Afternoon News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on March 2, 2022
The Alexander Central School District Board of Education will meet tonight to consider a resolution to make masks optional. This move is in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that masks are no longer mandatory. Superintendent Jared Taft provided a letter to families in district, noting that parents’ decision regarding whether or not their child will wear a mask in school, will be supported, either way. As well, teasing, disrespectful remarks or innuendo, or any other act of disrespect toward children for masking or not masking, will not be tolerated. Alexander will still offer Rapid and PCR testing to anyone who would like to be tested, including parents and family members. Arrangements can be made by contacting school nurses ahead of time. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 this evening.
A Batavia woman has pleaded guilty in connection with welfare fraud charges; she is one of three individuals recently involved with defrauding Social Services. 55-year-old Dawn Puleo pled guilty to one count of petit larceny, a misdemeanor as well as other felony charges. She will be sentenced next month for falsifying an instrument, which resulted in her receiving over $4500 in SNAP benefits because she failed to report the child support payments she was receiving. As part of a plea deal, she will be disqualified from SNAP for one year and has made full restitution. Earlier this month, another Batavia woman, 34-year-old Christina Jones, pleaded guilty to 4th degree grand larceny and will be sentenced in May. And 41-year-old Brooke Tubbins of Batavia stole over $6000 in SNAP benefits by failing to report income.
Governor Kathy Hochul today proposed changes that support the recovery of restaurants and bars across the state, including a plan to permanently legalize to-go drinks, and to ensure a more efficient State Liquor Authority. She also announced proposals to update the state’s liquor laws all in an effort to revitalize the state’s hospitality industry, one of the industries hit hardest by the pandemic. Hochul emphasized that these changes are vital for the state, and that small businesses need the resources and regulatory framework to help them grow and thrive.
The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County Health Departments and hospitals are currently working with community partners to gather information from residents and those who work in these counties to help with public health planning for the next three years. And they are seeking community input to help inform the next Community Health Improvement Plan and to fully assess the health status of our communities. The survey is anonymous, only takes about 15 minutes to complete and focuses on the health of the person taking it. If you are under the age of 18 years old, be sure to receive permission to take the survey from your parents or guardians. To participate in the survey, or if you have any questions, please contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580.
At some point in the recent past, somebody cut down and stole the Village of Elba’s welcome sign, which proclaimed the town to be the “Onion Capital of the World.” Until about 2013, the sign was known for its phrase, “Population: Just right.” That was changed because it didn’t seem welcoming to some people. Anyone with information should contact the Genesee County Sheriff’s office at (585) 345-3000 or the VIllage of Elba @ (585) 757-6889.
Starting today, a statewide mask mandate that’s been in effect at schools for months will no longer be in place. Governor Hochul said over the weekend that she was comfortable lifting the mandate because fewer children are testing positive for the coronavirus. Under the guidelines issued yesterday by the state Department of Health, masks also aren’t required anymore on school buses. Schools are encouraged to take steps such as increasing ventilation in buildings and providing access to free COVID-19 testing to prevent another surge in infections among students and staff.
The Buffalo Sabres will be taking to the ice north of the border tonight as they try and snap their current six game losing streak. The Sabres are taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The Sabres are coming off of a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday and are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with just 40 points. Face-off for tonight’s contest is scheduled for 7:30.
After dark, you may have noticed the LED lights that illuminate the Old Courthouse at Main and Ellicott in Batavia are now rotating in the hues of Ukraine, yellow and blue. Those are the colors of the country’s flag in honor of its blue skies and flaxen fields of wheat. The color scheme illumination was unanimously approved by the Genesee County Legislature.
Members of the Buffalo Board of Education will be meeting tonight to discuss the possibility of an independent investigation into the recent violence at McKinley High School. Back on February 9th, a 14-year-old student was stabbed several times and a security guard was shot in the leg outside of the school. Police later arrested two 17-year-olds in connection with the stabbing and shooting. This evening’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm and is being held at Waterfront Elementary School on Fourth Street.
There was some discussion during Monday’s board meeting in Medina about the wooden gazebo that attracts tourist attention, located in the Canal Basin. Primary concerns at this time include that it has become very worn and possibly dangerous. The Department of Public Works superintendent, Jason Watts, believes it needs a lot of attention and has reached the end of its useful life. He noted it would likely cost more to fix it than to replace it. Because it draws many people who like to sit there and enjoy the canal, the board will continue to discuss the issue and possible options, including costs to replace it or possibly replace it with something else.
