Afternoon News Brief

The second driver in the head on collision yesterday afternoon on rt 19 in Bergen has died.  Late in the afternoon 74 year old Caroline Bianchi of Bergen was driving south on rt 19 when investigators say her Rav 4 crossed into the opposite lane and struck a 2007 Chrysler town and country driven by 82 year old Gary Beehler of Hamlin.  The vehicles struck head on Bianchi was pronounced dead at the scene and Beehler was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy flight.  Beehler did pass away this morning according to the Sheriff’s office.  The crash remains under investigation.

The Genesee county health department says that 7 COVID-19 cases came from funeral services held at Gilmartin Funeral Home on the 11^th, Resurrection Roman Catholic Church on the 12^th, Saint Joseph’s Mausoleum on the 12^th, and the Polish Falcons of America on the 12^th.  If you attended one of these services, please monitor yourself for 14 days for COVID-19 symptoms.

Governor Cuomo appeared to argue with Mayor of New York City Bill De’Blasio about the safety of schools.  In a joint statement made with the governors of New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Cuomo stated that “Medical research as well as the data from Northeastern states, from across the country, and from around the world make clear that in-person learning is safe when the appropriate protections are in place, even in communities with high transmission rates.  In-person learning is the best possible scenario for children, especially those with special needs and from low-income families. There is also growing evidence that the more time children spend outside of school increases the risk of mental health harm and affects their ability to truly learn.”  This statement came 1 day after De’Blasio announced that New York City Schools would close for in person learning and many schools across the state including in Batavia where schools will be closed through thanksgiving.

Doctors warn western NYers not to put off needed medical attention because of COVID.  Dr. Gerry Gacioch with Rochester Regional Health says that people should not hesitate when there are emergencies because of worries over COVID.  Seconds count in cases of heart attacks or strokes or other medical situations that require immediate attention.  He says that it was a problem in the first wave of COVID that people were not going to the hospital when they had thee types of emergencies.  He also said that hospitals are taking every safety precautions and patients would not catch COVID from healthcare workers.

Opening day is going to be big this year for hunters.  How big?  At least 50,000 people went through the online hunter education course this year compared to less than 25 thousand in previous years.  There is a problem though, with COVID-19 shutdowns causing issues for retailers, supply chains and manufacturers many hunters are having trouble getting the materials they need to get out for opening day.  Ammo, coats and boots and other items are in short supply.  Hope you get to enjoy watching the sun rise out there on the first day.