Salon Miaou, a salon on East Main Street, Batavia, hosted a meet-and-greet Monday evening for Joan Seamans, center, a candidate in the Democratic primary for the 61st State Senate seat.
Photo and info submitted by Nicole Ilasi.
Elba's full-court press proved to be too much for Hinsdale to handle Monday night in a Class D2 Section V semifinal game at Wayland-Cohocton. The Lady Lancers won 60-25 sending them to a championship match at 6 p.m. Friday at Letchworth against Andover.
The victory was the Lady Lancers' 20th of the season against two defeats.
Brynn Walczak scored 17 points. Maddie Muehlig scored 15. Taylor Augello scored nine. Muehlig was 5-8 from beyond the arc. Leah Bezon, who scored six points, had 10 rebounds. The team combined for 16 steals.
Hinsdale was held to seven points in the first half. No Hinsdale player reached double-digits in scoring in the game.
There were no other girls' basketball games played Monday night.
In boys' basketball:
Tonight's girls' games:
Tomorrow, Byron-Bergen plays Letchworth at 6 p.m. and Pembroke plays Red Jacket at 7:45 p.m. Both games are at HFL.
In boys' basketball tonight, Elba plays Bradford at 7 p.m. at Mount Morris.
The first case of coronavirus in New York was announced yesterday but that was in New York City and so far there is no evidence of the disease reaching Western New York. That doesn't mean, however, that Genesee County residents shouldn't be aware and have a plan for dealing with a nearby outbreak, local health officials say.
Local health agencies have been keeping an eye on COVID-19* since it was first reported in Wuhan, China about two months ago, said Paul Pettit, Genesee County health director.
He said local officials have been in discussion with state officials for weeks as well as communicating with and monitor information from the Center for Disease Control.
The plan right now is to encourage people to do what they normally should due during flu season:
"The primary goal is containment and (to) suppress it as best we can," Pettit said. "If we find a case, we want to develop a case history, find how who may people have been exposed, where the person has traveled if they've been out and about and at public events. That is the best way to suppress it and ensure to lock it down."
One thing you don't need to do: Hoard masks. The only people who need to wear masks, Pettit said, are health care workers and people already infected. They will do little to help people in the general public to protect them from infection and hoarding masks will make it harder for those who truly need them to get them.
One of the reasons this new virus was able to spread quickly -- outside of the Chinese government mishandling the initial outbreak -- is that a person can be a carrier for two weeks and show no symptoms. So if a person doesn't know he or she is infected, that person is going to go about their normal daily routine.
There are two ways the disease is transmitted in the United States -- either by those people who have traveled overseas in a region where Corvid-19 is spreading or by what authorities call "community transmission" (people who became infected by coming into contact with an infected person in the local community).
The one infected person in New York City is a woman in her 30s who recently returned from Iran, where more than 1,500 cases have been reported and 66 people have died (250 people have recovered).
Obviously, Pettit said, community transmission is the larger concern but people who have traveled to regions where the disease is present should be quarantined upon their return to the United States.
So far, four people in Genesee County (and five in Orleans County) who traveled to China have been quarantined. All four were isolated at home for two weeks and monitored daily for signs of illness. None became ill, Pettit said. None of the individuals had been to Wuhan, China.
Schools, faith-based organizations, community groups, and those holding public gatherings, also need to develop plans for responding to a potential outbreak, Pettit said. The CDC website can be a resource for local organizations to develop response plans.
"We don't want people to panic but we want people to understand it's a serious issue," Pettit said.
So far in China, there have been more than 80,000 cases reported out of nearly 90,000 reported worldwide. Globally, 3,056 deaths have been reported. In the United States, there are at least 90 confirmed cases and five deaths. There have been reports of community transmission in California, Oregon and Washington. There's concern that the virus spread in Washington for weeks without detection.
That isn't a concern here at this point, Pettit said, and this week, two of New York's infection disease labs became centers for testing for coronavirus.
United Memorial Medical Center is ready if the epidemic reaches Genesee County, said CEO Dan Ireland.
He said hospital staff, including Tricia Woodward, infection preventionist, have been monitoring the situation closely since the outbreak was first reported in China and keeping the rest of the hospital staff informed.
Like Pettit, Ireland said one of the best strategies to containing the disease is good information and acting on it.
"That means we're making sure we're prepared according to CDC guidelines," Ireland said. "We conduct education with the staff here, communicate out with our community partners, and Tricia does on-the-spot discussions with staff to make sure they have the correct information. We have routine education and drills to make sure our staff is always ready to respond."
If there is a local case, Woodward said the patient would be kept in a special isolation room and any staff entering the room would wear goggles, a mask, gloves and a gown.
Like Pettit, Woodward said the best strategy to level out transmission is for people who become sick is to stay home.
Not every case of COVID-19 is serious. Like the flu, most are not. The disease is most dangerous for older people, people with compromised immune systems, and people with respiratory difficulties, which is why the best recommendation for anybody who may become sick is to first, call your doctor. Don't leave the house unless directed to do so by a qualified medical professional.
"Having people flooding into ERs or doctors' offices when they suspect they're sick creates more of an environment where it can be transmitted, so it's not a bad thing to pick up the phone and call a doctor," Ireland said. "If you have a high fever, a doctor can provide proper guidance."
In China, there have been whole cities placed on a social isolation regime. That means people must stay home. Businesses and factories have closed. Public events were canceled.
If that happens here, people will need to be prepared with enough nonperishable, shelf-stable food and water to stay isolated for up to three weeks.
"Fortunately, we're nowhere near that stage anywhere in the U.S. or in this state," Pettit said. "Obviously the goal is to use quarantines to keep from getting to that point."
But a lot of any success is keeping the disease from spreading at China-like levels will depend on the actions of individual citizens, not government agencies.
"Everybody has to be personally accountable," Pettit said. "Everybody has to do their part and take care of themselves so they can take care of others."
*(According to the CDC: COVID-19, "CO" stands for "corona," "VI" for "virus," and "D" for disease.)
Press release:
February 29 only happens once every four years, and for proud parents Chelsie Pangrazio and Daniel Laudico, and siblings Ky’Reese and Karter, it was an extra special day. Meet Kerigan Mae Laudico, born Leap Day at 8:33 a.m. This adorable little leapling and her family are all doing well!
Press release from AAA:
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.44, down 3 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.43. The New York State average is $2.59 – down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.53.
AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
- Batavia -- $2.59 (no change since last week)
- Buffalo -- $2.53 (down 1 cent since last week)
- Ithaca -- $2.62 (no change since last week)
- Rochester -- $2.56 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Rome -- $2.61 (down 1 cent since last week)
- Syracuse -- $2.51 (up 3 cents since last week)
- Watertown -- $2.58 (down 3 cents since last week)
Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that total domestic gasoline supplies remain high – and the level is much higher than one year ago. That has helped to push pump prices lower across the country as crude oil remains cheap.
Oil prices plummeted at the end of February as coronavirus shut down factories in China, which is the largest importer of oil. The drop in demand pushed oil prices down though some varieties (WTI & Brent Crude) have begun to inch up this morning.
The global drop in demand is likely to continue through the end of the winter driving season. However, refinery maintenance, which is just beginning now, could impact prices in the month of March.
From GasBuddy:
"As the spread of the coronavirus induces panic on markets, oil prices have been walloped and motorists should avoid filling up as the plummet in oil prices starts showing up at their local gas station in the days ahead," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
"Nearly every village, town and city in every state will see gas prices dropping -- the pace may vary, of course -- but over the next week gas prices will move lower solidly, barring any dramatic improvement in the spread of the virus.
The drop in oil is little comfort to those who've been watching the stock market fall, but gas stations have plenty of room to drop prices, in some cases nearly 25-35 cent drops over the next few weeks will happen.
My advice for motorists is delay buying gasoline and expect noticeable drops for the time being as the world obsesses over the spread of COVID-19."
Genesee County Republicans rallied for their candidates, to kick off election-season signature drives, at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia on Saturday, with a previously unannounced appearance by state GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said he had recently spoken with Langworthy and happened to mention the event and Langworthy rearranged his schedule to attend.
Genesee County GOP endorsed candidates on hand:
Oakfield-Alabama advanced to the semifinals of the Class C3 sectional tournament Friday night by beating South Seneca 84-58.
Kam Cusmano scored 23 points for the Hornets and Kaden Cusmano scored 19.
Boys' results from Saturday:
Boys' semifinal playoff schedule:
Saturday's girls' results:
Girls' semifinal schedule:
Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos from the game, click here.
Photos of Le Roy game below by Tim McArdle.
Pembroke's 21st win on the season came in its second game of sectional play today when the Lady Dragons beat Warsaw 47-28.
The Dragons dominated on defense and were led by DeKari Moss on offense, who scored 19 points.
Serene Calderon scored 11 and Emily Peters scored nine, all on three-point shots.
For Warsaw, Ceanne Ellsworth scored 15 points.
In Class C1, the 21-1 Dragons next play Red Jacket (17-5) at 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, at a location to be determined.
The number-two seed in the bracket, Byron-Bergen (18-4), beat East Rochester tonight and next plays Letchworth (8-14) at 6 p.m., March 4, at a location to be determined, setting up a possible cross-county class of C1 rivals.
It was a big night for Notre Dame on Friday. Yes, the boys' basketball team won another post-season playoff game -- beating Jasper-Troupsburg 71-58 -- but it was also the night the Fighting Irish honored Hall of Fame Coach Mike Rapone for achieving his 700th career win in Lyndonville last week.
Rapone was honored in remarks by Principal Wade Bianco, lifelong friend, former principal, Joseph Scanlan, and former player Mike Redding.
In the game, Collin McCulley scored 23 points, Gabe Macdonald, 15, Mark Sanders, 12, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, 8. Sanders also had five steals, Macdonald had 14 rebounds and six assists. McCulley had seven rebounds.
For Jasper-Troupsburg, Brayden Hill scored 19 points, hitting four three-pointers, and Tyler Flint scored 12.
Also on Friday in boys' basketball:
Upcoming games:
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced today that he has endorsed Sen. Chris Jacobs in the April 28 Special Election for U.S. Congress. Jacobs is running to serve the remainder of former Rep. Chris Collins’ term representing New York’s 27th Congressional District.
The district spans from the suburbs of Buffalo through the Finger Lakes and Canandaigua with Hawley’s hometown of Batavia sitting at the heart of the district.
“I am wholeheartedly endorsing Senator Jacobs to serve as our next Congressman,” Hawley said. “In an era highlighted by radical ideals and attacks on our values, we need a strong leader and proven legislator who will stand up for our beliefs here in Western New York.
"Senator Jacobs is a successful businessman with a proven track record of creating jobs and giving back to his neighbors philanthropically. I endorse Senator Jacobs in the April Special Election and am confident he will serve with honor and dignity as our next Congressman.”
UPDATE: The Chris Jacobs campaign also put out a press release that contained this statement:
“I am beyond honored and grateful to receive Assemblyman Hawley’s endorsement," Jacobs said. "It has been an honor serving beside him in the State Legislature and he has been a true conservative fighter for the people of Western New York.
"With his endorsement, I feel confident that we can usher in a new era of prosperity in our region and send strong conservative leadership to Washington."
Press release:
At the Feb. 26th Legislature meeting, County Manager Jay Gsell announced his plan to retire as of Aug. 14. He will have 27 years as county manager and a total of 45 years working in government.
In addition to announcing his retirement date, Gsell shared details of the succession plan, which includes Assistant County Manager Matthew Landers' appointment to the position of County Manager.
Upon earning his bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, Gsell immediately went on to American University earning his Master of Public Administration degree.
In the late 1970s and through the 1980s, he served as assistant or city manager in the cities of Trenton, Norton Shores, Eau Claire, Winchester, Cumberland, and Marshalltown. In 1993, after rising to the top of 70 applicants from a national search, Gsell was appointed county manager by the Genesee County Legislature.
According to Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein, he has completely immersed himself in Genesee County, a place he and his wife, Ann Marie, call home.
“Jay wears many hats; county manager and budget officer, family man, member (and past president) of Rotary, United Way board member and chair of the county’s comprehensive plan committee to name a few,” Stein said.
The Legislature has met with Landers and look forward to a seamless transition.
Landers brings nearly 10 years of municipal experience beginning with a three-year stint as director of real property tax services before a promotion to deputy treasurer and in 2014 assistant county manager.
Matt and wife, Melissa, are lifelong Genesee County residents.
He attended The College at Brockport where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Public Administration. He’s an active member of Kiwanis Club, Leadership Genesee graduate and is a certified public accountant.
Landers can been seen coaching daughter Katie’s softball team or working on the fields at Lyons Park or pitching to son, Ben, at batting practice.
“We are well-positioned to maintain quality administration of our county and look forward to promoting homegrown Matt Landers to county manager,” Stein said.
CORRECTIONS: A source provided the following corrections to the press release: Landers has 16 years of municipal government experience. He was deputy county treasurer from 2004 to 2014. During that time, he was also director of real property for three years.
Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski released a budget message video on social media today.
Closures and cancellations for today:
The Lady Hornets started what they will hope will be a successful post-season run with a convincing victory over Alexander, 62-49.
Brooke Reding scored 19 points, Brianna Smith, 15, and Kelsey Schlagenhauf, 14.
For Alexander, Hailie Kramer scored 24 points, Mel Pohl scored nine, and Ally Mileham and Natalie Whitmore scored six each.
Oakfield-Alexander (14-7) will continue its pursuit of a Class C2 Section V title at 7 p.m., Friday against Red Creek (15-6) at Red Creek.
In other girls' basketball playoff games on Wednesday:
Upcoming games:
Upcoming boys' basketball games:
UPDATE: Photos of Pembroke's game by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.
UPDATE: Click here for photos by Kristin Smith of the O-A vs. Alexander game.
In Wednesday's Scholastic Bowl competition, Batavia scored 340 points in the second match to beat Notre Dame, 170, and Alexander, 160.
In the first match, Pembroke beat Le Roy and Alden 240 to 230 and 170.
Schools that have canceled classes:
Closures and cancellations:
Email closures and cancellations to howard@thebatavian.com
Heavy snow is expected tonight through tomorrow afternoon throughout Western New York.
A winter storm warning has been issued from 10 p.m. through 1 p.m. Thursday.
Snow accumulations of five to nine inches are expected with winds from 45 to 50 mph, which is likely to result in blowing and drifting snow.
The National Weather Service warns that travel will become difficult with very poor visibility and snow-covered roadways. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
Graphic: Accuweather.
Town of Alabama officials decided Monday night to table a proposed change to the noise ordinance regarding windmills and instead refer the matter to the town planning board to take up during the development of a new comprehensive plan.
Supervisor Robert Crossen said given the impossibility of establishing a baseline for ambient noise for existing windmills, it's not possible to come up with an adequate ordinance for how loud a windmill can be.
He suggested the zoning code might need to be amended for siting windmills.
"To me, distance solves sound," Crossen said. "So when the planning board revises the law -- currently we are allowing it one and a half times the height of the property line, and that may be too close."
Another criminal charge has been filed against a Western New York man who was released from custody Dec. 5 after admitting to stolen property charges in Genesee County Court.
Daniel Jon Lewis, 24, who has variously been listed as a resident of Lima, Chili, and with no permanent address, went on -- if the allegations against him are true -- a crime spree in Genesee County starting Jan. 1.
The latest charge against Lewis is petit larceny for an alleged theft at a residence on Stringham Drive, Batavia, just after midnight, Jan. 3.
Lewis is being held without bail in the Genesee County Jail on a felony robbery charge. He is accused of forcibly taking property from a person on Bank Street, Batavia, on Jan. 1. He was named as the suspect in that case and taken into custody late in January. By that time, he had allegedly committed a number of thefts and fled from police when allegedly caught in the act in the Haven Lane area.
When Lewis pled guilty to criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree as a second felony offender on Dec. 6, his attorney, Fred Rarick told Judge Charles Zambito that his client should be released from custody since, under terms of bail reform legislation taking effect at the start of the year, Lewis would be eligible for release while awaiting sentencing.
Neither Zambito nor District Attorney Lawrence Friedman contradicted Rarick's mistaken interpretation of the new law, but it appears that Lewis would not have been eligible for release under bail reform. CLARIFICATION: Lewis was eligible for release; however, his release was not mandatory.
Public Defender Jerry Ader brought the discrepancy to the attention of The Batavian after previous articles noted that Lewis was released from custody because of bail reform. While that may be factually correct, to the degree that was the understanding in County Court on Dec. 5, the truth is, Ader said, bail reform only applies to pretrial/preconviction defendants.
"The pretrial bail reforms were no longer applicable to his case after he entered a plea of guilty," Ader said in an email to The Batavian. "The judge exercised his discretion when he decided to release Mr. Lewis to the supervision of Genesee Justice. He did not have to do so.
"He also had the authority at any time after Mr. Lewis was released to revoke that securing order and issue a new one, which could have included setting bail if he was not compliant with his release conditions."
Over the course of our discussion of the case, which included Ader reviewing the minutes of the Dec. 6 hearing, Ader asked that in reporting this clarification, we include his view: "I do not know whether the Court would have still released Mr. Lewis under supervision of Genesee Justice if Mr. Rarick had made the request after the plea was entered without any reference to the upcoming changes in the bail statutes. He may have been inclined to do it either way. You can’t tell from the record of the proceedings."
Lewis remains a person of interest, according to criminal justice sources, in the theft and police pursuit involving a Spectrum work truck Jan. 25. Lewis has reportedly been cooperating with investigators on several pending cases.
Previously:
Press release:
New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon today announced she will convene a wage board for farm laborers that will hold hearings, review and make recommendations regarding overtime work for farm laborers in New York State.
Under the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, which Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law last year, farm laborers are entitled to overtime premium pay as of Jan. 1 for any work that they perform in excess of 60 hours per week, and for work performed on their designated day of rest.
As part of that Act, the wage board will consider and make recommendations as to overtime work and, specifically, will hear testimony about reducing the threshold for overtime below 60 hours per week and whether to do so in phases.
“We worked hard to ensure this bill included the proper labor protections and benefits that our farm laborers are entitled to,” Commissioner Reardon said. “We have an opportunity to improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of farmworkers. Overtime is a key component and we need to get it right.”
Convening the Wage Board
As required by the Act, New York State Labor Commissioner Reardon will convene a wage board with the following members:
- David Fisher, president of the New York Farm Bureau
- Denis Hughes, former president of the New York State AFL-CIO
- Brenda McDuffie, president of the Buffalo Urban League
Under the Act, the wage board must hold at least three hearings at which the public will be afforded an opportunity to provide comments. The board will hold five hearings in various parts of the state. The board will carefully consider the input it gathers from farmers and other stakeholders.
The board has until Dec. 31 to make its recommendations, after which the Commissioner will have 45 days to take administrative action on those recommendations.
Public hearings are scheduled as follows:
- Friday 2/28 – 11 a.m. – Albany – New York State Museum Cultural Education Center, Clark Auditorium, 222 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12230
- Friday 3/13 – 11 a.m. – Syracuse – Onondaga Community College, Storer Auditorium, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215
- Monday 3/23 – 11 a.m. – Binghamton – Binghamton University, Symposium Hall, Center of Excellence Building Innovative Technology Complex, 45 Murray Hill Road, Vestal, NY 13850
- Thursday 4/16 – 11 a.m. – Long Island – Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738
- Thursday 4/23 – 11 a.m. – Batavia – Genesee Community College, William Stuart Forum, 1 College Road, Batavia, NY 14020
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