Press release:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received four new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 206 positive cases.
    • The positive individuals reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia and Elba.
    • One of the individuals is less than 20 years old, one individual is in their 20s, and two individuals are in their 30s.
    • The new positive cases were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Oneof the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Zero of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19 today, for a total of 256 positive cases.
    • Two of the positive individuals reside in are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
    • One of the individuals is in their 30s, one of the individuals is in their 80s.
    • One of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Thirteen of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.
• We encourage everyone to remember to be polite and respect individual privacy. If you have a complaint about someone or a business, use the appropriate channels provided by the state. Using social media to air your complaints and accusing individuals/businesses of wrongdoing generally does nothing to fix the problem. Be compassionate of other people and spread kindness.

A partnership with Orleans County may be the key that unlocks the door leading to the construction of a new $60 million Genesee County Jail to be located just east of County Building 2 on West Main Street Road.

“Here’s an opportunity for an efficient, 21^st century, state-of-the-art jail that is ready to go. We have the designs … we have willing partners to the north and in Genesee County, so we hope that it is something he (Gov. Andrew Cuomo) is willing to get behind.”

Those were the words of Assistant County Manager Matt Landers, reporting on the progress – or lack thereof due to the coronavirus – of the proposed 184-bed jail during a Genesee County Legislature “Committee of the Whole” meeting Monday via Zoom videoconferencing.

Landers said he is hopeful that state laws prohibiting a shared jail could be alleviated and that Cuomo would see the benefit of such an arrangement – one that lines up with the governor’s call to reinvent the way local government operates.

“(Cuomo) had in his budget some easing of the laws, restrictions that made it difficult to have any kind of coordination with jails in the state, but that didn’t make it to the final budget,” Landers explained. “Seeing that there are talks of a potential (federal) stimulus 4 package out there that may have a large infrastructure component to it, this could be something that could be attractive.

“It meets a lot of the benchmarks .. that you’d think the governor would be interested in. It is something that he is continually harping on – reimagining New York and how we do business.”

Along with looking at new ways to facilitate services in line with Albany’s wishes, the meeting focused on five other pertinent areas:

-- Shared jail housing opportunity;
-- Maintenance of the current jail;
-- Cost of boarding out inmates if current jail was closed;
-- Status of activity on new jail:
-- Impact of bail reform, social justice on jail population.

SHARED JAIL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

According to Landers, who is cochairing the jail steering committee with County Sheriff William Sheron, officials from Orleans County are willing to team with Genesee to explore the possibility of a joint facility.

“Building a new jail with the opportunity to do that with a partner up north – that’s where we’re focusing our energy and efforts right now,” he said. “It’s going to rely heavily what Albany allows and what kind of funding comes out of stimulus 4 on the infrastructure side and what kind of funding comes out of Albany.”

A shared jail could lead to increased efficiency in the delivery of services, with technology likely to stay in play, Landers said, noting the current use of Skype and other video and teleconferencing software.

County Public Defender Jerry Ader said he foresees legislation to allow for a greater use of electronics for proceedings, but “it may take a while and it may not be as much of a cost-savings as we’re led to believe.”

“Right now, our jail is across the street and other than maybe bringing an inmate from the prison, which is a state cost, or if we have female inmates in jails outside the county, which might be some savings, I don’t think you’re going to get the savings you’re expecting just on electronics … that’s just my opinion,” he said.

Landers mentioned that with a new jail, “there’s probably less opportunity for that (type of) savings because it’s not going to be that difficult to transport people from the jail right here in Batavia (compared to having to transport from other parts of the state as has been the case).”

MAINTENANCE OF THE CURRENT JAIL

Highway Superintendent Tim Hens said the county will be unable to avoid ongoing expenses (repairs and renovations connected to safety and mandated services) to keep the current jail in the City of Batavia going for, what could be, another three to five years.

In a discussion with the Public Service Committee last month, Hens said that $3.5 million worth of projects at the 40-year-old jail are on the punch list for the next five years if the county is forced to hold off on the new jail.

Concerning the new jail, Hens said to expect a 30-percent increase – or $50,000 -- in his facility maintenance budget to run a facility of that size, and a similar percentage add-on as the cost of doing business in New York State.

COST OF BOARDING OUT INMATES

Sheron said that the state Commission on Corrections recognizes that the county is in a “pause period” and has not indicated it would shut down the current jail.

But in case that did happen, the going rate to house out inmates is $100 per inmate, Landers said.

“It would be sizeable cost on an annual basis if we were forced to do this, if we had a population of 50 or more, but at the same time there would be the opposite cost of running a jail that would help offset that cost,” Landers said.

The assistant county manager noted the good working relationship among the COC, sheriff’s department and the architects and engineers involved with the project, so, “we would have significant lead time if there’s anything brewing that we need to be concerned about to start planning for.”

STATUS OF ACTIVITIES ON NEW JAIL

As indicated, the new jail project is in a holding pattern, but the county has closed on the land acquisition, and the schematic designs of the jail are complete, Landers said.

He said the county has two contracts in force – one with SMRT, the design firm, for about $2.3 million and one with Pike Company Inc., the construction manager, for around $1 million.

Both SMRT and Pike are aware of the county’s plight and “looking forward to getting back to work on this project, just as we are,” Landers said.

To date, the county has spent more than $1 million on the contracts, which are being funded by established jail reserves built up by proceeds of the former county nursing home sale and higher than expected sales tax receipts in 2018, Landers reported.

“We have reserves of about four to five million dollars (the number is around $8 million when considering the jail reserve fund) that are going to be used in the short term to fund these contracts until we get long-term debt financing,” he said. “Once the long-term debt financing comes in, it will cover these contracts and replenish that reserve. So, we need that full reserve to help get through what we are calling the Delta period.”

Landers said that the financing plan has been “blown out of the water by COVID-19” since it was expected to use an increase in sales tax proceeds starting in 2020 to fund the debt service payment on the new jail.

IMPACT OF BAIL REFORM ON POPULATION

Landers said recent changes to the original bail reform laws could result in an increase in jail population, but it’s too early to tell how much as courts remained closed.

Jail Superintendent William Zipfel reported that approximately 90 sentencings have been put off, and predicted that 30 to 45 percent of those people may receive jail time.

“The issue with that is, from district court, they won’t be doing sentencing for in-custody people until sometime in July, but they are starting to sentence people who are not in custody – and won’t have jail time built up,” he said. “I’m guessing our population sometime before this fall is going to come back up that 50 or so level at least.”

Landers said the county jail population in July 2019 was at the level we expected to be at in 2042,” he said. “Going back a year ago, there were concerns that we were building a jail that would be too small because our sizing had grown to what we were projecting in 2042.”

Today, the jail population is at 36, including one female who is housed in Wyoming County.

“This significant volatility is just another reason why -- until we have a clearer picture -- that we’re taking a pause in the timing,” he said.

Big master bedroom with two closets. Detached one-car garage with its own electric panel for the workshop enthusiast. Large LR w/ large entry into DR. Bonus room downstairs has many possibilities. Currently used for child's play/gaming area, was used as a bedroom for previous owner.

Great mechanicals, newer furnace, new roof on garage. Freshly painted deck. All the updates have just been made, now they're yours to enjoy.

Don't miss out, call your agent to schedule an appointment today. Appointments not required, but are recommended. Due to CDC guidelines, only one party may enter the home at a time. Delayed negotiations until Monday, 6/22 @ 7 p.m. Click for more information.

A caller to dispatch reports a sewage truck is dumping sewage all over the road at Alexander and Road roads, Batavia. The driver of a yellow sewage truck is sitting roadside in the truck. Law enforcement is responding.

A large grass fire also involving building materials is reported at 7120 Byron Road. The location is between Route 262 and Cochran Road. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: A deputy in Bethany is also responding to the scene.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: Byron command reports the fire is out.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: Byron command puts the assignment in service "with a warning given" to the person burning the building materials.

Shane H. Zimblis, 49, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; first-degree criminal contempt; and attempted robbery. Zimblis was arrested on June 11 for an incident that occurred at 11:30 p.m. June 10 on Bank Street in Batavia. No details provided. Following his arrest, Zimblis was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Jamie M. Cyr, 38, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Cyr was arrested on June 10 after an investigation into a stay away order of protection violation that allegedly occurred at 2:45 a.m. on June 10 on Bank Street. Following arraignment in Batavia City Court, Cyr was jailed with bail (amount(s) unspecified). Cyr is due in city court July 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Samuel Freeman, assisted by Christopher Lindsay.

Michael Todd Showler, 48, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Showler was arrested at 11:42 a.m. on June 13 on East Main Street after he allegedly violated on Order of Protection out of Batavia City Court. Showler was issued an appearance ticket and is due in city court on July 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Jaequele M. Tomlin, 25, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. On June 6, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Tomlin after it was reported that he intentionally entered the roadway on Main Street in front of City Hall and allegedly obstructed traffic. Tomlin was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on July 21. Post was assisted in the case by Sgt. Eric Bolles.

Robert D. Wood, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and resisting arrest. He was arrested at 3:15 p.m. on June 7 at Batavia City Centre after he allegedly attempted to prevent a city police officer from arresting another person. He was taken to Batavia Police Headquarters, issued an appearance ticket and released. He is due in Batavia City Court on July 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Submitted photo and press release:

Senior Wishes, a local nonprofit that grants life-enriching wishes to lower-income seniors, recently donated iPads to Genesee Park Place and Havenwood Congregate Apartments in Batavia.  

The iPads will allow residents to FaceTime with family members they have not seen in a long time, and to participate in virtual physician appointments.

“We were so happy to be able to fulfill this wish as the past few months have been very difficult on our seniors who cannot visit with family members,” said Wendy Miller Backman, executive director. “Just being able to see the face of their loved ones is going to bring them so much joy.”

Senior Wishes, established in 2013 by the United Church Home Society, is dedicated to honoring the lives of area seniors. Visit www.seniorwishes.org or call (716) 508-2121 for more information on the program.  

Photo, from left, Erin Saile, service coordinator; Jean Wratny, resident; Cherish Meier, director of supportive housing at Havenwood.

What is her favorite musical experience?
When I was in high school I was very lucky to attend Conference All-State as well as All-Eastern in Atlantic City, New Jersey! During my freshman year of college, I went on tour with the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers to Virginia, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. This past year as a sophomore I went to sing the National Anthem with the Ithaca College Choir at MetLife Stadium right outside of New York City! 

What is your musical goal?
My goal is to be an opera and musical theater actress in opera houses and companies around the world. Mainly in New York City, Germany, and Italy. My goal also includes going to graduate school to get my master's degree in Voice Performance and eventually a doctorate. 

What is your favorite performance venue?
My favorite venue I've ever performed in would be the Kodak Theater in the Eastman School of Music. I performed there for two concerts during my time in Conference All-State and three more times with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in their Holiday Pops Concerts throughout high school! Some of her main performance influences are Renee Fleming, Isabel Leonard, and Anita Rachvelishvili. 

Other exciting musical fun facts:
I would have been attending Songfest, a prestigious art song program, in May and June but unfortunately, it was canceled. I'm a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, which is a coed professional music fraternity, for which I have just been elected the vice president/pledge mom. I also play many instruments including clarinet, saxophone, flute, guitar, ukulele, and piano.

Nate McMurray notified supporters in Genesee County that he would be at City Hall this afternoon for a get out the vote rally. A reporter and photographer from The New York Times were there to cover it.

Already reeling from three months of COVID-19 regulations, Genesee County government officials and law enforcement personnel now must deal with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s latest executive order mandating that all New York police agencies must revise their policies and procedures by next spring or risk losing state and/or federal funding.

“At this point there are no details, but all we know is that we at the county level will have to conduct public hearings and solicit public comment for, as the term was used, cadre, of local law enforcement reforms,” said County Manager Jay Gsell, speaking at today’s Genesee County Legislature Public Service Committee meeting via Zoom videoconferencing. “Everybody will be required to go through this process and adopt reforms via local law at the county level by April of 2021.”

The executive order, named the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, requires that the municipality that oversees the law enforcement agency must adopt, certify and enforce its plan by passing a local law. It also applies to the NYPD.

Cuomo, during his COVID-19 briefing on Friday, said protests taking place across the nation following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer “illustrate the loss of community confidence in our local police agencies — a reality that has been fueled by our country’s history of police-involved deaths of black and brown people.”

He said the executive order will help “rebuild that confidence and restore trust between police and the communities they serve by requiring localities to develop a new plan for policing in the community based on fact-finding and meaningful community input.”

Issues that must be addressed in the plan include use of force, community policing, community outreach, restorative justice programs such as Genesee Justice, crowd management, retraining for bias awareness and a procedure for citizens to lodge complaints against police officers.

The measure calls for municipalities to bring in representatives from a variety of community organizations (for example, in Genesee County, the Criminal Justice Advisory Council comprised of several law enforcement and judicial entities) and be receptive to public feedback after developing, presenting and ratifying their plans into law.

It also stipulates that if the local government does not certify the plan, the police force may not be eligible for future funding from New York State.

The executive order builds upon the governor’s signing of 10 police reform bills into law earlier Friday, with several Republicans joining the Democratic majority in voting for the legislation.

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, contacted by telephone, called the reform mandate action another example of Cuomo taking a one blanket covers all approach.

“Again, he’s lumping everything into a one-size-fits-all, and I don’t think that’s appropriate with the state of the size of New York and a city the size of New York City,” he said. “We in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region and rural counties, I believe do have strong community-minded police agencies.  And when you threaten New York State taxpayer money being withheld from those who are there to serve and protect, that’s the wrong direction to go.”

Hawley acknowledged that there are “a few bad examples in any organization,” but called it an overreaction to isolated incidents.

“I stand with the men and women in blue, unequivocally,” he said. “We need to be sure that police agencies are working in a collaborative way with the citizens they are charged with protecting. No police agency would have a problem with that.”

Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron said, by phone, that he is working with sheriffs across New York to try to get a handle on what the governor is expecting to happen.

"Our department is a New York State accredited agency, meeting all the standards, rules and regulations, and there are well over 100 of them as far as the right way to do things," he said. "All he has to do is simplify that to require that all New York State police agencies be accredited."

Sheron noted that it was the NYS Sheriff's Association that first came out with the current standards and that a few years later, those guidelines were adopted by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

He made it clear that he believes in community input -- "we do that now and that is important," he said, and rejected Cuomo's practice of "painting all agencies with one brush because of a few bad apples."

"I'm proud of our sheriff's office and it's upsetting to me that the governor doesn't stand behind our police officers," Sheron said.

In an email, Batavia City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch reserved comment until he and his leadership team learn more about the governor’s mandate.

“We are currently reviewing the executive order internally, and when I have a better understanding I’ll reach out,” he said.

Back to the Public Service Committee meeting, former Sheriff Gary Maha, now a county legislator, asked Gsell if the governor had the authority to tie police reforms to funding.

“The receipt of future state or federal funds is conditioned on the filing of the certification at the local level, and realistically, that second issue of federal funding grants for emergency management … there’s already some considerations and concerns as to whether or not he can even go to that extent,” Gsell responded.

Gsell said that although Cuomo “means business,” more legislation is likely to follow at the state level and there will be plenty of debate over the next several months.

“There will be a lot of back and forth before anyone goes diving in with both feet and potentially finds themselves, can we say, in quicksand,” he said.

Hailey Kirkpatrick decided to draw a colorful message, "All Lives Matter," in the driveway of Batavia Middle School today after her uncle gave her some chalk because she wanted to spread a message of harmony.

She said, "There are a lot of races around the world that are treated badly and it’s not just black people and there are a lot of people who are still racist in this world, and I think if saying all lives matter rather than black lives matter will show that we are as one. We are all people. We’re all one species and we need to get along to make this world a better place."

This afternoon at Van Detta Stadium, Batavia High School Senior Margaret "Maggie" Andersen received her Athletic Sports Awards today early before leaving for the Air Force Academy. 

Presented by Athletic Director Mike Bromley and Track coaching staff:

• Batavia Coaches' Association 2019 - 2020 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award;
• BHS Senior Athlete Award for three-season athletes throughout four years of High School;
• NYSPHSAA (New York State Public High School Athletic Association) Scholar Athlete Award for indoor track and field;
• Batavia Coaches Association Outstanding Athletic Achievement Section V Champion Indoor Track and Field.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

Press release:

Today, Congressional candidate Nate McMurray voiced his continued concerns about ballot integrity and voter suppression after the first weekend of early voting came to a close in New York’s 27th District.

McMurray’s campaign has established a hotline with the New York Democratic Lawyers Committee to continue to address the issues on behalf of voters. 

“We are getting reports that people are not getting absentee ballots they applied for and should have received by now, and some are being told to just go vote in person," McMurray said. "The problem is many are very worried about voting in person because of the health risks.

"That’s why the Governor originally expanded voting by absentee ballot. Now here we are just days from when absentee ballots must be postmarked by, and voters receiving them last minute will be under pressure to turn them around overnight wondering if their vote will even be counted”

Further, the locations of early voting polling sites had not been made readily available in all places. In particular, the Erie County Board of Elections failed to even post a list of early voting locations until McMurray brought a lawsuit compelling the Board of Elections to take action. Still, many are showing up to their usual polling location confused because they received no notice by mail.

“I’m not saying there is deliberate malice, but the result will lead to fewer people going to the polls because of widespread confusion," McMurray said. "And of course, it’s not just the voters who are struggling. Board of Elections employees across NY27 are exhausted and have little outside help.

"It is our duty to protect access to the ballot and elections integrity during this public health crisis. Every voter should have received their ballot by now and have basic confidence in the process, and the sad truth is, they haven’t."

Voters who are experiencing any issues voting by absentee or obtaining early voting information please contact: NYS Democratic Lawyers Council Voter Protection Hotline: ​(585) 213-1710, or email:   election@votemcmurray.com​

A caller reports hearing a loud boom and can now see smoke and flames near a barn in the area of 10740 Transit Road, Bethany.

A second caller reports a chicken coop is on fire.

A responder reports seeing a lot of smoke as he approaches.

Bethany fire responding. The chief has asked for a second alarm. The location is south of Sparks Road.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 5:52 p.m.: Alexander, the city's FAST team, Le Roy, Town of Batavia, Pavilion and Stafford are responding as mutual aid. Town of Batavia is also having a crew stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: The city's FAST team is cancelled per Bethany command, so is Town of Batavia Ladder #22 to the scene.

UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: Fire Police are on scene to control/direct traffic. Mutual aid is also on the road responding from Attica and Wyoming.

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: Genesee County Sheriff's deputies are on scene.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: Fire is under control. Responding tankers can continue non-emergency.

Press release:

Citing a recent New York State report that details a very troubling 33-percent rise in domestic violence cases across New York amid COVID-19, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer demanded the United States Senate take up the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which passed the House with bipartisan support all the way back in April of 2019.

Schumer demanded Leader Mitch McConnell take VAWA "off the shelf" and rightfully pass it in the Senate. Specifically, the Senator revealed, in Upstate New York, domestic violence shelter occupancy rates rose to 78 percent in April 2020, up from 59 percent in April 2019, a 19-percent increase.

Schumer said that New York is not alone in worrisome statistics, either. Other states, like Texas and Illinois, according to The New York Times, have seen similar domestic violence surges and capital resources for many programs could dry up fast.

“The data from New York’s report mirrors similar statistics across other parts of the country that are also seeing a rise in domestic violence amid the coronavirus pandemic," Senator Schumer said. "It’s up to all of us to heed the warning in these numbers and not allow a pandemic to fuel an epidemic of domestic violence so many have devoted their lives to preventing.

"Since I first helped write the Violence Against Women’s Act in 1994, countless individuals have been saved. Whether the funds provided local shelters, counseling or other critical efforts, the law has given so many a second chance and we cannot rest until the Senate acts, the law is fully reauthorized and the help New York and other states need on the way.”

According to New York’s domestic violence task force, “…in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, data reported by law enforcement and domestic violence service providers pointed to an increase in domestic violence, with the New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline recording a 33 percent increase in calls for April 2020 compared to April 2019, and shelter occupancy rates upstate rising to 78 percent in April 2020, versus 59 percent in April 2019.

Schumer reiterated that that the coronavirus pandemic cannot be allowed to fuel an epidemic of domestic violence that so many have joined together to prevent as he made the case for new action. He said that passing the full VAWA package will unlock the full federal funding New York needs to achieve its immediate needs to help stop the violence.

Schumer detailed New York’s immediate needs given the 33-percent spike in reported violence:

1)    Local programming for survivors’ safety, including the use of new technology and mobile platforms

2)    Housing stability and navigation services

3)    Transportation

According to the report, “funding should be flexible to meet a range of needs, including housing costs, safety measures and allocations for essential needs that might present barriers to safety and housing stability, such as debt or car repair expenses. Support should have more flexible parameters, should meet survivors’ needs as quickly as possible, and should be available until survivors feel safe.

"Program outcomes should be based on survivors’ safety and housing stability over the longterm. Further, the state should continue its commitment to partnering with the philanthropic and advocacy community, collaborating to leverage support, fill in the gaps where existing funds fall short and foster further innovation.”

“Right now, because of the uncertainty around the Violence Against Women’s Act’s future reauthorization we have states preparing to turn over the couch cushions for this life-saving funding, and that cannot sustain,”Schumer added. “Philanthropy is certainly one way to 'fill in the gaps' but existing federal funding cannot be allowed to simply ‘fall short.' That’s why we need the Senate to act here, because government has a job to do and lives to save.”

Schumer cited the Finger Lakes Region to show how just one area of the state has benefited from VAWA.

Within the last five years, organizations across Rochester and the Finger Lakes received more than $8.8 million in federal funding through the Violence Against Women Act.

Specifically, $650,000 was awarded to aid law enforcement in combatting domestic violence; $299,708 was awarded to combat campus sexual assault; $425,000 was awarded to combat domestic violence among the disabled; $794,667 was awarded to provide housing for victims of domestic violence; $750,000 was awarded to improve criminal justice response (ICJR); $3,266,665 was awarded to provide legal assistance to victims (LAV); $1,222,000 was awarded to provide assistance to underserved populations; $425,000 was awarded to assist those in rural communities; and $1,000,000 was awarded to support families who have been affected by domestic violence.

Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester voiced their support for Senator Schumer’s efforts.

Meaghan de Chateauvieux, president & CEO of Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester said, “When a survivor steps forward in our community seeking safety from abuse, VAWA is what makes it possible for our local agencies to work together in a coordinated and comprehensive way to keep families safe.

"Willow serves over 7,000 survivors each year and relies on our VAWA-funded community partnerships. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s push because VAWA is the cornerstone of our local coordinated response to domestic violence and has changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence.”

The original 1994 VAWA bill, which was authored by Schumer when he was a member of the House, has been reauthorized three times—in 2000, 2005 and 2013— with unanimous Senate approval the first two times. Since its enactment, the bill has reduced domestic violence by more than 50 percent. Additionally, the legislation, over the course of its history, has provided more than $7 billion in federal funding towards reducing these types of violence.

Beyond reauthorizing all of the current grant programs under the original VAWA and those established by previous reauthorizations, the House-passed VAWA reauthorization also includes a number of new provisions to aid and support victims of domestic and sexual violence. Some of the most essential include:

• Establishing a survey among District and State Attorney Offices that receive funding from VAWA grant programs to track the rates of rape cases.
• Increasing funding for the Services, Training Officers and Prosecutors (STOP) grant program, which promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhancing advocacy and improving the criminal justice system’s response to violent crimes against women. The program encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women and the development and improvement of advocacy and services in cases involving violent crimes against women.
• Enhancing the Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus Program by supporting educational institutions seeking to develop and distribute educational materials to students related to prevention.
• Boosting housing protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, a provision in the reauthorization bill ensures that in the event of separation from a spouse, survivors retain access to housing. The bill also increases opportunities under transitional housing grant programs for organizations that operate in underserved and low-income communities.
• Promoting the economic security and stability of victims of domestic and sexual violence. One of the ways the VAWA reauthorization bill would do this would be by authorizing funding for a Government Accountability Office study on the economic implications of domestic violence and the best possible solution to these implications for victims.

Kevin John Kisiel, 60, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; refusal to take a breath test; and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Kisiel was arrested at 4:29 p.m. on June 13 on Lehigh Avenue in Batavia after a traffic stop. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Aug. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Amanda M. Webb, 31, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with: possession of marijuana in the second degree, a violation; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor. Webb was allegedly found in possession of marijuana, amphetamine/destroamphetamine, and lorazepam after an investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force. Webb was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City of Batavia Court on July 21.

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) today launched its new reimagined Girl Scout Summer Camp with The Summer We Camped At Home Virtual Summer Camp experience. This new exciting form of Summer Camp allows girls and their families a variety of ways to stay connected and get outdoors given the limited camp and outdoor options due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts ages 5-17 can register for Virtual Girl Scout Summer Camp.

The Summer We Camped At Home is for girls ages 5 years old (or entering kindergarten in the fall) up to 17 years of age (or a high-school senior). Virtual Camp will be held from July 6 through Aug. 15, with six weekly themes offered and led by Camp Counselors: July 6-10: Earth, July 13-17: Arts, July 20-24: Adventure, July 27-31: Friendships, August 3-7: Exploring, and August 10-14: Action.

Girls who attend will receive a special summer of 2020 camp patch. For added engagement, similar to a subscription box service, GSWNY will deliver six weekly themed, age-appropriate Camp Activity Kits to each camper’s home via mail.

The weekly cost including the home-delivered Camp Activity Kit is $60 and non-Girl Scouts will need to enroll in Girl Scouts at the time of camp registration for $25 -- financial aid is available.

Weekly Camp Activity Kits will include: 

• Materials for three themed activities and invitations for three live virtual sessions (M,W,F) to go through the activities with Camp Counselors and the other girls in their group.
• An Invitation to a virtual “Dining Hall” experience on Tuesdays. The traditional camp Dining Hall experience is filled with songs, laughter and more. Girls will be able to pull up a chair and join in on the fun.
• Automatic invitations to the live Virtual Campfires on Thursday nights with a mini song book (new songs every week)!
• Younger girls will have the opportunity to write “pen-pal” letters to GSWNY Camp Mascots (Molly the Whale, Rosie the Rabbit and Bernadette the Turtle).
• Junior Girl Scouts and up will have facilitated virtual bunk chats to help girls stay connected with their camp friends.
• There will also be instructions for self-led activities including: three outdoor activities, a weekly camp tradition and outdoor cooking recipe.
• And no camp experience would be complete without a friendship bracelet!

Girl Scout Summer Camp is an important part of the Girl Scout experience and we are happy to offer Summer Camp reimaged for girls and their families this summer,” said Girl Scouts of Western New York CEO Alison Wilcox. “Girl Scout Camp At Home allows us the ability to put the safety of girls, families, volunteers, and staff first, while still providing some fun alternatives to in-person camping.”

GSWNY made the decision in May to cancel in-person day and resident camps this summer due to safety concerns about the COVID-19 virus.

Other thrilling virtual events will include:

• Virtual Campfires at 7 p.m. every Thursday from July 9 - Aug. 13
• Family Outdoor Challenge each Monday from July 6 - Aug. 10
• Virtual Sleepout on Aug. 15
• Three national GSUSA virtual events in June, July, and August on topics surrounding:

1. Engaging Responsibility in the Outdoors in collaboration with The North Face
2. Space Exploration: Mars to the Stars in collaboration with subject matter experts from our NASA-funded -- Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts’ program,
3. A virtual campout at the Girl Scout Birthplace.

To learn more and register visit www.gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.