Morning News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on March 25, 2021
A new report claims Governor Cuomo told top state health officials to prioritize coronavirus testing for his family in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sources tell the Times Union several of his relatives were screened by high-ranking members of the state Department of Health. Associates of the governor were also reportedly given similar priority, but there are no signs pointing to those tests being done by high-ranking officials. A senior advisor to the governor claims these allegations are an attempt to rewrite the past and that the state went above and beyond to get all residents tested for coronavirus.
Here in Genesee County there have been 12 new COVID-19 cases over the 24 hours – four are hospitalized. Officials report five of the new cases are individuals who are inmates at the Genesee County Jail.
Seven new positive cases of the virus reported in Orleans County.
The area’s community theatre, Batavia Players, cashes in big from New York State.
The Main Street Theatre 56 project is getting a $417,000 grant to put toward construction of their new theatre in the City Center Mall.
Batavia Players, a not-for-profit organization for over 80 years is the longest continuing regional theater company in New York State.+
The Main Street 56 Theater and the Main Street 56 Dance Company will occupy 14,000 square feet in the City Centre.
A Batavia family, that has operated businesses in the city for nearly 60 years, are selling and plan to retire. Gary VanValkenburg operated The Bedroom on East Main Street which later became the Rest and Revive float Center. His parents operated the first business on the site, known as Central TV. He says until a new owner is found, it will be business as usual at the Float Center.
After years of trying, it appears state lawmakers have finally reached an agreement on legalizing recreational marijuana. Under the tentative deal, people 21 and older would be able to purchase and use the drug through a distribution and cultivation system run by the state. For weeks, lawmakers involved in negotiating the bill have been working through key parts of the legislation including how impaired driving laws would be enforced. If approved, retail sales of marijuana could begin in about two years
Governor Cuomo’s office is promising the two women making sexual harassment accusations against the governor, but who still work for him, will not face retaliation. In addition to the sexual harassment investigation, the governor’s office is facing two other investigations. They include an FBI criminal probe on nursing home death data and an assembly review of both, which could lead to impeachment proceedings.
