Category: Local News

April 10, 2020

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that an unnamed 17 year old was charged with driving under the influence of drugs in that March 4th fatal accident in Avoca, that claimed the life of 18 year old Christopher O’Dell. The 17 year old was ticketed and released. Sheriff Allard says there may be more charges, in this case.

See full statement below:

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on April 9, 2020, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested the alleged operator of the vehicle involved in the fatal crash on State Route 415, Avoca, New York occurring on March 4th, 2020. It is alleged that the operator of the vehicle, age 17 at the time of the incident, did operate the vehicle while their ability was impaired due to drug use. The operator was charged with Driving While Ability is Impaired; due to Drugs, arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

This investigation is on-going and future charges may be filed.

April 10, 2020

From Noyes Memorial Hospital:

Beginning Friday, April 10, UR Medicine | Noyes Health’s Urgent Care will begin offering patients telemedicine as an alternative to an in-person visit to the office in Geneseo. Anyone who feels unwell, for whatever reason, may call Urgent Care for a telemedicine visit. A telemedicine visit is a patient-to-provider consultation that utilizes secure video conferencing, allowing evaluation and treatment from the comfort of home. “The provider will virtually assess patient concerns and symptoms, answer questions and recommend the next steps the patient should take,” says Pauline Shaw, RN, Noyes Health’s Director of Emergency Services. “Urgent Care at our 50 East South Street location in Geneseo continues to be available for walk-in visits. This is an additional service to allow our patients access to care from home.”

Urgent Care services are open and available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday. To make an appointment for a telemedicine consult, please call the Urgent Care number at (585)243-9595. If you get voicemail, please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Noyes Urgent Care providers can provide telemedicine guidance to treat conditions that are not life-threatening, yet need to be taken care of right away.

Consider an Urgent Care visit or telemedicine consult for conditions such as the following:

Abdominal (not severe or suddenly acute) Nausea or Vomiting
Allergies Rashes
Mild allergic reactions, redness or irritation Sports injuries
Animal and insect bites Sprains/strains
Coughs, colds, sore throats Upper respiratory infections
Diarrhea Bladder and Urinary tract infections
Fever and flu symptoms Earaches
2111 Clara Barton Street Dansville, NY 14437 noyes-health.org
Minor cuts, lacerations and burns
In an emergency, patients should call 911.
Telemedicine appointments are covered by most insurance plans. Please check with the health insurance provider for additional information.

April 9, 2020

From Steuben County’s Public Health Department:

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the death of an individual who previously tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to seven. The individual was a 59 year old female who died at a nursing home in the Hornell area.
“When we first started seeing cases of COVID-19 in Steuben County, we were optimistic that the impact could be minimal,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Now nearly a month into this fight with seven tragic deaths, it is overwhelmingly clear that our community is being ravaged by this deadly virus. It is so vitally important that our community members stay home to save lives, including our essential workers if they feel ill.”
All residents should continue to stay home and monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.

The Steuben County Public Health Department reports it has received notification that 3 additional Steuben County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 95 confirmed cases. The individuals are residents of:
• Town of Bath
• Town of Corning
• Town of Prattsburgh

All of the individuals are currently being isolated and monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed cases and any exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individuals have been notified.
Per CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance, information is being collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset. One or more of the individuals reported visiting the follow locations within that timeframe.

• 3/26/20, 3/27/20, 4/1/20 – Economic Opportunity Program in Elmira
• 4/3/20 midday – Dudley Poultry in Middlesex
• 4/3/20 midday – Walmart in Canandaigua
• 4/3/20 – Fred & Harriett Taylor Health Center in Bath

All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.
Comprehensive testing of employees and residents was completed at an area nursing home. Results and investigations are still pending. Complete information will be released tomorrow.

For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.

April 9, 2020

From Allegany County:

In the United States, there are currently over 457,100 COVID-19 cases, and there have been more than 16,200 deaths. New York State recorded its highest single-day death toll due to the COVID-19 virus for the third day in a row, and more than 7,000 people in New York State have lost their lives because of the virus. This is a dark day for all residents of New York State. Each death represents a person, not just a number, and our thoughts and prayers go out to every family member or friend who has lost a loved one to the COVID-19 virus.
Now, more than ever, we need to support and reach out to others. Many times we feel like our contribution is too small or insignificant to help the masses so we do nothing. However, if we work together and each agree to reach out to one, we can have a tremendous impact. Be that phone call or deed that encourages someone else today.
The other way we can really make an impact and slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to stay home, and if you can’t stay home, avoid contact with others, practice social distancing, remain diligent with personal hygiene, and limit exposure in your communities.

Allegany County’s statistics as of 3:00 p.m. on April 9, 2020, are as follows:
Confirmed Cases: 25
COVID-19 Related Deaths: 1
Total Quarantined/Isolated to Date: 275
Released from Quarantine/Isolation: 207
Currently Quarantined/Isolated: 70

If your life or someone else is in imminent danger, call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please contact the following resources:

COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: 844-863-9314
Allegany County Crisis Hotline: 888-448-3367
Allegany County Community Services: 585-593-1991 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
NYS Text Line: Text “GOT5” to 741741
Veterans’ Crisis Lifeline: 822-273-8255 (Press 1)
For additional COVID-19 questions and information:
Call: 585-268-9700 (Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Weekends: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Call: 585-268-9250 (Health Department)

Email: healthinfo@alleganyco.com
Website: www.alleganyco.com
Facebook: Allegany County, NY, Government & Allegany County Department of Health

April 9, 2020

From Senator Gillibrand:

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined with her Senate colleagues call to push Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to ensure Americans without a permanent address receive their coronavirus stimulus payments. New York City has the largest homeless population in America and reports have shown that people experiencing homelessness are at much greater risk of contracting and perishing from COVID-19. In the letter, Sen. Gillibrand and her colleagues ask the Trump administration to grant all qualifying Americans their emergency stimulus payments, regardless of address or socioeconomic status. The senators also pressed Secretary Mnuchin to launch a public awareness campaign so those experiencing homelessness are aware of their eligibility for these vital payments.

“New Yorkers experiencing homelessness already face steep and unique barriers when confronting this pandemic,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is our job as public servants to protect our most vulnerable in a time of crisis. Secretary Mnuchin and the Trump administration must ensure that all qualifying Americans receive the payments they are entitled to and that socioeconomic disparities will not impede how we deliver care during this crisis.”

Senator Gillibrand and her colleagues have called on Secretary Mnuchin to publish guidance stating that Americans without a permanent address or bank account are not precluded from relief payments. They also urged the Department to publish specific procedures to help those without a bank account, government-issued identification, or a permanent address access their payments. Finally, the senators pushed the secretary to conduct a public awareness campaign aimed at identifying Americans experiencing homelessness and helping them get their payments.

April 9, 2020

From The National Weather Service:

Tonight Scattered rain and snow showers before 10pm, then scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Snow showers likely before 11am, then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a west wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night A chance of rain and snow showers before 10pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 10pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

April 9, 2020

Statement From Assemblyman Phil Palmesano:

The recently-passed state budget should have been one that focused on providing a robust response to the coronavirus and providing relief to our families, small businesses and employees who have been crushed by this public health crisis. Instead, the governor and the two legislative Majorities chose to focus on unnecessary, partisan, controversial and policy-laden proposals that should have never been included in the budget and plenty of misplaced budget priorities.

You may ask, “what unnecessary policies?”A renewable energy siting law, which will expedite the development and approval of wind and solar farms all across Upstate New York with no local input, no local control and no regard for existing local laws. It sets a dangerous precedent.

A Styrofoam container ban, which will add additional costly mandates to already-struggling small businesses, like restaurants and bars, that have already been crushed by business closures, layoffs, lost investment and the grave uncertainty of how to pay their bills and stay in business. Changing the state flag and seal, paid gestational surrogacy and even changes to the disastrous bail and discovery reform laws all should’ve been dealt with outside of the budget. The bail and discovery reform laws should have been repealed completely and we could’ve started the process from scratch, this time allowing judges the discretion to take into account the potential danger of releasing an individual into the community and critical input from law enforcement and district attorneys.

None of these proposals needed to be part of the budget. All of these items could have and should have had more discussion and public input and waited for a later time. In the middle of a public health crisis and economic catastrophe was not that time.

What out-of-touch and misplaced budget priorities? How about $100 million per year of your tax dollars to pay for commercials and yard signs for political campaigns? What about the continuation of a $420 million film tax credit for Hollywood and the entertainment industry and $40 million to run commercials touting the failed START-UP New York program that claims we’re “Open for Business?” These funds would’ve been better directed toward helping provide relief and support to our many small businesses that have been crushed by closures, layoffs and lost revenues during this public health crisis. They even added insult to injury by rejecting our Small Business Emergency Recovery Act, an amendment that would have provided immediate emergency relief for small businesses and workers. The Legislature even granted the governor the authority he sought to close any correctional facility he wants with just 90 days’ notice, instead of the year currently required under statute. His plan to jam more and more inmates into fewer, more crowded facilities is bad, dangerous policy. We shouldn’t even be discussing closing any more correctional facilities until we first end the dangerous and inhumane practice of double-bunking and double celling inmates. It’s time to finally eliminate the more than 6,000 double bunks and cells in our corrections system. This is wrong and dangerous. It’s wrong for our dedicated correction officers and staff who go to work every day to an increasingly-dangerous job where they’re encountering more and more assaults and violence.

Finally, to say I am disappointed in this budget and the budget process is an understatement. We had the opportunity to come together in a bipartisan fashion during this public health crisis. We had the opportunity to work together to address a ten-plus billion dollar budget deficit and to address our state’s emergency needs. We had the opportunity to adopt a budget that was not loaded with controversial and unnecessary partisan policy. We had an opportunity to prioritize our families, workers and provide some much-needed relief to our small businesses that employ half of our state’s workforce. But instead, this budget was “business as usual.” New York taxpayers deserve better!

April 8, 2020

From The Steuben County Public Health Dept:

The Steuben County Public Health Department reports it has received notification that five additional Steuben County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 92 confirmed cases. The individuals are residents of:
• City of Hornell (2)
• Town of Prattsburgh
• Town of Woodhull
• Village of Hammondsport
One or more of the cases reported today is linked with previously reported individuals or nursing homes in the area. One of the individuals is hospitalized, bringing the total current number of hospitalizations to 14.
All of the individuals are currently being isolated and monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed cases and any exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individuals have been notified.
The investigations indicate that all of the individuals followed Public Health protocols, resulting in no known public exposure risks.
All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.

“We are seeing a trend that most of our newly positive cases are linked with previously reported individuals or facilities,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “We are hopeful this means that the community has adopted more stringent practices around social distancing and limiting all contact outside the home to slow the spread of this deadly virus. By continuing to follow these practices, there is the potential for a decline in the number of unlinked community cases over the next several weeks.”

For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth

April 8, 2020

From Allegany County:

In the United States, there are currently over 418,000 COVID-19 cases, and there have been more than 14,000 deaths. In New York State, there have been 140,386 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and there have been 6,268 deaths statewide with 779 deaths in the last 24 hours. New York’s death tolls have now soared past the death toll from the September 11 terrorist attacks, and Governor Cuomo has issued an order to fly flags at half-staff. Allegany County’s statistics as of 3:00 p.m. on April 8, 2020, are as follows:

Confirmed Cases: 21
COVID-19 Related Deaths: 1
Total Quarantined/Isolated to Date: 245
Released from Quarantine/Isolation: 186
Currently Quarantined/Isolated: 59

The NYS Department of Health stated that recent studies have shown that a significant portion of individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus are asymptomatic, and those people can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. The virus can spread between people in close proximity from speaking, coughing, sneezing, touching infected surfaces, etc. even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms at the time.
Considering this new evidence, the NYS Department of Health supports members of the public who choose to wear cloth face coverings in public settings, where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
Maintaining social distancing, by staying at least 6 feet apart when in public and staying home whenever possible is critical to slow the spread of the virus, even if wearing a face covering. While cloth face coverings may not prevent the wearer from becoming infected, they might help stop the spread from people who have the virus and are unaware.
Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low-cost, can be used as an additional, voluntary health measure, beyond the recommended social distancing. When wearing face coverings, citizens should:
 Make sure that they fit snugly and cover their nose and mouth.
 Be changed frequently and laundered when they are soiled or wet.
 Not become complacent with other protective measures.
o Do not touch the cloth covering or face.
o Continue to be vigilant with thorough and frequent hand washing.
 Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer of 60%+ alcohol.
o Practice respiratory etiquette and cover your coughs or sneezes
o Practice social distancing – even when wearing masks.
o Stay home and help flatten the curve!

The mental health and well-being of all of our citizens is very important to us. If your life or someone else is in imminent danger, call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please contact the following resources:

COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: 844-863-9314
Allegany County Crisis Hotline: 888-448-3367
Allegany County Community Services: 585-593-1991 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
NYS Text Line: Text “GOT5” to 741741
Veterans’ Crisis Lifeline: 822-273-8255 (Press 1)
For additional COVID-19 questions and information:
Call: 585-268-9700 (Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Weekends: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Call: 585-268-9250 (Health Department)
Email: healthinfo@alleganyco.com
Website: www.alleganyco.com
Facebook: Allegany County, NY, Government & Allegany County Department of Health

April 8, 2020

Statement From Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County has compiled a number of resources to help you manage your finances during this difficult time. Please visit http://putknowledgetowork.org/finance for resources that we are continually adding. It includes videos on dealing with scams, the stimulus pay, what to do if you have lost your job, and how this can affect your credit score.

CCE-Steuben is also offering several financial classes that we have set up online during the month of April. The classes include:

• The Great Debate: Wills versus Trusts
Estate planning today is more complicated than it has ever been. Often, mistakes in a plan are not discovered until someone has passed on. Unfortunately, then it is too late. Join us for an informational look at planning with Revocable Living Trusts in a free workshop called Wills versus Trusts on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County again partners with Patrick Roth, Elder Law Attorney, CPA from Corning, to lead this workshop. He will present such information as:
• How can a Revocable Living Trust based estate plan help protect you and secure your family’s future?
• Do you know the unknown truths about planning with a Revocable Living Trust?
• Discover the 16 situations in which a Trust can have legal advantages over a Will.
• A Conversation Around Clutter
For those of you attended our first Speaker Series in February, you will remember Lisa Zawrotny, founder of Positively Productive Systems. Lisa will share the powerful healing of simplifying, self-care and structure on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Studies show a direct link between clutter and stress, a connection you’ve likely experienced in some way. If you’ve tried to declutter, but it didn’t last, the reason might surprise you. Clutter isn’t always what you think it is and how you deal with it depends on more than “getting rid of”‘ things. What if you had a simple way to declutter that lasts? Join Lisa Zawrotny, Productivity Coach & Professional Organizer, to learn how it’s all connected and the clutter-reducing techniques for your home, head, and heart that will help you reduce stress and increase productivity.

• Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Sink!
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County is offering another financial workshop entitled Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Sink to be held Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. The FREE Workshop will be led by Patrick J. Roth, Esq. CPA. He will help you see if your plan covers contingencies you haven’t thought of or that may not have happened yet.
• Discover why having a will is not enough
• Uncover the hidden dangers of having a deed with a life use
• Find out why thinking “all attorneys (or the forms they use) are the same” could lead to disaster
• Learn why estate planning is not a do-it-yourself project
• Creating a Vision Board – Parts 1 & 2
Learn the fun of crafting with a focus on your future. This two part workshop will take place April 23 and April 30.
It’s a new season and a time for goals and planning. It’s a chance to dream and to discuss with each other what we’re hoping for and how our lives are different. We’ll show you a better way to achieve your goals through the proven technique of visualization (just like Olympic athletes)! The session will be facilitated by Lisa Zawrotny, of Positively Productive Systems, LLC. Lisa is a productivity and organizing coach certified in time and stress management, and life coaching.

• Part One will be on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m.
• Part Two will be on Thursday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m.
All of the above classes require pre -registration and the link(s) for the webinars will be emailed. Please register at http://putknowledgetowork.org/finance.

COVI D-19 response:
Need information? View the following Cornell CALS and CCE Resource Pages Updated Regularly
General Questions & Links:
https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/
Food Production, Processing & Safety Questions:
https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/
Employment & Agricultural Workforce Questions:
http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/
Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources:
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/
Financial & Mental Health Resources for Farmers:
https://www.nyfarmnet.org/

Carla Dawejko

April 8, 2020

From Governor Andrew Cuomo:

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed flags on state government buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of those we have lost to COVID-19. The flags will remain lowered while New York is on pause.

Governor Cuomo also announced that on Thursday, April 9th, the Kosciuszko Bridge, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the spire of One World Trade Center and LaGuardia Airport parking garages will be lit blue as part of the #LightItBlue campaign. The initiative simultaneously lights up buildings, landmarks and LED screens across the US to show support and gratitude to those health care professionals and essential workers on the frontlines and create a universal symbol of solidarity and hope.

The Governor also announced that SUNY Albany President Havidan Rodriguez will work with the State Department of Health and Northwell Health to conduct more COVID-19 data research and increase testing in minority communities to determine why more people in minority and low-income communities have higher rates of infection.

Governor Cuomo also directed the State Department of Labor to immediately make $600 in additional weekly unemployment benefits available to all New Yorkers. The additional benefits were included in the Federal CARES Act, but, unlike other states, New York began delivering the extra unemployment insurance to unemployed individuals before Federal funds are disbursed to the states. New York is also extending the period covered by unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks, for a total of 39 weeks.

The Governor also announced he will issue an Executive Order to ensure New Yorkers can vote by absentee ballot in the June 23rd primary elections. The Governor previously issued an Executive Order to move the presidential primary election from April 28 to June 23, aligning it with the congressional and legislative primaries in New York.

The Governor also announced that 2,400 brand new BiPAP machines have been donated to the state by Mercury Medical and are being flown to New York from Florida for free by JetBlue and transported on the ground by Southern Glazer’s.

The Governor also announced that Delta, JetBlue and United are offering free travel to New York for COVID-19 medical workers. To date, more than 90,000 health professionals, including more than 25,000 out-of-state individuals, have signed up to serve as part of the state’s surge healthcare force during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor also announced that the state has distributed over one million free bottles of NYS Clean hand sanitizer across all 62 counties in the state. The hand sanitizer has been distributed to county emergency managers, first responders, health care workers, nursing homes, law enforcement, homeless organizations and other non-profits, transportation systems including the MTA, Port Authority, Thruway and other public transportation entities across the state.

“We are flattening the curve because we are rigorous about social distancing, and if we continue doing what we are doing, we believe the curve will continue to flatten, but this is not a time to get complacent,” Governor Cuomo said. “That is the good news, but the bad news is terrible – the death toll has been going steadily up and it reached a new height yesterday. Every number is a face and we have lost so many people, many of them front-line workers putting themselves at risk to do the essential functions that we all need for society to go on. In honor of those we have lost to the virus, I am directing all flags to be flown at half-mast. And I continue to urge all New Yorkers to be responsible, adhere to all social distancing protocols and remember the life you are risking may not be your own.”

Finally, the Governor confirmed 10,453 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 149,316 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 149,316 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows: