Afternoon News Brief

The first dose of COVID vaccine administered in Olean Hospital was done by Batavia High School Graduate Elliot Marino on Tuesday.  The hospital received its first supply of the vaccine and began vaccinating physicians, nurses and staff who work in high-risk areas of the hospital.  Marino attended Batavia city schools from K-12 and graduated in 2008.

Wyoming and Livingston Counties have a weather advisory for tonight 6pm to tomorrow at 7am.  Expect 3 to 6 inches, possibly covering roads.  Plows may not be available because of COVID-19 quarantines so drive safely.

A new state sales tax report is out and it shows the hospitality industry taking the biggest economic hit while sales of liquor are up 30-percent.  The report, which evaluated taxable sales activity from March through August, finds that while some areas of the state are seeing improvement, these results varied greatly. The report found that the June through August period saw improvements in many regions of the state as sectors of the economy gradually reopened beginning in the latter-half of May.  Hotels were down 70-percent, gas stations, 30-percent.

The STOP-DWI effort is coming back for another round December 17^th through January 1^st.  New York State Police, the Genesee county sheriffs and Batavia PD will be participating.  Expect to see police out in force and if you drive while alcohol or drug impaired you will be pulled over.  If you are planning on drinking while you celebrate the holidays, have a plan don’t drink and drive.

Governor Cuomo has signed a bill that makes selling or displaying swastika’s or confederate flags on state property illegal in New York State.  The bill says symbols of hate cannot be sold or displayed on state property.  State property includes the New York State Fairgrounds.  Exceptions may be made for images appearing in books, museums or other means where they serve an educational or historical purpose.