Cattaraugus County health officials note spikes in flu, COVID in January
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Snocross returns to Seneca casino this weekend
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
SALAMANCA — There’s been plenty of snowmaking in this area, and it hasn’t all happened on the hills of Ellicottville.
Several gigantic mounds of snow now sit in the east parking lot of the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, perhaps a curious sight to commuters on Interstate 86 who pass by.
This weekend, the tranquility and stillness of this field of snow will be loud and busy with dozens of snowmobiles racing as part of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series’ annual visit to Salamanca on Feb. 20 and 21.
“We certainly don’t seem to have a shortage of winter weather this year,” said Bryan Van Buren, Vice President of Operations at Seneca Allegany. “The snow and cold we’ve had lately can present challenging work conditions, but the race conditions should be excellent as a result.”
Van Buren said preparations for this year’s races have been going very well. January was a busy month, he said, and now that February is here, they’re hitting the home stretch at full speed.
“You can feel the energy building every day. We’re excited for Snocross weekend to get here and for the fans to take in all the action,” he said. “Plus, we have an amazing crew who are going above and beyond to make sure this is an incredible year
& Casino is a year-round destination. Van Buren said there is so much to do and enjoy during the winter, and Snocross really leans into and encapsulates it, becoming a signature part of the winter in Salamanca and the Southern Tier.
“The races shine a spotlight on how fun winter can be and the full experience we offer our guests,” he said.
“Many people have made our Snocross event a regular part of their winter schedule. We’re excited to welcome them back, and we’re excited to meet guests who may be traveling to Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino for the very first time.”
The AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series is a national snowmobile racing organization that makes several stops in the upper Midwest and Canada before coming to Salamanca, which is the fifth of eight stops on the series’ tour. The series first visited Salamanca in 2013 and saw roughly 13,000 visitors over three days.
for the races.”
The new track layout that debuted a few years ago was a real hit and helped elevate the racing action to an exciting new level, Van Buren said. Now that they’re familiar with the layout, he thinks the racers will be ready to attack the track, which creates an incredible
experience for Seneca Allegany’s guests. “Snocross weekend is really something the entire family can enjoy,” he said. “During the races, we have the AMSOIL Coloring Zone, autograph sessions with the racers, vendors with great and unique offerings and inflatables for young guests
to enjoy.”
Meanwhile, everything that makes Seneca Allegany such a sought-after resort destination will be offered inside, Van Buren said. The gaming floor and the Seneca Sports Lounge will be buzzing with action, multiple world-class restaurants offer meals to
satisfy every craving and meet every budget and live entertainment can be heard at The River Bar.
“Guests coming for the races can make a memorable weekend out of their visit,” he added.
Western New York is a four-season community, and Seneca Allegany Resort
The series’ next event is the Grand Prix de Valcourt in Quebec on Feb. 14 and 15 — the weekend immediately before coming to Salamanca. When it arrives in Salamanca, the two-day event is packed from morning to evening with racing, with the opening ceremonies for the feature races taking place at 6 p.m. each night.
Randolph community rallies to raise $21K during Cards Against Cancer
RANDOLPH — The Randolph Central School community gathered Jan. 23 for the 13th annual Cards Against Cancer, transforming a boys basketball game at the Jr./Sr. High School into a powerful display of solidarity for one local family.
This year’s fundraiser supported 9-year-old Sayer Spinler, a fourth grade student at Gail N. Chapman Elementary who was recently diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL).
Sayer, described by his father as a determined kid who loves the outdoors and sports, began his medical journey after complaining of arm pain. Within one week, Sayer was at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center beginning his first round of chemotherapy. While his mother, Alyssa, was at his side during later treatments at Oishei Children’s Hospital, his father, Rodney, stayed home to manage the family farm and care for Sayer’s siblings. Despite the challenges the family has faced, Rodney Spinler shared that Sayer has remained incredibly positive.
“He’s been awesome,” Spinler said. “You couldn’t be any tougher than what he’s been. You get a lot of strength from your kids sometimes. I’ve learned a lot about him in the last three months. I think my wife has too. I think our community has.” The event saw a packed gymnasium as residents came together to support the Spinlers, who are deeply rooted in local 4-H and
sports programs. Attendees participated in a variety of fundraising activities, including a soup bar that served over 100 people from 15 donated crockpots and a silent pie auction featuring 28 handmade treats. Competition for the baked goods was high according to Debbie Luce, a Randolph teaching assistant who works with students to coordinate Cards Against Cancer.
“The pies go crazy,” Luce said. “Our highest was a Dutch apple pie that went for $125. There were peanut butter brownies going for $100.” The night also included a basket raffle with 85 donations up for grabs. Items included a signed hockey stick from Buffalo Sabres defenceman Bowen Byram, a 65-inch television and a membership at Cardinal Hills Golf Course.
The event was supported by an outpouring of student involvement. In addition to athletes, the student council and the National Honor Society, Luce said members of the Randolph FFA and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) joined this year’s efforts to organize the fundraiser and sell pre-sale raffle tickets.
“To me, it’s teaching our kids that it’s not all about what someone can do for
you, but what we can do for others,” Luce said. “Accept the generosity of others, but then turn around and pay it forward. We need to see what other people are going through and take time out of our schedule — no matter how busy we are — to help others.”
The night proved to be one of the most successful in the event’s history, raising over $18,000 alongside an additional $3,000 from a
local organization. Derek Marsh, a leukemia survivor and founder of Strike Out Leukemia, presented a check to the Spinlers with his father, Randy Marsh, who launched a “Sayer Strong” apparel store through the Jock Shop to aid fundraising efforts.
After seeing the community come together for the cause, Rodney Spinler had a message to share with everyone for their involvement.
“Thank you for everything,” Spinler said. “I don’t know if I can ever tell them thank you enough. And I would name names, but I would forget somebody along the way, and everybody has been awesome. My dad died from cancer in 2000, and we saw the support — not like this, it was a little different — but the support from the farming community back then was crazy. And this is even 10 times more than what it was back then. So, I mean, we’ve always known what Randolph’s about. If you need something, they’ve got you. Great community, proud to be part of it.” Since it began in 2013, Cards Against Cancer has raised approximately $120,000 to assist local families facing medical crises. Those interested in supporting the fundraiser can send donations anytime during the year to the Randolph Community Love Fund, Randolph Central School, 18 Main St., Randolph, NY 14772. For more information on how to help, contact Debbie Luce at (716) 358-6161.
File Photo
The annual AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series will return to Salamanca this weekend with two days of high-speed action at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.
Photo provided
Strike Out Leukemia check presentation for $3,000, from left, Rodney Spinler and his daughters Shyanne and Savannah, and Derek Marsh and his father, Randy Marsh.
West Valley announces 2nd quarter honor rolls
WEST VALLEY — West Valley Central School
Principal Rachel Mychajluk has announced the following students in grades 7-12 have been named to the honor roll for the second quarter of the 2025-26 school year.
High Honor Roll
Grade 7: Brody Lawrence, Emma Nunn, Ryan Peace, Jr. Grade 8: Dalton Otto.
Grade 9: Finley Ford-Grover, Delia Shoup, Abigail Tucker.
Grade 10: Karly Otto.
Grade 11: Samantha Fisher, Noah Klahn.
Honor Roll
Grade 7: James Shoup III, Quinn Spencer, Jordan Swingle, Matthew Tingue, Carter Widrig.
Grade 8: Lorelai Fish, Savannah Griffis, Nicholas Klahn, Braydan Mitchell, Lily
Quinn.
Grade 9: Kolin Holstein.
Grade 10: Jersie Czapla, Olivia Messina.
Grade 11: Megan Ehrenburg, Isabella Mitchell.
Grade 12: Annabella Proseus, Liliana Toms.
Merit Roll
Grade 7: Isabelle Wypij.
Grade 8: John Atkinson, Jr., KylieAnne Fleming,
Alexis Moss, Cullen Shaw, Jr., Gavin Ulinger, Connor Washburn.
Grade 9: Madison Lawrence, Daniela Llanga Chimborazo, Julienna Robbins, Nia Schoepflin.
Grade 10: Sebastian Froland.
Grade 11: William St. Clair, Elizabeth Winsor.
Grade 12: Payton Ehnes.
Cattaraugus County health officials note spikes in flu, COVID in January
BY BOB CLARK
OLEAN — Local infectious diseases rose in January, county health officials reported Wednesday, Feb. 4.
During the monthly Cattaraugus County Board of Health meeting, Director of Patient Services Lynne Moore reported that 256 influenza A cases were reported across the county in January, up from 176 in December.
COVID-19 cases rose from 43 in December to 100 in January, cases of the respiratory disease RSV rose from 25 in December to 30 in January, and influenza B cases rose from six in December to 19 in January.
Moore noted that influenza B cases rose toward the and of the last flu season.
“We’ll see if that happens this year,” she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20 million flu cases have occurred this flu season, leading to 210,000 hospitalizations and more than 11,000 deaths, including 52 children.
measurable goals for the department to target.
The treatment involves multiple shots and varies depending on the weight of the patient. Vaccines for Japanese encephalitis, given to travelers, rose from $90 to $385, while high-dose RSV vaccines for infants rose from $78 to $613.
Only COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna saw cost decreases, dropping from $134 for those 12 and older to $130. Jynneos, a vaccine for smallpox and mpox, stayed the same at $267.
The board also voted to forward a request to the Cattaraugus County Legislature to write off $3,474 in overdue bills from those receiving services from the health department.
engagement, communication, regulatory action, and public trust.
present updates to the board annually. The plan can also be changed to refocus efforts if needed.
Watkins noted that about $1,700 came from home care services, about $1,400 came from clinic services like rabies preexposure treatments, immunizations and physicals; and another $400 came from family planning services. By comparison, the county wrote off over $6,000 in bills in 2024.
Collections agencies have proven inefficient at getting the late payments.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board approved a new five-year strategic plan. The plan, which runs through 2030, aims to guide the department toward living up to its mission and vision.
“We need guardrails when you’re going down the road,” Board President David Smith said, noting the plan offers
Priorities include advancing health equity and reducing disparities; strengthening mental health and substance use prevention; promoting communicable disease prevention and immunization access; strengthening organizational infrastructure, workforce, and service delivery systems; and enhancing community
The executive committee began meetings on the plan in August. The committee met with staff to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as set five priorities and strategies to improve in those priority areas.
THE BOARD ALSO approved clinic immunization rates, with 40 of 46 rates increasing in 2026.
“We typically will recover 20% of those write-offs we send to the agency,” Watkins said.
Smith noted the writeoffs have topped $10,000 in previous years.
Some of the strategies include increasing naloxone distribution by 25% by the end of the year, increasing immunization rates in priority populations by 5% by 2027, and implementing a department-wide communication plan.
County Health Director Dr. Kevin Watkins said directors will review progress on a quarterly basis and
Rising vaccine costs were cited as a reason for the rising cost to patients. Watkins noted the amount charged is the cost of the vaccine plus between $1 and $30 to cover staff and other costs to give the immunizations.
“It’s a big improvement — I’d prefer it to be nothing, but it is what it is,” said Smith.
Watkins said the department has implemented new policies to ensure copays are received up front, as well as insurance authorizations. If authorization is not received, the department will charge the patient the full amount for the service and reimburse them when insurance pays the department.
The largest increases were in rabies treatments, including a $277 increase for Hyperrab, a postexposure treatment for the viral disease spread most often by animal bites. Regular pre-exposure and postexposure rates increased from over $100 each to $466.
“That’s among our most expensive immunizations,” Watkins said, with Hyperrab being billed at $1,147.
During the annual reorganization of the board, Smith was reelected unanimously as board president while Legislator Kelly Andreano, R-Olean, was selected as vice president.
Photo by Bob Clark
Cattaraugus County Health Director Dr. Kevin Watkins speaks during the monthly county Board of Health meeting.