Due to directives coming from the federal and state government concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, the Genesee Region USBC has no choice but to cancel its Association Team and Doubles & Singles Tournament scheduled for the next two weekends.

GRUSBC President Gary Kuchler made the announcement today after receiving information from Tom Sardou, proprietor of Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, and Scott O'Neill, manager of Legion Lanes in Le Roy, that their businesses have been drastically curtailed or completely shut down for an undetermined amount of time.

"We certainly respect the orders coming out of Washington and Albany and, in the best interest of the health and safety of our members, we will be postponing the Association Tournament -- both the Team event at Rose Garden Bowl and the Doubles & Singles at Legion Lanes," Kuchler said. "We will keep our bowlers informed of any developments through our website -- www.bowlgr.com."

It is unknown at this time whether league bowling will continue at area bowling centers. Bowlers are advised to contact their local bowling center for more information.

A Legislative Column from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

In the wake of large-scale developments throughout the country, I want to take the time to go through the facts as we have them available to us today, and I want to reassure my friends and neighbors that we are working diligently on the situation. Our goal is to work these new facts into our daily routines and alleviate the public health crisis.

One of the steps that the New York Legislature has taken is passed a $40 million emergency fund that can be used to increase the state’s ability to respond to COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus. As the situation has continued to change and grow, and as public health officials have learned more, important steps have been taken and additional measures will come in the future as the situation continues to develop.

Additionally, President Trump has declared a national state of emergency relating to the pandemic; this not only means all federal initiatives are shifting toward the better health and welfare of citizens, but also that forgiveness programs are being implemented to ensure all citizens are protected, both economically and related to their healthcare.

We are currently in uncharted territory: international travel has been restricted, professional sports leagues have been suspended and Wall Street’s reactions all demonstrate the gravity of the situation. It can be overwhelming to see the constant news coverage paired with social media commentary, wild predictions and increased anxiety about what the future holds. While concern is a natural response, I am calling for citizens to remain calm and follow the guidelines set forth by public policy and health experts.

As of today, there are currently 729 positive cases in New York, with 329 of the confirmed cases found in New York City, New Rochelle and Long Island. As the state government continues to assess and manage the total impacts of this disease, it is critical that we all work together to manage the issue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a wealth of information about what the virus is, how people can protect their health and what to do if you think you may be a victim of the disease.

I urge everyone to review the CDC’s recommendations and do your part to help prevent the disease from spreading further. As part of its response and to ensure residents stay informed, New York state has established the New York State Coronavirus Hotline at: 1-888-364-3065.

Some of these ideas and recommendations might seem silly and obvious, but a healthy reminder is as important now as it has ever been. What we are learning as we study and combat this virus is that the most effective ways to beat it are the simplest. It is important that, as the situation continues to change rapidly, we keep up-to-date with accurate information, and be considerate of others.

As of right now, it is clear that our homes are not susceptible to the coronavirus. Only two positive infections have been confirmed in Monroe County. But, as I said before, the situation is likely to change, so it is imperative that citizens practice healthy habits of washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes and limiting prolonged close contact with others. Do this, and we will push through this incident together.

Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139^th District, which consists of Genesee, Orleans and parts of Monroe County. For more information, please visit Assemblyman Hawley’s Official Website.

From Blue Pearl Yoga Studio:

Blue Pearl Yoga has decided to follow the lead of the Batavia City School District and temporarily close the studio due to the coronavirus outbreak. We will most likely reopen the studio when public school resumes.

For Class Card Holders, all Consistency Reward dates and expiration dates will be extended for the length of our closure.

Yin Yoga will resume when the studio reopens to complete the rest of the classes left in this session.

Restorative Yoga Registrants will be reimbursed in full.

Take very good care of yourself as you care for those you love. We will stay in touch through future emails and posts on our Facebook page.

All upcoming court cases scheduled for Batavia Town Court have been adjourned until May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If you have an attorney please contact him/her in regards to your new court date. Your future Court date will be mailed to you, if you have not received a notice within a week of your originally schedule court date please email the court at Court@townofbatavia.com.

Traffic Ticket Infraction submissions are encouraged to be e-mailed or mailed into the Court at 3833 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY 14020. 

Due to our offices potentially being closed, the best mode of contacting the court is through e-mail. If you choose to call the Court and leave a message we may not respond to you until May 8^th.

If you have a Fine/Surcharge due the due date will be extended until May 8^th but it can also mailed in to the court directly or paid online at www.paycourtonline.com or by our call center at 1-888-912-1541. Mailed in payments may not be processed until May therefore payment online or through the call center are recommended.

Any records requests received during this time will not be completed until May.

Teressa M. Morasco

Town Clerk/Tax Collector/RMC

COVID-19 / Richmond Memorial Library Update March 16:

Press release:

Amid a lack of federal direction and nationwide standards, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced a regional approach to combatting the novel coronavirus - or COVID-19 - throughout the tristate area.

These uniform standards will limit crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people, effective 8 o'clock tonight. This follows updated guidance that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more.

The three governors also announced restaurants and bars will close for on-premise service and move to take-out and delivery services only. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. These measures will take effect at 8 o'clock tonight.

Finally, the three governors said they will temporarily close movie theaters, gyms, and casinos, effective at 8 o'clock tonight. 

This uniform approach to social distancing is meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. 

"Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn't crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that," Governor Cuomo said.

"This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents 'state shopping' where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa.

"I have called on the federal government to implement nationwide protocols but in their absence, we are taking this on ourselves."

Governor Murphy said, "With all we are seeing in our state - and across our nation and around the world - the time for us to take our strongest, and most direct, actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus is now. I've said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family.

"But if we're all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn't just up to some of us, it's up to all of us."

Governor Lamont said, "The only way to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19 is by working together as states. We have shared interests, and a patchwork of closures and restrictions is not the best way forward. I know that because of this collaboration, we will save lives."

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Local bar and restaurant owners, email howard@thebatavian.com with the details of your delivery/pickup plans. Include the name of the business, hours of operation, link to a menu if available (or send us a PDF and we can host it for you), and phone number and we will include you in a post about local restaurants offering the service. 

Four Genesee Region USBC bowlers came "oh so close" to honor scores in league action last week.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Brady Weber of Perry rolled a 290 game on his way to a 730 series in the G&W Vending Tuesday night league, and Rob Husted of Bergen finished with a 278 game for a 793 series -- missing the coveted 800 by just seven pins -- in the Thursday Night Owls league.

At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Reid Cole of Albion had two big games -- 288 and 277 -- in a 784 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night league and at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, Geoff Harloff of Batavia spun a 290 game in a 714 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday Night league.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the page.

Announcement from Batavia City Schools:

Due to Genesee County declaring a countywide state of emergency, Batavia City School District will remain closed until further notice, including all school-based activities.

However, the District is taking steps to do whatever it can to support our students and our families during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

Our nutritional services department will be providing free “grab and go” breakfast and lunch bags for all students (and all household family members under the age of 18). These will be distributed each school day from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. by the entrance of all District building properties, including the Robert Morris building, as pictured and as described here:

• Jackson: Pick up will be from the loop in front of the building (via Jackson Street);
• JK: Pick up will be in the parent loop (Vine Street);
• MS: Pick up will be on the side of the building; Please enter via Walker Place;
• HS: Pick up will be from the loop in front of the school (State Street);
• RM: Bus loop on side of the building (Union Street).

If this arrangement for food distribution poses a challenge for your family, please call your child’s school’s main office. The number for all District offices is 343-2480, then add the appropriate extension for your school building as follows: Jax is ext. 4000, JK is ext. 5000, BMS is ext. 3000, BHS is ext. 2000).

In addition, the District is collaborating with community partners about additional resources regarding food distribution and will provide updates as they become available.

Instructional information for students is also being made available so that students can continue to engage in their studies as much as possible.

All students, K-12 will have access to materials through the COVID-19 tab on our website, or through this direct link. In addition, Jackson Primary and John Kennedy will be providing paper packets for K-4 students that will be distributed with the “grab and go” breakfast/lunch bags.

Please continue to check our Facebook page and website. We will be providing updates as they become available. In addition, if you have specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by email, the “Let’s Talk” app accessed through our website, or a phone call to the appropriate office or building.

For further guidance and recommendations for staying healthy and protecting yourself, your family, and others during this outbreak, please consult the attached document about "social distancing" as well as these helpful guidelines and information sources:

~ https://www.cdc.gov/coron…/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

~ https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

~ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

A brush fire is reported on Route 262 just east of Transit Road on the south side, Byron.

Byron, South Byron, and Stafford fire departments dispatched.

UPDATE 6:18 a.m.: A chief on scene reports all equipment can be held in quarters.

Evan Eckerson, Newstead Homes Kings, watches his slap shot sail into the net for a second-period goal against the Genesee Orthopedics Canadians in the Batavia Mens Hockey League championship Sunday morning at Falleti Ice Arena.

Eckerson's goal cut the Canadians' 2-0 lead in half and the Kings went on to win 4-3 to become the 2020 champions.

Bare Antolos and Jim Mohn were credited with an assist on Eckerson's goal. 

The winning goal was scored by Jim Ernst at 13:55 in the third period with assists from Eckerson and Antolos.

Paul Greean and Dan Eckerson also scored for the Kings.

Scoring for the Canadians were Adam Siedlecki, Nick Busch and Ryan Difilippo.

For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, with Genesee County locations in Batavia and Le Roy, are temporarily limiting hours of operation.

As we continue to do all we can to serve the needs of our customers, we will be changing our hours of operation from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to restock and continue to maintain the increased sanitation levels in our stores.

Stores that typically close earlier will maintain their existing hours of operation. These revised hours will be in effect until further notice.

For more information on these and other details re: COVID-19 updates, please visit our website.

From the Genesee County Office for the Aging:

All congregate (group) meal sites are cancelled at this time. Home-delivered meal service will continue.

Diana Fox, LCSW

Director-Genesee County Office for the Aging

This is a copy of an email I sent out earlier today to all the local business owners we have in our database, since that isn't everybody, and since emails are sometimes missed or misdelivered, I'm posting it to our home page to ensure all local business owners see it.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner:
 
I know from personal discussions that many local business owners are concerned about the local impact of COVID-19. Even if nobody in our community – and we certainly hope this is the case – ever contracts this coronavirus, the effort underway to contain the spread of the disease is already being felt in Genesee County.
 
The state has said all events and gatherings of 500 people or more should be canceled, other events should have attendance reduced by 50 percent, and restaurants and bars should restrict customer access to 50 percent of capacity.
 
That last restriction, enforceable by police, fire, and health officials, is of great concern to our local business owners and their employees.
 
The restrictions are understandable. The main goal of these policies is to keep our health care system from becoming overwhelmed, as has already happened in places like Iran and Italy and happened early on in China. When health care systems become overwhelmed, more people die and the virus spreads faster.
 
At the same time, lives also depend on healthy economies. People need to work. Businesses need to remain successful.
 
We are looking for ways to help the local business community. We’re going to continue to ask our readers, of course, to support first and foremost our locally owned businesses.
 
For locally-owned restaurants, we want to hear from you if you’re offering curbside pickup or delivery. We want to compile a list and publish it at no charge for our readers. Please email details to howard@thebatavian.com. Include business name, hours of pickup or delivery, location, and a link to an only menu if available. We will publish the list at no charge.
 
But also, to help promote these services we’re going to offer a discount on sponsored posts to businesses promoting curbside pickup and delivery. We’re taking $20 off the price of a sponsored post, making it $100. And to help increase and overlap exposure, we’ll boost that post on Facebook at no additional cost. For example, if you want to spend $50 to boost the post to our 19K followers on FB, we will only charge that $50 fee we pay to Facebook (no mark up).
 
If you’re interested, email howard@thebatavian.com.
 
And let me know any ideas you have for how The Batavian can help the local business community during this time.

Press release:

Described by some as one of the “hidden gems” of Genesee County, the Genesee County Fire Training Center will be the venue for several up-coming training programs designed for first responders.

The state-of-the-art facility is located at 7690 State Street Road in Batavia.

The Genesee County Office of Emergency Management staff member and training technician Gary Patnode, in conjunction with NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control, work together to offer programs that will enable firefighters the opportunity to develop, refresh and expand on their skills.

Through participation in training programs, students are presented the knowledge and skills to become confident, effective and efficient first responders ensuring their safety and the community they serve.

To register, contact the Genesee County Fire Training Center at 585-344-0078 or Jeanette.diehl@co.genesee.ny.us. Visit your local fire department to find out about volunteer opportunities.

The training programs listed below are scheduled to be held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center this spring.

Course Description / Dates / Times / Designed for; Prerequisite(s):

• Fire Officers Workshop -- March 16 -- 6 - 10 p.m. / All Department Officers
• HazMat  First Responder Ops – Annual Refresher* -- March 30 -- 6 - 10 p.m. / Prerequisites Required
• SKYWARN Training (National Weather Service) -- March 30 -- 7 - 9 p.m. / Open to the Public
• Emergency Vehicle Driver Training -- April 18 & 19 -- Visit GCOEM website for times / Emergency Vehicle Operator
• Firefighter II -- Begins April 1 -- Visit GCOEM website for times / Prerequisites Required
• Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response (I-200) -- April 22-23 -- 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. / IS-11C
• ICS for Major and/or Complex Incidents (I-400) -- March 12-13 -- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. / ICS-300
• Principles Instruction -- Begins April 14 -- Visit GCOEM website for times / Fire Service TrainingOfficers & Company Officers
• Rope Rescue – Technician Level II -- April 25 & 26, and May 2 & 3 -- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Rope Rescue – Tech Level I
• Fire Investigation for the Line Officer -- May 12 & 14 -- 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. / Fire Officers, Members in Charge, or Aspiring to Be
• Group Home & Disability Awareness for the Fire Service -- May 11 -- 7 - 10 p.m. / Fire Service Personnel, Code Enforcement Officials, EMTs

From Rochester Regional Health Chief Medical Officer Robert Mayo, M.D.

“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, Rochester Regional Health joins leading health systems around the world to proactively reschedule elective surgeries at all RRH facilities beginning Monday, March 16 and continuing through March 29. This time frame may change as we monitor developments surrounding COVID-19.

"Our decision, made in lockstep with our physician leaders across the health system, was guided by the recommendations of the American College of Surgeons and the United States Surgeon General. Patients are being contacted to reschedule their procedures to a later date. We are making every effort to make this rescheduling process as convenient for our patients as possible.

"This is one of many safeguards Rochester Regional Health is implementing in our ongoing effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to protect the health and safety of our team members and our patients."

Elba Volunteer Fire Department has canceled Bingo until further notice.

The Great Batavia Train Show scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at the Richard C. Call Arena at Genesee Community College has been canceled due to coronavirus restrictions intended to reduce crowds and the spread of the virus.

The fall show is scheduled at the venue on Sunday, Nov. 15.

For information about table availability for the fall show, contact the Genesee Society of Model Engineers:   bataviatrainshow@gsme.org

Visit their website here.