Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on February 11, 2021
Genesee County is leading the Finger Lakes Region with its low COVID-19 numbers. County Manager Matt Landers calls it a “nice feeling,” given just weeks ago, the county had one of the worst rates statewide. He called it a “quick turnaround” and said it is due to…all the hard work (the county) has been doing in terms of messaging, distancing, testing and vaccinations.
Based on the success of the Buffalo Bills playoff game model, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says large arenas in the state can open starting Feb. 23. This applies to those that host sporting events, concerts and other events that would draw large crowds. It could impact Watkins Glen International. Those who attend must get a PCR test within 72 hours of the event, and have a negative result. Face coverings, social distancing and temperature checks will also be required. In addition to this, the New York State Department of Health must approve any event set to take place.
The Genesee County Legislature on Wednesday voted in favor of accepting an $11,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund to launch the CallHub pilot program for the county’s Office for the Aging. The grant will allow the Office for the Aging to help people safely connect with phone calls going through CallHub, a secure web-based tool that makes communication between individuals and groups of people easier, quicker and safer through a designated phone number. The resolution that was passed indicated that CallHub is an application that allows for improved program management for staff and volunteer-based programs, through mass messaging and real-time data collection and monthly reporting capabilities.
New COVID cases in Genesee County totaled just 13 on Wednesday. Nineteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Fifteen of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. Sadly, officials report the deaths of three more residents from COVID-related complications. Ten new cases were confirmed in Orleans County, with 14 more cases in Wyoming County.
Genesee County deputies report the arrest of 39-year-old Corrine Elizabeth Navarra of Le Roy. She is charged with third-degree grand larceny and third-degree welfare fraud. It is alleged that starting on Jan. 17, 2020 she failed to report income while receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which would have lowered her benefit. It is alleged that Navarra received $3,840 in benefits that she was not eligible for. She was arraigned in Genesee County Court and released on her own recognizance.
37-year-old Jason William Doohan of Jerome Place, Batavia has been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. It is alleged that on March 1 of last year Doohan failed to report income he earned scrapping metal, which resulted in Doohan receiving $1,464 in public assistance benefits that he was not entitled to. He is due in Batavia Town Court on March 1.
The Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School Girls Basketball Team is currently organizing their 10th annual Shooting For A Cure! game in support of funding research efforts at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Over the past nine seasons, the community has raised more than $152,000 for cancer research at Roswell. Shooting For A Cure! has become one of Roswell Park’s largest community-based fundraising events. This year, the team hopes to break the $200,000 mark. This year’s game will be Pembroke vs. Oakfield-Alabama starting at 7 p.m., Friday, March 5 in the Pembroke high gym.
The Genesee County 4-H Program is now accepting registrations for its new 4-H Junior Master Gardeners Club. The club is open to youth age 8-13 and is a collaboration between the Genesee County 4-H Program and Genesee County Master Gardeners. The club is scheduled to begin meeting on Wednesdays in late April. Space is limited. Youth must be enrolled in the Genesee County 4-H Program to participate. To register or receive more information, contact the Genesee County 4-H Office.
