Monday News Brief

Borrello, Blakeman Blame Hochul Policies in Wake of Deadly Bus Crash

State Senator George Borrello and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman are pointing to state licensing policies following a deadly bus crash in Pembroke that killed five people last August.
Speaking in Batavia, the two Republicans criticized Governor Kathy Hochul, arguing that commercial driver’s license standards—particularly English proficiency—are not being properly enforced. They claim the system is putting public safety at risk.
The driver involved, Bin Shao, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, and investigators say he was able to communicate at the scene, though an interpreter was later used.
When pressed, Borrello and Blakeman acknowledged they do not have definitive evidence that language barriers caused the crash.
Meanwhile, local fire officials focused on the emergency response, saying crews were able to get survivors to hospitals within about 90 minutes.
The crash remains under investigation.

Assessment Notices Headed to Batavia Property Owners

Property owners in Batavia will begin receiving Change of Assessment Notices starting April 10 as part of the city’s assessment update project.
City Assessor Rhonda Saulsbury says the notices will include instructions on how to request an informal review if residents disagree with their property’s estimated market value. Those reviews will take place throughout April and require an appointment.
Property owners can also file a formal grievance through May 28, which is Grievance Day.
Assessment data, including property values and sales information, will be available online beginning April 10.
City officials say the goal is to maintain assessments at full market value, adjusting based on property details and recent sales trends.

Mideast Tensions Escalate as Iran Threatens U.S. Forces, Oil Crisis Looms

Iran is intensifying its warnings as fighting in the Middle East continues to escalate, with officials threatening direct action against U.S. troops entering the region. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said forces are ready and “waiting” to retaliate, as missile strikes and military activity continue.
The conflict is now entering a more dangerous phase, with roughly 2,500 U.S. Marines arriving and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels expanding their involvement. At the same time, regional leaders are working to set up talks aimed at ending the war.
The growing conflict is already impacting the global economy. Disruptions to oil and natural gas supplies — particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — are driving concerns over rising energy prices, supply shortages, and broader economic instability.
U.S. officials are also warning of potential attacks on American-linked targets in the region, including universities in Iraq, as tensions continue to rise.
With fighting ongoing and diplomacy still uncertain, the situation remains highly volatile with global consequences.

Bunch Powers Le Roy Effort Despite Loss to Livonia

Le Roy showed plenty of fight in its season opener, despite falling 44-27 to Livonia on Thursday.
Kendall Bunch carried the load for the Oatkan Knights, scoring all four of Le Roy’s touchdowns on the ground in a standout performance. Addie Tonzi added a pair of extra points, while Molly Chase chipped in another conversion.
Defensively, Le Roy got contributions across the board, with Tonzi, Sadie Garner, Lilly MacKenzie, Chloe Moran, and Chase all coming up with key flag pulls to keep the game competitive.
Le Roy drops to 0-1 on the season and will look to bounce back Tuesday at home against Geneseo.

Ellicott Station Project Sold to PathStone, Set to Open This Spring

A major Batavia development is nearing the finish line, with Ellicott Station officially landing a buyer.
Developer Samuel Savarino confirmed that Rochester-based PathStone Development Corporation has agreed to purchase the five-story apartment building at 56 Ellicott Street once construction is complete. The project includes 55 affordable housing units and is expected to be finished by May 1.
The deal, valued between 15 and 17 million dollars, marks a significant step forward for a project that has faced years of delays and financial challenges since it was first announced back in 2016.
Savarino says the residential portion will transition to PathStone, while his company will continue work on a separate commercial development nearby. Plans for that space include retail, a brewery, and additional business opportunities, with completion targeted for early 2027.
Despite the sale, a lawsuit between the developers and the Genesee County Economic Development Center remains ongoing.

Silver Road Closure Begins Today in Bethany for Bridge Project

A stretch of Silver Road in the Town of Bethany is closed starting today for a bridge replacement project.
Crews will remove the existing structure just south of the Silver and Mill Road intersection and install a new reinforced concrete bridge. The work is expected to continue through July.
There is no official detour in place, but Mill Road will remain open as an alternate route.
Drivers are urged to plan ahead and expect delays while the project is underway.

Artemis Set to Return Humans to the Moon, Decades After Apollo

NASA is preparing for its first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years, as the Artemis II mission aims for an early April launch.
The mission will send four astronauts on a flyby around the moon, marking a major step forward in the Artemis program, which follows the historic Apollo missions of the late 1960s and early ’70s.
Unlike Apollo, Artemis reflects a more modern and diverse crew, including a woman, a person of color, and a Canadian astronaut.
The mission will test NASA’s Orion spacecraft and take astronauts farther into space than any crew since Apollo 13, using a looping trajectory around the moon before returning to Earth.
NASA ultimately hopes Artemis will lead to a long-term human presence on the moon — and eventually missions to Mars.