Evening News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on February 15, 2021
A winter storm warning is effect from 7pm tonight through Tuesday afternoon at around 1pm. The weather service expects form 7 to 14 inches of snow across all of western NY. Genesee Wyoming and Orleans counties are all going to be affected. COVID 19 testing in Genesee county is canceled for Tuesday, as is the Bus Garage Capital Project Vote In the Pembroke Central School District. It has been postponed to Thursday, February 18 from 12:00-8:00 p.m.
The New York State Department of Health urges patience to those who are eligible to receive a vaccine for COVID 19. Last week about a third of New Yorkers were eligible but starting on Sunday that number was increased to accommodate those with comorbidities such as cancer or certain disabilities that increase their risk should they get the coronavirus. With this group added to the eligibility list the number of New Yorkers who can sign up for an appointment is likely over half the population of the state which would be over 10 million people. New York only gets roughly 310,000 doses a week so it will take many months to get that number of people vaccinated. At the current rate of receiving doses it will take about 6.5 months to get that number vaccinated. Nearly 2.2 million people have been vaccinated in the Empire State with the first dose, about 800,000 have been fully vaccinated.
Governor Cuomo has signed an executive order extending the party registration enrollment deadline to February 16th. This will allow voters to change their party affiliation. Cuomo says it will allow Board of Elections to have more time to process changes.
The Rochester International Airport is now the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. This announcement happening on Valentine’s Day, the day Douglass chose to be his birthday. Douglass’s great great great grandson, Kenneth Morris Jr spoke at the unveiling. Rochester plans to put up a statue at the Airport to greet travelers.
Gas prices keep going up. This week the prices in Batavia jumped up 8 cents, nearly reaching last years prices. Last year the New York state average was 2.62 and it is currently 2.60. The national price is 2.52 which is 7 cents more than last year’s. Higher demand and a lower supply are fueling the rise.
Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger was back at practice on Sunday after his battle with COVID-19, along with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin who was taken off the COVID-19 list. The Sabres are scheduled to play their first game since January 31st on Monday against the New York Islanders.
