Last night's sunset in Pembroke, submitted by JoAnne Meiser.

Press release:

"On May 24th New York State reversed the decision to require children ages 2 to 5 to wear masks in daycare and summer camp settings. As an outspoken opponent to this change, I am very happy that this decision was made. 

"At a time when COVID-19 cases are dropping and mask wearing is being eased, it did not make sense to require this new age group to wear masks. Especially since for the past 14 months, this age group was not required to wear masks in these settings and did not appear to be major contributors to COVID spread.

"Thank you to all the parents and childcare experts who spoke out on this issue. It is critical that we advocate for our children."

There is reportedly smoke and flames coming from wires and pole in the parking lot next to City Church on East Main Street, Batavia, across from Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

City fire dispatched.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: National Grid will need to cut power to the utility pole. This could cause the traffic light at Main and Center to go dark. Batavia PD requested to provide traffic control.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: Power is out in the area.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: The traffic signal is "back up and running." 

Press release:

After first raising concerns about Canada’s allocation of tariff-rate quotas for U.S. exports of dairy products in June and again in September of last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer applauded the U.S. Trade Representative’s decision to pursue additional enforcement action with Canada over their tariff-rate quota allocations that run counter to the country’s United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) commitments:

Senator Schumer said, “Our hard-working dairy farmers have been squeezed by the double whammy of the COVID crisis and by Canada’s failure to provide U.S. dairy producers with fair market access, as agreed to under USMCA.

"I am pleased with today’s announcement that the U.S. has established a dispute settlement panel with Canada under USMCA over their tariff-rate quota allocations.

"This is a necessary step to ensuing that the Upstate New York dairy industry fully benefits from the USMCA provisions intended to expand market access opportunities.

"We must continue to hold Canada accountable and ensure fair and equal trading practices to help New York’s dairy farmers milk profits that will help them recover from the huge losses during the pandemic.”

Submitted photo and press release:

Call-To-Action: The Little Free Pantry is looking for people to lend a hand to finish planting the community garden at Ryan’s Rose Organic Farm, and to visit our by-donation Plant Sale to help fund our Spring outreach projects.

The harvest will be used to supply the Pantry with farm-to-pantry produce all summer long.

Special thanks to the volunteers who helped plant last week, a lot got accomplished. We still have some things that need to get into the soil at the Farm.

Come join us to get the remaining crops, seeds, and baby pumpkins planted, and check out our Plant Sale, offering baby sunflowers, veggie plants, and flowering plants. Donations of plants are welcome and appreciated.

The event is happening at the Ryan's Rose Organic Farm, 3417 Rose Road, Batavia, on Saturday, May 29^th. Two sessions are planned, 10 a.m. till 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 till 5 p.m.

Let us know you are coming by registering at https://www.lfpbatavia.org, or at #littlefreepantry#spring2021#volunteersneeded.

Subscribe to our Newsletter to hear about:

• Good news about neighbors helping neighbors;
• Events and happenings;
• Opportunities to chip in;
• Finding a helping hand when you need one.

Little Free Pantry -- leave what you can, take what you need.

Press release:

In collaboration with Newbird, Buffalo and funding from The Kresge Foundation, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are pleased to announce the launch of the new joint GO Health website.

“As chief health strategists for Genesee and Orleans Counties, GO Health has been building our cross-jurisdictional relationship to become consistent in our messaging and reflect our joint working relationship through our social media platforms and now through the branding of the GO Health logo and our new website,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for GO Health.

“This effort has been in the works for almost a year and a half in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe having a joint website will not only save time and resources, but be easier for our residents to access our forms, data and timely updates.”

There are two ways to access the new website:  www.GOHealthNY.org or by going to the respective county websites and choosing Public Health.

Press release:

Today, May 25th, Senator Ed Rath’s first bill passed the New York State Senate (S.6105). The bill will designate state Route 77 between Pembroke Town Park and the intersection of Indian Falls Road in the Town of Pembroke, County of Genesee, as the "Specialist Four (SP4) Clarence 'C. Jay' Hall Memorial Highway."

“I am extremely happy to announce the passage of my first bill," said Senator Rath. "I am immensely proud of this legislation, highlighting a local hero. It is also fitting that this bill passes just days before Memorial Day. Specialist Hall gave the ultimate sacrifice and to be able to honor him is very humbling."

Specialist Hall served as a rifleman in the Army in Binh Duong, Vietnam. He was mortally wounded on Oct. 7, 1969, during an intense attack by enemy forces.

Specialist Hall earned: the NYS Conspicuous Service Cross; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star; Vietnam Campaign Ribbon; Combat Infantryman Badge; and the Silver Star, which is the nation's third-highest award for valor.

The Veterans Outreach Club and the Government classes of the Pembroke Jr. /Sr. High School requested this legislation.

The bill passed the Senate and is currently in the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means for consideration.

Press release:

Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York is still recruiting volunteers to serve as escorts at our Batavia health center. Volunteers will greet and provide comfort to patients upon their arrival to the health center and upon their departure.

Candidates must be calm, friendly and comfortable ignoring protestor activity. A commitment of two hours per week on weekdays during daytime hours is required.

Thorough interview and screening are required and training will be provided. For more information call (585) 546-2771, ext. 338, or email volunteer@ppcwny.org.

About Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York

The nonprofit organization provides high quality, nonjudgmental reproductive health care; promotes responsible and healthy sexuality; advocates for access to comprehensive health care; and supports those affected by sexual violence. Each year, PPCWNY serves more than 31,000 adults and teens throughout Central and Western New York.

Statement from Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART!:

"It is with great remorse that we must announce that Picnic in the Park, on July fourth, at Centennial Park in Batavia, will be cancelled this year due to COVID. Beyond the issues of COVID regulations, sponsors of the event have had to pull their funding, as a result of the restraints COVID put on their budgets."

Press release:

Data Update – Covering May 21-25 

• Genesee County is reporting 14 new positive cases of COVID-19. 
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
  • Eight of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • Twenty-four of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

​

• Orleans County is reporting 18 new positive cases of COVID-19.  
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. 
  • One of the current positive individuals is hospitalized.
  • Sixteen of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, a member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is sounding off about a directive from Governor Andrew Cuomo through the Office of Government Services.

It would split half-staff flag dedications on Memorial Day weekend between essential workers who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic and fallen veterans, as flags would be lowered to half-staff Sunday for essential workers, and Monday for veterans. 

A veteran himself, Hawley feels that while those who passed during the COVID-19 should be honored and remembered, it is incredibly disrespectful to service members who have passed and their families to diminish their remembrance in this way. 

“Honoring one group of people should never come at the cost of diminishing the honor of another, especially when we’re talking about people that fought and died so that we can live free and peaceful lives,” Hawley said.

“This directive, by the governor, was issued in incredibly poor taste, and is an insult to all of the New Yorkers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of our countrymen and people throughout the globe.

"To say this slighting of our nation’s fallen heroes is a disgrace would be an understatement, and I implore the governor to see that this directive is reversed immediately.”

Unlike a year ago, when coronavirus-pandemic-related restrictions meant families showed up to football fields, school parking lots, and drive-in theaters in cars to witness student graduation, local school districts this year are trying to work within less strict COVID-19 guidelines to give students and families fairly traditional graduation ceremonies.

They will take place on school lawns, football fields and in auditoriums.

Some schools are even planning proms for their seniors.

Here is what the districts are planning:

Alexander:

• Prom: According to Superintendent Jared Taft, the students discussed their ability to hold a prom and abide by NYS Health Department guidelines and decided there was really no interest in planning a prom after considering having seniors and dates arrive at staggered times and dancing socially distanced with masks on.
• Graduation: "We are planning graduation to take place similar to that of a sports event following the current guidelines for gatherings," Taft said, noting that guidelines may change by the date of the graduation ceremony. 

Batavia:

• Prom: There will be a prom at Van Detta Stadium from 7 to 11 p.m., June 19. There will be a 40 X 100 tent for dining and a 20 X 40 tent for dancing. Students will attend in predetermined groups of 10. They will dine with that same group of 10 and enter the dancing tent in that group of 10. Outside of the tents, students can mingle with other guests.
• Graduation: The ceremony will be on June 26 at Van Detta Stadium at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will be required to either show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. There will be a rapid test available from 7 to 9 a.m. on the day of the ceremony. Graduates can invite five guests. The graduation will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to 5 p.m. that day and if there is rain at 5 p.m., the ceremony will be moved to 10:30 a.m., Sunday.

Byron-Bergen:

• Prom and graduation: Patrick McGee, the high school principal who becomes superintendent on July 1, said the school is still in the process of planning. "When these events take place, we will ensure adherence to all health and safety guidelines set forth by the NYSDOH," he said.

Elba:

• Prom: Elba will hold its prom at the Park Place Event Center at Batavia Downs. "They were wonderful to work with and wanted to collaborate with us to support our students with this special event," said Superintendent Ned Dale. "We will follow their prescribed guidance. Our staff will be on hand to supervise. Originally, we were planning on having the event on campus and outdoors until the recent changes in guidance that expanded the capacity indoors. We will follow the guidance at the time of this event."
• Graduation: Elba will hold its graduation at 7 p.m., June 25 on the high school campus law. "We have plenty of room to spread out on the campus lawn," Dale said. "As of today, we will ask that everyone is masked. However, I don't know where NYS DOH will be in six weeks with more guidance after hearing the CDC changes today about masks and vaccinated individuals. We will follow the guidance at the time of this event."

Le Roy:

• Prom: Le Roy is planning a junior/senior prom for June 5 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Le Royan at Mercy Grove.
• Graduation: Outside at Hartwood Park at 11 a.m., June 26. Rain times will be later in the day, June 26, or, if necessary, at 11 a.m., June 27.

Notre Dame:

• Prom: We didn't receive any information on plans for a prom.
• Graduation: Graduation along with a mass will be held at 2 p.m., June 6, at Resurrection Church. The school has created a seating chart for families attending the graduation. Each grad will be allowed to invite six guests. Guests who do not live with the graduate will sit in rows designated "guest seating." Graduates must turn in a guest list to assist in checking in attendees. Attendees must wear a mask until seated. Vaccinated attendees can remove their masks once seated.

Oakfield-Alabama:

• Prom: The prom will be held on June 5 at the Arrowhead Golf Club at the Timberlodge facility. Superintendent John Fisgus said: "Timberlodge has to follow the state guidelines for events, which is not to exceed 250-person capacity for an indoor event (with no testing) or if they do, everyone needs a negative COVID test (72 hours before) or proof of vaccination (two weeks from last shot). We will NOT exceed the 250-person capacity for our prom, so our students are good to go over there with no testing or proof of vaccination. Table assignments have already been created, and we will abide by what Timberlodge directs us to do (i.e., masking, cohorts dancing in certain areas, etc.)."
• Graduation: O-A's graduation will be at 10 a.m., June 19, in the football stadium. Fisgus said, "For outdoor events, we will not exceed the 500-person capacity; therefore, our graduates and guests attending will not need to provide a negative COVID test or show proof of vaccination. Each graduate can invite eight guests (60 seniors graduating), and since we will have the seniors in a different location than the guests (bleachers vs. football field/track area), they are not considered part of the 500 capacity (per the guidance from May 3). We will socially distance each family on the field/track and have our usual ceremony, with fireworks!"

Pavilion:

• Prom: There will be no school-sponsored prom; however, parents and students are planning a private event.
• Graduation: The plans are being finalized. Superintendent Mary Kate Hoffman said, "The plan is to have an outdoor ceremony on our soccer field/track. We are considering running two identical ceremonies where half of the families would attend one or the other. This would allow each graduating senior to have more family members in attendance. We have a graduation committee working on decorations and special additions to the program to make this a memorable event."

Pembroke:

Superintendent Matthew Calderon said, "The state provided specific guidance for proms and graduations, which we will be adhering to. In both cases, we will stay under the capacity limits identified so that we do not need to require testing. The standard expectations for mask-wearing and social distancing we be in place.

Adding, "Both events will be relatively normal/traditional, with the exception of the fact that we need to reduce the numbers of tickets as compared to normal to stay under the capacity limits."

• Prom: Calderon -- "Our prom took place this past Saturday, and my understanding is that everyone had a great time. Initially, the organizers were planning to sell a limited number of tickets to stay under the 100-indoor capacity limit, but when the indoor capacity increased to 250, every junior and senior that wanted to go was going to be able. By sheer happenstance, it turned out that there were 93 students and seven adult chaperones that attended. Exactly 100 anyway, so we would have ended up OK either way. We are so thankful to have been open for in-person learning every day five-days-a-week, and the prom was the cherry on top for our seniors!"
• Graduation: The graduation will be held in the school's auditorium.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook was issued for today by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo.

It is for Western and North Central New York.

Today and tonight, a few storms will be possible along lake breeze boundaries. There is a marginal risk that these storms will become severe with the primary threat being damaging winds and hail.

Wednesday through Monday, a cold front will near and then cross the Eastern Great Lakes on Wednesday. There is a slight risk of severe storms with the primary threat damaging wind gusts and hail.

An officer is called to the Target parking lot for a report of a dog locked in a Chevy Sonic. "The windows are only down one inch," according to what the dispatcher was told.

The officer on scene reports the air-conditioner is running and the dog appears fine.

But the officer is going inside the store to try and locate the owner.

It's 83 degrees now and overcast, with 55-percent humidity, according to the National Weather Service.

The local unemployment rate hit its lowest level of 2020 so far in April at 5 percent, more than 10 percentage points what it was in the previous April, the worst month locally for the job market during the coronavirus pandemic.  

The 5-percent rate is still a point-and-a-half or so above the 3.6-percent rate of April 2019.

Outside of the 15.9-percent rate of a year ago, the highest rate for an April over the past 31 years was 7.6 percent in 2012.

The Labor Department reports 27,900 people in Genesee County's labor force, which is the aggregate of everybody employed and everybody seeking work. Of those, 26,500 have jobs and 1,400 are looking for jobs.

The March 2021 unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.

The state's unemployment rate is 8.2 percent.

Press release:

As heavily requested, single-game tickets are now available for all 29 home games throughout the 2021 season. The official Muckdogs schedule can be found on the Perfect Game website (pgcbl.com) and on our Facebook page, “Batavia Muckdogs Baseball.”

To purchase tickets, please call (585) 524-2260 to be in attendance and cheer on your Muckdogs at historic Dwyer Stadium!

Season ticket packages are also still available for the 2021 season. For inquiries, make sure to call (607) 734-7825 before our home opener against Elmira on June 4th. Be on the lookout for more Batavia Muckdogs news as the season kicks off in less than two weeks!

Home Schedule

• Friday, June 4th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 5th vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 7th vs Mansfield (7:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday, June 8th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, June 11th vs Geneva (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, June 13th vs Newark (4:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 14th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 17th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 19th vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, June 20th vs Niagara (4:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 21st vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 24th vs Geneva (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 26th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Monday, June 28th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 1st vs Newark (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 3rd vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 4th vs Mansfield (4:05 p.m.)
• Monday, July 5th vs Syracuse (7:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday, July 6th vs Geneva (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 8th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 10th vs Elmira (7:05 p.m.)
• Monday, July 12th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 15th vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 17th vs Newark (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 18th vs Elmira (4:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 22nd vs Newark (7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, July 23rd vs Jamestown (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 25th vs Jamestown (4:05 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 29th vs Niagara (7:05 p.m.)

Press release:

Local Primary Election Information, Absentee Deadlines

Early Voting Poll Site, Dates and Times

Local Republican Primaries in Bethany, Byron and Stafford ONLY – There are three local Republican Primary Election contests in the towns of Bethany, Byron and Stafford. There are no countywide contests. Because New York State is a closed Primary state, only registered Republicans, living in those jurisdictions, can vote in these elections.

Registration deadline for the Primary – May 28 is the last day to postmark an application to register to vote and to register in person. Registration forms can be found on our website at many public offices, and by calling (585) 815-7804 and requesting a registration form be sent.

Mail registration forms must be received at Board of Elections by June 2 to be eligible to vote. There is a blackout period for changing Party affiliation prior to these Primary elections; therefore any change will not go into effect until after the Primary.

Absentee Voting for the Primary Election

• June 15 is the last day to postmark, email or fax application for a Primary ballot;
• June 21 is the last day to apply in person for a Primary ballot;
• June 22 is the last day to postmark the ballot;
• It must be received by the Genesee County Board of Elections no later than June 29.

There will be an accessible Ballot Marking Device set up for the disabled at the County Board of Elections, 15 Main St., Batavia, for anyone who wishes to vote absentee from our office.

Early Voting

Early Voting is available for the Republican Primary voters in the towns of Bethany, Byron and Stafford. The Early Voting location is The ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

Saturday, June 12        12 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 13          12 – 5 p.m.
Monday, June 14          9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 15        12 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 16   12 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 17         9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, June 18             9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 19        12 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 20          12 – 5 p.m.

Primary Election Day

Tuesday, June 22   --   Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

On Monday, the Old Hippies -- Bill and Kay McDonald -- announced a series of four free afternoon concerts in Genesee County this summer.

The Old Hippies, a renowed local band specializing in Americana roots music, will perform the "Home to Home Concert Series: For the Common Good":

• Saturday, July 3 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Square
• Sunday, Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Square
• Sunday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. in Elba Town Park
• Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Square​

These dates are in addition to the 7 p.m. Friday concert July 2 in Downtown's Jackson Square.*

There will​ also be live performances by the Ghostriders, Deanna Spiotta and other talented musicians.

Food vendors will be available along with displays from local businesses.

All are welcome to:

• Enjoy the music live and in person. Bring your own chair;
• Listen in on FM radio as they broadcast near the concert venue;
• Interact with livestream over the internet via Facebook from wherever you may be;
• View the recorded concert on YouTube at a time and place you choose.

For updates and info, visit:

• oldhippiesmusic.com​
• Facebook.com/oldhippiesmusic
• or contact Bill McDonald at (585) 250-2269 or email billmcdonald50@gmail.com

​The performances are possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, administered by GO ART! They are sponsored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

*Previously:  Here's the lineup for the free concert series on Friday nights in Jackson Square starting June 25

According to Wikipedia, as of February 2020, the United States was home to 6,652 known disc golf courses – including 130 in New York -- on the official Professional Disc Golf Association course directory.

And more and more are on the way, says Batavia resident Phillip Boyd, who is hoping to persuade City Council to let him and other enthusiasts of the outdoor sport set up a course on a city park.

“Bergen has one and Pembroke has one. There are so many parks in the (Batavia) area where you could fit a nine-hole course,” Boyd said Monday night as he presented his idea at Council’s Conference Meeting at City Hall, “The popularity of the sport is on a huge rise. COVID might have destroyed a lot of things, but it made the popularity of disc golf insane.”

Boyd, 27, (photo above), played soccer, hockey and lacrosse while attending Batavia High School. He said he became hooked on disc golf about three years ago, but wished he would have started much earlier.

“But since then, I’ve fallen in love with the sport. Last year, I put over 100 rounds in just the summer alone. It’s just a great sport,” he said, adding that the walk through the course provides decent exercise.

A former regular golfer, Boyd said disc golf is a “cheaper way to do the same thing.”

He advised Council members that he and his friends could get a course up and running in about three weeks and it wouldn’t cost the city anything.

“At pretty much all of the courses, they go out to different restaurants or stuff to sponsor a hole. They (businesses) will pay the money for the actual basket … and then the people that want to do it will put it in,” he said. “So, pretty much I just need permission at whatever park is possible to install everything – the tee pads and the baskets.”

Boyd said Centennial Park would be the preferred location, noting there is room there for an 18-hole course but he would be satisfied with a nine-hole course.

“A nine-hole would be easier – not as in the way for people walking their dogs,” he said.

He explained that players toss a Frisbee-like disc from the tee area toward the basket (hole), which has chains on it.

“The object is to throw the disc into the chains and have it (disc) fall into the basket. That’s how you make the hole,” he said.

Scoring is similar to regular golf – the least number of throws, the better.

Boyd said that Buffalo and Rochester are putting up several new courses this year.

“They’re going up everywhere.”

City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. suggested that Boyd work with City Manager Rachael Tabelski on the details and that she could report back to Council.

“Maybe that would be something we could consider,” Jankowski said. “I think it is a great idea – present it … and we’ll go from there.”

Boyd said his hope is that the course would be a permanent part of the selected park and offered as another benefit to residents.

The basket with chains serves as a typical "hole" for disc golf.