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Of the 45 detainees in the Buffalo Federal Detention Center who have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, only three are symptomatic, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The source, who asked we not use his name because he's not an authorized spokesperson for ICE, said all 45 detainees who are positive were living in the same pod when three detainees -- two from New York City and one from the NYS prison system -- were transferred into the facility.

The facility staff, he said, suspected the new arrivals were positive for COVID-19.  

Given the close proximity of living arrangements detainees are considered vulnerable; ICE was able to get all detainees in the affected pod tested.

A pod can hold as many as 72 detainees. 

The original pod now has 29 people in it who tested positive, and 20 more are alone in another POD. There are four people included in the two pods whose tests were inconclusive so they're being kept in isolation for the 14-day quarantine period. 

The spike in positives at the facility had more to do with the testing lab releasing a batch of results on the same day than a sudden outbreak of the disease.

Currently, there are 319 detainees in the facility. The peak capacity of the facility is 650 detainees.

Many members of the staff are not ICE employees but work for contractors. The source said only two staff members have tested positive and both are, last he heard, asymptomatic. 

Only a limited number of new transfers are entering the facility.

According to the source, at the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the director of the facility, Thomas Feeley, ordered regular, thorough cleaning, including wiping down door handles with bleach every hour.

"Every time you turn around," the source said, "you smell bleach."

There is medical staff on duty inside the facility 24/7 and posters have been placed in the facility to inform detainees about COVID-19 and how to protect themselves.  

So far, about 20 percent of the detainees have been tested, the source said. 

At the start of the coronavirus outbreak, detainees who were over age 60, had underlying medical conditions that made them vulnerable, but were not convicted of a serious crime such as murder or rape, were released from custody, the source said.

"Nobody was released who was a threat to society," he said.

Macayla Burke reciting "Oh me! Oh life!" by Walt Whitman. Burke is a student at Batavia High School.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now reporting that a total of 45 detainees at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility have tested positive for COVID-19.

As recently as Saturday, there were only 13 reported cases.

While ICE has stated previous detainees who tested positive were isolated and contract tracing was undertaken and that all CDC guidelines have been followed, there has been no information released that might explain the sudden spike in cases.

The following information was released about the 32 people who most recently tested positive:

• a 35-year-old Guyanese national,
• a 39-year-old Guatemalan national,
• a 29-year-old Colombian national,
• a 51-year-old Jamaican national,
• a 36-year-old Jamaican national,
• a 27-year-old Liberian national,
• a 25-year-old Dominican national,
• a 45-year-old Jamaican national,
• a 32-year-old Indian national,
• a 23-year-old Indian national,
• a 23-year-old Mexican national,
• a 26-year-old Bosnian national,
• a 37-year-old Burkinabe national,
• a 30-year-old Ivory Coast national,
• a 53-year-old Indian national,
• a 41-year-old Jamaican national,
• a 32-year-old Indian national,
• a 27-year-old Salvadoran national,
• a 41-year-old Guyanese national,
• a 39-year-old Dominican national,
• a 36-year-old Jamaican national,
• a 28-year-old Salvadoran national,
• a 33-year-old Guatemalan national,
• a 38-year-old Honduran national,
• a 26-year-old Guatemalan national,
• a 54-year-old Mexican national,
• a 39-year-old Honduran national,
• a 49-year-old Dominican national,
• a 21-year-old Salvadoran national,
• a 29-year-old Cuban national,
• a 23-year-old Salvadoran national,
• and a 42-year-old Dominican national.

The next highest number of detainees who have tested positive in an ICE facility is 20 at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego County, and 20 at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, La.

A tree fire is reported in Genesee County Park & Forest on the Forest Trail.

Bethany fire is responding.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: The location is off of Raymond Road.

Health Department Briefing:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received five new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 127 positive cases.
    • Two positive cases reside in Batavia, two reside in Elba, and one resides in Le Roy.
    • One individual is in their 20s, one individual is in their 30s, one individual is in their 40s, one individual is in their 50s, and one individual is in their 60s.
    • Three of the positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Three of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Three of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received seven new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 56 positive cases
  • Seven positive cases reside in Albion.
  • One individual is in their 50s, one individual is in their 60s, two individuals are in their 70s, two individuals are in their 80s, and one individual is in the 90 and above age category.
  • One of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation
  • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Regarding the sharp increase in the Genesee County positive individuals, they are not considered community-spread as they are all detainees at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility located in Batavia. Although the detainees are not considered residents, because the facility is housed in Genesee County they are reported as Genesee County positive cases. Any workers with direct contact with those who have tested positive at the facility for COVID-19 will be followed by their county of residence.
• Contact tracing has been initiated for all new cases. Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms become present). 
• Due to the current limited swabbing kits, there continue to be guidelines in place for primary care providers to order COVID-19 swabbing. This is based upon screening for high risk categories. Contact your primary care provider first to discuss symptoms and the ability to be swabbed. For information about the community testing click here or call the NYS COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 for more information. All individuals will be screened and must have an appointment. The local health departments do not have a supply of swabs for the community, call your primary care provider or the community hotline.
• If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the County Health Department, quarantined and if warranted, swabbed if indicated. Limited information is provided to the public in compliance with HIPAA regulations and out of the respect of those impacted by this virus. 
• When, and if, there is a situation where potential contact is made in a public location where contact tracing doesn’t have actual names of close contacts, we will send out a media announcement to help seek contacts.
• If you are experiencing ANY COVID-19 related symptoms STAY HOME!  Do not go to work, do not go to the store, do not go anywhere, YOU are spreading the virus. STAY HOME!

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

Press release:

• Launches new partnership with ready responders to expand healthcare services and testing to NYCHA residents;
• State will deliver more than 500,000 cloth masks and 10,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to public housing sommunities;
• Announces creation of Reimagine NY Task Force to improve systems in Downstate New York once the State is no longer on pause;
• Announces SUNY is distributing over 8,800 laptops and Chromebooks to students in need to complete their spring semester coursework;
• Confirms 4,726 additional cronavirus cases in New York State -- bringing statewide total to 247,512; new cases in 40 counties.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today called on the federal government to provide hazard pay for essential public workers on the front lines, proposing a 50 percent bonus for these workers. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 41 percent of frontline workers are people of color.

Of those frontline workers, 45 percent of public transit workers, 57 percent of building cleaning service workers and 40 percent of healthcare workers are people of color. People of color are also disproportionately represented in delivery and childcare services, and approximately one third of frontline workers are members of low-income households.

Governor Cuomo also announced the state is launching a new partnership with Ready Responders to bring health care services, including COVID-19 diagnostic testing, to residents of public housing in New York City.

The state will also partner with Representative Greg Meeks, Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on this effort. An initial pilot program will begin this week at locations across New York City, including Highbridge Houses, Edenwald Houses, Washington Houses and Andrew Jackson Houses in the Bronx; Queensbridge Houses and Brevoort Houses in Queens; and Red Fern Houses and Hammel Houses in Brooklyn.

The Governor also announced the state will deliver 500,000 cloth masks and 10,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to public housing communities.

The Governor also announced the creation of the Reimagine NY Task Force to improve systems in Downstate New York once the state is no longer on pause. The Task Force will be led by the state and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and will be comprised of other local elected officials and housing and transportation experts.

The Governor also announced that SUNY is distributing more than 8,800 laptops and Chromebooks to students in need who are currently completing their spring semester coursework online amid the COVID-19 health crisis.

As SUNY and campuses began planning the shift to distance learning in March, SUNY System Administration surveyed all 64 campuses and colleges to gauge student technology needs, and is providing the laptops and Chromebooks based on those findings. SUNY will continue to monitor and fulfill technology needs while remote learning continues.

"Essential public workers are the ones on the front lines every day carrying us through this crisis, and we must ensure their efforts and sacrifice are appropriately recognized," Governor Cuomo said.

"This crisis is not over yet, and as long as these workers continue to work and expose themselves to the virus, they should be properly compensated. I am calling on the federal government to provide hazard pay to these frontline workers and give them a 50-percent bonus because they are the true heroes in this crisis."

A pickup truck on fire with flames showing, 10 feet from the gas pumps, is reported at the Crosby's gas station and convenience store in Pavilion, 6316 Telephone Road. Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

Above, Peggy Marone, director of Leadership Genesee and keynote speaker for GCC's June 6 Virtual Commencement Ceremony.

Press release:

Colleges and universities across the United States have all been confronted with extraordinary challenges to help students complete the Spring 2020 semester, and now the coronavirus pandemic stands to cancel or postpone well-deserved commencement ceremonies.

It is heartbreaking for students and their families to be robbed of this celebration and the formal acknowledgement of their significant achievements.

"With a professional career in higher education for more than three decades, commencement remains my favorite day," said James M. Sunser, president of Genesee Community College. "It is always an honor and delight to watch the graduates cross the stage to receive their diplomas and see them celebrate with their family, friends and fellow classmates.

"We could not deprive our college community of this event, and postponement does not accommodate the schedule and the very real demands and obligations of many of our graduates who have jobs or are transferring to other institutions."

Therefore, officials at Genesee Community College decided to create and deliver a commencement ceremony using innovative technology to honor the Class of 2020 and recognize their achievements while simultaneously adhering to the existing social distancing mandates.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, Genesee Community College will launch a Virtual Commencement Ceremony that will be streamed and accessible to all through the College's homepage at www.genesee.edu.

In addition to the Virtual Commencement Ceremony, all members of the Class of 2020 will be invited to return to campus and participate in the College's 53rd Commencement Ceremony in May 2021.

For the upcoming June 6th ceremony, plans are underway to develop a well-prepared online presentation that includes most of the College's commencement traditions, and then a robust social media exchange will also take place. 

This special, all new, online ceremony will include commemorating remarks from President Sunser, along with messages from a few GCC professors and instructors, music and the announcement of each graduate's name.

The keynote address will be given by Peggy Marone, the director of Leadership Genesee since its inception in 2001, which now has more than 500 graduates including nearly 20 GCC employees. 

A native of Genesee County, Marone's leadership extends beyond the borders of Genesee County. In addition to the more than 500 individuals who have benefitted from participation in Leadership Genesee (LG), Marone led a team of LG alumni and Orleans County leaders to launch Leadership Orleans, currently in its third year of operation. She also consulted with Leadership Ontario as their planning committee developed the framework for their program.

She was named a NYS Woman of Distinction in 2015 by Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, who represents the NYS 61st Senate District, and Marone was recognized in 2009 as YWCA Fabulous Female for her work with Leadership Genesee and many other volunteer initiatives.

As a longtime friend of GCC, she served as chair of the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium on Leadership and Community Life which brought many distinguished national leaders to the College and community, including but not limited to: Thomas Golisano, Jim Boeheim, Jerry Greenfield of Ben and Jerry's, Dr. Donna Fernades who oversaw the transformation of the Buffalo Zoo and two former U.S Congressmen, William Hudnut III and Fred Grandy.

After receiving her Bachelor's of Art in Psychology from St. Bonaventure University, Marone worked in human resources for nearly 30 years in the health care, manufacturing and the hospitality industries. She also served as a consultant for nonprofit organizations, and she remains very active in the local theater arts community.

She is past president and board member of Batavia Players, received an Excellence in Ensemble Acting from the Theatre Association of New York State in 2010 during their annual festival, and a Best Performance by an Actress Award in 2013. She is also a judge for Batavia High School Operation Graduation, a Junior Achievement instructor, a business mentor for Pavilion High School Youth Entrepreneur Academy, and a regular volunteer at the United Way Day of Caring.

As the College continues to develop its virtual commencement, details are available online here.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $1.81, down 5 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.84. The New York State average is $2.22 – down 3 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.88. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.27 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.27 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.26 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.22 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.21 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.14 (down 5 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.19 (down 5 cents since last week)

Growing domestic gas supply and lower demand, as Americans practice social distancing, and low crude prices due to COVID-19 continue to push pump prices down. With Americans following stay at home orders and refiners producing excess gasoline, growing gasoline inventories and low demand will continue to push pump prices lower.

Crude oil prices have fallen steadily as the global public health, financial and economic impact of COVID-19 has increased. As a result of COVID-19, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) monthly report for April 2020 revealed that global oil demand is projected to hit a 25-year low and fall by a record 9.3 million barrels per day this year.

According to IEA, global crude demand for April 2020 is expected to be 29 million barrels per day lower than April 2019 — a level unseen since 1995.

From GasBuddy:

"With another drop in the national average from a week ago, we've made it eight straight weeks of decline, and for the first time in GasBuddy's 20 year history, we have two cities that are averaging under $1 per gallon," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "That's right -- not a single station under $1, but the entire city average. Truly unprecedented demand destruction has been dismantling expensive gas prices everywhere.

"With oil again at new multi-decade lows, we still have room for prices to fall nearly countrywide, though areas with lower prices will see little decline, take Wisconsin for example, while higher priced states like California have the most room to decline. With the wounds to the oil industry growing deeper, it's becoming more likely that even after most Americans return to work, there will be a hangover to the low prices that many motorists will eventually be able to take advantage of."

From Tammy S. Hathaway, executive director of the United Way of Genesee County:

It is with sincere sadness and regret that we share with you the UWGC 2020 Day of Caring -- which was set for May 13 and postponed due to COVID-19 early this month -- will not be rescheduled this year.

We will do everything in our power to aid our project sites through these uncertain times and throughout the remainder of the year.

Additionally, we send well wishes to our volunteer teams that they will resume their workforce to the fullest when safe timing permits.

Looking forward to a bigger, better, badder Day of caring in 2021.

You’re all RockStars… stay safe!

“There are no good signs in our local economy right now, if you think about.”

Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell, who is paid not only to “think about” the local economy but also to “act upon” it, summed up the current situation today in light of a recent report by the New York State Association of Counties that predicts the county could lose between $1.8 million to $5.6 million in sales tax because of COVID-19.

Gsell echoed a phrase used by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in describing what looms ahead.

“I keep using the same term that I hear the governor say, ‘the new normal,’ and it’s not a good ‘new normal.’ It’s quite the mixed bag,” he said.

Full year projections in the NYSAC report estimate that sales tax revenues in Genesee County would decrease by $1.8 million – or 4.5 percent – in a “mild” scenario and by $5.6 million – or 13.7 percent – in a “severe” scenario.

In both cases, industries related to tourism, recreation and restaurants are the hardest hit.

“We’re in a shutdown through May 15 and for every two-week period, NYSAC says the numbers are going to get moved further into the higher percentage of loss,” Gsell said. “They’ve been showing us numbers in terms of the overall impact on general parts of the whole sales tax portfolio … auto buying, electronics, gas stations, and all those percentages, with the exception of grocery stores, are in the 20 to 50 percent loss as far as sales as compared to the year prior.”

Gsell acknowledged that all levels of government are facing the same adverse effects.

“Albany, obviously, is seeing this type of thing as well because they get 4 percent of the 8 percent (sales tax). The state is seeing a precipitous drop in their revenue streams, not only in terms of sales tax but also state income tax, millionaires’ tax and mortgage tax,” he said.

Most recent financial data, for December through February, was favorable for the county, Gsell said, but statistics starting in March should tell quite a different story, Gsell said.

“We know that starting this month, which is a new quarter, that the kind of numbers that NYSAC is showing us as far as the various sectors of our economy are going to be negatively impacted. Then we will foresee the same kind of implication for our local sales tax proceeds.”

Statewide, the NYSAC report estimates the total loss to county sales tax revenue in the “mild” scenario at about $350 million (excluding New York City) and in the “severe” scenario at $1 billion. Sales tax is the largest source of locally generated revenue in the average county, accounting for 43 percent of local revenue.

Gsell said he and his staff are “focusing on how to maintain some semblance of our county budget and how to deal with the issues with regard to our own workforce and the services that we provide.”

Auto sales, for example, have fallen dramatically, putting a huge dent in the sales tax budget.

“We’re basically doing just some of the mail-ins and some of the limited car sales that are occurring over the internet,” he said. “The dealers used to bring to us 60 and 70 allotments a week have trickled down to almost nothing. Something as revenue-driven as the county auto bureau under the county clerk’s office could be seeing a significant change even in the future of the kind of business that we have over there.”

He said the county is waiting for its share of the federal stimulus money to help with its weekly Medicaid costs.

“The state has gotten two of their federal Medicaid advances already since that stimulus package was voted on, passed and signed and we haven’t seen a dime yet,” he said.

Looking ahead, Gsell said he believes the recession (to whatever degree) is going to be with us through the end of the year – and he also is wary of a second bout of the coronavirus.

“If that starts to come back and they talk about another wave potentially in September, how do you go out and say, ‘Yeah, we’re not going to pay attention to that. We don’t care what the governor says and therefore, let’s have our economy start coming back,’ ” he said. “That to me is the height of folly.”

Estimated March 2020 Sales Compared to March 2019, U.S. Census Bureau
-- Motor vehicles & parts dealers -- Down 23.7 percent
-- Furniture & home furniture stores -- Down 24.6 percent
-- Gasoline stations -- Down 18 percent
-- Clothing & clothing accessories -- Down 50.7 percent
-- Sporting goods, hobby, music, etc. -- Down 22.7  percent
-- Department stores -- Down 23.9 percent
-- Miscellaneous store retailers -- Down 4.9 percent
-- Food service & drinking places -- Down 23.0 percent

Press release:

The New York State Department of Labor today announced the launch of a new application for New Yorkers to apply for traditional Unemployment Insurance or the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. This one-stop-shop for unemployment benefits will connect New Yorkers with the benefits they deserve faster, without requiring them to call the Department of Labor.

Prior to today, due to cumbersome federal guidelines, New Yorkers were required to apply for regular Unemployment Insurance and be rejected before applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. With this new application, which aligns with updated federal policy, New Yorkers will be able to simply fill out one form to get the correct benefits.

In conjunction with this morning’s rollout of the improved application, DOL has been deploying over 3,100 representatives solely dedicated to answering unemployment benefit needs seven days a week. This is up from 400 who previously manned the DOL call center prior to the pandemic.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, DOL has paid approximately $2.2 billion in Unemployment Insurance benefits to 1.1 million New Yorkers. The application call backlog prior to April 8 has been reduced to 4,305 from 275,000.

“I have been unemployed before myself, and I understand the pain, fear and anxiety New Yorkers are facing. The DOL’s mission is to help our neighbors through some of their toughest days, and in the last week we have made great strides in updating our systems,” NYS Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.

“While it appears the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to stabilize — at least from the public health perspective — we know that many New Yorkers are still facing an uncertain economic future, and the Department of Labor will continue to dedicate every resource available to helping New Yorkers weather this storm.”

The updated unemployment benefits application system, available here, will determine which unemployment program — unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance — New Yorkers should apply for and then prompt them to answer a specific set of questions. The application builds on the new online system the department rolled out on Friday, April 10th, in partnership with the State Office of Information Technology Services and Google Cloud, to help manage the exponential and unprecedented increase in new claims resulting from the ‎COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which was included in the Federal CARES Act, provides unemployment benefits for individuals who are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance. Examples of those covered by PUA include:

• Self-employed New Yorkers;
• Independent contractors;
• New Yorkers who worked for an app-based company (i.e. “gig workers”)
• Farmers;
• Those diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a diagnosis;
• Those living with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• Those providing care for a family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19;
• A primary caregiver for a child unable to attend school or another facility due to COVID-19;
• Those unable to reach their place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because they have been advised by a medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19;
• Those scheduled to commence new employment that cannot reach their workplace as a direct result of COVID-19;
• Those who became a major breadwinner because the head of their household died from COVID-19;
• Those who quit their job as a direct result of COVID-19;
• Those whose place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19;
• Those with insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19; and
• New Yorkers otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19

In addition, New Yorkers concerned about food insecurity are reminded that resources are available across the state. Anyone looking for assistance can find a local food bank, including those supported by New York State, by visiting Feeding America's website here.

The New York State Department of Labor is dedicated to ensuring that every New Yorker who is entitled to unemployment insurance benefits will receive all benefits due. New Yorkers seeking to file an unemployment insurance claim should visit labor.ny.gov or call the Telephone Claim Center at (888) 209-8124. Below are some resources that will assist New Yorkers in filing their claims:

Fact sheet on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Keko the cat, looking nonplussed with a deadpan stare above, is back at her Williams Street home in the city. She had been missing since April 14.

"Thank you for posting," the owner says in an email this morning to The Batavian. "Wiith your help and the help of your readers, we were able to find Keko and bring her home safe."

Face it, we will never know where she went or what she did. It is a mystery.

Is it possible the pandemic holds a clue?

Some dogs, we have learned during the lockdown, think being at home with their best friends 24/7 is a wonderful thing. Most cats? "Leave already. And you're still here because?"

Interview with Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received one more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has one new case and Genesee has zero. Contact tracing has been initiated. 

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff.

There is currently no further information to release on ages and location. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon.

There are 30 new positive tests for COVID-19 reported in Genesee County, with 29 of them among detainees at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. 

On Thursday, there were only 11 reported cases at the facility, with one added on Friday and one on reported by ICE this morning, but ICE has not yet released an update to include the apparent 27 additional cases (we are seeking an update from the ICE spokesman).

There have now been 122 positive tests reported in Genesee County since the start of the pandemic. The Health Department has not released an updated count for the number of current active cases and number of recovered patients.

As of this morning, ICE was reporting 20 detainees infected at the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, La., now the next highest number of positive cases at more than two dozen facilities in the U.S. that house immigration detainees.

This story will be updated if more information becomes available.

Joseph D. Harlan, 48, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault. Harlan was arrested at 7:15 p.m. April 4 on Wood Street after an incident where he allegedly struck another person during an altercation. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in city court May 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

O.V. Murphy, 61, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree burglary; attempted assault in the second degree; menacing in the second degree; and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. The defendant was arrested at 9:35 p.m. on April 10 after an investigation into an incident that occurred in a residence on Highland Park. Murphy allegedly entered another person's room and threatened a person with a knife. Murphy was arraigned via Skype at Batavia City Court and put in jail. He is due to make a court appearance on May 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

O.V. Murphy, 61, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal contempt. At 3:24 a.m. on April 12, Murphy was arrested for allegedly violating two stay away orders of protection following a complaint at a residence on Highland Park. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on June 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Sean Wilson.

Michael L. Williams, 40, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. Williams was arrested at midnight April 7 at an apartment on State Street. His arrest followed a domestic violence investigation. He was released on an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there May 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson.

Hezekiah Nathaniel Burch, 18, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. Burch was arrested at 4:52 p.m. on April 12 after an incident on State Street, Batavia, wherein he allegedly used a stun gun in an attempt to intimidate another person. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on May 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Christopher P. Thomas, 38, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. He was arrested at 4:52 p.m. on April 12 on State Street, Batavia, after an incident wherein Batavia Police allege they observed him engaged in a physical fight. Thomas was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there May 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Press release:

Junior Achievement of Western New York is releasing a free resource for teens titled "Making Sense: Understanding the Financial Impact of COVID-19."

The guide is designed to answer teens’ questions about the economic implications of COVID-19, including “Why are some store shelves empty?”, “Why are some people losing their jobs?” and “Are we going into a recession, or even a depression?”

The guide is available here. (PDF)

“While social distancing is essential to fighting COVID-19, the disease and the steps we must take to address it are having a financial impact. Our goal is to help young people better understand what’s happening,” said Laurie Mahoney, president of Junior Achievement of WNY. "April is Financial Literacy Month, and this is really an important time to be sharing this kind of information.”

The guide is written with middle school and high school students in mind. It uses relatable examples to explain what a recession is, how the Federal Reserve works and steps being taken by government and the private sector to deal with the economic impact associated with COVID-19.

Additionally, to support teachers and parents who may have students finishing school online this semester, JA is also offering free K – 12^th grade resources that are available here.

“JA is doing this so our kids can spend more time planning for and dreaming about tomorrow, and less time worrying about today," said Alycia Ivancie, senior education manager.

Junior Achievement is committed to doing this until we can all be certain again.”

For information about these JA programs, please contact Karyn Winters, executive director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance at:   kwinters@geneseeny.com

Friends, family, and neighbors in Oakfield threw a 95th-birthday parade for Theresa Velletta on Thursday.

As reported yesterday, The Salvation Army, along with FoodLink, will oversee a “Pop-up” Mobile pantry at Northgate Free Methodist Church -- North Campus (8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia) beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

Subsequently, Todd Rapp, local coordinator of Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army, clarified information for picking up donated food.

At the request of FoodLink, the agency working in partnership with The Salvation Army and Northgate church, there should be only one PERSON per vehicle, not family per vehicle, if possible.

The driver needs to show valid ID for proof of residency. If you need to pick up for an additional household, you will need to provide an ID from the head of that household as well as your own.

"There can be no exceptions to the ID rule," Rapp said.

Food distribution will be done on a “drive thru” basis to insure social distancing and proper hygiene.

Residents are asked to pull into the church lot and go around the back of the building via the north side.

Volunteers kindly ask that your vehicle's trunk, cargo area or truck bed is empty, as they will not be permitted to rearrange items for you.

Pull up to the pallets and volunteers will load the items for you. This will continue until all the food is gone.

Please arrive no earlier than 9 a.m.

For more information, please visit northgatefmc.com or call (585) 343-4011.

Also be aware that local The Salvation Army has exhausted food supplies for the Emergency Pantry due to a surge in demand.

So Northgate church is holding an ongoing food drive to stock the pantry each Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during "New York on PAUSE" due to the coronavirus pandemic starting this Monday, April 20.

And The Salvation Army is also continuing to accept donations at their headquarters at 529 E. Main St. in Batavia on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

There will be volunteers available to unload items from your vehicle, and safety precautions will be made to maintain social distancing.

The Salvation Army NEEDS:

• Canned meats
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Soups and chili in cans
• Pastas and pasta sauce
• Rice
• Beans
• Breakfast items
• Snack items for kids
• Shelf-stable milk