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Press release:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 178 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in LeRoy.
    • The individual is in their 40s.
    • The newly positive individual was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • One of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Two of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received 0 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 171 positive cases.
    • One of the previous positive community cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Seventeen of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.       

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans counties' online map of confirmed cases.
 

Press release:

• Extends sales tax filing deadline to June 22, 2020.
• State is investigating 157 reported cases and three deaths related to COVID illness in children with symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome.
• Rockland County is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care.
• New Yorkers should call the Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 if they believe their employer is not following Personal Protective Equipment, hygiene or social distancing guidelines.
• Reminds New Yorkers to look out for calls from "NYS Contact Tracing."
• Confirms 2,088 additional coronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to 356,458; new cases in 44 counties.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced summer school will be conducted through distance learning this year to help reduce the risk of spread. Meal programs and child care services for essential employees will continue.

School districts must also develop a plan for students with disabilities who participate in extended summer school year programs over the summer to ensure they receive instruction.

The state will make a determination on the fall semester and issue guidelines in June so schools and colleges can start to plan for a number of scenarios. K-12 schools and colleges will submit plans for approval to the state in July.

Governor Cuomo also announced the state is extending sales tax interest and penalty relief through June 22, 2020. The state previously provided relief through May 19th for returns due March 20th.

This extension could provide interest and penalty relief for up to 89,000 vendors who had returns due in March. These small businesses file their taxes quarterly and annually, and have taxable receipts of less than $300,000 in the previous quarter.

The Governor also announced the state is currently investigating 157 reported cases in New York where children -- predominantly school-aged -- are experiencing symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome possibly due to COVID-19.

The illness has taken the lives of three young New Yorkers, including a 5-year old in New York City, a 7-year old in Westchester County and a teenager in Suffolk County. To date, 13 countries and 25 other states have reported cases of this COVID-related illness in children.

Governor Cuomo also announced that Rockland County is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care. The Governor previously announced that the state will allow elective outpatient treatments to resume in counties and hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge in the near term, and a total of 51 counties can now resume elective surgeries (four counties do not have hospitals).

The Governor also encouraged New Yorkers to call the Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 if they believe their employer is not following personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene or social distancing guidelines as more businesses begin to reopen.

The Governor also reminded New Yorkers to look out for calls from "NYS Contact Tracing" and to answer those calls as the state begins to implement its contact tracing program.

"As we focus on reopening, schools pose unique complications -- they have high density and transportation issues causing a greater risk of spread unless protective measures are fully in place," Governor Cuomo said. "Now we have another issue that is complicating the situation even further with COVID-related illness in children.

"We are continuing to study this new illness and learn more, but for now summer school will remain closed for in-class teaching and will be conducted through distance learning this year."

Interview with UMMC infection preventionist Tricia Woodward about wearing masks.

Press release:

• Continues partnership with ready responders to expand testing from 8 to 40 public housing sites across NYC.
• State is partnering with SOMOS (a network of more than 2,500 physicians in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn for Medicaid members) to establish 28 additional testing sites at churches and community-based providers in predominately minority neighborhoods; total of 72 faith-based testing sites in partnership with Northwell Health & SOMOS.
• Directs all local governments to expand testing in low-income communities and develop outreach programs.  
• Religious gatherings of no more than 10 people and drive-in and parking lot services will be allowed statewide beginning Thursday, May 21st.  
• State is convening Interfaith Advisory Council to discuss proposals to safely bring back religious services.
• Announces finalists for Wear a Mask New York Ad Contest; New Yorkers can vote through Memorial Day at WearAMask.ny.gov.
• Confirms 1,525 additional coronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to 354,370; new cases in 42 counties.
• Governor Cuomo: "So be smart. Let's use the numbers, let's research. Where are people who are infected? Where are new cases coming from? Where is the spread continuing? Low-income communities, communities of color. They tend to be high Latino, high African-American population. And we are seeing that pattern continue in zip codes, lower-income, predominantly minority."

Cuomo: "It seems like a simple thing, wearing a mask, and it's apparently so simple that people think it's of no consequence. It happens to be of tremendous consequence. It is amazing how effective that mask actually is. Don't take my word for it, I am not a doctor, I am not a public health expert. Again, look at the facts."

Earlier today, Cuomo announced the results of the state's antibody testing survey at churches in lower-income New York City communities and communities of color show 27 percent of individuals tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, compared with 19.9 percent of New York City's overall population. The data was collected from approximately 8,000 individuals and shows high positive rates and continued high community spread in these low-income communities.  

To address these continued high infection rates in low-income and minority communities, Governor Cuomo announced the state is continuing its partnership with Ready Responders to expand testing from eight to 40 public housing developments across New York City. The state is also partnering with SOMOS to establish 28 additional testing sites at churches and community-based providers in predominately minority communities, for a total of 72 faith-based testing sites in the state in partnership with Northwell Health and SOMOS.

The state will also work to stop community spread in these neighborhoods by increasing Personal Protective Equipment availability, providing hand sanitizer, enforcing social distancing and expanding public health and education in these communities.  

Governor Cuomo also directed all local governments to expand testing in low-income communities and develop outreach programs to help address the disparities in these communities.  

The Governor also announced that beginning Thursday, May 21st, religious gatherings of no more than 10 people will be allowed statewide where strict social distancing measures are enforced and all participants wear masks. Additionally, drive-in and parking lot services will also be allowed beginning Thursday.

The Governor also announced the state is convening an Interfaith Advisory Council to discuss proposals to safely bring back religious services. A list of the members of the Interfaith Advisory Council is available here.  

The Governor also announced the five finalists for the Wear a Mask New York Ad Contest, which was launched by the Governor on May 5th and is being overseen by his daughter Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, asked New Yorkers to create and share a video explaining why New Yorkers should wear a mask in public. Over the past two weeks, the state collected more than 600 submissions from New Yorkers across the state. New Yorkers can vote for the winning ad until Monday May 25th at WearAMask.ny.gov. The winning ad will be announced on Tuesday, May 26th, and that ad will be used as a public service announcement.

Retired dispatcher, who started his career with Batavia Police Department 30 years ago today, was honored by members of the force for his service to the department and continued support of its mission.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

Press release from Ed Rath, candidate for the 61st State Senate District:

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has turned our daily lives upside down and state and local governments face unprecedented shortfalls. Rebuilding our economy and prioritizing funding will be more difficult than ever before. But, as is often the case, with great challenges, comes great opportunity.

Long before COVID-19 reached our state, New York was plagued by years of overspending and inefficient government. Due to decades of mismanagement in Albany residents pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, and excessive regulation drives up the cost of providing goods and services.

As we prepare for the Governor, Budget Director and Legislature to make recommendations on how to balance the budget, I would implore them to first look at state mandates. Reducing the cost drivers will make cuts less painful and reduce long-term costs and spending obligations. We do not need more commissions to “reimagine things,” we need to listen to people who work in their fields every day and see firsthand regulations that are beneficial and ones that only add more cost and paperwork.

There have been endless commissions and studies looking at waste in New York State government, and there are countless binders filled with reports and recommendations that have never been seriously considered. Inefficiencies and duplicative regulations drive billions of dollars in wasteful spending but have little or no impact on service. Before state leaders talk about the tough decisions that need to be made, they should first proactively ask about what can be done to make the situation less painful. 

In the end, we must demand our government do the same thing that residents do every day. When financial situations change, we can’t hope for more money from the bank, instead, we must find ways to save money and reduce costs to make the situation better on our own. Residents deserve to know that their state government is doing the same.

In addition, we must prioritize essential services and public health. Despite local governments facing increasing budget shortfalls and a public health crisis, the recently passed budget mandates upstate counties use $50 million in sales tax revenue to replace state funding cuts. At the same time, the budget created a new taxpayer-funded election system at a cost of $100 million and set aside over $400 million for Hollywood production companies.

To recommend cuts to schools, hospitals, and cost shifts to local governments, while protecting spending for taxpayer-funded elections and subsidies to Hollywood is simply wrong. Similarly, residents already pay some of the highest combined tax rates in the nation and we cannot tax our way out of this problem.

If we need something to reimagine, we should start with New York State government.

Press release:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received 4 new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 177 positive cases.
    • The positive cases reside in Batavia and Le Roy.
    • One individual is in their 30s, one individual is in their 40s, one individual is in their 50s, and one individual is in their 80s.
    • Two of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Two of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 171 positive cases.
    • One positive case resides in Ridgeway and one positive case resides in Gaines.
    • One individual is in their 30s and one individual is in their 40s.
    • Neither of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Four of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Seventeen of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.

We recorded this song, "Good Dogs," with "A" Blues Band when thoughts of a pandemic weren't much on our minds, and before I could finish editing the session, coronavirus hit.

Welcome to spring. I hope you get plenty of time with your good dogs out in the fresh air. Thanks to Eli Fish for use of the space.

Interview with Jason Smith, Batavia Concert Band.

Jason Smith shared this photo of a grosbeak that paid a visit to his backyard in Batavia today.

Press Release:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 173 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The individual is in their 70s.
    • The newly positive individual was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • One of the total active positive cases is hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 169 positive cases.
    • Both positive cases are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
    • One individual is in their 60s and one individual is in their 70s.
    • One of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Seventeen of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.           

 Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans Counties' online map of confirmed cases.

Press release:

• Capital Region joins Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions, which have met the seven metrics required to begin reopening.
• Nassau County is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care.
• Announces collaboration with GNYHA & HANYS to implement a two-week hospital visitation pilot program in 16 hospitals across the state to allow increased visitations for family members.
• State will allow Memorial Day ceremonies with 10 people or less.
• Calls on FDA to make sure that pharmaceutical corporations that produce a COVID-19 vaccine release the rights to provide for immediate widespread distribution.
• Confirms 1,474 additional coronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to 352,845; new cases in 42 counties.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the Capital Region has met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state's regional phased reopening plan starting tomorrow, joining the Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions.

The Capital Region has now identified enough contact tracers to meet the state's guidelines, and the tracers are being trained today in preparation for Western New York entering phase one, which includes construction; manufacturing and wholesale supply chain; retail for curbside pick up and drop off, or in-store pick up; and agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Business guidance for phase one of the state's reopening plan is available here. A guide to the state's "NY Forward Reopening" Plan is available here. The state's regional monitoring dashboard is available here.

Governor Cuomo also announced that Nassau County is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care. The Governor previously announced that the state will allow elective outpatient treatments to resume in counties and hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge in the near term, and a total of 50 counties can now resume elective surgeries.

The Governor also announced a collaboration with the Greater New York Hospital Association and the Healthcare Association of New York State to implement a two-week hospital visitation pilot program in 16 hospitals across the state to allow increased visitations for family members and loved ones. As part of the pilot program, visits will be time limited and visitors will be provided with and must wear PPE and are subject to symptom and temperature checks.

The Governor also announced the state will allow Memorial Day ceremonies of 10 people or less statewide, with final decisions about ceremonies being left to local governments. The Governor also encouraged vehicle parades in honor of veterans for Memorial Day.

The Governor also called on the FDA to take steps now to make sure that pharmaceutical corporations that produce a COVID-19 vaccine release the rights to the vaccine to provide for immediate widespread distribution and help ensure the vaccine is available to all individuals.

"As more regions and businesses across the state become eligible to begin reopening, New Yorkers are getting excited, but we must not forget the hard work we've done and the pain we've experienced for the last two months," Governor Cuomo said. "Everything that we did -- the closings, social distancing and other measures -- were tough but necessary, and because of it we saved lives and we flattened the curve.

"If you look at the curve in New York compared to the rest of the nation, we're going down while the curve is still going up in many other regions. We must continue to do everything we've been doing even as we begin to reopen and remember the lessons we've learned through all of this."

With all of the traditional ways seniors celebrate and commemorate their final year of high school canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of parents in and community members in Alexander came together to provide gift baskets to the Class of 2020.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $1.88, up 3 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.85. The New York State average is $2.16 – up 1 cent from last week.

A year ago, the NYS average was $2.96. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.20 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.19 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.13 (no change since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.19 (no change since last week)
• Rome -- $2.12 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.06 (no change since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.14 (up 1 cents since last week)

Gas prices are fluctuating around the country (with the highest prices in the Northeast and on the West Coast) as demand increases amid reopening phases and stocks begin to decrease. Local prices are also mixed this morning. Typically, this week brings some of the highest prices of the year as Memorial Day weekend approaches.

However, this year is anything but typical. One thing is certain, as regions across New York begin to reopen and destinations like campgrounds open for holiday recreation, the need for gasoline will increase. Motorists returning to work will also drive up demand. Expect prices to increase as more motorists hit the roads.

GasBuddy:

"The recovery in gasoline prices has continued across much of the country thanks to recovery in fuel demand as states reopen and motorists get out of the house as temperatures are more conducive to outdoor activity," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Oil prices continue to follow the gasoline-led recovery, with challenges still seen for portions of the refined oil barrel, including diesel and jet fuel.

"It's been a dramatic turn of events -- a month ago, gasoline was the least wanted portion of the barrel, and refiners acted quickly to respond to gasoline demand that dropped in half, but now as cabin fever hits Americans, gasoline demand has rebounded notably, which has caused oil prices to follow.

Expect the uptick to continue as we approach Memorial Day, but prices will still set multiyear lows for the holiday and may for a good portion of the summer as well, so there should remain optimism with motorists -- summer gas prices will remain quite low compared to previous years."

Press release:

Divorce lawyer Beth Parlato, who on Friday was forced to pull an attack ad from the air after a published report concluded that Parlato faced the possibility of “a hefty fine and/or up to six months in jail” followed up the illegal ad with a mailing this weekend that included a fake endorsement.

Parlato’s weekend mailing includes the words “Endorsed Pro-Life Candidate” encircled by laurel wreath clip art and under a checkmark, but no actual endorsing organization is listed.

In fact, last week Chris Jacobs was endorsed by the National Right to Life, the nation's oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. (Jacobs for Congress, 5/11/20)

“Beth Parlato must think Republicans in New York’s 27th District are dumb,” Jacobs spokesman Christian Chase said. “Ads pulled from the air, ads with fake actors, and now a fake endorsement -- is anything about Beth Parlato’s campaign true?”

Parlato’s fake endorsement comes just days after pulling her illegal ad from the air, and the same week all eight Republicans chairs in the 27th District demanded Parlato “suspend (her) negative campaign and promote your own candidacy rather than viciously attacking others." (Buffalo News, 5/13/20) 

One county chair described Parlato’s negative campaign as “the continuation of a destructive behavior pattern for her own self-promotion,” and said it seems “like she's working with Nate McMurray." (Buffalo News, 5/13/20)

“Beth Parlato’s nasty, negative attacks and fake endorsements are moves straight out of the desperate candidate playbook,” Chase said. “Beth Parlato is doing everything she can to hand this seat to far-left liberal Nate McMurray and Republican voters won’t tolerate it.”

Response press release:

Beth Parlato, endorsed Conservative Republican for Congress in NY-27 released this statement:

“Chris Jacobs continues to show his weak candidacy for Congress. They have to lie to create anything to try and attack me. The weak, fake attacks are being sent to the media to hide the fact that Jacobs is scared to debate me on his liberal voting record. 

There is no illegal ad or fake endorsements. The truth is, I have been endorsed by The Conservative Party of New York State; Pro-Life Concerned Women for America, the largest public policy women’s organization in our nation; Pro-Life Moms for America, and many others. In fact, Chris Jacobs failed to receive the Conservative Party endorsement due to his pro-abortion stance.

Our campaign continues to run with integrity. We will not follow in Chris Jacob’s footsteps and put forth nasty, negative attacks, and outright lies. We will continue highlighting his liberal voting record where he voted to send our taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood and for Medicaid-funded abortions.”

Press release:

Chris Jacobs released the following statement in response to Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s (R-NY) call for a federal investigation into Governor Cuomo’s handling of COVID-19 in New York nursing homes (Fox News, 5/16/20)

“I applaud Rep. Stefanik’s leadership on this issue and I fully agree that a comprehensive and robust federal investigation must be conducted into Governor Cuomo and his failed policy, which directed recovering COVID-19 patients back into nursing homes. His directive put countless lives at risk and potentially lead to a higher death toll than we would have ever experienced otherwise.

"While no investigation could ever take away the heartbreaking pain and grief thousands of families across our state are experiencing, they deserve to know what happened, and if there has been wrong-doing or negligence, they deserve justice.

"When I join the New York Congressional delegation in June, I pledge to join Rep. Stefanik and my other colleagues in ensuring a thorough federal investigation is launched and those responsible are held accountable – we owe it to all the members of our New York family we have tragically lost.”

A male in his 20s, driving a four-door sedan, died in Bergen this evening after his westbound car crossed into the oncoming lane then traveled off the south shoulder before striking some small trees, hitting an embankment and flipping over into a utility pole.

A crash scene investigator said there was no sign of skid marks on the roadway. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Two other people were injured in the accident. Both were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, one by Mercy Flight.

The accident scene was on Townline Road, less than a mile from the location of another fatal accident a few hours earlier. In that accident, a female in her late 20s who was jogging on Townline Road, was struck by a westbound car that crossed the center line and the fog line striking the runner.

No names have yet been released in either accident.

Volunteers with Bergen Fire Department responded to both fatal accident scenes.

UPDATE: The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Elijah R. Coombs, 25, of Oakfield. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Jamie R. Bachorski, 26, of Oakfield, was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight with serious injuries. Samantha J. Wade, 21, of Byron, was transported to Strong by Mercy EMS with minor injuries. Coombs was driving a 2005 Chervolet Impala. The accident remains under investigation. Assisting at the scene where Bergen fire, Byron fire, Mercy EMS, and State Police.

(Initial Report)

Press release:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received two new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 172 positive cases.
    • One of the positive cases resides in Batavia and one of the positive cases resides in Bergen.
    • One of the individuals is in their 20s and one individual is in their 50s.
    • Two of the newly positive individuals were not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Five of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • One of the total active positive cases is hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 167 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Carlton.
    • The individual is in their 70s.
    • The newly positive community case was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Fifteen the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility.  We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.
    • We received word an individual residing in The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center has died. Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad time.   

             Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans Counties' online map of confirmed cases.

A pedestrian has reportedly been hit by a car on Townline Road west of South Lake Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire and ambulance dispatched.  

Dispatchers checking the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 11:54 a.m.: The driver may also be injured. Second ambulance requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:59 a.m.: Byron fire's rescue and ambulance requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:01 p.m.: Fire police requested to shut down traffic at Route 19 and Buffalo Street.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Trooper James O'Callahan, public information officer for the State Police, confirms that NYSP is investigating a fatal car/pedestrian accident in Bergen. No further information is being released at this time.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Bergen assignment back in service. The road is reopened.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A man has reportedly fallen off a two-story roof at a location on Horseshoe Lake Road in Stafford.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Mercy Flight available if needed.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) (11:08 a.m.): A first responder on scene says the man fell about eight feet. He is conscious and alert and is answering some questions.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Mercy Flight was cancelled.