First responders parade

Smith working to secure PPE for OCH

Gasport's Heather Smith is working to secure donations of PPE and other crucial items that will ensure the safety of those working at Orleans Community Health. Niagara University reports:

https://news.niagara.edu/news/show/providing-support-and-inspiration

Gasport baby can't get a coronavirus test

The infant son of Gasport's Paul Carver has been battling coronavirus-like symptoms for 2 weeks now...but he can't get a test!

https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/niagara-county-has-51-covid-19-cases-two-are-one-year-old-children/71-b88183bf-ce45-4511-b165-47d393d9697f

Mrs. Walker has passed away

I consider myself blessed to have had Mrs. Walker as a teacher at Gasport Elementary School. I have nothing but positive memories of her as a teacher and a person.

My heart goes out to her family.

Lois Christine Walker aged 74, passed away peacefully at Buffalo General Hospital on March 25,2020 after a short illness.

Survived by her husband, Christopher M. Romney, daughter Carey R. (Patrick Gullo) Leibring, son Rob C. (Dee-Ann Courcy) Leibring, step-daughter Stephanie A. (Jason) Waldron and their children, her step-son Daniel A. Romney, brother William F. (Ann Marie) Walker Jr., sister Corinne (Wallace) Coates, sister-in-law Esther Walker, and many others. Predeceased by her parents William F. Walker Sr. and Lois G. Walker, brother Philip H. Walker and stepdaughter Tiffany M. Romney.

Christine was born October 12, 1945 and grew up in Barker NY. Graduate of Barker HS in 1963 and obtained an MS in primary education from Brockport State. Christine was dedicated to teaching at Gasport Elementary in the Roy-Hart School district until 2009.

Her Memorial Service will be held at a later date to be announced. Donations in her memory may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute or the National Audubon Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Sherry Bream Funeral Home, Gasport.

Memories can be shared on the funeral home's website here:

https://mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com/tribute/details/7069/Lois-Walker/condolences.html#content-start

Solar webinar

WHAT: THE POWER OF THE SUN WEBINAR

United Solar Energy Supporters, USES is a statewide network of volunteers offering information/education on solar voltaic energy sources and how it affects agriculture.

USES is sponsoring a series of LIVE interactive webinars to help inform and educate anyone with questions about solar energy.

WHEN:The first webinar will be held on Saturday, 3/28 10:00- noon.

WHERE: To register, go to: https://webinar-portal.net/webinars/uses/registration_200328.php

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY. Dr. Richard Perez, Senior Research Associate, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center University of Albany. Perez has published more than 200 journal articles, conference papers and technical reports, and he holds two U.S. patents on methods of load management using photovoltaics.

AGRIVOLTAICS Lexie Hain & Lewis Fox, Founders, American Solar Grazing Association, a not for profit dedicated to promoting best practices and education in solar grazing. ASGA was founded by farmers to bridge the gap between farmers and the solar industry. Learn more at www.solargrazing.org Farmers themselves, Lexie and Lewis raise sheep commercially and operate a solar grazing business, Agrivoltaic Solutions LLC, in Central NY

CONTACTS:

Don Bucholz 502-644-2118, dwbucholz@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/donbucholzphd/

Jeremy Verratti 716-523-8575, jlverratti@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-verratti-79408576/

Solar project gets front page treatment in paper

The front page of today's Union Sun & Journal is all about solar energy in Gasport, specifically the EDF Renewables project in Hartland.

One article looks at those in support of it:

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/pro-solar-group-hopes-to-educate/article_6568b600-6f2f-11ea-a00d-e39009e99c7b.html

The other article looks at those against it:

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/hartland-couple-leading-effort-to-reject-industrial-solar/article_1f891f67-cd21-5c6a-b9df-bcd5f7a7e9a3.html

Virtual Spirit Week at Roy-Hart

Hartland Bible Church services during coronavirus

Hartland Bible Church is cancelling onsite worship services for at the least the next two weeks and then reassessing. This does not mean that they will be cancelling church. Sunday at 10:30 am Pastor Jon will be giving a sermon that will be streaming both on their Facebook page as well as on the church website.

FMC is 1-year injury/accident-free

FMC Corporation’s Agricultural Sciences Plant in Middleport celebrates one year as an accident and injury-free workplace. Joining in an acknowledgement of this safety milestone are (from left to right) Dr. Roberta Kloda, plant manager; Joseph Caputy, production supervisor; Allie Wagner, human resources manager; Patrick Stahura, operations manager; and Bob Brockman, quality supervisor.

Food pantry changes for March

Please note that the Gasport Food Pantry found it necessary to change the way they are handling the food pantry (see flyer). Those who have pre-registered for an Easter meal will get their Easter meal bag at the March 28th distribution. If you will be a new client (or know someone who will be coming for the first time), please have them call Sue Case at the number on the flyer to pre-register.

Town of Hartland update

COVID-19 Update

March 18, 2020

Dear Town of Hartland Residents:

In response to Gov. Cuomo's Executive Order to reduce non-essential staff by 50% we are implementing the following:

The Town Hall is open for business by appointment only. Staff are working from home with limited days at the Town Hall. Please use the drop box or mail to conduct business. If you have a more involved issue, please call for an appointment to conduct your business.

All Water and Highway operations will continue but the office will remain closed to visitors. Please call with your issue and staff will respond.

The Town Court is closed, all cases have been postponed. If you have an urgent matter call 280-6205.

Tax payments may be left in the drop box or mailed. If you need further assistance, please call for an appointment.

Town meetings are postponed until further notice.

The Town Park remains open.

I ask for your patience as we work through this emergency. Please pray for our neighbors, our country and all nations and place our trust in God.

Town of Hartland Supervisor,
W. Ross Annable

Free meals for Roy-Hart students

Dear Royalton-Hartland CSD Community,

The District has recognized that it is a priority to continue to offer meals to our students. As a result, the District will begin offering two (2) daily meals at no cost beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. These meals will consist of 1 cold lunch and 1 cold breakfast intended for the following morning. The distribution of the meals will take place as follows:

Meals will be available for pickup in the large parking lot outside of the Middle School Cafeteria as well as the bus loop at the Elementary School from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. starting on Wednesday March 18, 2020 and every weekday after at the same time until further notice.

Royalton-Hartland CSD staff will distribute the bagged meals directly to the vehicle.

Please make sure to articulate any food allergies to the staff member at the time of pick up.

Please contact Julie Fuerch at jfuerch@royhart.org with any questions regarding the meal pick up process. Royalton-Hartland CSD is committed to ensuring our students receive meals throughout these uncertain times for as long as we are able. Please check the District’s website for updates or changes to the meal distribution program.

Statement from town of Hartland

COVID-19: Niagara County State of Emergency

Our goal as always is the health and safety of our residents, businesses and visitors. Therefore, we are taking a pro-active approach to limit and slow down the spread of the virus. We are requesting that you limit nonessential travel as well as public gatherings and meetings. As of today, local courts are shut down. Court night and any activities related are cancelled. Planning board and Zoning board meetings will be cancelled as well as scheduled organizational meetings until further notice. If you have court business please call, do not come to the court clerk’s office. Taxes may be paid by mail or drop box.

Niagara County leaders declared a state of emergency March 15th, while schools countywide are closing for an indefinite period to prepare for the eventual appearance of COVID-19.

County Chairwoman Rebecca Wydysh joined elected and school leaders in making the declaration Sunday afternoon. No confirmed cases have been found in the county, but 12 people are under a 14-day quarantine and at least one person has completed a quarantine.

The coronavirus' confirmed presence in nearby Erie and Monroe counties, along with Orleans County's state of emergency declaration Saturday, prompted the move to better equip county administrators and first responders. It is likely there will be cases in Niagara County in the future.
To help reduce the spread, schools have been closed indefinitely countywide. Schools will determine methods of instruction. County leaders are looking at options for how to deal with the virus. COVID-19. The county is looking to introduce testing as soon as possible. If you are ill, please call your primary Doctor. Do not go to urgent care, the emergency room or call first responders unless you have serious symptoms.

The county is not closing its office buildings currently. The Town of Hartland will remain open, residents are encouraged to conduct any business that they can by phone or online, some essential services may have to be done in person. Town court is now suspended. The town has a drop box for dropping off payments. If you have business with the Water or Highway office, please call 716 735 7234. Electronic recycling is cancelled until further notice. We will monitor the situation and update as needed.

State and local authorities have primary jurisdiction for isolation and other public health orders within their respective jurisdictions. We will monitor the situation and consult with local,

County and State Officials and take appropriate action as needed. Should the COVID-19 situation evolve locally, our plan of action and decisions will be based on whether sustained community and neighboring transmissions are occurring

At this time, it is impossible to predict the scope, severity and duration of this emergency. We will update you of any new developments. For further information or instructions on dealing with the COVID 19 go to the New York State Department of Health website or call the COVID-19 number at 1-888-364-3065 it is available 24 hrs. a day. Please call the town hall with any questions. Thank you for your patience during this trying time.

W. Ross Annable
Hartland Supervisor

No spaghetti dinner tonight

The spaghetti dinner scheduled for tonight at Sold Rock has been cancelled. They will resume dinners in the future, even if it's takeout only.

Getting educational supplies

Parents may visit the Elementary, Middle and High School today from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Entry may be limited at each building and your cooperation is appreciated. Please contact the Building Principal with any specific questions.

They will be cleaning and sanitizing our District Buildings beginning Wednesday, March 18. Later this week, in an effort to support the directives from the Department of Health, they will be reducing staffing across the District to essential personnel.

Restauarants/bars to close

New York restaurants, bars and other establishments will be closed at 8 p.m. Monday to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday this morning.

Takeout and delivery will still be available at restaurants that offer those services, and grocery stores will remain open.

Here's the question for Gasport and Middleport restaurants and bars:

Will you remain open? If so, will you be takeout, delivery, or both?

Please comment on our Facebook page so the locals know!

Grandma's Attic postponed

Food pantry: March 2020

At this time, the Gasport Food Pantry is open Saturday March 28th from 10AM until 11:45AM.They will only be distributing the regular bag(s) of food and a couple of other pre-selected extra items. Clients will just be checking in, picking up their bags and leaving. The clothing closet will be closed. See the flyer below for details and contact them if you have any questions

Terry's Corners notification

Roy-Hart closed indefinitely

Due to the declaration of a state of emergency in Niagara County, and after consultation with the public health departments, all Royalton-Hartland Central Schools will be closed to students effective immediately and until further notice. Due to the fluidity of the situation, please continue to monitor the website for updates on the duration of the school closure for students. While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our school district, this closure is being done to mitigate the spread of the virus.

This closing includes all school-related activities including sports, all extracurricular activities, and all community activities within the schools.

The Royalton-Hartland Central School District has plans to provide meals, social support, and plans to continue student learning during this closure. All information can be found here: www.royhart.org. This site will be continually updated with new information for everyone throughout the closure.

The Niagara County Health Department and school leaders throughout the county will be reviewing this on a week to week basis.

Thank you for your patience throughout this unprecedented time. The Royalton-Hartland Central School District will do everything possible to assist our students, families, and community as we work together to keep everyone safe

Bald eagle in Gasport

Was I at the right place at the right time or was this bald eagle trying to show off to me while I was hiking our spread in Gasport yesterday? Just 30 seconds after I changed my lens he appeared out of nowhere... then he decided to circle overhead. What an experience!

Brush burning ban begins next week

Just a reminder, the annual spring burn ban runs from March 16 to May 14, which temporarily outlaws residential brush and yard debris burning statewide.

Despite mud season and the belief by many that fires won't spread under such conditions, it's critical that the rules be followed.

One number I always use in these discussions: 58 times during 2015's spring prohibition period, volunteer firefighters in Niagara County responded to wildfires caused by people who ignored the law (including one fellow in Royalton who was visited 3 times).

That's unacceptable. Local volunteer fire companies are already spread thin with personnel -- don't make them respond to wildfires that are 100% preventable.

Maggie's Kitchen: March 10th

Gasport will have a new diner on March 10th when Maggie's Kitchen starts serving breakfast and lunch. They are located on Route 104 between Hosmer and Checkered Tavern Roads. Follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ourfarmofgasport/

Hartland fire raffle

February food totals

On Saturday, the Gasport Community Food Pantry & Clothing Closet provided food packages to 21 families representing 71 people. Hunger is everywhere...big cities and small towns alike. Support your community's volunteer-driven pantry with donations of food, money and time.