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With no live gigs to play, Le Roy's Justin Williams has been using his time at home to write some instrumental tracks. Today he released "July Morning."

The song was mixed by Joe Lambert, of Batavia.

Williams said the song is inspired by the need to have a bright spot in our daily lives in these times.

"I've written several instrumentals during these strange times," Williams said. "It just felt natural during these divisive times to let the music do the talking. The video was fun to make as well. More on the way. Just gonna keep releasing as singles for now. May put out as an EP at the end of the year."

Williams is a singer/songwriter/lead guitarist and he has released music with Butterscotch, Exit 47, and a pair of solo EPs, as well as playing on other artists' albums (BC Psychos, JJ Lang Band, among others). Additionally, he has written music for advertising (Ryan Heating and Plumbing, The YNGodess Shop, among others). Typically, he can be found performing with Justin Williams & Forward Progress, The Shaking Bones, as a solo acoustic performer, and occasionally with The BC Psychos.

Since we are currently not in ordinary times, you can find Justin and Laura Williams performing on Tuesday evenings at 7 on the Justin Williams and Forward Progress Facebook page.

Press release:

New York Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization, unveiled the results of a member survey that found 65 percent of the state’s farms and agribusinesses have been negatively impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 500 NYFB members participated in the informal survey conducted in mid-June that asked a dozen wide-ranging questions about the rural economy, health and safety of farm families and their employees as well as access to necessary personal protective equipment (PPEs). Respondents also described how they were personally affected.

Here are some key findings:

• 43 percent of farms have lost sales during the pandemic.
• More than a third of farms and agribusinesses (37 percent) are experiencing cash flow issues.
• Almost half (47 percent) say they have reduced spending to local vendors and suppliers or will do so in the future.
• An overwhelming majority of farms (84 percent) have a plan in place to train and assist their employees to mitigate the spread of the virus.
• 46 percent of respondents say they are concerned about their mental health or that of someone they know.

“What we found with this survey is that no farm was untouched by the pandemic or the economic fallout,” said New York Farm Bureau president, David Fisher. “All of this underscores the need to continue to invest in our food system while also making health and safety a priority.

"Farmers are doing their best to make sure food production doesn’t stop, but we need to maintain the ability to process, distribute and market what we produce. As the state and federal governments look toward potential budget cuts and additional COVID-19 assistance, agriculture must be a part of the discussion. It really does take all of us working together to have a strong, sustainable food system that supports the farm community and feeds yours.”

Press release:

Chris Jacobs was sworn into the United States House of Representatives today at 10 a.m. on the House Floor by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Jacobs assumes New York’s 27th Congressional District seat.

“Our district has been without representation and leadership for far too long – today that finally ends and the people of NY-27 have representation again. I am deeply grateful and honored that the voters have put their trust in me, and I am eager to get to work fighting for them and their needs in Congress,” Jacobs said.

“Whether it is fighting for our region's small businesses, or supporting our great family farms, or working to update infrastructure and rural broadband access -- I promise to serve this district with honor and integrity. I care deeply about our Western New York Community, and I look forward to helping our region reach its full potential,” Jacobs said.

A 40-year-old Alexander resident is facing federal charges for allegedly producing child pornography.

Christopher Brown is facing up to 15 years in prison.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, in April 2020, a law enforcement officer working online undercover discovered a sexually explicit video, which included a prepubescent female who appeared to be between 9 and 11 years old.

The IP address was traced to the defendant’s Dodgeson Road residence in Alexander. On July 17, a federal search warrant was executed at the residence. Investigators seized several items, including three cellular telephones and a computer. In addition, a DVD was recovered that contained explicit video of child pornography that he allegedly produced.

Investigators also reportedly recovered four firearms, including two rifles, two pistols and ammunition.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being detained.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Press release:

• Genesee County received three new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 243 positive cases.
  • The positive individuals reside in Batavia, Bergen and Corfu.
  • Two of the positive individuals are younger than 20 and one is in their 50s.
  • The positive individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • One of the previous community positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Fifty-one new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • No individuals are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19, maintaining a total of 271 positive cases.
  • The positive individuals reside in Ridgeway and Murray.
  • Both of the positive individuals are in their 30s.
  • The positive individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

• Thirteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
• Three 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.

Paul Grazioplene, owner of Extreme Streetwear in Batavia, was among the vendors Sunday in the Batavia Downs parking lot for a craft show and flea market. A couple of dozen vendors set up booths for the event.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.20, which is the same as a week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.89. The New York State average is $2.27 – a penny higher than last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.89.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.23 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.21 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.18 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.23 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.30 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.20 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.28 (no change since last week)

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline supplies are down. As supplies tighten, pump prices could continue to rise, depending on demand.

With New Yorkers taking road trips within the state to avoid a quarantine, demand within the state is up and that is reflected in this week’s gas prices.

Analysts suspect that decreasing crude stocks could mean that crude production is beginning to meet demand and could reduce price volatility, as coronavirus outbreaks continue to grow worldwide.

From GasBuddy:

"Similar to watching the Cubs game last night with a quiet and empty stadium, gasoline prices have been quiet last week as markets await the next chapter in the coronavirus situation," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"As cases continue to rise, the likelihood rises that gas prices will stabilize and demand may continue to see small decreases, which is the name of the game behind gas prices.

"I wouldn't expect much movement until we either see more states being impacted again or we see cases start to drop, either one would provide clarity to where we stand now. For now, motorists are still 'stuck' with the lowest summer gas prices in 16 years."

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 7743 Sackett Road, Bergen.

A pole was struck. Lines are down in the roadway. There is no sparking.

The car is on its roof but the driver is out of the vehicle.

Bergen fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 10:56 p.m.: No injuries. 

Photos by Philip Casper.

With a grant from GO ART! the Elba Betterment Committee host live music in the village park featuring the Jimmie Leggs Trio.

Le Roy resident Katie Orlando shared her photo with us of comet NEOWISE as it passed earth in the evening sky last night.

The comet is expected to be visible at night until July 26.

For more information about viewing from NASA, click here.

If you take a good, clear picture of the comet, email the photo to howard@thebatavian.com

Press release:

• Genesee County received two new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 240 positive cases.
  • The positive individuals reside in Batavia and Le Roy.
  • One of the positive individuals is in their 20s and one is in their 60s.
  • The positive individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Two of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Five new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • No individuals are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received zero new positive case of COVID-19, maintaining a total of 269 positive cases.
  • Eight new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • Three 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.

The YWCA in Batavia held a vigil on Wednesday at its North Street location to rally against racism. Featured speakers included Rev. Shiela Campbell McCullough and local businessman Brandon Armstrong.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is featured in a new public service announcement ad for the 2020 Census. The PSA is being submitted to television stations to air.

People have been using the Ellicott Trail -- especially since COVID-19 hit -- for months but yesterday was the official opening of the 9.7-mile bike and walking route that snakes through the city and down from Williams Park to Seven Springs Road.

The project cost $1.7 million, mostly funded by grants, with the city and town picking up 10 percent of the cost.

Thank you to Dean Brooks for the drone footage used in the video.

Click here to a PDF map of the trail.

An excavator has struck a gas line in the area of 11028 Attica Road, Alexander.

The two-inch line is ruptured and leaking, according to a chief on scene.

Natural Fuel requested to the scene.

A first responder has located a valve and firefighters are going to shut off the gas.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: A chief requests Attica PD to shut down Attica Road at Old Buffalo Road (Route 238) and another responder on the other end of Attica Road to stop traffic from that direction.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: National Fuel is on scene.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: All Alexander units are clearing the scene, back in service.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: Attica PD is clearing the scene, back in service.

Strong thunderstorms with heavy rain are possible later this afternoon, according to special weather statement by the National Weather Service.

Damaging winds are possible. There is a risk of tornado activity, especially in the Southern Tier and western Finger Lakes region.

The storms are likely to contain torrential downpours that could easily exceed an inch of rainfall in a 30-minute period.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: From National Grid -- National Grid is closely monitoring this afternoon’s weather forecast, which calls for potential scattered severe thunderstorms, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain throughout portions of western New York. The most severe weather is expected in the westernmost tip of the state and is predicted to stretch northward along the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

A driver of a Waste Management truck that police believe was 13' 6" high, including its natural gas fuel tanks atop its waste bin, tried passing under a train bridge over Mill Street in Le Roy this afternoon.

The problem: the bridge is only 12' 6" high.

Two of the tanks atop the truck carrying compressed natural gas, to fuel the truck, exploded. The other two were damaged and leaked off their contents.

Nobody was injured in the blast.

A witness said the driver managed to get out of the truck and run from the explosions while a tank spun in the street "like a top."

One of the tanks landed in two pieces in the Oatka Creek, more than 150 yards away.

Mill Street reopened after the roadway was cleared of debris. The bridge was damaged, with a large crack visible in the concrete buttress. An engineer for Rochester and Southern Railroad, owners of the track and bridge, is driving from Massachusetts tonight to inspect the damage and determine whether the bride is safe for trains to cross. In the meantime, the bridge is closed to train traffic.

Press release:

• Genesee County received two new positive cases of COVID-19. for a total of 238 positive cases.
  • The positive individuals reside in Alexander and Pembroke.
  • One of the positive individuals is in their 20s and one is in their 40s.
  • The positive individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • One of the previous community positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Twenty-seven new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. This number is accurate but due to a lag in receiving the report from the state system, these individuals may have reported in previous to today.
  • No individuals are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received zero new positive case of COVID-19, maintaining a total of 269 positive cases.
  • One new individual is on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • Five 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 are saddened to report that we received notification of a COVID-19 related death of one of our Orleans County residents. The individual was a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad time.

The Salvation Army and United Way hosted a free food distribution this morning at Northgate Church.

Upcoming food distributions:

July 22 at 9 a.m. -- Oakfield-Alabama CSD -- 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield (585) 948-5211

July 29 at 3 p.m. -- Byron-Bergen High School -- 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen (585) 343-6284

AUGUST

Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. -- City Church (St. Anthony’s)— 14 Liberty St., Batavia, (585) 343-6895

Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. -- Oakfield-Alabama CSD -- 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield (585) 948-5211

Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. -- Byron-Bergen High School -- 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen (585) 343-6284

Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. -- Northgate Free Methodist Church -- 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia (585) 343-6284

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. -- City Church (St. Anthony’s)— 114 Liberty St., Batavia (585) 343-6895