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New court procedures ordered due to COVID-19, all nonessential functions postponed

By Billie Owens

Press release today, March 17, from the New York State Unified Court System, Hon. Paula L. Feroleto Administrative Judge:

Be advised that pursuant to Administrative Judicial Order of the New York State Unified Court System, the Courts of New York State have postponed all nonessential functions until further notice.

For all Court Outside of New York City, Court matters in each county will be condensed into one location where only ESSENTIAL cases will be heard. In Genesee County, the courthouse facilities where ESSENTIAL cases will be heard locally, as part of the Eighth Judicial District, are:

  • Genesee County Court, Genesee County Court Facility, Batavia

  • Batavia City Court, Genesee County Court Facility, Batavia

In the Eighth Judicial District, in the absence of approval by the Administrative Judge, Hon. Paula L. Feroleto, other than after hours arraignments, no court matters or court business will be conducted in any court facility other than the facilities listed above. Only ESSENTIAL court matters will be heard in these facilities.

After-hour criminal court arraignments and applications for emergency orders of protection will be conducted in the appropriate jurisdictional city, town or village justice court facility.

Effective immediately, in the absence of further Court Order, in all counties of the Eighth Judicial District:

1. All pending criminal court proceedings for defendants who have been arraigned and released on their own recognizance are administratively adjourned until a date on or April 30, 2020. For Defendants who have been arraigned and are in custody, all pending criminal court matters are adjourned until on or after April 15, 202. Defendants will receive new notices of their future scheduled court dates.

2. All criminal court matters scheduled to be heard for arraignments on criminal court appearance tickets in any city, town and village justice court are administratively adjourned until a date on or after April 30, 2020. Defendants will be notified of future court dates.

3. All post arraignment criminal court proceedings are administratively adjourned until a date on or after April 30, 2020. Defendants will be notified of future court dates through their attorneys. For pro se defendants, they will be advised of their future court date directly by the court.

4. Regular business day criminal court arraignments will be conducted in the courthouses listed above. After hour, weekend or holiday criminal court arraignments will be conducted in the appropriate jurisdictional city, town or village justice court facility.

5. All Orders of Protections and Temporary Order of Protection, issued by any Criminal, Family or Civil Court (including Supreme, County, Family, City, Town and Village Courts) are extended 90 days.

6. All nonessential pending civil actions and proceedings, in any Supreme, County, Surrogate’s City and Town and Village Court are administratively adjourned until a date on or after April 30, 2020. Parties in these actions and proceedings will be advised through their attorneys or pro parties will be advised directly by the Court.

7. All nonessential pending Family Court matters are administratively adjourned until a date on or after April 30, 2020. Parties in these actions and proceedings will be advised through their attorneys or pro parties will be advised directly by the Court.

8. For Criminal Court proceedings, essential court matters include, but are not limited to arraignments, new and extended orders of protection.

9. For Family Court proceedings, essential court matters include, but are not limited to, urgent juvenile delinquency proceedings, child protective proceedings where there is an imminent risk of harm to a child, urgent Family Offense matters, emergency support matters.

10. For Supreme Court Civil actions and proceedings, essential court matters include, but are not limited to, urgent Article 81 guardianship matters, Mental Hygiene Law applications (Retention Cases/Medication/Treatment Over Objection Proceedings), Orders to Show Cause, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Applications for Orders of Protection, Isolation and Quarantine Proceedings.

11. For Surrogate’s Court proceedings, essential court matters include, but are not limited to, urgent guardianship, adoption and other essential cases as determined by the Court in consultation with the Administrative Judge.

  1. No evictions orders will be granted by any city, town or village justice court.

  2. No default judgments will be granted.

  3. No foreclosure auctions shall be held.

Due to coronavirus concerns, City Clerk's Office and ice rink closed to public until further notice

By Billie Owens

Press release:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Batavia Downs and all OTB branches to close tonight at 8 in keeping with state directives on COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Press release:

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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Interview with Anibal Soler Jr., superintendent, Batavia City Schools.

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

The Salvation Army suspends all programs, including luncheons, evening youth activities, and Mobile Food Pantry

By Billie Owens

Press release:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Law and Order: Highland Park teen accused of burglary, criminal mischief and assault at Main Street gas station

By Billie Owens

Devon A. Wright, 18, (inset photo, right) of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with third-degree burglary; fourth-degree criminal mischief, and third-degree assault. Wright was arrested on March 12 as a result of an investigation into an incident which occurred at 12:50 p.m. on March 2 at the Sunoco Gas Station and convenience store at 100 W. Main St. in Batavia. It is alleged that he refused to leave the property, attempted to cause physical injury to an employee, then damaged property inside the business. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance and was due to return to court March 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Sean Wilson.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TVFCU closes lobby until further notice, transactions via drive-thru, phone, online

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Due to the Genesee County State of Emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union has closed the lobby today, March 16, until further notice. Our drive thru remains OPEN for all teller transactions.

In addition, we are here to serve the rest of your needs by phone, including lending, 585- 343-5627 and website www.tvfcubatavia.com

COVID-19 Update, as of Monday, March 16:

ONLY DRIVE-UP OPEN, EFFECTIVE TODAY – LOBBY CLOSED

Beginning today, our lobby will be closed to member traffic. We welcome you to conduct your teller transactions in our four-lane drive-up in an effort to apply social distancing to protect both you and our staff. In addition, our ATM and our network of ATM’s are also available to you, to ensure you have adequate access to your cash.

Currently, our hours will remain unchanged. We will be ready to serve you Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon in our drive up or via phone. This schedule is subject to change.

Members looking for loans or for in-person appointments, are asked to call our office first, before stopping in. We will do our best to accommodate all requests. If you had an appointment previously set up with a loan officer, please call to confirm your appointment.

With our new home banking www.tvfcubatavia.com and our new mobile app, you will find it easy to perform for most banking transactions. Use either of these methods, to check balances, transfer funds, make loan payments, deposit checks, and pay your bills while remaining safely in your home.

If you have questions about setting up home banking, bill pay, or installing our mobile app, please call to speak to a member of our tech team, for assistance.

Our main concern is for your safety and for the safety of our staff. We appreciate your willingness to explore the many alternative ways we plan to serve you at this time. Thank you for being a loyal member of TVFCU and your patience to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blue Pearl Yoga Studio closed temporarily due to coronavirus pandemic

By Billie Owens

From Blue Pearl Yoga Studio:

Blue Pearl Yoga has decided to follow the lead of the Batavia City School District and temporarily close the studio due to the coronavirus outbreak. We will most likely reopen the studio when public school resumes.

For Class Card Holders, all Consistency Reward dates and expiration dates will be extended for the length of our closure.

Yin Yoga will resume when the studio reopens to complete the rest of the classes left in this session.

Restorative Yoga Registrants will be reimbursed in full.

Take very good care of yourself as you care for those you love. We will stay in touch through future emails and posts on our Facebook page.

Richmond library cancels all programs, outside meetings through May 11, materials for pick up only

By Billie Owens

COVID-19 / Richmond Memorial Library Update March 16:

1) Cancelling all programs and outside meetings for eight weeks (through May 11).
2) Isolating materials for a minimum of nine hours/ until the next day after check in and sanitizing hard surfaces daily.
3) Toys have been put in storage to encourage shorter family visits.
4) Washing hands frequently and staying home if sick.
5) Extending checkouts for nine weeks (through May 18)

As we prioritize services, we will do our best to keep library materials available to you. Please note that interlibrary loan will be effected due to various closures within the NIOGA system.

What we ask of you:

Practice social distancing. Stay home if sick or vulnerable.

Materials may be ordered online or by phone. Use the library only for pickup, or send a healthy friend or family member with your card to get your materials.

If you are over the age of 60 you may qualify for home delivery of library materials through our library visits program.
Call 585-343-9550, option 6, for more information.

Remember, our website is open 24/7 with resources like OverDrive, Hoopla, Miss Humblebee's Academy and more!

These measures will be evaluated constantly and updated as needed.

Richmond Memorial Library
19 Ross St., Batavia | 343-9550 |  batavialibrary.org

City Schools serving 'grab and go' breakfast and lunches for all students

By Howard B. Owens

Announcement from Batavia City Schools:

Due to Genesee County declaring a countywide state of emergency, Batavia City School District will remain closed until further notice, including all school-based activities.

However, the District is taking steps to do whatever it can to support our students and our families during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

Our nutritional services department will be providing free “grab and go” breakfast and lunch bags for all students (and all household family members under the age of 18). These will be distributed each school day from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. by the entrance of all District building properties, including the Robert Morris building, as pictured and as described here:

  • Jackson: Pick up will be from the loop in front of the building (via Jackson Street);
  • JK: Pick up will be in the parent loop (Vine Street);
  • MS: Pick up will be on the side of the building; Please enter via Walker Place;
  • HS: Pick up will be from the loop in front of the school (State Street);
  • RM: Bus loop on side of the building (Union Street).

If this arrangement for food distribution poses a challenge for your family, please call your child’s school’s main office. The number for all District offices is 343-2480, then add the appropriate extension for your school building as follows: Jax is ext. 4000, JK is ext. 5000, BMS is ext. 3000, BHS is ext. 2000).

In addition, the District is collaborating with community partners about additional resources regarding food distribution and will provide updates as they become available.

Instructional information for students is also being made available so that students can continue to engage in their studies as much as possible.

All students, K-12 will have access to materials through the COVID-19 tab on our website, or through this direct link. In addition, Jackson Primary and John Kennedy will be providing paper packets for K-4 students that will be distributed with the “grab and go” breakfast/lunch bags.

Please continue to check our Facebook page and website. We will be providing updates as they become available. In addition, if you have specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by email, the “Let’s Talk” app accessed through our website, or a phone call to the appropriate office or building.

For further guidance and recommendations for staying healthy and protecting yourself, your family, and others during this outbreak, please consult the attached document about "social distancing" as well as these helpful guidelines and information sources:

~ https://www.cdc.gov/coron…/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

~ https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

~ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

Tops changes hours to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in order to restock and maintain increased sanitation levels

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, with Genesee County locations in Batavia and Le Roy, are temporarily limiting hours of operation.

As we continue to do all we can to serve the needs of our customers, we will be changing our hours of operation from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to restock and continue to maintain the increased sanitation levels in our stores.

Stores that typically close earlier will maintain their existing hours of operation. These revised hours will be in effect until further notice.

For more information on these and other details re: COVID-19 updates, please visit our website.

LIVE: Interview with Blue Devils Coach Brennan Briggs

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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This is our first live stream news interview. We're talking with Batavia Blue Devils Head Coach Brennan Briggs about the team's effort to to help the community by delivering groceries to those who need assistance while maintaining social distancing. 

If the stream isn't working, click here.

Liberty Center for Youth closed until further notice

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In response to the State of Emergency called by Genesee County officials and the closure of Genesee County schools, The Liberty Center for Youth will be closed until further notice.

The City of Batavia will continue to take all reasonable precautions to keep City employees, residents, and students safe from contracting and spreading the coronavirus. 

  • Please continue to follow social distancing techniques;
  • Stay home if you are ill;
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently;
  • Above all, remain calm.

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.

Batavia PD begins social distancing protocol

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In an effort to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) the following precautions will be implemented at the City of Batavia Police Department, effective immediately:

  • Police Headquarters located at 10 W. Main St. will remain locked at all times. Anyone responding to the police station can utilize the phone in the vestibule, which will contact our dispatch center at all times.
  • If you are in need of a copy of a report please contact our Records Clerk at 585-345-6303 before responding to the Station, you will be given directions on how to proceed with your request at that time.
  • If you need to report a crime that has already occurred or simply want to speak with an officer, we ask that you contact our dispatch center at 585-345-6350. The dispatchers will obtain your information and an officer will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
  • If you have an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately and officers will be dispatched to you.
  • We ask that if you can do so to please meet the officers outside and speak with them rather than the officers coming into your home.
  • Officers will be practicing “social distancing” techniques as advised by the County’s Health Department.

These measures are to ensure that we can adequately respond to emergencies and to help safeguard both the public and the police officers from accidental exposure to the virus. Please see the Genesee County Public Health Department website for additional information about the COVID-19 virus.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these difficult days together. Rest assured the City of Batavia; the Police Department and its employees are ready to aid in any way possible to ensure that our community remains safe at all times.

Letter to 'Blue Devils Community' from City Schools superintendent

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Dear Batavia Blue Devils' Community,

When I started my tenure as your Superintendent of Schools I never thought that within my first two months we would be dealing with a pandemic and being forced to close schools until further notice. These are definitely new and constantly evolving times for our students, families, staff, community, and nation. Please know that the decision to close schools is never an easy one as our schools are the support and gateway to resources for our kids and families.

Please know that we're working closely with public health experts and while we don't have a confirmed case in Genesee County as of yet – a State of Emergency was declared for our region last night. We believe with proper healthy habits and social distancing that many of us remain at low risk for contracting COVID-19.

What is social distancing you might ask? It is the practice of reducing close contact between people to slow the spread of infections or diseases. Social distancing measures include limiting large groups of people coming together, closing buildings and canceling events.

Therefore, the guidance is that if we close schools, we will be able to slow down a community spread and assist our public health system in being able to test, treat and slow down the spread of COVID-19.

The BCSD Leadership Team and I met today, and we have developed the following Closure Plan that will be in place effective Monday, March 16, 2020. Phase One of the plan focuses primarily on food distribution, instructional resources, staff reporting, and facility access.

Closure Plan: Phase One

·         Food Distribution: “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch will be available for students and family members under the age of 18, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday through Friday at the front entrances of Batavia High School, Batavia Middle School, John Kennedy Intermediate School, Jackson Primary School, and Robert Morris. We are also currently working with community partners and agencies on providing late afternoon/ evening meal options.

·         Instructional Resources: Teachers have prepared instructional lessons and activities for students to stay engaged with schoolwork while school is not in session. Please visit the following link to access your school’s Closure Resources: https://www.bataviacsd.org/Page/7546

·         Staff Reporting: All essential staff will report to allow us to answer school phones, clean buildings, distribute meals and support any questions or concerns.

·         Facility and Building Access: Teachers and High School students will be afforded an opportunity on Monday, March 16th to come in and pick up any personal items or classroom materials they will need during this closure period. Specific communication regarding this opportunity will come directly from school Principals.

The district has also created a COVID-19 webpage that will list a variety of resources and information on our district website. I would encourage you to check the website and our Batavia City Schools Facebook page regularly for ongoing updates.

Please be assured that the Batavia City School District will continue to act out of an abundance of caution to protect everyone’s health and well-being. We will monitor our Closure Plan on a weekly basis and look to make necessary adjustments as needed to support our students, families and staff.

I know we will get through this together!

WE are BATAVIA!!! #BetterTogetherBatavia

Sincerely,

Anibal Soler Jr.
Superintendent
Batavia City Schools

Video: Message from Pastor Roula Alkhouri, Batavia First Presbyterian Church

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia First Presbyterian Church is one of the churches in Genesee County that canceled in-person Sunday services today. This morning, Pastor Roula Alkhouri used Facebook Live to conduct an online service for the church community. Last night, she recorded the video message above and invited us to share it.

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