Evening News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on May 3, 2021
Governor Cuomo announced today a plan to lift nearly all capacity restrictions across the state. He says that these are coordinated with New Jersey and
Connecticut. Starting May 19th retail, food service, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops, offices, museums and theaters will have their capacity restrictions lifted. The 6 foot social distancing rules will still need to be followed.
The Gates Police chief is fed up with what he calls a pandemic of violence. And it has effected Batavia. The carjackings that plagued Rochester and were linked to 2 teenagers for some of them started in Batavia where a black infinity was stolen and then used in some of the Rochester carjackings. The perpetrators were finally chased down in Genesee county after the death of a 71 year old man in a carjacking in Gates. The families of the perpetrators and some of the victims refused to cooperate with police, a poster with their names and faces was eventually put up which lead to arrests. Police Chief James VanBrederode referenced the daily shootings and murders in Rochester and says that “this is a people problem and the people have to rise up to make the streets not look like a warzone.”
The Rochester Jazz Festival will not happen this year due to Covid. It had been set to go on July 30th through August 7th at RIT. If you already bought tickets they can either be refunded or traded in for 2022 or 2023 passes.
Gas is up 1 penny in Batavia to 2.89 for a gallon of regular. The National average is 2.90 and the NYS average is 2.95. There is an increase in demand and Gasbuddy.com predicts we will see prices topping 3 dollars in the near future.
Vince Neil of Motley Crue has been added to the lineup of concert headliners for this summer at Batavia Downs. He is performing June 18th. Tickets are already on sale for all other Rockin’ the Downs Concerts, tickets for Vince Neil will go on sale today, May 3rd at noon at www.BataviaConcerts.com.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board of Directors will consider approving incentives for projects proposing $13.5 million of new investments at its May 6 board meeting. Forefront Power LLC is proposing to invest $9.7 million to build a 5 megawatt community solar project on Norton Road in the Town of Elba. The project would generate approximately $519 thousand in new revenue to Genesee County, the Town of Elba, and the Elba Central School District over the proposed 15-year agreement. Also Batavia Special Needs Apartments LP is proposing to invest $3.75 million to add 20 living units to an existing special needs housing campus on East Main Street in the City of Batavia. Batavia Special Needs Apartments LP is seeking approximately $772,000 in sales and property tax exemptions.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the subject pictured below. The subject has been developed as a person of interest in relation to a property crime being investigated in the Town of Alabama. The subject appears to have a tattoo on his right forearm. If you have any information, we urge you to please contact Investigator Ryan DeLong at 585-345-3000 ext. 3572
The Sabres lost to the Bruins for the 4th time in a row on Saturday afternoon. It was a 6 to 2 loss for Buffalo. They play against the Islanders tonight at 7pm.
