Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on December 12, 2023
The Town of Bethany got some good news Tuesday afternoon in the form of a 5 million dollar grant to complete Water District 5 and extend public water to over 400 households. The town has been enduring dozens of dry wells for home, business and farm owners the last several weeks, with one large farm hauling 60,000 gallons of water a day and residents making weekly treks for water to sustain their household needs. A tanker from the state Office of Emergency Management and generous donations from private companies have helped fill the gap as the town anxiously waited for news about a second application for the grant. The work will bring water to 2 3rds of the population. Residents are still showing up at the town hall for twice-weekly water fills, at the rate of 2,000 gallons every two hours. It is estimated that the 6,700-gallon tanker might be empty again by Thursday, which will be the second time so far. Genesee County has been transporting the tanker for refills.
A Livingston County man was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison Tuesday for killing his infant son. Prosecutors said Zachary McCaa’s 2 1/2-month-old son died in June 2022, seven days after McCaa, then 26, threw him and caused blunt force injuries to the head. Investigators said McCaa also violently shook the baby on more than one occasion. In September, a jury convicted McCaa of murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.
New York’s highest court on Tuesday ordered the state to draw new congressional districts ahead of the 2024 elections, giving Democrats a potential advantage in what is expected to be a battleground for control of the U.S. House. The 4-3 decision from the New York Court of Appeals could have major ramifications as Democrats angle for more favorable district lines in the state next year. Republicans, who won control of the House after flipping seats in New York, sought to keep the map in place. The state’s bipartisan Independent Redistricting Commission will now be tasked with coming up with new districts, which will then go before the Democrat-controlled Legislature for approval. The court ordered the commission to file a map no later than Feb. 28, 2024.
A wind-driven three-alarm fire damaged seven structures in the area of Urban Street and Fougeron Street around 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Fire crews said three structures were fully engulfed upon arrival — a carriage house located behind 77 Urban Street, a residential structure at 78 Fougeron Street and a garage located behind 81 Urban Street. The high winds caused embers to trigger fires involving four additional structures nearby. According to fire officials, the damage is estimated in total at $550,000 including $200,000 in damage to 77 Urban Street and $160,000 in damage to 78 Fougeron. Fire officials said two firefighters were taken to ECMC to be treated for various injuries. The Red Cross is assisting four adults and two children. The investigation is ongoing.
The Flower City is being recognized for its convivial atmosphere. A new Readers’ Choice Awards survey from Condé Nast Traveler lists Rochester as the second friendliest city in the United States. The report cites the city’s historical sites, restaurants and “incredible” museums as its main attractions, aside from its “friendly population.”
The full list reads:
First place: Greenville, South Carolina,
Rochester, New York
Lexington, Kentucky
Indianapolis, Indiana
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Charleston, South Carolina
Pensacola, Florida
Savannah, Georgia
Alexandria, Virginia
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management is recalling one lot of cannabis gummies. The lot, sold under the name Jenny’s Zee Zee Gummies by Jenny’s Baked at Home Company, did not undergo the required testing for consumer safety and product quality, according to the state. The gummies were distributed Sept. 4-Nov. 1 at licensed cannabis dispensaries in New York state. The OCM said the recall was issued as a precaution and there have been no reports of adverse effects from the gummies. Anyone who bought the gummies should contact the dispensary where they purchased it.
