WBTA interview on Main & Center about the local impact of coronavirus hosted by Dan Fischer and with Dan Ireland, CEO of UMMC; Mari Hamilton, public health educator with the Genesee County Health Department; and Kristine Voos, epidemiology coordinator with the health department.

Calling the COVID-19 pandemic an “unprecedented and rapidly evolving event,” the public health director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments this afternoon reported that while there are no confirmed cases of the virus in either county, local officials are ramping up efforts to gather testing kits and to set up drive-thru screening sites.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Old County Courthouse in Batavia, Paul A. Pettit (inset photo below, left) said seven people in Genesee County are under a “precautionary” quarantine and three people in Orleans County are under “mandatory” quarantine – steps that are taken to monitor their conditions over a 14-day period and to make sure they do not get symptoms associated with the virus, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Pettit said that contrary to rumors, no one in the two counties has come down with the virus – which he said has a fatality rate 10 times that of influenza – but that his department will be notified by hospitals should that occur. He also pointed residents to go to the health department’s website for accurate information.

He admitted that the health department currently has no “swabbing kits” for testing – “we’re working to get some,” he said – but they are available in the community (through primary care providers, for example).

Officials in both Genesee and Orleans have declared states of emergency, which will extend for a minimum of 30 days, Pettit said, and “have moved forward with the closing down of schools.”

He also mentioned Gov. Cuomo’s directive that restaurants, bars, casinos and other social and recreational venues would be required to close after 8 o'clock tonight, advising consumers that restaurants will be offering carry-out and take-out options.

Regarding testing for the virus, Pettit said that county leaders are looking to set up drive-through sites (specific locations have yet to be identified) to screen “the most vulnerable – seniors and those with immune-compromised health issues.”

“If you’re sick, stay home; that’s the best thing you can do,” he said. “Wash your hands frequently and (practice) social distancing. It is best to implement this before we have a case. Spread out and practice social distancing – even if it seems extreme and unnecessary. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can weather this thing together.”

Responding to a question about the difference between COVID-19 and the flu, Pettit said that it hits seniors and “compromised” folks very hard.

“The hardest hitting was in the Wuhan province (China) where 3 to 5 percent was the death rate,” he said. “That makes us nervous on the public health side.”

Pettit also said the virus can stay in the air for three hours and said it was important to wipe down countertops and door knobs as it can linger on surfaces for quite some time.

“We need to flatten the curve,” he said. “We want to push out the number of cases and slow it down” so it doesn’t overwhelm the health care system.

Tim Yaeger, coordinator of the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services, said that his agency along with the Orleans County office, will be supporting the health care system as “services need to be maintained.”

“You may see tempered responses,” he said, advising people to use the 9-1-1 system only if it’s a true emergency.

Genesee County Clerk Michael Cianfrini said he is putting measures in place to limit the number of people looking to complete transactions at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Batavia.

“We’re very short-staffed as it is, with only two cashiers and one trainee,” he said, “and we had lines out the doors, which goes against all advice we have said regarding social distancing and it exposes our staff.”

Cianfrini said as of tomorrow, less than 10 people will be allowed in the DMV lobby at one time – the overflow will have to wait outside – and that a sheriff’s deputy will be there to monitor the situation.

“Unless it is absolutely necessary, don’t come into the office,” he said. “My main concern is the safety and health of my staff.”

Batavia City Manager Martin Moore said the City Clerk’s office will be “closed (for walk-ins) for the foreseeable future” and advised people to use the telephone or go online.

“Most people are very good and are stepping up, but a few have been coughing and hacking,” he said. “So out of caution for the employees, the door will be locked if you try to come in that door.”

He also said the protocol will be modified for those attempting to enter the police station and that Falleti Ice Arena will be closing today, also for the foreseeable future.

Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell said that although Genesee County Park in Bethany and the DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia will be closed, he and his staff are committed to maintaining the county workforce’s “semblance of continuity going forward.”

Gsell said press updates will take place at 4 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse from Monday through Friday until circumstances warrant otherwise.

For more about the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-888-364-3065 (NYS hotline). Those experiencing anxiety or mental health issues due to the crisis are advised to call 585-283-5200.

Top photo -- Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron, County Clerk Michael Cianfrini, City Manager Martin Moore, County Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein, Public Health Director Paul Pettit, Orleans County Emergency Management Director Dale Banker, Genesee County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

The City of Batavia is taking all reasonable precautions to keep City employees and residents safe from contracting and spreading the flu and coronavirus.

To this end, the City of Batavia is announcing that the Clerk’s Office, located at One Batavia City Centre -- inside City Hall -- will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16^th at 4:30 p.m. until further notice.

The City has multiple options to assist you, and is happy to speak to you via phone and/or email if you have any questions. To contact the City Clerk’s Office please call (585) 345-6305, opt 5, opt 1.

Residents who need to make a payment to the City can use the drobox outside of City Hall, pay through personal online banking, call with a credit card numbers, and have the option to mail checks.

Residents and customers looking to visit the City Manager’s Office and the Office of Public Works (building inspections and permits) are asked to call in advance before visiting the facility. Inspections can be reached at (585) 345-6345 and the City Manager’s Office can be reached at (585) 345-6330

The Falleti Ice Arena on Evans Street will also close until further notice -- effective Tuesday March 17^th at 7 a.m.

A smoke detector is sounding in the stockroom of CVS drug store on West Main Street, Batavia. City fire is responding.

Press release:

In accordance with a directive given by Governor Cuomo, Batavia Downs Gaming and all off-track betting branches will be closed for business as of 8 o'clock tonight, Monday, March 16th.

The health and wellness of our guests and staff is our top priority and has been throughout this entire process as we have continued to work alongside our State and local governments as well as the New York Gaming Commission.

We will provide an update when the gaming floor and branches will reopen, taking into account guidance from the State’s public health authorities as soon as it is received.

Guests can continue to monitor our website and Facebook for any questions they may have.

We ask that you please follow the directives given by the government to help prevent the spread of the virus. We wish you and your family our best at this time.

A field fire is reported at 1611 Main Road in East Pembroke. East Pembroke and Corfu fire departments are responding. The location is between Boyce and Cleveland roads.

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: Town of Batavia, Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched as mutual aid to fight the grass fire.

Prattsburgh – Empire Access is now offering two months of free internet service to families with students who do not currently have internet at home.

Starting today, households with K-12 and/or college students can sign up for two months of free Empire Access Internet service with Wi-Fi. There are no contracts required for this service, and installation is free.

“As a locally owned and operated broadband company, we recognize the need for students to have internet access at home during their time away from school due to the impacts of the coronavirus," said Jim Baase, COO of Empire Access. "We are here for our communities, and ready to help families and students during this challenging time."

To sign up for this free internet service, families can call 844-502-7089. The Empire Access call center is open 24/7.

This service includes Empire Access standard internet speeds and is available only in existing Empire Access service areas. After two months of free service, standard rates will apply. 

Empire is also reaching out to local school districts to help ensure students without broadband service have the necessary internet access to continue their education.

Empire Access is part of a locally/family-owned and operated company; rooted from a telephone company founded in 1896. The organization has long been recognized for their knowledgeable, reliable and responsive service. Live customer support is available 24/7/365.

About Empire Access

After starting in 1896 with one telephone line in Prattsburgh, NY, Empire Access has grown significantly as a family-owned, locally based communications provider serving large areas of Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Today’s Empire offers a wide range of products and services from basic phone service to customized phone solutions, scalable high-speed Fiber Optic Internet, basic to enhanced digital TV service and advanced security solutions. Responding to a variety of business and consumer needs, Empire continues to expand into new areas while retaining a strong focus on local, personalized customer service.

Empire Access offers Fiber Optic service in Arkport, Batavia, Bath, Big Flats, Burdett, Canandaigua, Canisteo, Corning, Dansville, Elmira, Elmira Heights, Geneseo, Geneva, Hammondsport, Hornell, Le Roy, Montour Falls, Mount Morris, Naples, North Hornell, Odessa, Prattsburgh, Penn Yan, Victor, Warsaw, Watkins Glen, and Waverly in New York and Sayre, Athens, South Waverly and Troy in Pennsylvania. The company’s Website can be found here.

Interview with Anibal Soler Jr., superintendent, Batavia City Schools.

If you can't view the video stream directly on our home page, click here.

From Genesee County Board of Elections
Lorie Longhany and Dick Siebert

We realize there is great uncertainty concerning COVID-19 and how the spread of the coronavirus, the National Emergency and new State directives may affect the April 28^th Special Election for Congress, the Presidential Primary and the nine days of Early Voting.

We at the Genesee County Board of Elections will communicate any changes so voters will be aware as soon as we are informed by the State Board of Elections. Understand that this situation is fluid and so are the changes that may precipitate as the days go on.

The Genesee County Interagency Council is canceling its March membership meeting on Wednesday, March 18 in response to COVID-19.

Please send any updates especially those pertaining to services continuing to be offered to our community to Chelsea Elliott, vice president, at Chelsea.Elliott@co.genesee.ny.us.

Stay well everyone!

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus), the following preemptive action is effective as of 5 p.m. today, March 16th:

The Darien Town Hall will be closed to outside groups and functions until at least April 1.

Per NYS Office of Court Administration, Court operations are suspended for no less than 45 days.

Board meetings will not be affected at this time.

Please call the Town Clerk's office at 585-547-2274, ext. 1026, with questions regarding other services.

Thank you,

Alice Calmes, Darien Town Clerk

10569 Alleghany Road, Darien, NY 14040

585-547-2274, ext. 1026

Fax: 585-547-3331

Press release:

The Salvation Army has significantly increased its preparation for operations during this outbreak of the novel coronavirus as well as ramping up efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The Salvation Army is taking unprecedented measures to make sure it keeps its doors open and continues to serve those in need.

Locally in order to do this we have made some temporary changes. We have suspended all programing including Monday evening Bible study, Tuesday luncheons, and Wednesday evening Youth activities.

Our Mobile Pantry food distribution scheduled for Wednesday, April 1^st has been cancelled.

Our Emergency Food Pantry will be available by calling our office at (585)343-6284. Our Emergency Disaster Services team has made itself available to the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management if they are needed.

Major Ivan Rock, the commander of the Empire State Division, says The Salvation Army will continue to do everything possible to provide for those in need.

“People have turned to The Salvation Army in times of crisis for 155 years,” Rock said.

We emphasize that these changes are temporary and look forward to returning to a regular schedule.

Kyle A. Scheuerlein, 27, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with: criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree; and second-degree attempted assault. At 8:48 p.m. on March 8, Scheuerlein was arrested after a domestic incident at an apartment in the 300 block of Washington Avenue in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and is due back there on March 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Taylor L. Finnin, 27, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and trespass. Finnin was arrested March 12 on a warrant out of Batavia City Court following an investigation into an alleged violation of an order of protection on Nov. 27 on South Main Street in Batavia. He was put in jail with (unspecified) bail. He was due to return to city court March 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert.

Taylor L. Finnin, 27, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court while outside on Swan Street in Batavia on March 12. The warrant was issued after the defendant allegedly failed to comply with a court-ordered program on Nov. 20. Finnin was put in jail with (unspecified) bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Karisa L. McKeown, 25, of Pavilion, is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more, and moving from lane unsafely. At 4:56 p.m. on Feb. 29, Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies responded to a one-car accident with injuries on Silver Lake Road in the Town of Covington. When deputies arrived, they observed Pavilion Fire Department treating a patient with minor injuries. Upon further investigation, McKeown was identified as the driver. The vehicle was traveling southbound when it left the roadway, striking a mailbox and a tree, before coming to rest in the bushes in front of a residence. She was transported to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Officer where a Datamaster breath test was administered. She was released with appearance tickets and is due in Town of Covington Court at a later date (unspecified). The case was handled by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Harding, assisted by Deputy Chance Sampson.

Eric Francis Borowski, 30, of Fontaine Drive, Buffalo, is charged with two counts of second-degree harassment. He was arrested on March 15 following a complaint at 4 p.m. March 11 on Alleghany Road in Darien. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Darien Town Court on April 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Carrie L. Hensley, 42, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On March 11, Hensley was arrested after a shoplifting complaint at the Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia. She was released with an appearance ticket for March 24 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Press release:

Consistent with precautions that are being initiated throughout the country to combat the spread of the coronavirus, Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. is requesting the public’s assistance in limiting walk-in traffic to the Sheriff’s Office located at 165 Park Road, Batavia.

Records Division: please direct all requests for copies of reports, including accident reports, and background checks by phone (585-345-3000, ext. 3560),

fax (585-345-3089), email (Sheriff.Civil@co.genesee.ny.us) or online at https://co.genesee.ny.us/departments/sheriff/records.php

Your request will be responded to in an electronic format or by U.S. Mail.  

Civil Division: please direct questions regarding payments, service of process, evictions and judgement payments by phone (585-345-3000, ext. 3565), fax (585-345-3089), or e-mail (sheriff.civil@co.genesee.ny.us). Civil payments can be made online at https://co.genesee.ny.us/departments/sheriff/civil.php

Animal Shelter: all business (including animal adoptions and turn-ins) will be conducted by appointment only. Please call 585-343-6410.

Deputies and Investigators: in order to practice social distancing, where appropriate, complaints will be handled via phone (585-345-3000) or by electronic means. When responding to a resident’s home for a complaint, if possible, we are asking that conversations be conducted outside your home rather than inside.

As always, please dial 9-1-1 when you are in need of emergency assistance.

Genesee County Jail: visitation continues to be suspended until further notice.  

The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated as we all work through this pandemic situation.

Public Notice

All Town meetings for the Town of Bethany are postponed until further notice. The Bethany Town Court has suspended operations until Tuesday, May 5^th at 7 p.m.

Carl L Hyde Jr., Bethany Town Supervisor

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.