Morning News Briefing
Written by Michael Baldwin on February 23, 2021
The Batavia City Council appears to be prepared to move forward with a proposed four-year contract that would put the Genesee Area Family YMCA in charge of running city youth services. Rob Walker, the YMCA’s CEO, said the YMCA can offer “enhancements” beyond the scope of the contract because they have a complete facility and the gymnastics center. A resolution outlining the formal agreement with the YMCA and another to dissolve a pact with Genesee County to provide a youth bureau executive director were forwarded to Council’s Business Meeting on March 8th for a vote.
The City of Batavia says it will conduct a Conference Meeting Thursday morning…and the hot-button topic could be a new city leader. The Batavian reports that it has learned from multiple sources the Council will interview finalists for the vacant city manager position at the meeting, which will go into executive session immediately and is closed to the public. Interim City Manager Rachael Tabelski has publicly announced her intention to apply for the position.
Genesee County reports 59 new COVID cases, that’s since Friday. Thirty-one of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Ten of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. Seven of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center. Just 14 new cases have been reported in Orleans County with two hospitalizations. Wyoming County officials report 22 new cases of COVID-19.
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.64, up 13 cents from last week. The New York State average is $2.70 – up 10 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.61. AAA Western and Central New York reported Batavia prices were $2.63 (up 11 cents since last week). Pump prices continue to increase again this week. New York State average gas prices are on par with last year’s level.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced new, expanded guidelines for visitation of residents in nursing home facilities in accordance with CMS and CDC guidelines to begin on February 26. The Department of Health recommends that visitors take a rapid test before entry into the facility, and DOH will provide rapid tests to nursing homes to facilitate their ability to test visitors on-site and at no cost. Visitation continues to depend on the nursing home facility being free of COVID-19 cases for 14 days and the facility is not currently conducting outbreak testing.
