Wyoming County COVID-19 update

Town of Wellsville Emergency Management update

In response to the Governor making plans to start reopening New York State back up after the Covid-19 pandemic, we are also planning to accommodate this within the Town of Wellsville in the coming weeks. This is a planned reopening of businesses and activities with guidelines that must be followed; failure to adhere to these could result in subsequent  renewed closures. We will be on a planned schedule with other counties in our region, specifically the Southern Tier. As long as positive cases do not dramatically increase with the reopening then we should be allowed to proceed with the scheduled phases that have been set forth by the Governor and his office. With warmer weather in the forecast it is certain that the citizens will want to be out and we encourage you to do so, it has been a long time coming. Positive cases in Allegany County have been near steady recently with no major influx in those numbers; that means the residents are doing their part and we thank you for that. We ask that in the coming weeks, you still maintain social distancing and continue to wear your face masks as they are required while out in public. The emergency management team is working with town officials to develop a plan on opening the parks and other common areas…when this is done, there will be an announcement. Please continue to check on your neighbors through all of this as we do not know exactly when this pandemic will be over. If you are experiencing problems or need assistance for help do not hesitate to reach out.

Suicide Prevention Text 741741 Phone 1-800-273-8255

Domestic Abuse If you are unable to speak safely, text LOVEIS to 22522  Phone 1-800-799-7233

Or you may call 911 at any time for immediate help by trained personnel.

Town of Wellsville Emergency Management Coordinators

Chris Martelle

Bill Day Jr.

Legislator Graves reacts to “Nursing Home Policy"

Karl Graves,
Allegany County Legislator

The following information about New York States controversial “Nursing Home Policy”, which puts thousands of elderly at risk, was sent to me by my friend, former Allegany County Legislator David Pullen. He recommends that we contact our representatives about this policy. After review I think you will agree immediate action should be taken.

 

On March 25^th, 2020, the New York State Health Department issued a policy “Directive” that requires nursing homes to accept the transfer of COVID 19 positive patients from hospitals.  This Directive forbids nursing homes from requiring or performing COVID 19 testing on any of these transferred COVID 19 patients.  By adopting this policy our State has chosen to ignore the fact that elderly nursing home patients are among those most vulnerable to the COVID 19 infection. This group is particularly susceptible to the COVID 19 virus and has among the worst outcomes once infected.  NYS’s justification for this policy was the need to have more hospital rooms available for the care of new COVID 19 patients.  In effect, New York State has chosen to provide for younger COVID 19 patients at the expense of older and more vulnerable senior citizens.  The patients being transferred were sent to the hospital because they had COVID 19.  Once they recover to the point where they are deemed “stable” the State mandates that they be transferred to a lower level of care, usually at a nursing home.  These patients are still “COVID 19 active” but no longer require acute medical care.  The problem is that they are still contagious and can infect the staff and residents at a nursing home.  

 

New York’s new policy has been in effect for just over one month.  Over that time the number of COVID 19 hospital patients has peaked and started to drop off.  Despite predictions to the contrary, there are surplus hospital beds and surplus Intensive Care Unit (“ICU”) beds available throughout New York State, including New York City.  However, the number of COVID 19 infected residents and staff and COVID 19 related deaths in nursing homes has soared. The nursing home industry estimates that more than 5,000 nursing home residents and staff have died from COVID 19.  Ironically most states don’t break down statistics to show whether a COVID 19 death involved a current or former nursing home resident.  The federal government has started mandating that states report these statistics.

Because of the lack of statistics, it is impossible to know exactly how many of the nursing home deaths are the result of COVID 19, or how many resulted from the transfer of active COVID 19 cases from hospitals to nursing homes.  However, the nursing home industry has no doubts about the cause.  The American Health Care Association has publicly objected to this policy and has demanded that it be canceled.  Doctors and nurses at nursing homes see a direct correlation between the State mandated transfers and the surge in infections and deaths.  However, Governor Cuomo has refused to consider rescinding this Directive.  Instead he has threatened that any nursing home facility that refuses to accept COVID 19 patients will be investigated.  If the State determines that a nursing home refused transfers of COVID 19 patients the Governor has promised that the facility will be fined or have its license revoked.  Not surprisingly, few facilities have refused to accept transferred COVID 19 “active” patients.

There are numerous Internet articles about this growing health disaster.  Many families who have lost loved ones are threatening lawsuits against the state and nursing homes. However, the statute passed by the State Legislature in early March gives the State immunity from suit for anything resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic.  How convenient.  Many of the articles discuss alternatives that NYS could have implemented.  These alternatives have saved thousands of lives in other states.  The most common suggestion is to establish “dedicated COVID 19 nursing homes.”  However, the NYS Health Department has refused to consider that option.  No reason for this refusal has been given. Another proposal is for weekly COVID 19 testing of nursing home residents and staff.  Such testing would enable nursing home Administrators to know who to isolate or quarantine.   Why aren’t we exploring every option that might save lives?

 

The CDC (“Centers for Disease Control”) has established guidelines for protecting nursing home patients from COVID 19.  One CDC guideline is to keep those who have been exposed or infected out of nursing homes.  Another guideline is to perform extensive testing so that each nursing home can determine if someone (residents, staff, visitors, family) are infected.  The March 25^th, 2020 State Health Department Directive actually forbids COVID 19 testing hospital patients being discharged before admitting them to a nursing home.  New York State is intentionally choosing to ignore the risk it is creating for nursing home residents.   By forbidding such testing NYS leaving nursing home residents and staff defenseless and vulnerable.  Why is NYS ignoring CDC guidelines?  I find this deeply troubling and offensive.  I urge local residents to contact their State officials to complain about this reprehensible policy.Thank you for sharing this information with us David. Our best leaders will work to fix our public health agencies and end our dependence on China and others for our essential necessities.  We must prepare ourselves to face the next pandemic without surrendering our way of life.

 

Karl Graves

Allegany County Legislator 

 

GOVERNOR, ANDREW M. CUOMO

KATHY C. HOCHUL

State Capitol  Lieutenant Governor   Albany, NY  12224  State Capitol Telephone:  518-474-8390  Albany, NY  12224  E-mail:  www.ny.gov/governor/contact  Telephone:   518-402-2292

 

 

N.Y. STATE SENATOR

 

57th Senatorial District:  

Westgate Plaza

George M. Borrello 

700 West State Street

Olean, NY  14760

 

Legislative Office Building, Room 706  Albany, NY  12247 

Telephone:  800-707-0058;

716-372-4901 Telephone:  518-455-3563  Fax: 716-372-5740

Fax: 518-426-6905  E-mail: borrello@nysenate.gov  

Fenton Building, 2-6 East 2nd St.,

Suite 302

Jamestown, NY   14701  

Telephone:  716-664-4603  

Fax: 716-664-2430

Website:  www.borrello.nysenate.gov 

 

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES

 

148th Assembly District: 

JOSEPH M. GIGLIO

Legislative Office Building, Room 525

Albany, NY  12248 700

 

Westgate Plaza

West State Street

Olean, NY  14760

Telephone:  518-455-5241 

 Fax: 518-455-5869

Telephone: 716-373-7103

E-mail:  giglioj@nyassembly.gov

Fax:  716-373-7105

Obituary: Julia M. Hinkle, 66, of Scio

Julia M. Hinkle, 66, of Scio, NY, died Wednesday, April 29, 2020 in Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville.  Born May 1, 1953, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of Burrell A. and Dorothy H. Oakeson Fanton.  In November of 1999, in Stannards, she married Howard L. Hinkle, who survives.  A graduate of Wellsville Central School, she earned her LPN degree from St. Francis School of Nursing in Olean.  Julia was employed by Highland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Wellsville.  She was a life member of the former Stannards United Methodist Church. Surviving besides her husband, Howard, are: three children, Ashley Curry of Scio, Howard L. Hinkle, Jr. of Wellsville, and Rebecca (Gary) Veley of Friendship; eight grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Fanton, Salvation Army Major Retired of Scio; nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was predeceased by her parents; and an infant son. 

The immediate family will hold a private viewing and service at Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home, Wellsville.  The Rev. Marc Chamberlain will officiate.  Burial will be in Stannards Cemetery.  A live webcast for the public will be available 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 on www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com at the bottom of Julia’s obituary page. 

Memorials may be made to Visiting Nursing Association of WNY, 650 Airborne Parkway, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 or the Salvation Army, 25 E. Pearl St., Wellsville, NY 14895.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.

Steuben Confirms Four Additional Positive Cases of COVID-19

BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that four additional Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19.  This brings the total to 231 confirmed cases.  The individuals are residents of:

·         City of Hornell (2)

·         Town of Urbana

·         Town of Wheeler

One or more of the individuals are linked with previously reported cases.   One is a new positive from a nursing home in the Bath area, and two are new positives from a nursing home in the Hornell area. 

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 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 through the day of the investigation.  The investigations indicate that the individuals visited the following locations within that timeframe:

·         4/8/20 or 4/9/20 – Dandy Mini Mart on Denison Parkway, Corning

·         4/11/20 – Tops in Bath

·         4/11/20 – Save a Lot in Bath

·         4/29/20 – Rite Aid drive through in Bath

“The theory of contact tracing has been shared in the news a lot lately.  This is something we have been doing since day one with our positive COVID-19 individuals,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “We continue to see contacts to previous cases becoming positive, sometimes weeks after their initial contact. This highlights the importance and benefit of quarantine practices, which limits the contact’s interaction with the public and decreases the spread of COVID-19.”     

All residents should continue to stay home and monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.

Little League® Cancels 2020 World Series and Region Tournaments

Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Little League International has made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel its World Series and Region Tournaments for first time in organization history; commits approximately $1.2 million in support to local leagues

2020 MLB Little League Classic Presented by GEICO Also Canceled; Event Will Return in 2021

After a thorough assessment of the impact the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has had on 6,500 community-based Little League® programs in 84 countries and based upon the direction of governmental and public health authorities, and in consultation with medical professionals and our Board of Directors, Little League International has made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel its seven World Series tournaments and their respective regional qualifying events.

“This is a heartbreaking decision for everyone at Little League International, but more so for those millions of Little Leaguers who have dreamt of one day playing in one of our seven World Series events,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “After exhausting all possible options, we came to the conclusion that because of the significant public health uncertainty that will still exist several months from now, and with direction from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, as well as senior public health officials and government leaders from locations where our other six World Series are held, as well as the their qualifying regional tournaments, it will not be possible to proceed with our tournaments as we’ve hosted them for nearly 75 years.”

As we assessed the feasibility of including these tournament opportunities as part of that resumption of play, a number of factors went into the decision to cancel the World Series and Regional Tournaments, including:

The inability to play qualifying tournaments in many of our U.S. and International regions, coupled with direction from federal officials regarding the complexity of international travel restrictions and immigration requirements.

An indication from teams from around the globe that they will be unable to participate or travel to these tournaments.

The testing and mitigation protocols that would need to be in place at these significant public events should an individual participating or attending an event be diagnosed with COVID-19.

The cancellation includes the 82 regional qualifying tournaments and their respective seven World Series events:

Little League Baseball – South Williamsport, Pa.

Little League Softball® – Greenville, N.C.

Intermediate (50/70) Baseball – Livermore, Calif.

Junior League Baseball – Taylor, Mich.

Junior League Softball – Kirkland, Wash.

Senior League Baseball – Easley, S.C.

Senior League Softball –Sussex County, Del.

As 2021 was originally supposed to be the playing of the 75th Little League Baseball World Series, that celebration will now take place in 2022. More information about World Series locations and future dates can be found at www.LittleLeague.org.

As a result of this decision, the 2020 MLB Little League Classic presented by GEICO, originally scheduled for August 23 between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, has also been canceled. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have already committed to returning to Williamsport for the 2021 MLB Little League Classic next August.

“Delivering this news comes with a very heavy heart. We have never had to cancel our World Series tournaments, but, right now, as our world comes together, we must do everything we can to help stem the spread of this deadly virus,” said Hugh E. Tanner, Little League International Board of Directors Chairman. “While we take this pause from the World Series and Regional Tournaments this summer, we are committed to working with our volunteers and staff to continue to provide an unparalleled youth sports experience to all children and be back stronger than ever in 2021.”

To assist the local Little League programs as they continue to assess their local operations, Little League International will be crediting all chartered programs with the affiliation fees paid for their chartered teams in 2020, which totals approximately $1.2 million in support to local leagues. These funds will be credited through Little League’s Data Center and be available for local leagues to use on current balances, future affiliation and insurance fees, tournament enrollment, and other Little League-related expenses.

As each state and community will have different guidance for resuming organized youth sports, Little League International strongly encourages volunteers to confirm with their local and state health officials that it is safe to do so before resuming Little League activity after May 11. These playing opportunities could include not only regular season activities, but opportunities for local district, and, perhaps, state all-star tournament play to provide players, especially those moving up to a new age division in 2021, a tournament experience, if possible and safe.

Bath man arrested twice in less than a week on serious drug charges

Allegany County COVID-19 update

Press Release

April 30, 2020

COVID-19 Statistic Update

In the United States, the COVID-19 virus has infected approximately 1.07 million people, and there have been 61,700 deaths. In New York State, there have been 304,372 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and there have been 17,602 deaths statewide with 306 deaths in the last 24 hours. As of 2:00 p.m. on April 30, 2020, Allegany County’s COVID-19 statistics are as follows:

Confirmed Cases: 33

Recovered Cases: 28

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 1

Total Quarantined/Isolated to Date: 467

Released from Quarantine/Isolation: 437

Currently Quarantined/Isolated: 30

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)

Olean General begin COVID-19 antibody testing for employees

Olean General Hospital and Bradford Regional Medical Center, member hospitals of Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), are now offering antibody testing for COVID-19 to all of its employees.

“Our employees are on the front line of battling this pandemic and they are our most valuable asset, showing their dedication and commitment on a daily basis,” said Jeff Zewe, RN, president and chief executive officer, UAHS. “We are pleased to now be able to offer antibody testing to any employee who wishes to have it.”

“The antibody test is a blood draw which indicates if you had the COVID-19 virus and have developed antibodies against the virus. A positive test means you were exposed to COVID-19 at some point in the past and your immune system was robust enough to launch an antibody-forming immune response. Typically, a positive antibody test means that you are immune to the disease, but as this is a “novel” virus, there is not enough evidence yet to determine whether you can get COVID-19 more than once,” said William Mills, MD, chief medical officer, UAHS.

“Antibody testing will give us a better understanding of who in the workforce has some immunity to COVID-19. This information will be valuable as we move forward,” Dr. Mills said.

“The testing is an additional effort to determine how prevalent the disease is in our communities,” Dr. Mills said. “Testing is the key to controlling the spread of this virus on local, state, national and global levels. As we expand testing, we are better able to keep people safe.”

“Both Cattaraugus and McKean counties have seen a relatively low impact from COVID-19,” Zewe said. “With this new testing capability, we are helping to control the spread of the disease.”

Mansfield University to freeze in-state tuition for second consecutive year

MANSFIELD – The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors voted on Wednesday to freeze basic in-state tuition and the technology fee marking the second consecutive year that Mansfield University will not increase in-state tuition for students. 

“Per U.S. News and World Report’s current rankings, Mansfield University ranks 1st in Pennsylvania for social mobility and 14th in the nation,” said President Charles E. Patterson, PhD. “This ranking itself speaks to importance of the Mansfield serving as an affordable, state owned institution of higher education and career readiness in Pennsylvania and beyond.” 

Basic in-state tuition for undergraduate students will remain at $7,716 for the 2020-21 academic year. Also remaining the same will be the system’s technology fee for students, which stands at $478 for the academic year. The State System Board voted to freeze tuition and the technology fee unanimously. 

Mansfield University lowered its in-state and out-of-state tuition rates along with costs for its modern, suite-style residence halls prior to the start of the 2019-20 academic year. With one of the lowest tuition rates for a four-year institution in the state of Pennsylvania, Mansfield University continues to be a leader in affordable and accessible higher education. 

“Pennsylvania will recover from this pandemic, and our outstanding universities will have a role in leading the recovery,” PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein said. “To be a leader will take courage, and the Board showed that kind of courage today by choosing to be on the side of students and affordability. We will be here to educate the business, healthcare, education, and community leaders of tomorrow by maintaining our place as the affordable higher education option for students of the Commonwealth.” 

To better accommodate prospective students in their college search amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mansfield waived SAT and ACT test scores from university admissions consideration and pushed back the deposit deadline one month to June 1. For current students, Mansfield issued partial refunds on student fees and adopted a Pass/No Credit option as a result of the transition to online instruction. 

Learn more about Mansfield University at mansfield.edu.

New York’s Highest Court Denies Appeal in Schuyler Sex Abuse Case

Albany (April 30, 2020)—The New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, has rejected a Schuyler County man’s latest attempt to appeal a finding that he had sexually abused his four-year-old daughter and neglected his three minor children.

On Thursday (April 30, 2020) the Court denied the man’s motion for leave to appeal an October 2019 decision of the New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.  That prior decision, “Matter of Lawson O.,” unanimously affirmed a Schuyler County Family Court order made by Judge Dennis Morris in 2017.

The Schuyler County Department of Social Services (DSS) had charged the man in Family Court with abuse and neglect of his children following receipt of a child protective services hotline report in January 2016. According to testimony before the Family Court, the man’s daughter had been discovered acting out sexually and then disclosed to a family member that her father had been having oral sexual contact with her.

Following a hearing in 2017, Morris determined that the girl’s out-of-court statements regarding the alleged sexual abuse were sufficiently corroborated and that the father had abused his daughter, derivatively abused her two siblings and neglected all three of his children. Therefore, he entered an order of protection, directing the father have no contact with the children, other than supervised visitation and communications reviewed and approved in advance by DSS, and directing him to enter sex offender treatment.

The father, through attorney Dana Salazar, appealed to the Appellate Division, alleging that the Family Court’s finding of abuse was not adequately established by the evidence.

The DSS was represented on appeal by Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman. Getman asked the appellate court to uphold the Family Court findings. Getman argued that that the girl had demonstrated an “age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual activity” through her behaviors prior to the disclosure, supporting her description of abuse. He also cited evidence of prior sexual abuse allegations against the father involving other family members, and the father’s admissions that he spent approximately eight months in jail stemming from an earlier sexual abuse charge related to a niece. Getman also pointed out the father had admitted on the stand to lying to law enforcement officials, thereby showing a propensity for dishonesty.

The Appellate Division agreed with DSS, finding “a sound and substantial basis exist[ed] in the record to support Family Court’s finding that respondent abused the daughter.” Therefore, it upheld the Family Court order in all respects.

The father, again through Salazar, thereafter moved for leave to appeal to the New York State Court of Appeals.      The DSS, through Getman, opposed the motion, arguing that the Appellate Division’s decision was consistent with longstanding precedent.

In Thursday’s decision of the Court of Appeals rejected the father’s motion without comment, holding simply “Motion for leave to appeal denied.”

According to Getman, this decision effectively ends the father’s ability to challenge the Family Court’s abuse and neglect findings.

Neither the Court of Appeals nor the Appellate Division decision names the father or the children, using pseudonyms to protect the children’s privacy.

The Schuyler County DSS is the lead civil investigative agency for cases of alleged child abuse and neglect. The Schuyler County Attorney is the prosecuting attorney for all county agencies involving civil cases, including Family Court matters involving abuse and neglect. Both agencies were assisted in the investigation of the case by members of the Schuyler County Sheriff’s department. A complete copy of the Appellate Division’s October decision can be found here: http://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/Decisions/2019/525645.pdf.  A copy of the Court of Appeals April order can be found here (page 6): https://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/Decisions/2020/Apr20/DecisionList043020.pdf.

Potter County COVID cases hold steady

The Pennsylvania Department of Health says there are 1,397 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to nearly 46,000. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Today, the department is reporting a total of 2,292 deaths in Pennsylvania. The total number of positive cases in Potter County remains at four…it’s 16 in Tioga County, where one death had been reported. 38% of positive cases in the Commonwealth involve those between the age of 25 and 49.

Obituary: Shirley A. Meehan, 88, formerly of Hornell

Shirley A. Meehan, 88, formerly of Hornell, died Tuesday evening (April 28, 2020) in Twinsburg, OH where she has resided for the pasts 1 ½ years.

Born in Hornell on July 28, 1931, she was the daughter of Charles & Geraldine (Gibson) Maglier.
Shirley grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1949). 
On September 9, 1950 she married John “Jack” Meehan who died June 11, 1987.  For many years, Shirley & Jack lived in Lakewood, OH where she raised her family.  They later resided in Exton, PA.  Following the death of her husband, Shirley returned to Hornell where she lived before moving to Twinsburg, OH 1 ½ years ago.

While living in Hornell, Shirley was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  Throughout the years she volunteered her time assisting the Board of Elections by helping with both local and federal elections.  She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and was active in the G. Carducci Lodge, Sons of Italy.  Shirley was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed rooting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cleveland Browns.  Her favorite times, however, were simply spending time with family & friends and she especially enjoyed attending high school alumni functions.

In addition to her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Michael Meehan who died in 2016; 2 brothers, Donald Maglier and Raymond Maglier; 1 sister, Jean McCool. Surviving are 1 daughter, Mary Farrell of Twinsburg, OH; 3 sons, John Meehan of North Royalton, OH, Terry Meehan of Scarborough, ME and Kevin Meehan of Lakewood, OH; 1 sister, Sharon Siegel of Hornell; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic there will be no calling hours.  A private graveside service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family with Fr. Stan Kacprzak officiating.

The Graveside Service for Shirley will be streamed via Facebook Live and can be viewed on the Dagon Funeral Home Facebook page on Saturday  at 1:00 PM by visiting www.facebook.com/dagonfuneralhome.  The video will remain available for viewing on our Facebook page for 30 days. 

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Shirley’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Academy, 41 Genesee St., Hornell, NY 14843.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com

Cuba: Support Your Local Businesses, Buy a Chicken Dinner!

Allegany County: Great Appreciation Goes Out to Meals on Wheels Drivers

Belmont, NY – Chairman Curt Crandall and the Allegany County Board of Legislators want to thank the drivers that deliver the Home Delivered Meals, better known as Meals on Wheels, to those that need this service throughout Allegany County. We would also like to recognize and give special thanks to Office for the Aging Director Anita Mattison and her team who coordinate the menus, meal preparation, the routes, and schedules for the excellent job they are doing during this increased demand.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Allegany County Office for the Aging delivered about 1,445 nutritious meals to around 360 older adults per week. Since March 15, 2020, when COVID-19 made its first footprint into our County, the Office for the Aging is now delivering 2,650 nutritious meals to around 450 older adults. This is an increase of 90 older adults per week receiving Meals on Wheels, and an increase of 1,205 meals per week being delivered to Allegany County residents, just in the last 6 weeks.

This would not be possible without the Home Delivered Meals drivers who deliver all across Allegany County on a daily basis. Each morning, our Home Delivered Meals drivers and volunteers report to work, receive temperature checks, put a mask on, and glove up to ensure our older adults receive the nutrition they need to remain in their homes. Since the pandemic has begun, the Home Delivered Meals drivers and volunteers have delivered additional items that have been donated for our seniors. Drivers have delivered blizzard bags with three shelf stable meals, canvas bags for meals to be placed in which were donated by other Allegany County Departments, 5-pound containers of cottage cheese and sour cream that were donated by Saputo Dairies, beautiful flowers donated by Hannigan’s at East Wind, Girl Scout Cookies donated by NYPENN Girl Scouts, rolls of toilet paper donated by Genesee Valley School and Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, cat food and dog food from a collaboration with the SPCA Serving Allegany County, face masks donated from Facemask Warriors, Joan Ball, and Allegany County EOM, along with durable medical equipment and anything else we ask of them.

The Home Delivered Meals drivers provide personal contact for each individual recipient, even though we have had to modify our typical interaction during this time of social distancing. Just a friendly face, a wave, and a wellness check can make a big difference in peoples’ lives. Not just in this time of national crisis, but all year long, our Home Delivered Meals drivers are on the frontlines providing services to vulnerable adults. Time after time, they have been the first individual to find that an older adult has fallen or is in need of medical assistance. It is so much more than just a meal.

Thank you, Meals on Wheels drivers, for the personal touch and care you provide to our seniors.

Hornell: Two New Emergency Medicine Physicians Join St. James Hospital

Leadership at St. James Hospital is pleased to introduce two new physicians in the emergency department (ED).  UR Medicine physicians Dr. Taras Gulyanich and Dr. Patrick Dacquel joined the St. James medical staff in April to provide fulltime service in the ED.

“We are delighted to welcome these highly skilled clinicians to our team,” said John Robshaw, M.D., chief of St. James emergency services.  “They bring a wealth of emergency medicine expertise, and their presence is even more important as we continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr. Taras Gulyanich began his career as a nurse in Rochester, graduating with a BS in nursing from St. John Fisher College.  He obtained a Doctorate from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his Fellowship in emergency medicine at St. Elizabeth Hospital (Utica, NY).  Dr. Gulyanich did Residencies in internal medicine at LewisGale Hospital (Blacksburg, VA) and at Good Samaritan Hospital, (Watertown, NY), and a Residency in pathology at University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (Newark, NJ).  He has worked in emergency medicine at McLeod Hospital (Dillon, SC), and in internal medicine at St. Peter’s Health Partners (Albany, NY) and Community Memorial Hospital (South Hill, VA).

“Dr. Gulyanich has extensive experience diagnosing and treating individuals with escalating chronic conditions, which is typical of the type of patient we see in our emergency department,” said Dr. Robshaw.

Dr. Patrick Dacquel completed a BS in molecular and cell biology from Pacific University (Forest Grove, OH).  He obtained a MA in bioethics from Kansas City (MO) University of Medicine and Biosciences, where he went on to obtain a Doctorate in osteopathic medicine.  Dr. Dacquel completed his Residency in emergency medicine at Drexel University/College of Medicine at Hahnemann Hospital (Philadelphia), and worked in the emergency departments at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital (Philadelphia) and Evangelical Community Hospital (Lewisburg, PA).  He also served as assistant EMS director/tactical medical operator at Delaware County (Darby, PA).

“Dr. Dacquel is well-versed in both rural and urban emergency medicine,” said Dr. Robshaw.  “He understands the needs of our population and is a great fit with our team.”

In addition to the two new physicians, St. James also recently appointed Aimee Smith, RN, BSN, as the new emergency department manager.

“Aimee brings great experience to our emergency department and has provided excellent leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Robshaw.  “We have an outstanding and compassionate team of clinicians, technicians, registration and support staff who are delighted to provide the highest level of emergency care and support to our patients and the community.” 

Belmont Rotary Club 2020 Fall Drawing - tickets now available

See any Belmont Rotarian or contact Dana Hand 585-610-6133 or Steve Fleischman at stephen@fandfelectrician.com for tickets. 

Wellsville American Legion - Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner drive-thru May 14th

Village of Alfred daily update moving to weekly email newsletter

The Village of Alfred is launching a weekly email newsletter for the duration of the COVID-19. Information relevant to our community, community resources, events and information from the county and state will be published here. The newsletter will arrive in inboxes on Monday afternoons. This newsletter will replace the daily updates currently published on the website, and on our social media. The situation is evolving less rapidly. The need for information is still clear, but we also don’t want to burden our neighbors with information fatigue. The public can access the newsletter on our Facebook page, and will be able to read the latest edition of the newsletter on our website. The public will also be able to subscribe directly on our website. Once we are able to return to some of business as usual, the weekly newsletter will become monthly- and then we hope quarterly. The weekly newsletter is by no means a meant to compete with the valuable institution that is the Alfred Sun. The newspaper is a vital piece of our community and we are grateful for it. This is merely a supplement, and particular to keeping our community informed about resources available to them during this health and economic crisis. To sign up, please email info@alfredny.org. We've already received a number of subscribers, and we hope to reach out to more of you in the days to come!

Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center Supporting Families Following COVID-19 Deaths

BUFFALO, NY — The American Red Cross is operating a virtual Family Assistance Center to provide comfort and support, information and referrals for New York State families that have lost loved ones to the COVID-19Coronavirus. The virtual Family Assistance Center will link families to crisis counselors who will provide emotional and spiritual support, as well as information and referrals to help them navigate the challenging process they might be facing as a result of their loved one’s death.

“These families are dealing with the emotional trauma of losing a loved one, while facing logistical challenges caused by this public health emergency,” said Tara Hughes, Northeast Division Disaster Mental Health Advisor, who will be leading the virtual COVID-19Family Assistance Center program. “We’re proud to use the mass casualty experience of the Red Cross to join our community together and provide comfort and support to these families across New York State during these difficult times.”

A team of 30 specially trained Red Cross Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Spiritual Care, and Health Services volunteers will be available to support families with their emotional and spiritual needs, as well as provide information and referrals to state and local agencies as well as other community organizations to help families meet their immediate needs. This may include challenges with moving their loved one’s body through systems that may be overwhelmed and have different process than normal; legal resources for estate, custody, immigration, or other issues related to the death of their family member; information on how to obtain travel services; and more. All Family Assistance Center support will be provided virtually and is completely confidential.

 Families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 can fill out an online intake form, and a Family Assistance Center volunteer will contact them:

• English: www.redcross.org/NYSCOVIDFamilySupport

Intake forms can also be filled out by a friend who thinks someone who needs help, or an agency working on behalf of the family. Those without online capabilities may call 585-957-8187, and a volunteer will assist them with the initial intake process. The Family Assistance Center is expected to operate for as long as families will benefit from the service.