What is her favorite musical experience?
When I was in high school I was very lucky to attend Conference All-State as well as All-Eastern in Atlantic City, New Jersey! During my freshman year of college, I went on tour with the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers to Virginia, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. This past year as a sophomore I went to sing the National Anthem with the Ithaca College Choir at MetLife Stadium right outside of New York City! 

What is your musical goal?
My goal is to be an opera and musical theater actress in opera houses and companies around the world. Mainly in New York City, Germany, and Italy. My goal also includes going to graduate school to get my master's degree in Voice Performance and eventually a doctorate. 

What is your favorite performance venue?
My favorite venue I've ever performed in would be the Kodak Theater in the Eastman School of Music. I performed there for two concerts during my time in Conference All-State and three more times with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in their Holiday Pops Concerts throughout high school! Some of her main performance influences are Renee Fleming, Isabel Leonard, and Anita Rachvelishvili. 

Other exciting musical fun facts:
I would have been attending Songfest, a prestigious art song program, in May and June but unfortunately, it was canceled. I'm a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, which is a coed professional music fraternity, for which I have just been elected the vice president/pledge mom. I also play many instruments including clarinet, saxophone, flute, guitar, ukulele, and piano.

Nate McMurray notified supporters in Genesee County that he would be at City Hall this afternoon for a get out the vote rally. A reporter and photographer from The New York Times were there to cover it.

Already reeling from three months of COVID-19 regulations, Genesee County government officials and law enforcement personnel now must deal with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s latest executive order mandating that all New York police agencies must revise their policies and procedures by next spring or risk losing state and/or federal funding.

“At this point there are no details, but all we know is that we at the county level will have to conduct public hearings and solicit public comment for, as the term was used, cadre, of local law enforcement reforms,” said County Manager Jay Gsell, speaking at today’s Genesee County Legislature Public Service Committee meeting via Zoom videoconferencing. “Everybody will be required to go through this process and adopt reforms via local law at the county level by April of 2021.”

The executive order, named the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, requires that the municipality that oversees the law enforcement agency must adopt, certify and enforce its plan by passing a local law. It also applies to the NYPD.

Cuomo, during his COVID-19 briefing on Friday, said protests taking place across the nation following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer “illustrate the loss of community confidence in our local police agencies — a reality that has been fueled by our country’s history of police-involved deaths of black and brown people.”

He said the executive order will help “rebuild that confidence and restore trust between police and the communities they serve by requiring localities to develop a new plan for policing in the community based on fact-finding and meaningful community input.”

Issues that must be addressed in the plan include use of force, community policing, community outreach, restorative justice programs such as Genesee Justice, crowd management, retraining for bias awareness and a procedure for citizens to lodge complaints against police officers.

The measure calls for municipalities to bring in representatives from a variety of community organizations (for example, in Genesee County, the Criminal Justice Advisory Council comprised of several law enforcement and judicial entities) and be receptive to public feedback after developing, presenting and ratifying their plans into law.

It also stipulates that if the local government does not certify the plan, the police force may not be eligible for future funding from New York State.

The executive order builds upon the governor’s signing of 10 police reform bills into law earlier Friday, with several Republicans joining the Democratic majority in voting for the legislation.

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, contacted by telephone, called the reform mandate action another example of Cuomo taking a one blanket covers all approach.

“Again, he’s lumping everything into a one-size-fits-all, and I don’t think that’s appropriate with the state of the size of New York and a city the size of New York City,” he said. “We in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region and rural counties, I believe do have strong community-minded police agencies.  And when you threaten New York State taxpayer money being withheld from those who are there to serve and protect, that’s the wrong direction to go.”

Hawley acknowledged that there are “a few bad examples in any organization,” but called it an overreaction to isolated incidents.

“I stand with the men and women in blue, unequivocally,” he said. “We need to be sure that police agencies are working in a collaborative way with the citizens they are charged with protecting. No police agency would have a problem with that.”

Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron said, by phone, that he is working with sheriffs across New York to try to get a handle on what the governor is expecting to happen.

"Our department is a New York State accredited agency, meeting all the standards, rules and regulations, and there are well over 100 of them as far as the right way to do things," he said. "All he has to do is simplify that to require that all New York State police agencies be accredited."

Sheron noted that it was the NYS Sheriff's Association that first came out with the current standards and that a few years later, those guidelines were adopted by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

He made it clear that he believes in community input -- "we do that now and that is important," he said, and rejected Cuomo's practice of "painting all agencies with one brush because of a few bad apples."

"I'm proud of our sheriff's office and it's upsetting to me that the governor doesn't stand behind our police officers," Sheron said.

In an email, Batavia City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch reserved comment until he and his leadership team learn more about the governor’s mandate.

“We are currently reviewing the executive order internally, and when I have a better understanding I’ll reach out,” he said.

Back to the Public Service Committee meeting, former Sheriff Gary Maha, now a county legislator, asked Gsell if the governor had the authority to tie police reforms to funding.

“The receipt of future state or federal funds is conditioned on the filing of the certification at the local level, and realistically, that second issue of federal funding grants for emergency management … there’s already some considerations and concerns as to whether or not he can even go to that extent,” Gsell responded.

Gsell said that although Cuomo “means business,” more legislation is likely to follow at the state level and there will be plenty of debate over the next several months.

“There will be a lot of back and forth before anyone goes diving in with both feet and potentially finds themselves, can we say, in quicksand,” he said.

Hailey Kirkpatrick decided to draw a colorful message, "All Lives Matter," in the driveway of Batavia Middle School today after her uncle gave her some chalk because she wanted to spread a message of harmony.

She said, "There are a lot of races around the world that are treated badly and it’s not just black people and there are a lot of people who are still racist in this world, and I think if saying all lives matter rather than black lives matter will show that we are as one. We are all people. We’re all one species and we need to get along to make this world a better place."

This afternoon at Van Detta Stadium, Batavia High School Senior Margaret "Maggie" Andersen received her Athletic Sports Awards today early before leaving for the Air Force Academy. 

Presented by Athletic Director Mike Bromley and Track coaching staff:

• Batavia Coaches' Association 2019 - 2020 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award;
• BHS Senior Athlete Award for three-season athletes throughout four years of High School;
• NYSPHSAA (New York State Public High School Athletic Association) Scholar Athlete Award for indoor track and field;
• Batavia Coaches Association Outstanding Athletic Achievement Section V Champion Indoor Track and Field.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

Press release:

Today, Congressional candidate Nate McMurray voiced his continued concerns about ballot integrity and voter suppression after the first weekend of early voting came to a close in New York’s 27th District.

McMurray’s campaign has established a hotline with the New York Democratic Lawyers Committee to continue to address the issues on behalf of voters. 

“We are getting reports that people are not getting absentee ballots they applied for and should have received by now, and some are being told to just go vote in person," McMurray said. "The problem is many are very worried about voting in person because of the health risks.

"That’s why the Governor originally expanded voting by absentee ballot. Now here we are just days from when absentee ballots must be postmarked by, and voters receiving them last minute will be under pressure to turn them around overnight wondering if their vote will even be counted”

Further, the locations of early voting polling sites had not been made readily available in all places. In particular, the Erie County Board of Elections failed to even post a list of early voting locations until McMurray brought a lawsuit compelling the Board of Elections to take action. Still, many are showing up to their usual polling location confused because they received no notice by mail.

“I’m not saying there is deliberate malice, but the result will lead to fewer people going to the polls because of widespread confusion," McMurray said. "And of course, it’s not just the voters who are struggling. Board of Elections employees across NY27 are exhausted and have little outside help.

"It is our duty to protect access to the ballot and elections integrity during this public health crisis. Every voter should have received their ballot by now and have basic confidence in the process, and the sad truth is, they haven’t."

Voters who are experiencing any issues voting by absentee or obtaining early voting information please contact: NYS Democratic Lawyers Council Voter Protection Hotline: ​(585) 213-1710, or email:   election@votemcmurray.com​

A caller reports hearing a loud boom and can now see smoke and flames near a barn in the area of 10740 Transit Road, Bethany.

A second caller reports a chicken coop is on fire.

A responder reports seeing a lot of smoke as he approaches.

Bethany fire responding. The chief has asked for a second alarm. The location is south of Sparks Road.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 5:52 p.m.: Alexander, the city's FAST team, Le Roy, Town of Batavia, Pavilion and Stafford are responding as mutual aid. Town of Batavia is also having a crew stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: The city's FAST team is cancelled per Bethany command, so is Town of Batavia Ladder #22 to the scene.

UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: Fire Police are on scene to control/direct traffic. Mutual aid is also on the road responding from Attica and Wyoming.

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: Genesee County Sheriff's deputies are on scene.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: Fire is under control. Responding tankers can continue non-emergency.

Press release:

Citing a recent New York State report that details a very troubling 33-percent rise in domestic violence cases across New York amid COVID-19, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer demanded the United States Senate take up the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which passed the House with bipartisan support all the way back in April of 2019.

Schumer demanded Leader Mitch McConnell take VAWA "off the shelf" and rightfully pass it in the Senate. Specifically, the Senator revealed, in Upstate New York, domestic violence shelter occupancy rates rose to 78 percent in April 2020, up from 59 percent in April 2019, a 19-percent increase.

Schumer said that New York is not alone in worrisome statistics, either. Other states, like Texas and Illinois, according to The New York Times, have seen similar domestic violence surges and capital resources for many programs could dry up fast.

“The data from New York’s report mirrors similar statistics across other parts of the country that are also seeing a rise in domestic violence amid the coronavirus pandemic," Senator Schumer said. "It’s up to all of us to heed the warning in these numbers and not allow a pandemic to fuel an epidemic of domestic violence so many have devoted their lives to preventing.

"Since I first helped write the Violence Against Women’s Act in 1994, countless individuals have been saved. Whether the funds provided local shelters, counseling or other critical efforts, the law has given so many a second chance and we cannot rest until the Senate acts, the law is fully reauthorized and the help New York and other states need on the way.”

According to New York’s domestic violence task force, “…in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, data reported by law enforcement and domestic violence service providers pointed to an increase in domestic violence, with the New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline recording a 33 percent increase in calls for April 2020 compared to April 2019, and shelter occupancy rates upstate rising to 78 percent in April 2020, versus 59 percent in April 2019.

Schumer reiterated that that the coronavirus pandemic cannot be allowed to fuel an epidemic of domestic violence that so many have joined together to prevent as he made the case for new action. He said that passing the full VAWA package will unlock the full federal funding New York needs to achieve its immediate needs to help stop the violence.

Schumer detailed New York’s immediate needs given the 33-percent spike in reported violence:

1)    Local programming for survivors’ safety, including the use of new technology and mobile platforms

2)    Housing stability and navigation services

3)    Transportation

According to the report, “funding should be flexible to meet a range of needs, including housing costs, safety measures and allocations for essential needs that might present barriers to safety and housing stability, such as debt or car repair expenses. Support should have more flexible parameters, should meet survivors’ needs as quickly as possible, and should be available until survivors feel safe.

"Program outcomes should be based on survivors’ safety and housing stability over the longterm. Further, the state should continue its commitment to partnering with the philanthropic and advocacy community, collaborating to leverage support, fill in the gaps where existing funds fall short and foster further innovation.”

“Right now, because of the uncertainty around the Violence Against Women’s Act’s future reauthorization we have states preparing to turn over the couch cushions for this life-saving funding, and that cannot sustain,”Schumer added. “Philanthropy is certainly one way to 'fill in the gaps' but existing federal funding cannot be allowed to simply ‘fall short.' That’s why we need the Senate to act here, because government has a job to do and lives to save.”

Schumer cited the Finger Lakes Region to show how just one area of the state has benefited from VAWA.

Within the last five years, organizations across Rochester and the Finger Lakes received more than $8.8 million in federal funding through the Violence Against Women Act.

Specifically, $650,000 was awarded to aid law enforcement in combatting domestic violence; $299,708 was awarded to combat campus sexual assault; $425,000 was awarded to combat domestic violence among the disabled; $794,667 was awarded to provide housing for victims of domestic violence; $750,000 was awarded to improve criminal justice response (ICJR); $3,266,665 was awarded to provide legal assistance to victims (LAV); $1,222,000 was awarded to provide assistance to underserved populations; $425,000 was awarded to assist those in rural communities; and $1,000,000 was awarded to support families who have been affected by domestic violence.

Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester voiced their support for Senator Schumer’s efforts.

Meaghan de Chateauvieux, president & CEO of Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester said, “When a survivor steps forward in our community seeking safety from abuse, VAWA is what makes it possible for our local agencies to work together in a coordinated and comprehensive way to keep families safe.

"Willow serves over 7,000 survivors each year and relies on our VAWA-funded community partnerships. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s push because VAWA is the cornerstone of our local coordinated response to domestic violence and has changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence.”

The original 1994 VAWA bill, which was authored by Schumer when he was a member of the House, has been reauthorized three times—in 2000, 2005 and 2013— with unanimous Senate approval the first two times. Since its enactment, the bill has reduced domestic violence by more than 50 percent. Additionally, the legislation, over the course of its history, has provided more than $7 billion in federal funding towards reducing these types of violence.

Beyond reauthorizing all of the current grant programs under the original VAWA and those established by previous reauthorizations, the House-passed VAWA reauthorization also includes a number of new provisions to aid and support victims of domestic and sexual violence. Some of the most essential include:

• Establishing a survey among District and State Attorney Offices that receive funding from VAWA grant programs to track the rates of rape cases.
• Increasing funding for the Services, Training Officers and Prosecutors (STOP) grant program, which promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhancing advocacy and improving the criminal justice system’s response to violent crimes against women. The program encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women and the development and improvement of advocacy and services in cases involving violent crimes against women.
• Enhancing the Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus Program by supporting educational institutions seeking to develop and distribute educational materials to students related to prevention.
• Boosting housing protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, a provision in the reauthorization bill ensures that in the event of separation from a spouse, survivors retain access to housing. The bill also increases opportunities under transitional housing grant programs for organizations that operate in underserved and low-income communities.
• Promoting the economic security and stability of victims of domestic and sexual violence. One of the ways the VAWA reauthorization bill would do this would be by authorizing funding for a Government Accountability Office study on the economic implications of domestic violence and the best possible solution to these implications for victims.

Kevin John Kisiel, 60, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; refusal to take a breath test; and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Kisiel was arrested at 4:29 p.m. on June 13 on Lehigh Avenue in Batavia after a traffic stop. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Aug. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Amanda M. Webb, 31, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with: possession of marijuana in the second degree, a violation; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor. Webb was allegedly found in possession of marijuana, amphetamine/destroamphetamine, and lorazepam after an investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force. Webb was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City of Batavia Court on July 21.

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) today launched its new reimagined Girl Scout Summer Camp with The Summer We Camped At Home Virtual Summer Camp experience. This new exciting form of Summer Camp allows girls and their families a variety of ways to stay connected and get outdoors given the limited camp and outdoor options due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts ages 5-17 can register for Virtual Girl Scout Summer Camp.

The Summer We Camped At Home is for girls ages 5 years old (or entering kindergarten in the fall) up to 17 years of age (or a high-school senior). Virtual Camp will be held from July 6 through Aug. 15, with six weekly themes offered and led by Camp Counselors: July 6-10: Earth, July 13-17: Arts, July 20-24: Adventure, July 27-31: Friendships, August 3-7: Exploring, and August 10-14: Action.

Girls who attend will receive a special summer of 2020 camp patch. For added engagement, similar to a subscription box service, GSWNY will deliver six weekly themed, age-appropriate Camp Activity Kits to each camper’s home via mail.

The weekly cost including the home-delivered Camp Activity Kit is $60 and non-Girl Scouts will need to enroll in Girl Scouts at the time of camp registration for $25 -- financial aid is available.

Weekly Camp Activity Kits will include: 

• Materials for three themed activities and invitations for three live virtual sessions (M,W,F) to go through the activities with Camp Counselors and the other girls in their group.
• An Invitation to a virtual “Dining Hall” experience on Tuesdays. The traditional camp Dining Hall experience is filled with songs, laughter and more. Girls will be able to pull up a chair and join in on the fun.
• Automatic invitations to the live Virtual Campfires on Thursday nights with a mini song book (new songs every week)!
• Younger girls will have the opportunity to write “pen-pal” letters to GSWNY Camp Mascots (Molly the Whale, Rosie the Rabbit and Bernadette the Turtle).
• Junior Girl Scouts and up will have facilitated virtual bunk chats to help girls stay connected with their camp friends.
• There will also be instructions for self-led activities including: three outdoor activities, a weekly camp tradition and outdoor cooking recipe.
• And no camp experience would be complete without a friendship bracelet!

Girl Scout Summer Camp is an important part of the Girl Scout experience and we are happy to offer Summer Camp reimaged for girls and their families this summer,” said Girl Scouts of Western New York CEO Alison Wilcox. “Girl Scout Camp At Home allows us the ability to put the safety of girls, families, volunteers, and staff first, while still providing some fun alternatives to in-person camping.”

GSWNY made the decision in May to cancel in-person day and resident camps this summer due to safety concerns about the COVID-19 virus.

Other thrilling virtual events will include:

• Virtual Campfires at 7 p.m. every Thursday from July 9 - Aug. 13
• Family Outdoor Challenge each Monday from July 6 - Aug. 10
• Virtual Sleepout on Aug. 15
• Three national GSUSA virtual events in June, July, and August on topics surrounding:

1. Engaging Responsibility in the Outdoors in collaboration with The North Face
2. Space Exploration: Mars to the Stars in collaboration with subject matter experts from our NASA-funded -- Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts’ program,
3. A virtual campout at the Girl Scout Birthplace.

To learn more and register visit www.gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.

Submitted photo and press release:

Canisius College President John J. Hurley appointed Le Roy resident Danielle D. Ianni, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management, effective May 15. Ianni reports directly to President Hurley and is a member of the college’s senior leadership team.

As vice president for enrollment management, Ianni leads undergraduate and graduate student recruitment, marketing and student financial aid. She is responsible for employing best practices so as to enroll diverse classes of first-year, transfer and graduate students, and enhancing student retention while maintaining the academic profile of the college.

Ianni comes to Canisius from the State University of New York at Buffalo where she served as director of enrollment operations since 2016. In this role, Ianni was responsible for enrollment operations at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She assisted with short- and long-term strategic planning and initiatives to meet enrollment goals, and developed and oversaw enrollment forecasting, predictive modeling and analysis of applicant and student data.

Ianni earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from Hartwick College in Oneonta. She holds master and doctoral degrees in higher education administration, both from the University of Rochester’s Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education, where Ianni also worked as assistant director of admissions and head coach for the men’s and women’s swim team.

Ianni’s academic research has focused on the subjects of institutional financial aid, bridging the gap between traditional and nontraditional students, the hidden cost of school security and student perceptions of Facebook. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals, the Association for the Study of Higher Education, the American Educational Research Association and the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education.

One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Visit www.canisius.edu/150 for more information about Canisius’ milestones and celebratory events.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is planning on making repairs to a water main on East Avenue on Wednesday, June 17, instead of today (June 15) as previously announced.

Work will begin at 8 a.m.

The water may be turned off on East Avenue between Holmes Avenue and Eugene Street. Homes in the area may find lower pressure, and discolored water. Please do not attempt to do laundry if the water is discolored.

We appreciate your understanding while this repair is being made. City crews will make every attempt to restore water as soon as possible.

The road will not be shut down, but travel lanes will be restricted. Please avoid the area if possible.

Press release:

Regional Transit Service (RTS) announced today that on July 15, it will launch the new RTS Go contactless fare payment system in Monroe County and reinstate the collection of fares across the eight county region it serves, including Genesee County.

“While the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic spurred changes to ensure the safety of our employees and customers, what didn’t change is the role of public transit as a critical component of our infrastructure that connects people to jobs and essential destinations in our community,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said.

“With Phase Three of the New York Forward reopening process underway, it is the right time to reinstate the collection of fares and implement our new fare payment system. The new system – RTS Go – offers new ways to manage and pay fares, and provides a new layer of safety on the bus for employees and customers through contactless fare payment.”

The RTS Go fare payment system is included in the Transit app, which is RTS’ new real-time trip planning app. While the features of RTS Go will be available starting July 15, the Transit app is available for download today.

Additional changes going into effect on July 15 include reinstating the boarding of the bus from the front door, fare media changes, and the implementation of all-day reduced fares for senior citizens that are 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and children ages 6-11.

The RTS Go Fare Payment System

In addition to modernizing our fare payment system and providing new options for customers to purchase and pay their fares, RTS Go will offer contactless fare payment. This will add an important layer of safety on the bus for employees and customers as we support the reopening of our community and the continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The contactless fare payment feature of RTS Go means that customers will simply tap their mobile phone or smartcard on the onboard validation unit when boarding the bus.

Another key benefit of RTS Go is “fare capping.” This means customers who use RTS Go will pay $1 per ride, but never more than $3 a day nor $56 a month, no matter how much they ride. The technology behind the system, which is delivered by Fare Payments-as-a-Service provider Masabi, will know when a customer has reached those limits and stop charging them for the rest of that day or month.

Customers with a smartphone will be able to take advantage of RTS Go by downloading the Transit app from the App Store or Google Play. Customers who don’t have a smartphone will be able to purchase an RTS Go reloadable smartcard from ticket vending machines (TVMs) at the RTS Transit Center or online at myRTS.com.

Customers will be encouraged to register their accounts with Customer Service or on myRTS.com. This will help protect the money they put on their account in case their RTS Go cards are lost or stolen.

The Transit app will also serve as our new trip planning app and will replace the Where’s My Bus? app. Customers will still be able to text 20105 for Where’s My Bus? arrival information after the launch of RTS Go.

Important dates for the implementation of RTS Go:

June 15:

• Customers can start learning about RTS Go and the Transit app on the RTS website at myRTS.com/transit-appand myRTS.com/rts-go.
• The Transit app is available to download from the App Store or Google Play.

July 6:

• Customers can set up their accounts and start purchasing fares through RTS Go by following the link in theTransit app.

July 13:

• Customers can start purchasing RTS Go smartcards from the ticket vending machines at the RTS Transit Center.

July 15:

• Customers can start using RTS Go via the Transit app or RTS Go smartcards to pay their fares on RTS buses in Monroe County.

Videos are available on the RTS website for customers to learn about RTS Go and how to use the Transit app.

RTS Go and the Transit app will play an important role in the successful implementation and operation of RTS On Demand when we launch Reimagine RTS. The new date for the launch of Reimagine RTS has not yet been determined.

Reinstating Fare Collection and Front Door Boarding, Resuming Regular Service Outside Monroe County

RTS will start collecting fares again for all RTS operations and implement a new policy for getting on and off our 40- and 60-foot buses in Monroe County. Under the new policy, customers will board the bus from the front door and exit the bus from the rear door. Customers with mobility limitations will be able to exit the bus from the front door.

To keep employees and customers safe during the pandemic and promote the use of transit for essential trips, we switched to dial-a-ride service only in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Starting on July 15, we will resume regular service for RTS Genesee, RTS Orleans and RTS Wyoming.

Plans are currently being developed to resume regular service for RTS Livingston, RTS Ontario, RTS Seneca and RTS Wayne. We will share those details once the plans are finalized.

Use of Cash and Current Fare Media

Customers in Monroe County who pay with cash will still be able to do so. They will be able to use exact change on the bus for a one ride or all-day pass, and they will be able to use cash to purchase a one ride or all-day pass from TVMs. Customers using RTS Go will be able to reload their accounts through the Transit app or RTS Go cards by using cash at the TVMs, as well as with debit or credit cards. Our 40- and 60-foot buses will no longer be able to accept bills larger than $1. This means customers paying with cash will need to have their exact fare ready or pay $3 for an all-day pass. We will no longer be able to provide change cards starting on July 15.

Our current fare media – magnetic stripe, Tap & Go! cards, on-board issue change cards – will no longer be available for purchase once RTS Go is in place. While we will neither issue change cards on the bus nor sell magnetic stripe and Tap & Go! Cards, customers who currently have them will still be able to use them to pay their fares through the end of 2020.

All-Day Reduced Fares for Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities and Children Ages 6-11

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities and children ages 6-11 will be eligible for the reduced (half-price) fare. The reduced fare is currently only valid during non-peak times. Starting July 15, the reduced fare, which is $0.50/ride, $1.50/day and $28/month, will be available all day. These customers will still be able to use Magnetic Stripe, Tap & Go! and previously issued change cards to pay their fares.

Promoting Safe and Sustainable Public Transportation

To ensure the continued safety of employees and customers, we will continue our enhanced cleaning program for RTS buses and facilities. We are providing employees with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) they need to safely carry out their duties and we are helping customers comply with face mask/covering requirements by providing masks at the RTS Transit Center, on RTS Access buses and buses at the regional counties we serve.

“We thank our customers for their support and encourage them to help us win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by wearing a face mask or face covering in public, and practicing social distancing on the bus, at the RTS Transit Center and RTS bus stops,” added Carpenter.

For all other information, visit www.myRTS.com.

As the restoration of the Union Hotel continues, work crews discovered a historic artifact: A billboard poster for the Ringling Brothers Circus and a performance one summer long ago in Batavia.

The advertisement was found paneling in the bar, said owner Tom Dix.

Dix said he doesn't know what will become of the billboard but "somehow it will be saved."

Below, Video from February 2019 about the effort to restore the Union Hotel.

Press release:

Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.

Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.

Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.

The Red Cross will be in and around the Genesee County area and appointments are preferred to cut back on waiting times.

Local upcoming blood drives in our area:

• American Legion Le Roy – Thursday, June 18 – 12 – 5 p.m.
• City Church – Wednesday, June 24 – 2 – 6 p.m.
• Darien Town Hall – Friday, June 26 – 1 – 6 p.m.
• Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church – Saturday, June 27 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.* 

* Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.