Press release:  

Le Roy Central School District has made the decision to postpone our musical performances of "Into the Woods" for tonight and tomorrow (March 13 and 14).

If you have purchased tickets, please hold on to them as we hope to hold the shows in the future. For those of you who might seek refunds, further information will be communicated in the future.

Our production will stage a closed dress rehearsal tonight for Stars of Tomorrow Judges ONLY.

Tim McArdle, Principal, Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School

A car is on fire in the driveway at 8480 Peachey Road in Bergen. It is about 25 feet from the house. Bergen Fire Department is responding, The location is between North Lake Road and Kendall Road.

Press release:

Northgate Free Methodist Church has been closely monitoring the potential impact of COVID-19 and is following current recommendations from the CDC, local health departments / government officials and the most recent guidelines from NY Governor Andrew Cuomo.

After days of careful consideration, prayer and discussion between Northgate’s Management Team, we have come to the following conclusion: In cooperation with those trying to keep our surrounding communities safe, we are canceling all in-person worship services, including activities for children and students this weekend.

Small groups, due to the size restrictions set forth by the government, will be allowed to meet at their personal discretion, offsite.

Because we value gathering together as a community of believers, we are encouraging the community to join us online on our Facebook Live feed for worship on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock.

That recorded service will then be available at any time to be used for personal worship time this Sunday. The recorded worship service will also be posted for viewing on our website at northgatefmc.com.

Please invite people to join in with us as you would on any given Saturday or Sunday. News updates will be made available at northgatefmc.com/news

Plans for next week and the weeks ahead remain fluid at this time. We will be evaluating the circumstances day to day and will keep the community abreast of the details as they become available.

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has postponed their seventh annual Home Show due to Governor Cuomo’s coronavirus ban on gatherings of 500 or more people. The Home Show was scheduled for April 3-5 at the Falleti Ice Arena.

The Chamber plans on postponing the Home Show until later this year at a time when the pandemic ban is lifted. 

“The purpose of our Home Show has always been to put our area businesses in front of as many potential customers as possible,” said Chamber President Tom Turnbull. “We are trying hard to come up with ways to do just that during these extraordinary times.”

A pole and wires are down on the South Byron Post Office building, which has been evacuated. It's at 7545 Byron Holley Road. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding. There is no smoke or fire.

Press release:

Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) school districts are collaborating and communicating on a daily basis to review best practices and guidance in order to strategize the best path forward in our response to the COVID-19 situation.

Our local health departments and medical professionals are essential partners in our collaboration and decision-making process.  

Even though information related to the situation is changing rapidly, all GVEP districts count student safety as our top priority. Our district teams are acting based on the latest guidance from local, regional, and New York State Departments of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and the New York State Education Department in addition to reviewing their local emergency response plans.

Our collaboration on a regional level informs the decision-making on the district level. Each district may make decisions related to events and school trips based on factors unique to their schools and community yet all districts have student health and safety as our top priority.

We appreciate your continuous support and patience as we navigate this situation.

Kevin MacDonald, District Superintendent -- Genesee Valley Educational Partnership

Ken Ellison, Chairman -- Genesee Valley Chief School Officers Association            

Genesee County Schools

• Alexander Central School, 3314 Buffalo St., Alexander, NY  14005
• Batavia City Schools, 260 State St., Batavia, NY  14020
• Byron-Bergen Central School, 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen, NY  14416
• Elba Central School, 57 S. Main St., Elba, NY 14058
• Le Roy Central School, 2-6 Trigon Park, Le Roy, NY  14482
• Oakfield-Alabama Central School, 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY  14125
• Pavilion Central School, 7014 Big Tree Road, Pavilion, NY  14525
• Pembroke Central School, P.O. Box 308, Corfu, NY  14036

Submitted photo and press release:

Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club members recently participated in the Finger Lakes Regional 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest.

The contest tested their knowledge of the dairy industry, dairy products, farming, government, and bovine anatomy.

There were several rounds of competition. Youths were given individual questions, followed by team questions where they could work as a group to answer. Each round ended with toss-up questions where the quickest participant to buzz in was given the chance to answer.  

Beginner Division Results

• Team: Genesee/Wayne/Seneca – First-place Team

Members: Tate Zuber – Eighth-place Individual (Genesee), Connor Schultz, Julianna Smith, and Josiah Freier (Wayne/Seneca)

• Team: Genesee/Cayuga – Second-place Team

Members:  Chase Zuber – Sixth-place Individual (Genesee), Sam Patterson, Austin Hunter, and Katherine Atherton (Cayuga)

Junior Division Results

• Team: Genesee/Monroe – First-place Team

Members: Bing Zuber – Sixth-place Individual (Genesee), Justin Deleo – Seventh-place Individual (Genesee), and Owen Avedisian (Monroe)

Other Genesee County Junior Participants: Mason Werth, Maggie Winspear, and Jillian Brewer.

Senior Division Results

• Team: Genesee/Seneca –  Third-place Team

Members: Amelia Brewer (Genesee), Ian Keberle – Sixth-place Individual (Genesee), and Dale Freier (Seneca)

Photo: Genesee County 4-H Dairy Bowl participants, back row from left -- Ian Keberle, Mason Werth, Jillian Brewer, Maggie Winspear, Amelia Brewer; front row from left -- Chase Zuber, Bing Zuber, Tate Zuber, Justin Deleo.

March13: Closures, cancellations and postponements announced March 13 as precautionary measures to prevent the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19):

• East Bethany Presbyterian Church has been closely monitoring the potential impact of COVID-19 and is following current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Health Department. After days of prayer and discussion between the church’s governing board (the Session) and our pastor, Rev. Erin Schubmehl Jacobson, and following the recommendations of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, we are canceling in-person worship services, including church school through March 27^th. We will continue to update the church community on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ebpresbyterian/) and our website (http://ebpresbyterian.blogspot.com/).

• Le Roy Central School District has made the decision to postpone our musical performances of "Into the Woods" for tonight and tomorrow (March 13 and 14). If you have purchased tickets, please hold on to them as we hope to hold the shows in the future. For those of you who might seek refunds, further information will be communicated in the future. (Our production will stage a closed dress rehearsal tonight for Stars of Tomorrow Judges ONLY.)

• The Genesee County Office for the Aging has suspended all recreational programs at this time. Those seeking services are requested to call for an appointment 343-1611.

• Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia is canceling all in-person worship services, including activities for children and students this weekend (March 14-15). Small groups, due to the size restrictions set forth by the government, will be allowed to meet at their personal discretion, offsite. We are encouraging the community to join us online on our Facebook Live feed for worship on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock. The recorded worship service will also be posted for viewing on the church website. News updates will be made available here.

• The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has postponed its seventh annual Home Show due to Governor Cuomo’s coronavirus ban on gatherings of 500 or more people. The Home Show was scheduled for April 3-5 at the Falleti Ice Arena. The Chamber plans to hold the show later this year, at a time when the pandemic ban is lifted. “The purpose of our Home Show has always been to put our area businesses in front of as many potential customers as possible,” said Chamber President Tom Turnbull.  “We are trying hard to come up with ways to do just that during these extraordinary times.”

• ​Museum Quilt Guild is cancelling its March 21 meeting and Community Service Day. This is normally held at the Batavia VA Center in the auditorium.

• The Volunteers for Animals Spay-ghetti Dinner fundraising dinner at Notre Dame High School scheduled for Saturday, March 14, has been postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

• The Batavia City School District Foundation Inc. is postponing its debut Alumni Pep Rally that was scehduled for March 29 at Eli Fish Brewing Co. A new date will be determined in the future.

• Due to the recent health concerns, the 14th Annual Antique Show and Sale sponsored by the Holland Land Office Museum, which was to take place at Genesee Community College on April 17th and 18th, has been postponed. We are currently working with GCC to find a new date in the fall.

A lot of local residents had the same idea today -- stocking up for supplies at BJ's Wholesale Club in Batavia.

At about 5 p.m., the parking lot was full and lines at the registers were 10 or 12 people deep. Most shopping carts were full. There were empty shelves in the water and paper-products aisles.  

We spoke to several customers and most declined to be interviewed on camera. At least six of them with shopping carts brimming with household essentials said they were just doing their regular shopping. Some said they were stocking up but didn't want to be interviewed.

The video includes: customer Brian Odachowski who was stocking up; Legislator Gregg Torrey, who was more concerned about making sure the household supplies are ready because he and his wife are expecting a baby soon, and he spoke mainly about the county's response; and Jack Kershner who said he thinks CORVID-19 concerns are overblown.

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Press release:

To our Genesee County friends and family -- our country continues to navigate this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. While we have all seen numerous events and schools canceled or postponed, our team of funeral professionals are committed to providing dignified and meaningful services to our communities with the same level of excellence that you have come to know.

The most important part of any remembrance event has been and always will be the people who gather, remember, and provide support. We ask that if you visit with families and guests please use caution and practice safe hygiene.

All our currently scheduled public services will proceed unless Federal, State, County, or Municipal ordinances deem it unsafe. As difficult of a decision as it may be, we will promptly advise our communities if we must suspend and delay services or restrict guests to family only.

If you are uncomfortable or unable to attend a remembrance event, please know we have the technology to record and stream the service.

We as funeral professionals are prepared to be there for you in life's most difficult situations. Just as the many funeral professionals before us that have been on battlefields, accidents, bedsides, and hospital beds, we will be there when you call, ready to serve you, and honor your loved one.

Yours in Service,

Justin, Josh, Randy, Steve, and Jim
H.E Turner & Co., Inc. ~ Bohm-Calarco-Smith. ~ Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes

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. The City will continue to clean all facilities and wipe down all “high-touch” surfaces during the day to keep residents and staff healthy and safe.                                                  

• The City has issued a ban on all nonessential training travel for personnel, however personnel are encouraged to participate in online training when available. 
• All City meeting facilities and conference rooms will be closed for external bookings and meetings at this time until further notice. 
• City staff is directed to attend meetings via conference call when able and reduce contact with colleagues and professional service vendors.
• The City Management will be attending daily internal briefings to assess readiness and stay up to date on the latest developments.
• The City and the County Manager and emergency personnel and other public organizations continue to coordinate with each other to keep information flowing.    

For residents and customers of the City, we encourage you to continue to use common sense, and when possible conduct your business via phone and email especially if you have flu-like symptoms.

The City has multiple options for you to pay your bills and is happy to speak to you via phone (585) 345-6300 and press 5.  Also, you may email by going to the City website under the contact us link if you have any questions.  

Residents who need to pay utility bills, taxes, parking tickets, and other miscellaneous bills are encouraged to use the dropbox outside of City Hall, pay through personal online banking, call with a credit card number (fee will apply), or mail your payment. 

If you need a dog license, hunting/fishing license, birth, death or marriage certificate/license we encourage you to plan ahead.  We may be able to process your application via email or fax.

You can also obtain information from the Frequently Asked Questions section on the City Clerk’s Page. You can prepare your documents in advance of your trip to the Clerk’s Office so you only need to come in once.

Visit the City Clerk’s webpage for application instructions for the following documents:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Death certificate

A visit to the City Clerk’s is still required for the following:

• Marriage license
• Dog license
• Hunting/Fishing license

All official updates on Coronavirus will continue to come from the Genesee County Health Department and you can stay up to date by visiting the County’s website.

Press release:

In collaboration with the Monroe County Health Department, all Monroe County hospitals, including Rochester General and Unity Hospital are implementing enhanced visitor restrictions and visitor screenings beginning Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m.

Rochester Regional Health is extending the enhanced visitor restrictions and visitor screenings to all RRH facilities, including all RRH hospitals and long-term care facilities within and outside of Monroe County.

Access to RRH facilities will be limited to designated entrances only and they will be staffed to screen visitors at arrival.

Visitor Restrictions and Visitor Screening Details:

• Visitors will be asked upon arrival if they are experiencing a cough, fever or shortness of breath.
  • Patients with a previously scheduled hospital appointment who exhibit symptoms will be provided a mask and asked to notify the department their appointment is with prior to entering.
  • Visitors with symptoms will be asked to leave the hospital/facility and advised to call their primary care provider.
  • Visitors with symptoms who are requesting to see end-of-life patients will be provided a mask and allowed to see their family member/friend.
• SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES: No visitors will be permitted to visit our skilled nursing facilities until further notice.
• VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS: All RRH volunteer programs are placed on hold until further notice.

For more information about COVID-19, click here.

From Chris Watson, director of Communications, New York State Public High School Athletic Association, 3/12/20:

Latham -- The New York State Public High School Athletic Assocation winter regional and state championships will be postponed indefinitely.

It is certainly understood that postponing the remaining winter state championships is disappointing, however the opportunity to participate in a NYSPHSAA championship event does not outweigh our responsibility and obligation to ensure students participate in a healthy and safe environment.

The impacted events include the NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey, Bowling, Boys and Girls Basketball Regional and State Championships. 

NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas said “It was my goal to complete the winter championships on schedule. It has become increasingly more difficult to host these championship events with the number of challenges that have been presented.

"I also have concerns as the Executive Director of NYSPHSAA and a parent, that students will be participating in an event under circumstances that are not conducive to a quality and beneficial participation experience.”

As information becomes available NYSPHSAA will provide updates.

A 23-year-old man who went on a crime spree in Batavia in January while awaiting sentencing on a prior conviction was in Genesee County Court today to plead guilty to attempted robbery and three other charges.

He was originally scheduled to be sentenced today on his Dec. 5 guilty plea to a charge of criminal possession of stolen property.

Today, Daniel Jon Lewis, who has been a resident of Lima, admitted to using a knife to try and rob a person on Bank Street in Batavia on Jan. 1.

He also admitted: to stealing a 2015 Chevy Silverado from a location on Clinton Street Road on Jan. 2; to stealing a 2008 Dodge Caliber from a location on Creek Road on Jan. 3; to stealing a credit card and debit card. He admitted to three counts of grand larceny.

The admission could satisfy all of Lewis's other pending charges, including charges of theft and possession of stolen property in the City of Batavia, Town of Batavia, and Town of Stafford. Among those charges is an accusation that Lewis stole a Spectrum work truck on Jan. 25 and led police on a chase that resulted in property damage to fences and other vehicles on property along Oak Street.

As part of the plea, Lewis agreed to waive his right to appeal on most issues, although he could potentially appeal related to his conviction and sentence. If he doesn't file an appeal within 45 days of his sentence, the other pending charges will be dismissed.

Lewis is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail on the robbery charge. He appeared in court today with his hands cuffed, in an orange jumpsuit and his long hair in a bun.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on his prior conviction as well as his conviction today on April 9 at 10:15 a.m. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has just put out a comprehensive FAQs for employers from the national law firm of Fisher Phillips regarding COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

According to the law firm, which has 36 offices in major U.S. cities, it has assembled a cross-disciplinary task force of attorneys across the country to address the many employment-related issues facing employers in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus – especially now that the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak as a pandemic.

The COVID-19 Task Force has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which has been completely updated as of today, March 12, to address the many additional workplace law rights and responsibilities given the pandemic designation.

Here's the link.

Closures and cancellations announced March 12 as precautionary measures to prevent the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19):

• This weekend's Batavia Indoor Soccer Tournament, March 14th and 15th, is cancelled according to Jim Dillon.

• The New York State Public High School Athletic Assocation winter regional and state championships will be postponed indefinitely.

• Takeout only for Lenten Fish Fries on Fridays at St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia -- no dining in for remainder of Lenten season (through April 3).

• Le Roy Village Green takes the threat of COVID-19 very seriously and has been taking proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff. We are following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Centers of Medicaid and Medicare and our Local Health Department and have implemented visitor restrictions and screens for staff and essential visitors. It is essential that anyone who potentially carries the virus does not enter our facility. Our commitment is to protect our residents and employees to keep them safe and healthy.
• Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation has banned visiting through 3-25-2020.
• Genesee Community College cancelled today's Tech Wars; Classes will not be held on March 16th, 17th, or 18th; Classes will resume via remote delivery on Thursday, March 19th, and continue through the end of the semester.
• Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. has suspended all inmate visitation at the Genesee County Jail, effective Friday, March 13, until further notice.
• The Alabama-Oakfield Senior Lunch Group – "We’ve Only Just Begun" – has canceled monthly meetings until further notice. The scheduled April 27th bus trip to Orleans County is also cancelled.

By Samantha Stryker, Adult & Community Services librarian, Richmond Memorial Library.

April 1 is Census Day, and Richmond Memorial Library is taking steps to make it easier for the community to participate. 

For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau is offering and encouraging the option to complete the Census online. Beginning in mid-March, most households will receive a postcard with a code to complete the Census online, with options to complete the Census by phone or to request a paper form.

Any library user with a valid library card can use a computer at the library to securely complete the Census.

To obtain a library card, bring photo ID with proof of current address to the library. Lost your card? No problem! The library will waive the $1 replacement card fee during the months of March and April to increase access to computers.  

The library will have a dedicated phone and computer terminal for use by anyone wishing to complete the Census. Librarians can offer assistance in locating the online portal and will help patrons contact the Census Bureau by phone to complete the Census or request a paper form. 

The paper form will be available in English and Spanish.

In addition to English, Census questionnaire assistance will be available in 12 languages: Arabic, Chinese [Simplified], French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The Census Bureau is also providing language guides in 59 non-English languages.

When you participate in the Census, you are contributing toward a more complete count for the Genesee County region.

A complete count helps the appropriate amount of federal funds to be dispersed, which includes everything from money for infrastructure to agriculture to health care to education. Congressional representation in Washington, D.C., is also determined by Census data.

“Every missed count equates to $30,000 lost in regional funding per person,” said Genesee County Complete Count Chair and County Legislator Shelley Stein. “We appreciate the initiatives by Richmond Memorial Library and other community partners to help ensure a complete count.”

Complete Count Committees have been established all over the country to help encourage full participation, and Genesee County is no exception.

"We were invited to participate in Genesee County's Complete Count Committee when it formed," said library Director Bob Conrad. "Many agencies agreed to help just by spreading the word to their users that the Census is safe, secure, and mandatory to take.

"But libraries play a dual role, actually offering the technology and assistance that some people may need to participate. When these other agencies refer people to us, we want them to be able to take the Census, and to discover what else the library has to offer, whether it's the first time they've ever set foot in one, or the first time since losing their card."

For more information about the Census, visit census.gov or stop by the library! For information about the library, visit batavialibrary.org. 

Richmond Memorial Library continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment.

Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Submitted photo: Library Director Bob Conrad, right, shows Genesee County Legislator and Complete Count Chair Shelley Stein the "Census station" at Richmond Memorial Library. The library has a phone and computer terminal dedicated solely for use by those wishing to complete the Census.