motivation.
“We don’t know if this is some type of political attempt to undermine the leadership of OTB; we can’t quite figure it out. But we don’t do press conferences like Mr. Cohen and Mr. Nolan. We do courtrooms, evidence, witnesses under oath and facts. If he’s going to make allegations, let’s prove them in a courtroom,” he said.
He said it could be “an attempted coup” by Nolan to replace Wojtaszek as president.
“Really, we have no idea. But, I’ll tell you what, we have spent a lot of money investigating these allegations and all these allegations about workplace harassment, and we can’t come up with one fact,” he said.
Health Insurance Ruling to Come
Oliverio acknowledged that directors receive a quality health insurance plan.
“They’ve never hid that, but it’s up to the comptroller of the State of New York to decide whether it’s appropriate or not and the comptroller is looking at it,” he said. “The comptroller has been asked to render an opinion and if the comptroller says you shouldn’t get it, then they’ll just discontinue it. If the comptroller says it is fine, then it is fine.”
Regarding tickets and corporate suites at sporting events, Oliverio said it is a nonissue.
“What a laugh. Nolan admits himself in an interview with our investigator, which was witnessed by two other people, there are no problems with the tickets. The tickets were used properly,” he said.
Oliverio pointed out that Nolan thought some contracts should have been put out to bid, but agreed that no laws were broken by not bidding them.
“His (Nolan) objections, as far as we can see, were with policies and process – not with any violations of the law. But there have been no allegations of violations of the law,” he said. “Certainly, Mr. Nolan has no right to offer that up because he’s not a federal prosecutor or state prosecutor, and we have not been told by any state or federal prosecutor or law enforcement officer that we violated any law whatsoever regarding tickets, contracts, promotions, anything else.”
The attorney said the matter is “frustrating” for WROTB and its board.
“That’s why we can’t wait to get into court,” he offered. “We hope that it will all come out why Mr. Nolan, if he continues his lawsuit, … was dismissed from OTB. We will do that in a courtroom, under oath, and not in a press conference. We look forward to it and we look forward to clearing some people’s reputations and names.”
Cohen Calls it ‘Pure Vindictiveness’
Cohen said Nolan found out that he was fired when he reported to work last Friday.
“When he went to show up for work, he was told he had been previously terminated,” he said. “Also, on Dec. 3 when his daughter broke her arm, that is when he learned that they had simply stopped his health insurance without prior notice. And that is pure vindictiveness – pure spitefulness – and that’s quintessential Wojtaszek and Bianchi.”
Cohen said the timing of Nolan’s termination speaks volumes.
“Had Michael’s termination not occurred over a year after he shared with his superiors that, at the request of other members of the board, he honestly answered questions of the FBI, U.S. Attorney and various New York State agencies, one might be inclined to entertain the possibility that Michael’s termination was performance based,” he said.
“But for over a year, after eight years of sterling performance evaluations, Michael was stripped of his duties as FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) officer and other key roles; he was ostracized by the president and chairman, and isolated and not permitted access to the data he needed to do his job.”
Oliverio disputes the contention that Nolan was wrongfully terminated.
“He was constructively discharged from OTB, and he makes a host of allegations about that, again, none of which we can find to be true by any witness or by any facts,” he said.
Nolan was set to receive a salary of $119,704 in 2021. In 2016, as the corporation’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, his annual pay was $102,096.
Aaric Luce won Le Roy Junior High's spelling bee on Tuesday by correctly spelling “Rectangular” in the final round.
Second place went to Jax Burnside.
Aaric advances to the regional competition.
Photo and information submitted by Tim McArdle.
Genesee County's unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in November, still a percentage point higher than a year ago, but a bit better than it was with October's 5.0 percent rate.
There are 27,000 county residents with jobs. There were 28,400 a year ago in November and 26,800 in October of this year.
There are 1,300 people actively seeking employment compared to 1,100 a year ago and 1,300 last month.
President Donald Trump, in the final month of his one term, issued 15 pardons today, including a pardon for former NY-27 congressional representative Chris Collins, who entered a guilty plea more than a year ago to federal crimes stemming from insider trading activity.
Collins also admitted to lying to the FBI about using information that wasn't available to the public about Innate Immunotherapy to tip his son and other associates that led them to dump stock in the company before news of a failed trial reached other investors.
Even while under federal indictment for the crimes, Collins ran for reelection and won.
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2016 and served on the transition team after Trump beat Hillary Clinton.
The second member of Congress to endorse Trump was Duncan Hunter Jr., of El Cajon, Calif. Hunter was also convicted of federal crimes related to his misuse of campaign donations for his personal benefit. Today, Trump also pardoned Hunter.
Photo: File photo: Collins, with his wife standing beside him, at a press conference in August 2018 when he denied the insider trading charges that had been filed against him that day in New York City.
Press release:
Percent positive seven-day average as of Dec. 20, 2021 (https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county-dashboard):
Other than “a little arm soreness,” Laurie Kilbury Taylor, DO, an attending physician in the Emergency Department at United Memorial Medical Center, said she had no problem with the initial dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and is looking forward – for a number of reasons – to completing the process.
Kilbury Taylor (pictured above) was among the first UMMC staff members to receive the vaccine – “I felt very privileged to be invited to be in the first group,” she said – and said all of her colleagues are on board with being vaccinated.
She took part in a Zoom videoconference interview this morning to give an update on how she is feeling and share some of her other thoughts after getting the first of two shots last Thursday.
“Right afterwards, I felt normal. There was no pain .. I had no side effects; I had no allergic reaction,” she said. “And then, I think later on in the day, I felt a little arm soreness and that extended until the next day.”
She said she took some ibuprofen when she got home and again the next day.
“That was about it. Since then, then I’ve been fine,” she added.
Kilbury Taylor said the procedure is similar to the flu and other vaccinations, noting that the arm soreness “is to be expected when they stick a sharp needle in your arm.”
“Maybe it was a little bit more than what the flu shot was, but much less than, say, the tetanus shot,” she said.
Still, she said she had no restriction of motion and was able to do everything she needed to do.
According to the Food & Drug Administration, side effects of the vaccine typically begin within two days and are resolved a day or two after that. The most common consequences listed are tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever.
On a personal note, Kilbury Taylor shared that her 83-year-old mother, who has some medical issues, lives with her.
“I am always worried about coming home and having to take care of her and possibly transmitting COVID to her unknowingly because there are some asymptomatic carrier people,” she said. “Also, myself, if you haven’t noticed, I’m a little older and I do have asthma. So, for me being working in an environment where I’m constantly confronted with patients that have COVID or suspected COVID – although I’m wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) -- it only takes once to touch your face when you don’t realize you’re doing it.”
Kilbury Taylor said the vaccine provides hope of ending the pandemic and help “to reduce this so we can get back to somewhat normal lives.”
“I am very hopeful that this can help us take care of our patients better, with more confidence. I hope that it will reduce transmission, and I hope, most importantly, is to reduce the severity,” she said. “Some of these people get very, very sick, and it may not prevent getting infected but it may – as the flu shot does – decrease the severity of the illness if you do get sick.”
She said she is scheduled to get the second of the two doses on Jan. 4. The two doses combined reportedly are 94- to 95-percent effective.
She also encourages people to not believe everything they read or hear on the internet or on social media.
“Despite the fear you see on the internet, those aren’t reputable sources … It was very easy, very little discomfort,” she said. “I’m excited. It’s something you can do for your family and the community …”
Kilbury Taylor said the vaccine gives her some “reassurance” that eventually she will have some protection against the virus.
“It’s not instantaneous. It takes a few weeks to build your immunity and get the booster shot. We, of course, will continue to use the PPE and wear our gowns and our masks and our shields, our gloves – and wash in and out – but it’s a sense of hope that eventually these restrictions will be relaxed,” she said.
Other doctors and medical professionals are ready and willing to get the vaccine, she said.
“They can’t wait to get the vaccine, and they’re worried. 'Are they going to run out before I get mine?’ is the biggest concern of the physicians.”
Photo courtesy of Rochester Regional Health.
Press release:
With the holidays in full swing and the COVID-19 pandemic causing financial stress on many individuals, National Grid is alerting customers about recent reports of scams where imposters are promising refunds or discounts.
Here’s how scammers are trying to prey on customers:
Customers may notice their caller ID displays an incoming call is from a phone number in a nearby town or even the neighborhood where they live.
When customers answer the phone, a recorded message explains that due to being overbilled, they are owed refunds or discounts on their utility bills.
The customer is instructed to press "1" to learn more about the refund or discount.
The customer is transferred to a someone who explains that the customer is eligible for a refund or discount.
The customer is then asked for personal information, which may include their utility bill account number.
The scammer also may ask for the customer’s bank account number or other personal or financial information. Divulging this level of information can lead to identity theft or customers having their bank accounts accessed.
Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in replicating National Grid’s recorded messaging and directions for phone prompts, making it more difficult to differentiate an actual National Grid phone call from an imposter’s call. Similar scams have been reported across the United States by other utilities.
Customers who have fallen victim to the scam should immediately contact National Grid by using the toll-free telephone numbers listed on their billing statements. The company wants to protect customers and offers the following warning signs to detect this recent scam:
Do not cave to pressure. Never – under any circumstances – offer personal or financial information to someone who you cannot identify.
Scammers will not have access to your account information, and you should never provide that information if you are asked.
National Grid representatives who call you will know your account number.
Verify that you are speaking with a National Grid representative. Ask the caller to provide the last five digits of your National Grid account number.
If the caller does not know your account number, hang up the phone.
To learn more about protecting yourself and your family from scams, visit ngrid.com/scam
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