Erie Cattaraugus Chautauqua County Community Source 12/17/21

s a e d I e u c s e R e h t o T for Last Minute Santas

Because it’s never too late to shop local and give wisely!

Check throughout paper for local savings this hoiday season!

DECEMBER

17 2021

Kenney Appointed Interim SGI High School Principal

HUD announces $1.73 million in aid to Seneca Nation WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last week announced that almost $2 million in aid will help the Seneca Nation of Indians as part of a $52 million program.

The aid, through the Indian Community Block Grant-American Rescue Plan, provides grants to 49 Tribal communities to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seneca Nation Housing Authority received $1.73 million in assistance to build eight single-family homes, which will help alleviate the housing shortage.

The announcement, made by HUD Deputy Secretary Todman during a speaking engagement at the National American Indian Housing Council’s Legal

SPRINGVILLE — The Springville-Griffith Institute Central School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Dennis G. Kenney to serve as interim principal of Springville-Griffith Institute High School during its meeting Tuesday evening.

Kenney, whose appointment will take effect Jan. 3, 2022, will serve in this interim capacity through the end of June following the appointment of James Bialasik as the district’s next superintendent of schools.

“I look forward to joining the Springville-Griffith Institute community as interim high school principal,” said Kenney. “I will work nonstop to continue the district’s excellent educational achievements.”

A longtime administrator, Kenney spent 12 years as the high school principal at Iroquois Central High School in Elma, where his building received state recognition as a “Reward School” and master school for Best Practices for five consecutive years. Prior to that, he served

Symposium, underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to delivering equitable COVID-19 relief to Tribal communities.

“I’m pleased to announce these robust resources for Tribal communities to meet urgent housing, community, and economic development needs,” said HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman. “The funding HUD is awarding today will support our mission to ensure that every person has the security of a healthy, safe, and resilient home and community. HUD looks forward to ongoing partnerships with Tribal communities to expand equity and opportunity and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships.”

In addition, the Saint

HUD Aid continued ................. page 4

Photo provided Dennis Kenney

as the superintendent of Perry Central School District in Wyoming County, principal of Barker Central High School, and assistant high school principal at both Canandaigua Academy and Albion High School.

A er his retirement from Iroquois in 2017, he served as the interim high school principal at Batavia High School in Genesee County.

Kenney holds a bachelor’s in sociology and criminal justice and a master’s in special education from SUNY Buffalo State College, a certificate in school administration from SUNY Brockport, and a school district administration certificate from SUNY Oswego, where he also participated in the Western New York Superintendent Development Program.

Prior to his career in public education, he spent 18 years with the New York State Division for Youth’s Office of Child & Family Services in a variety of roles.

10294 Rt. 60, Fredonia | 716-673-1371 Check us out online at www.fredoniacdj.com 2019 CHEVY 2020 CHEVY 2019 CHEVY TAHOE LS CAMARO SS SILVERADO 1500 LT F5528A

5,875 miles

FP2115

30,049 miles

F5599A

23,907 miles

$52,900

$37,900

$48,900

2017 CHEVY TRAVERSE LT

2016 CHEVY TRAVERSE LT

2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA TOURING L

F5381A

87,372 miles

$23,900

F5530A

24,148 miles

F5533A

$25,900

2017 DODGE 2019 DODGE CHARGER CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT R/T SCAT PACK F5528A

18,457 miles

6,544 miles

F5489B

2019 CHEVY TRAVERSE LT CLOTH

F5529A

41,910 miles

F5543A

38,962 miles

$31,900

$33,900

2021 DODGE CHALLENGER 2021 DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT REDEYE WIDEBODY R/T SCAT PACK

11,787 miles

F2120

2015 DODGE CHARGER SXT

2014 DODGE JOURNEY AMERICAN VALUE PKG FP2127

4,814 miles

$85,000

$53,900

61,107 miles

FP2132

4,666 miles

$37,900 F5589A

2018 CHEVY TRAVERSE LS

22,206 miles

2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM

F5584A

32,758 miles

2017 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500HD LT

90,289 miles

F5581B

CALL FOR PRICE 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T

6,174 miles

F2061A

$38,900 2010 FORD MUSTANG GT PREMIUM

21,000 miles

F5531A

$49,900

$64,900

$23,900

$15,900

$19,900

$20,000

2019 GMC SIERRA 1500 LIMITED SLE

2018 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE

2019 HONDA PILOT TOURING 7P

2021 JEEP COMPASS LIMITED

2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED

2020 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA

F5531B

60,270 miles

$35,900 2019 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED

FP2112A

26,581 miles

$28,900

FP2114

35,166 miles

46,125 miles

$42,900 2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED

F5527A

71,334 miles

38,285 miles

2019 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED

2019 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED

2018 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE

2018 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE

F5447A

33,275 miles

F5516A

$28,900 F5577A

25,217 miles

46,507 miles

2016 JEEP CHEROKEE HIGH ALTITUDE

2016 JEEP COMPASS HIGH ALTITUDE

2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED

F5574A

57,745 miles

FP2122

18,242 miles

2018 RAM 1500 LARAMIE LONGHORN

F5559B

F5598A

194976

26,399 miles

FP2071

FT5136

49 miles

CALL FOR PRICE

10,509 miles

2017 RAM 1500 LARAMIE

F5546A

79,187 miles

$34,900

$47,900

78,701 miles

F2083A

$25,900 4,922 miles

LFP2124

$38,900 2017 RAM 1500 LARAMIE LONGHORN

F5562A

80,358 miles

$32,900

2018 TOYOTA RAV4 LE

2015 TOYOTA RAV4 LE

2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ALLTRACK TSI S 4MOTION

$27,900

$17,900

$18,900

14,535 miles FP2130

$39,900

59,562 miles

2021 RAM PICKUP 2021 RAM PICKUP 1500 CLASSIC WARLOCK 1500 CLASSIC WARLOCK

2018 RAM 2500 TRADEMAN

$44,900

$47,900

1,917 miles

$65,000

68,540 miles F5388A 20,345 miles F2098A 22,559 miles FP2133

$31,900

F5375B

$15,900

1972 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER

2019 SUBARU 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK 2019 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2019 TOYOTA TACOMA CROSSTREK 2.0I BASE 2.5i PREMIUM TRD OFF-ROAD TRD OFF-ROAD

$22,900

92,002 miles

$18,900

2020 RAM 1500 LARAMIE

$49,900

25,096 miles

F5604A

2016 JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK 2019 NISSAN SENTRA SV

37,076 miles

18,649 miles

2018 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE

CALL FOR PRICE

2020 KIA OPTIMA EX

F5568A

F5610A

$46,900

CALL FOR PRICE

$22,900

49,237 miles

18,824 miles

19,279 miles

CALL FOR PRICE

$36,900 F2113A

FP2134

F5551A

$27,900

2021 RAM PICKUP 1500 CLASSIC WARLOCK

F5595A

22,207 miles

$41,900

$20,900

$37,900

F5571A

$29,900

$22,900

7,179 miles

12,990 miles

$39,900

$27,900 FP2128

F5591A

$37,900

2018 JEEP WRANGLER 2018 JEEP WRANGLER JK UNLIMITED RUBICON JK UNLIMITED SPORT

F5566A

F5534A

20,540 miles F5540B

87,083 miles F2058B

94,146 miles

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

2

DECEMBER 17,2021

I-86 may remain closed through December

BY RICK MILLER

it reopens,” he said Tues- a day, is also handling the more than 12,000 vehicles day.

The Interstate 86 culBaker said the 7-mile that normally use I-86 bevert replacement project that has closed the fourlane highway between exits 23 and 24 will not be completed by Friday as initially projected by the state Department of Transportation.

Chris Baker, Cattaraugus County director of Emergency Services, said a DOT source had recently informed him that the road would not reopen Friday — and the closure could last through December.

There was a “weather permitting” clause in the announcement last month that I-86 would have to close for five weeks between Allegany and Seneca Route 417 detour between tween exits 23 and 24.

Junction for emergency re- West Five Mile Road in State DOT officials displacement of a culvert.

Allegany and Route 219 at covered a settling of earth Baker said he alerted Seneca Junction has had over the summer along the fire companies, ambulance three accidents over the shoulder of I-86 near Chipcrews and law enforcement past month, including an monk Creek in the town that I-86 would not reopen overturned truck on Tues- of Carrollton. The culvert as quickly as planned. was showing signs of deteday morning.

“It looks like it will be Route 417, which car- rioration and officials were the end of December before ries more than 3,000 cars concerned of a catastrophic

Free One on One Telephone Assistance Available.

Health HealthInsurance Insurance

For help enrolling, renewing, or changing your coverage, call Healthy Community Alliance to work with a local Navigator.

Free One on One Telephone Assistance Available.

Health Insurance Open Enrollment Free One on One Telephone Assistance Available.

(716) 532-1010

For help enrolling,renewing, renewing, oror changing your coverage, call ForOpen help enrolling, changing your coverage, Enrollment for tohealth insurance through HealthyCommunity Community Alliance work a local Navigator. call Healthy Alliance to with work with a local Navigator.

the New Yorkhelp State individuals of Health Marketplace is happening Navigators and families enroll NOW in health (716) 532-1010 insurance, including ChildAlliance Healthcan Plus, Plan Healthy Community helpMedicaid, you enrollEssential in an

(716) 532-1010

Navigators help individuals and families enroll in health affordable plan that’sChild right for you.

Convenient over the insurance, including Health Plus, Medicaid, Plan Navigators help individuals and families enroll inEssential health insurance,

assitance is available and FREE! York’s Health phone Plan Marketplace.

Assistance is free. If you, or York’sthrough Health Plan is free.York’s If you, or Health Plans the Marketplace.

NY State ofAssistance Health, New Health Plan someone you know, is inisisneed of health insurance, please someone you know, in need of health insurance, please call us Marketplace.

Assistance free.

If you, or someone you know, is incall us To learn more or to schedule your appointment, call (716) 532-1010 need of health insurance, please call us today. today. today.

failure over the winter that ed, warmer weather will be four lanes over the culvert. could close I-86 for many needed in order to pave all months.

Engineers went to work designing a new culvert and had an emergency contractor, Catco Construction of Elma, on standby.

The old corrugated steel culvert was removed and Gift Giving Made Easy the area was excavated to • WEIGHTED BLANKETS • COMFORTER SETS • DESKS accept the new concrete box • TV’S • LAMPS • COAT RACKS • SO MUCH MORE! culvert. Water was diverted by a channel dug across Sign Up for our christmas drawing!!! the four lanes to Chipmonk Creek.

DOT Region 5 public information officer SuSTARTING AT $ .99 san Surdej did not reply to emailed questions Tuesday regarding why the culvert replacement project was lagging behind schedule.

On Monday, construction crews continued working at the scene. It is not clear whether the box culvert has been completed STARTING AT $ .99 across both lanes.

The project is visible to motorists driving along 27 WEST MAIN STREET • GOWANDA • 716-532-3391 South Nine Mile Road.

Easy Terms Mon - Fri: VISIT OUR WEBSITE GABELBROS.COM 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Free Delivery After the site is backSaturday: Free Layaway CONVENIENT PARKING & ENTRANCE IN REAR 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. filled and earth compact-

NEW RECLINERS

599

Electric fireplace

199

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

DECEMBER 17,2021

3

Erie County DOH expands COVID-19 vaccination sites ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is announcing additional Erie County COVID-19 vaccine sites. A full and updated schedule is available at www.erie.gov/vax, and appointments are strongly suggested. Everyone ages 5 years and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Booster doses are strongly recommended for adults age 18 and older who com-

pleted the primary Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series at least six months ago, or received a single Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

Starting Tuesday, December 7 through December 30, ECDOH will offer Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines (first, second or third dose; booster doses; Pfizer pediatric doses for ages 5-11) at the

following locations from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Tuesdays: Delavan Grider Community Center, 877 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215 Wednesdays: Chestnut Ridge Park, 6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Orchard Park, NY 14127 Thursdays: Como Lake Park, 2200 Como Park Blvd., Lancaster, NY 14086 Fridays: Orchard Park

Fire Company, Central Station, 30 School St, Orchard Park, NY 14127 (12/10 and 12/17 only; no clinics Christmas Eve Day and New Year’s Eve Day) And, Mondays starting December 13: Ellicott Creek Park, 1 Ellicott Creek Park Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14150 These are in addition to the COVID-19 vaccine site at SUNY ECC South, open

VanRensselaer on Gov. Hochuls mask mandate On Friday, December 17,, 2021, Governor Hochul announced an indoor mask mandate. Throughout the COVID pandemic, Cattaraugus County, by and through its Health and Emergency Services Departments and under the direction and cooperation of the County Legislature and Administration, has encouraged a multi-layered COVID mitigation strategy which has included mask wearing while indoors when social distancing is not possible, testing, and vaccination.

Nevertheless, the County will not force our local businesses to become

an extension of law enforcement. It is unfair to threaten businesses with $1,000 fines per occurrence for failure to comply. Frankly, the County does not have the resources nor the will to enforce this mandate, either.

Should a private business opt to require masking or vaccination for entry, that is the absolute prerogative of the private business.

The Cattaraugus County Legislature continues to encourage mask wearing while indoors when social

distancing is not possible, testing, and vaccination, which will mitigate the spread and will allow the County and its residents, businesses, and institutions to get back to a more normal living and operating environment.

The Cattaraugus County website and social media provides contact information and schedules for vaccination clinics and COVID testing.

VILLAGE OF SPRINGVILLE HELP WANTED

Court Clerk part time position. 19 hours a week – 4 day work week scheduled TuesFriday 8 am-1 pm. Pay rate is commensurate with experience. Duties include: clerical duties, computer skills needed in Word, Excel and Windows based programs. Prior court experience preferred, customer service skills required. Must be Erie County Resident.

Applications available online at: www.villageofspringvilleny.com and Accepted at Village Office 5 W. Main St. PO Box 17 Springville, NY 14141 “This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

weekdays from 12-4 p.m.

(Wednesdays, 12-7 p.m.).

ECDOH clinics will welcome walk-ins during the final two hours of each of these clinics.

In collaboration with Buffalo Homecare, Inc., COVID-19 vaccine is available at 490 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202 and 5847 Transit Road in East Amherst. These sites are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays

and weekends; extended hours may be announced.

Appointments are posted at www.erie.gov/vax. Buffalo Homecare sites accept walkins until 4:30 p.m.

Other COVID-19 vaccine sites are scheduled for schools and community sites; see www.erie.gov/ vax.

Additional community vaccination providers listed at www.vaccines.gov.

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

4

Erie County Department Of Health Provides Covid-19 Data Update For Week Ending December 11, 2021 ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is providing an update on COVID-19 data. For the week ending December 11, 2021, ECDOH received reports for 4,345 new COVID-19 cases among Erie County residents, a 22% decrease from the previous week. This weekly case count is very similar to pre-Thanksgiving holiday levels. Erie County’s COVID-19 case rate of 455 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for the week ending December 11 is a decrease from the previous week’s case rate of 580. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set a case rate threshold of 100 or more cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for a community to be considered to have “high transmission.”

31% of new COVID-19 cases last week were among city of Buffalo residents.

For reference, city of Buffalo residents make up 29% of all Erie County residents.

This past week the ZIP codes with the highest seven-day case rates per 100,000 persons were: 14202 (Buffalo, 29 cases), 14034 (Collins, 19 cases), 14218 (Buffalo, 131 cases), 14032 (Clarence Center, 53 cases) and 14212 (Buffalo, 70 cases). The small population of some of these ZIP codes can be impacted by a relatively small number of new COVID-19 cases.

Eight ZIP codes have 7-day case rates of more than 600 new cases per 100,000 residents.

Contact tracing case investigations continue to note family and household clusters of COVID-19 cases.

With the holiday season approaching, ECDOH encourages people who plan to gather with friends and family to stay home and away from others if ill.

Also, COVID-19 testing is a tool to make sure you know your COVID-19 status before small gatherings, especially if other guests are elderly, have chronic medical or immunocompromising conditions, are pregnant, or unvaccinated.

About 48,000 COVID-19 test reports were received last week, an increase from the previous week’s total.

Weekly test reports have remained stable over the past four weeks. ECDOH and health care providers within Erie County still have substantial diagnostic testing capacity. People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should strongly consider a diagnostic COVID-19 test. The New York State Department of Health maintains a list of testing locations. ECDOH created a list of community COVID-19 testing

HUD Aid continued from 1 Regis Mohawk Tribe received $1.04 million to buy a three-acre parcel and three manufactured homes.

“These two American Rescue Plan grants to the Seneca Nation Housing Authority and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will fund the construction and acquisition of new housing for Tribal families in New York,” said Stephen Murphy, HUD Deputy Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “The new residences will alleviate housing shortages experienced by both tribes during the COVID-19 pandemic; these permanent homes will go a long way toward keeping residents safe and healthy.”

resources for parents and caregivers. Free COVID-19 tests are available through ECDOH by calling 716858-2929 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required for COVID-19 testing through ECDOH. Wait times for ECDOH appointment telephone line are longest in the morning.

Callers may choose to call after 10 a.m. if they want to avoid a wait.

The weekly positivity rate was 9.0%, down from 10.8% for the week ending December 4. Positivity rates declined in all age groups, though children under age 18 years continue to have the highest positivity rates. For all cases under age 18, the positivity percentage was 10%; for all case ages 18 years and older, the positivity percentage was 8.7%. These higher positivity rates for children may reflect lower relative numbers of tests in these age groups, and a higher likelihood that symptomatic children and adolescents will seek a COVID-19 test for return to school purposes. The 30-39-year-old age group had the highest number of COVID-19 cases last week; this age group also had the highest 7-day case rate per 100,000 persons, at 738.

For children under age 18 years, case totals decreased from the previous week by about 23%, to 1,345 cases, in line with the 22% decrease in countywide cases.

The school team in the ECDOH Office of Epidemiology is managing a large volume of cases among k-12 students and school staff.

Data for the week ending December 4 are incomplete* because official test reports are pending. The Thanksgiving holiday may have contributed to a lower number of tests and positive test results for the week ending November 27.

With 374 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in Erie County hospitals

on December 12, 2021, the number of patients admitted to Erie County hospitals with COVID-19 has remained stable over the past two weeks. [See chart at end of release]. 258 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (69%) were not fully vaccinated. Among those patients, 59 (77%) of 77 patients admitted to the ICU were not fully vaccinated; and, 42 (79%) of 53 patients with an airway assist were not fully vaccinated. Vaccines work to reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) publishes statewide data for COVID-19 cases over time by vaccination status, and daily hospital admissions over time by vaccination status.

ECDOH is reporting COVID-19 mortality data.

ECDOH received reports of 52 COVID-19 associated deaths in the past seven days; these reports were from November and December. Total COVID-19-related deaths from March 2020 to December 9, 2021 now stand at 2,255, with 979 reported in 2021. CDC publishes national rates of COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations and deaths by vaccination status at https://covid.cdc.gov/ covid-data-tracker/#ratesby-vaccine-status.

Through December 13, 26.1% of 5-11-year-olds in Erie County have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. All adult age groups have at least 70% of those populations with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional data, including vaccination estimates by ZIP code, are posted to the ECDOH web site. NYSDOH also updates vaccination data by demographics, by county and by ZIP code.

ECDOH has an active schedule of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, listed at www. erie.gov/vax.

Additional clinics have been added

throughout the county through December 30.

Clinics for 5-11-year-olds are listed at www.erie.gov/vax.

ECDOH will also vaccinate any eligible Erie County resident at their home. Call (716) 858-2929 for the “Vax Visit” program.

ECDOH encourages Erie County residents who are not fully vaccinated to begin their COVID-19 vaccine series. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for youth and families attending school or child care.

Following recent FDA authorization for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for 16- and 17-year-olds, ECDOH vaccine clinics will provide a COVID-19 booster dose to anyone age 16 years and older as long as enough time has elapsed from their initial series completion (6 months for Pfizer and Moderna; 2 months for J&J).

ECDOH encourages people to review the recommended booster eligibility criteria, evaluate their risk factors and talk to their own physician with questions. NYSDOH has further information about booster doses.

Finally, CDC and NYSDOH have begun to report influenza data for the 20212022 flu season. Influenza activity remains low nationally but continues to increase. There are early signs that flu vaccination uptake is down this season compared to last. ECDOH reminds all residents that there is still time to get a flu vaccine; flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Flu can have serious complications for older adults, individuals with immunocompromising medical conditions, pregnant women and infants.

Chart: Erie County Hospitalization Data, last two weeks (November 29- December 12, 2021).

Data Sources: New York State Department of Health and Erie County hospitals

DECEMBER 17,2021

Poloncarz Commits $1.3 Million In Additional Funding For Erie County Healthcare Careers Program Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz continues to directly confront the COVID-19 pandemic, dedicating an additional $1.35 million in funding for the Erie County Healthcare Careers (“ECHC”) Program, which provides qualifies Erie County residents with free training and support services for high-demand healthcare positions. Formerly known as the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (“HPOG”) program, this successful program had been funded through federal grants prior to being discontinued in the last federal budget, prompting County Executive Poloncarz to step in initially with $1.6 million of supporting county funding prior to this further augmentation, bringing the total county commitment to nearly $3 million.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put great strains on our healthcare facilities and the need for more staff is critical. Investments in our healthcare workforce create a more resilient and ready community that is be er able to respond to crises,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I thank the legislature for approving this funding. It will aid greatly in ge ing more health care workers trained and ready to step into the field as soon as possible. This funding will directly improve the quality and availability of healthcare in our community.”

Since taking over funding of the program, the Workforce Investment Board has seen significant ongoing demand. While 110 individuals were enrolled for the Licensed Practical Nurse program and more are enrolled for the upcoming Registered Nursing program, there is demand for an additional 250 slots. Given the significant ongoing healthcare staffi ng crisis in Erie County and Western New York, expanding this program makes sense from both and economic and healthcare perspectives The ECHC program, in alignment with Live Well

Erie initiatives designed to promote workforce development, prepares Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) recipients, low-income individuals and working- or middle-class county residents with the training and supports they need to enter the field or upgrade skills and proficiencies they may already have as they move along a career path; for example, from CNA to LPN, or CNA to RN, or LPN to RN. Individuals earning $25/hr. or less or $52,000 or less annually may qualify for fi nancial support through the ECHC program.

Training for these positions takes anywhere from seven weeks to two years, depending on the position the student is pursuing.

During training and in the fi rst month on the job, the ECHC program provides students with assistance with transportation, childcare and emergencies such as car repairs, insurance payments, housing, tutoring and obtaining a driver’s license. Training partners for the various positions include D’Youville College, Erie 1 BOCES, Trocaire College, Villa Maria College, SUNY Buffalo, and SUNY Erie.

The ECHC program maintains a focus on training for higher level jobs that bring with them more livable wages. Training for jobs in the $20/hr. or above range, such as LPN, RN, Surgical Technologist, Medical Lab Technician, Respiratory Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistant are in this category.

Geoff rey Szymanski, Executive Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board, added, “Health care needs continue to grow and we are seeing corresponding growth in the number of individuals interested in working in the field. The Erie County Healthcare Careers program has a number of paths for them to follow and assists employers as well

Healthcare funding continued page 7

Dakota R. Colse, F.N.P.

Caring, Experienced, Professional Providers of Comprehensive Obstetrical and Gynecological Care Colposcopy, Contraception, Laser, Menopause, Breast Disease, Endometriosis, Laparascopic Procedures

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

DECEMBER 17,2021

Erie County DOH to pilot a Test-To-Stay Program

A Happy Holiday Season Is A Safe Holiday Season The Message is Simple: Don’t Make the Dangerous Decision to Drive Impaired As Erie County Clerk, responsible for overseeing Auto Bureau operations, it is time to remind everyone this holiday season to not drink and drive or ride with anyone who is under the influence. If you have had too much to drink, for everyone’s sake, please do not get behind the wheel of your car.

We all look forward to celebrating this time of year with our family and friends, but if those celebrations include alcohol, you, as a driver, need to plan ahead and arrange for a safe ride home. People who make the dangerous decision to drink and drive will find that local law enforcement is serious about combatting reckless and irresponsible behavior.

According to Erie County’s STOP DWI Office there have been approximately 10,707 DWI arrests throughout Erie County in since 2017. That is an average of 2,141 per year, equaling close to 6 DWI arrests per day. Another alarming statistic is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, arrests for impairment by drugs increased to 12% of

arrests, compared to a 7% of annual arrests. Many continue to ask, “What will it take to prevent someone from getting behind the wheel when they have had too much to drink or are impaired by drugs?”

New York State imposes harsh driver license penalties for those with an impaired driving charge for either alcohol or drugs. If convicted of a misdemeanor DWI, your license will be revoked for a minimum of 6 months. Aside from the tremendous expense for an attorney, fines and insurance premium increases, there is total disruption of normal life, including possible loss of job and jail time for repeat offenders.

We need to keep in mind that preventing drunk driving is everyone’s business, and we all need to take a leadership role in this fight! Driving while impaired is simply not worth endangering the lives of innocent people, while ruining your own life in the process.

I want to also remind everyone it really makes no difference whether the driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs. Impaired driving senselessly hurts and kills tens of thousands

of people every single year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more than 10,000 people were killed in impaired-driving crashes in 2019 and NHTSA’s National Roadside Survey found that more than 22% of drivers stopped by law enforcement tested positive for illegal, prescription or overthe-counter drugs.

Those who choose to drive under the influence of drugs, whether obtained legally or illegally, pose a danger to themselves, their passengers, and other motorists and pedestrians.

Drug-impaired driving isn’t a mistake; just like a DWI, it’s a crime. Impairment is impairment, no matter the substance.

While celebrating the holidays, know the signs of when to hand over the keys and call a cab, a ride-sharing service or designate a sober driver before the party begins. Drunk driving is no accident; it is a choice and a potentially deadly one.

Let’s make sure we all do our part in making this a happy and safe holiday season for everyone. Please don’t drink and drive and don’t drive high.

FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER Takeout Only

ERIE COUNTY, NY – After reviewing available information about the Test to Stay (TTS) approach for k-12 students, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) has developed documentation, including protocols, consent forms and communication materials, to move towards implementing this initiative.

ECDOH met with superintendents from Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES and the president of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association during November to present this opportunity.

“Superintendent feedback was instrumental in moving this Test to Stay program forward,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “This approach will require a substantial investment of time and resources from our department and individual schools and administrators. To do it right, we have to find out what works, how we can improve, and what our schools can expect. And with more than two dozen school districts, dozens of private schools and more than 130,000 k-12 students in Erie County, a countywide launch is simply not feasible. A pilot program is the best first step forward.”

In consultation with these school superintendent leaders, ECDOH compiled a list of school districts that met a series of criteria that would make them a good candidate for a pilot program: sufficient number of active COVID-19 cases; a student population that would yield a solid set of data; and, the ability to offer COVID-19 testing

through a Limited Service License. Following these conversations, ECDOH approached Grand Island Central School District as a pilot program candidate, and Superintendent Dr. Brian Graham and the Grand Island CSD Board of Education agreed to sign on.

“We are very pleased to participate in the Test to Stay program pilot,” said Dr. Graham. “For our students who are identified as a close contact to a person who is positive with Covid-19, the Test to Stay strategy will maximize time learning in the classroom; provide important social, nutritional and mental health supports; and, maintain routines for families who struggle with child care and transportation.”

TTS will begin as an option for Grand Island k-12 students on December 6.

Grand Island CSD has contracted with Buffalo Homecare, Inc. to provide staff for testing and data entry.

Broadly, in a school using TTS, k-12 students who are not fully vaccinated and close contacts of a COVID-19 case from a school exposure would have a rapid COVID-19 test before each school day as part of a modified quarantine.

Students with a household exposure would not be eligible, nor would school staff. The student would attend school that day if their test result was negative. A positive test result would mean the student is excluded from school and placed in isolation at home.

ECDOH will provide COVID-19 antigen tests using resources from an $18 million federal grant

that has been allocated for school testing and vaccination. “The bulk of those funds will go towards their intended purposes, which are highly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH): screening testing, proximate testing and vaccine clinics,” said Dr. Burstein. “Though neither CDC nor NYSDOH recommend TTS, in the interests of maximizing in-school attendance for k-12 students, ECDOH will support this program by providing tests, staff training, contact tracing support and data analysis. Schools will be responsible for testing and parental consent, and data collection.”

The introduction of a TTS program in Erie County comes across the backdrop of a significant increase in COVID-19 cases and a growing proportion of children under age 18 in the county’s case load.

This year’s case numbers among k-12 students and school staff are surpassing even the highest totals seen during 2020-2021.

“It is our sincere hope that over the coming months, the number of students eligible to participate in TTS decreases as more and more students are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Under current NYSDOH policy, people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are not

Test-to-Stay continued on ....... page 7

Happy Holidays from We Deliver

December 25th • Noon-2pm St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 75 Center St., Gowanda NY For More Information Call Sue Ashby 716-597-5990

Pre-Order by: 12-19-2021

Lincoln Arms Housing ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS For Your Senior Housing Needs 430 Main Street, Dunkirk, NY

366-1613

ARRIGO AUTOMOTIVE 11136 W. Perrysburg Rd., Perrysburg ~532-4726~

Complete Automotive Repair All Makes & Models

OIL CHANGES BRAKES & SO MUCH MORE

Holiday hours

Christmas eve close at 5 PM • Christmas Day CLOSED OUR REGULAR DELIVERY HOURS: sunday - thursday | until 10 pm

5

friday & saturday | until 11 pm

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

6

DECEMBER 17,2021

Memories of loved ones honored at Tree of Life ceremony

CLASSIFIEDS Calll 716-679-1509 to place an ad or email classifieds@fredoniapennysaver.com PROFESSIONAL SERVICES METAL ROOFING. Order Early.

Genuine Amish Made. 7250 US Rte. 62, South Dayton. Recommended Carpenters Available. 100% USA Product. Tell A Friend DF9/10

343463

LITTLE VALLEY — The HomeCare & Hospice Foundation presented its 26th annual Tree of Life memorial ceremony Dec. 6 at the Li le Valley VFW. Although smaller this year than in the past due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, families and friends gathered to hang their personalized ornament of remembrance and pay tribute to a loved one who has passed.

Centered around remembrance and healing, the Tree of Life ceremony is a way for people to commemorate loved ones who have died and provides an opportunity for those who have experienced loss to memorialize a family member or friend during the holiday season.

Leanna Cameron, director of organizational advancement for Hospice, opened the ceremony and Rev. Stan Scoville, M.Div., spiritual care coordinator, gave the invocation and benediction.

“We realized this is the holiday season, and with all of its festivities it can be a difficult time for those of us who are grieving,” Scoville said. “We fi nd that our needs are o en different from those around who are joining in the hustle and

Rock City (716)938-6936

www.RockCityChrysler.com 520 Rock City Street, Little Valley, NY 14755

bustle of the season.”

Sarah Negron, agency relations coordinator, recited the poem “Never Forgo en” and Hannah Pollock, social worker, read the poem “One Memory Away” during the ceremony.

As each loved one’s name was called, family members came forward to hang a special ornament on the tree. This year’s ornament is a bell, something Scoville said has been around for thousands of years and an instrument heard o en during ceremonies, religious services and throughout the holiday season.

“Today, at this special Tree of Life ceremony, we remember that the bell has been rung for our loved ones,” he said.

A er the ornaments were hung on the tree, Cameron and Scoville lit the Remembrance Wreath as Pollock read the message of remembrance.

“As we light these five candles in memory of you, we light one for our grief, one for our courage, one for our memories, one for our love, and one for our hope,” she said.

Each year, the HomeCare & Hospice staff ask the family member of someone who was on hospice and

passed away to share their experience. Cameron read a le er wri en by one of their nurses whose grandfather was on hospice before dying earlier in the year.

“My family and I will forever be thankful for hospice services. Not only did hospice give my family the opportunity to be with my grandpa at the end of life, but really prepared my family and me for what might happen during the dying process,” she wrote.

“My family and I miss my grandpa every day but still cherish that we were able to spend the last couple of months with him at home.”

Tree of Life memorial ceremonies allow local grieving families, friends and caregivers a way to remember and celebrate their loved ones during the holiday season.

As an option for remembrance, ornaments and luminaries are offered for purchase each year. The proceeds serve as a gi to current and future patients.

Donations help support more patients and families as they face the end of life.

To fi nd out more about HomeCare & Hospice and the services offered, visit homecare-hospice.org or call 372-2106.

SMALL TOWN FEEL ROCK SOLID DEALS SALES HOURS: Mon., Thurs. 8am-7pm, Tues., Wed., Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 8am-1pm SERVICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm.

NEW 2022 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER ARRIVING DAILY

THIS IS A MUST SEE FULL SIZE SUV

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

DECEMBER 17,2021 long as they remain without symptoms,” explained Dr. Burstein. “TTS can be used once a student has been exposed and is under quarantine. In many ways, this testing is too late. From a public continued from 5 health perspective, the most powerful impact is in vaccination as a primary prevensubject to quarantine as tion strategy, as it reduces the

Test-ToStay

risk of moderate and severe infection and risks of transmission.”

ECDOH is working with school districts and pediatrician offices to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine clinics for ages 5 years and older. A full schedule is posted at www. erie.gov/vax.

Healthcare Funding continued from 4

This Christmas don’t forget your furry friends!

Lots of toys & treats!

56 W av erly S treet, S prin gv ille, NY www.SpringvilleDoorandWindow.com

716-592-9803

Sales • Service Professional Installation

534 Maple Ave. Cherry Creek, NY 14723 Commercial & Residential CLEANING, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION

FURNACES, BOILERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, HOT WATER TANKS, DUCT WORK, SPLIT SYSTEM, AND GAS LINES

Services: OIL, PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS 716-296-1022 www.dmheatingcooling.com

K-9 Clippers Pet Grooming & Boarding

10887 North Road, Perrysburg, NY 14129 532-0449 www.k-9clippers.com

Holiday Gift Certificates

7

by matching these potential employees to their needs.

Thanks to County Executive Poloncarz and the legislature, more people will be able to get on these healthcare career paths.”

Matching students to jobs upon completion of training is a fundamental step in helping these individuals enter the labor market, build careers and income, and leave poverty behind. Of the students who successfully completed the HPOG Buffalo program between 2010 -2018 and gained employment, 90% were unemployed when they entered the program, 70% were heads of households and 55% had dependent children. 25% of this group also received TANF support while 55% were Medicaid eligible and 60% were enrolled in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs (“SNAP”).

During this same period graduates of the HPOG program generated $90.2 million in wages for themselves and paid $2.73 million in NYS income taxes, leading

to a 45% reduction in TANF benefit costs. The return on this investment to Buffalo and Erie County is 11:1.

HPOG Buffalo, the precursor to the current program, was created in 2010 as a partnership between the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board; the Erie County Department of Social Services; area healthcare employers; local schools; the NYS Department of Labor; and 1199 SEIU. From its inception HPOG Buffalo has operated with approximately $13.7 million in support from the Administration of Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, helping to fill more than 1,400 career-oriented jobs in hospitals, long-term-care facilities, home healthcare settings and pharmacies.

For more information: On the ECHC Program and the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board, visit https://workforcebuffalo.org/echc

8

ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

DECEMBER 17,2021