Tom Tharp
March 7, 2022 
The high winds Sunday knocked down power lines, trees and branches all over Genesee county. First responders scurried to respond to several calls as the day went on. There were power outages in Byron, Elba, Alexander, Darien, Oakfield and Basom. Nearly 2000 people were without power and National Grid put extra crews to work getting things back online. Several hundred people were still without power this morning at 5am. National Grid says their field force is actively removing downed trees and wires and replacing some broken poles and working to restore power to those affected.
Republicans in the state assembly have been saying it for a while now and Democrats are starting to join in on suspending the state gas tax. Gas is now over 4 dollars a gallon across the state. An average of 4.20 over the weekend has now risen sharply with gas stations in Batavia hitting up to 4.50 with 4.39 being the average. Prices around the county vary wildly as stations try to keep updates with the spiking prices. State lawmakers are saying that the increase in the cost of household goods, inflation and now gas prices require some relief. Democratic Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara for Rotterdam has introduced a bill to suspend the gas tax for a year. The bill to increase the gas tax by 55 cents and increase home heating by 26 percent that was introduced by Democrats February of last year to fight climate change is still in committee.
The New York State police are looking for recruits. You must be between 20 and 29 but Military veterans can be older. Troopers can make up to 80,000 dollars a year by their second year. Since training opportunities have been cut back over the past Two years due to the pandemic, recruiters are really looking to bring in more candidates. You can apply at joinstatepolice.ny.gov
Sheridan Benefits, LLC will host a series of ‘Medicare 101 Table Chats’ at three GLOW YMCA branches the week of March 7. Biggs Johnson with Sheridan Benefits will be available to present information to those approaching Medicare age to learn about the program and to answer questions from current Medicare beneficiaries. They will be at the Genesee County YMCA on Wednesday March 9th from 9am to 11am. This is an opportunity to get information about the Medicare program. These chats are open to the public.
After a 2 game winning streak beating the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday and the Minnesota Wild on Friday the Sabres were blown out 3 to zip by the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. Tokarski made 29 saves and only let 1 goal get past him. The other 2 were empty netters. The Keybank Arena was packed Sunday for Kids Takeover day where kids sang the national anthem, did the PA announcements and even gave the locker room speech. The Sabres will be hosting the Florida Panthers tonight at 7pm.
Governor Hochul says the deal for the new Bills stadium may be announced later this month. Negotiations are still ongoing. On Friday, Governor Hochul was in Buffalo and she says an agreement for a new stadium will be done in time for this year’s budget. The budget is due in just a few weeks on April 1. According to the governor, the new stadium is coming and will be built in Orchard Park. She didn’t specify whether there will be a dome or not. A new stadium will be around $1.4 billion but the amount taxpayers will be on the hook for has not been released.
Batavia City School District’s Board of Education met this morning to take a vote on making face masks optional per Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision earlier this week, to rescind the mask mandate. It took less than 3 minutes to obtain the unanimous ‘yes’ vote by board members, the result – face coverings are now optional in Batavia schools.
The latest data from Governor Hochul’s office shows the spread of COVID-19 has slowed down dramatically across New York in the last few days. The statewide positivity rate has been below two-percent for seven straight days and is now at 1.4%. The seven-day average infection rate in Western New York is also falling and is now around 2.7%. Governor Hochul is still urging anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated against coronavirus yet to get their shot to prevent another surge in cases.
In addition, in reference to the decline in COVID-19 cases, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced this afternoon that the state of emergency that has been in place since March 2020, officially ends tomorrow.
Some of the student members of Attica Central School’s chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C. where they had the opportunity to lay wreaths on the graves of the fallen, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. One student, Addyson Zawilski, had the opportunity to visit and lay wreaths on the graves of her maternal great-grandparents. One of the group’s advisors, Heather Smith, hoped the trip impressed on students the significance of the sacrifice service members buried in Arlington had made for the country.
If you’re looking for a job, consider The New York State Police. They are looking to bolster their ranks during a recruitment event at the Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga. It’s scheduled to take place tomorrow from 11am – 2pm across from the Dave and Busters. Career information will be available as well as details on how to sign up for the upcoming Trooper exam. The annual starting salary for a State Police officer is just over $58,000 but increases to more than $82,000 after the first year.
State Attorney General Letitia James has issued a warning to NY residents and businesses about scams related to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The Attorney General says people should be on the lookout for price gouging of fuel, goods and services and also take the necessary steps to protect themselves against a potential cyber-attack. People looking to donate money to help Ukrainians should also look into the background of a charity to make sure it’s credible. Anyone who sees a potential scam should notify the attorney general’s office immediately. Attorney General Letitia James:
The City of Batavia has a new Director of Public Works; Brett Frank has been awarded the position. He was selected following an extensive search for candidates and starts Monday, March 28. Frank is a life-long resident of Genesee County and has served in local government for the last seven years, including as the Deputy Director of Real Property for Genesee County and is presently the Director of Economic Development for the Batavia Development Corporation. Frank said he is looking forward to getting started and is excited to serve his community.
Governor Hochul is once again renewing her push to make alcohol-to-go sales permanent across the Empire State. The governor says the takeout program has provided a much-needed financial boost to bars and restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic. The governor also says she doesn’t believe it’ll be necessary to require people to buy food when purchasing to-go drinks. The governor’s proposal has been criticized by liquor store owners who believe the program will cut into their profits if it remains in place.
The Tulley Building in Bergen was built in 1886. Since then, it has been home to many different businesses as well as apartments. Presently, the buildings brick is in need of repair, and the mayor, Anna Marie Barclay, is working with the Western New York Landmark Society, to complete the application for a Genesee Valley Rural Revitalization Grant in the amount of $50,000. That would pay for 90 percent of the project. Barclay has been active with the Tulley Building Restoration Committee since it formed in 2007. One of the goals of the committee was to develop a renovation plan that would ensure that the historic integrity of the building would be maintained. Since that time, structural restoration has been completed, including installation of a new roof. The detailed story is available from our news partner: 
New York Attorney General Letitia James today provided guidance to consumers who may have been impacted by the August 2021 T-Mobile massive data breach, following reports that the stolen information was put for sale on the dark web: “I have an urgent message for T-Mobile customers and other consumers: Be aware of any misuse of your personal information and follow the guidance provided below to protect yourself from identity theft,” said Attorney General James. “Information stolen in a massive data breach has fallen into the wrong hands and is circulating on the dark web. The guidance offered by my office can help prevent identity theft. I advise all New Yorkers to maintain their financial safety by following the guidance my office has laid out. No consumer should have to deal with the devastating realities of identity theft.” The breach impacted over 53 million individuals, including more than 4 million New Yorkers. Among other categories of impacted information, millions had their names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information compromised. Recently, a large subset of the information compromised in the breach was discovered for sale on the dark web — a hidden portion of the Internet where cyber criminals buy, sell, and track personal information. Many individuals received alerts through various identity theft protection services informing them that their information was found online in connection with the breach, confirming that impacted individuals are at heightened risk for identity theft.
A Pilot for a JetBlue Flight was removed from the jet after a TSA agent thought he was impaired and called the NFTA Police. 52 year old James Clifton of Orlando Florida blew a .17 on a breathalyzer test. He was taken into custody and federal authorities were notified. He was released to JetBlue security and may face federal charges. The flight, JetBlue 2465, was delayed four hours and 10 minutes according to data from FlightAware. JetBlue released a statement affirming their zero tolerance policies for alcohol use and say they are investigating and cooperating with law enforcement.
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.
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.
Buffalo City Schools originally announced that they would not be changing their masking requirement for kids and teachers in schools. Then, late Tuesday night they issued an announcement saying that masks would no longer be required starting today. No explanation was provided for the change. Rochester City Schools announced they would be dropping the mask requirements Wednesday as well.
The Batavia City Council has sworn in Rich Richmond, Jeremy Karas’ replacement, as Councilmember at Large. In other business from this week’s meeting, items on the agenda were moved to the next board meeting, which is scheduled for March 14. Expected to be adopted at that time are resolutions that include the 2022-23 budget as well as 1.5% increases to water rates and meter fees. In addition, the Council is now ready to pass the $29.7 million All-Funds budget, 17.8 million of which is in the General Fund, which carries a property tax rate of $8.94/$1000 of assessed value. This rate represents a decrease of 78 cents from the current tax rate.
Letters have been sent out to families from many school districts in the GLOW region, addressing the masking changes that take effect tomorrow. Batavia School superintendent, Jason Smith, noted in his letter that parents may choose to continue to send their children to school wearing masks and that no bullying of anyone choosing to wear a mask will be tolerated. Smith elaborated that masking on school busses is also no longer required. Other area school districts have sent out similar messages, including Pembroke, Elba, Le Roy and Byron-Bergen. Oakfield-Alabama’s board had already approved a mask-optional policy early in February, in anticipation of Governor Hochul eliminating the mask mandate. (At this time, Buffalo City Schools are still requiring them for their children and staff.)
Construction on the Route 19 bridge over Oatka Creek, north of the village of Warsaw, has begun. There is a posted detour that directs traffic along Saltvale Road. The highway will be closed off to traffic for about 6 months, with reopening planned for Labor Day.
Highmark Stadium and Keybank Center are lifting their vaccine requirements for games, concerts and events held at the facilities effective immediately. While it is still recommended that individuals follow current CDC guidelines as it pertains to mask wearing and that of their own comfort level, it was also noted that individual concerts and live events may implement their own policies above and beyond that of KeyBank Center. Please refer to www.keybankcenter.com for the most up-to-date information for all event requirements.
Western NY drivers aren’t seeing any relief from high gas prices as the pain at the pump continues to worsen. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.75, that’s up 6 cents in the past week and is 30 cents more than this time last month. The state average is $3.80 a gallon while nationally it’s $3.60. In Batavia, our current average is 3.75, up 8 cents from a week ago. One year ago this week, the average price was $2.72.
Le Roy Central School Superintendent Merrit Holly, in an email and automated phone call to parents said beginning on Wednesday, masks will be optional for all Le Roy Central School District students, teachers and staff in all areas of the school, including on buses, in hallways, classrooms and for athletics. Masks are still required today and tomorrow.
Governor Hochul announced Sunday afternoon that the mask mandate for schools will end on Wednesday this week. Hochul says this decision comes from studying the data and consulting with medical experts, parents and teachers. She says the credit for the ability of schools to not need masks on kids and teachers comes from the hard work of New Yorkers in getting vaccinated and causing the number of cases to drop by 98 percent since the peak in December and January. Republicans such as Chris Jacobs and Steve Hawley had asserted that the decision to end mask mandates would have more to do with internal democrat polling and not science. And New York’s COVID rates mirror those in places where there were no mask mandates and vaccination rates are lower.
A real life case of Storage Wars in Livingston County.
Also from the Political Desk, Congressman Chris Jacobs has the endorsement of the Orleans County Conservative Party in his bid to win the recently gerrymandered 24th congressional district.
A new poll shows how New Yorkers feel about a mandate for students to wear masks while in school. According to the Siena College Research Institute survey, 58% want to see the COVID-19 data in March before Gov. Kathy Hochul decides on the mandate, 30% believe the rule should have been dropped already, while 10% think it should be eliminated after the current February break. Hochul recently ended the indoor mask mandate for businesses that was put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The combination of wind, rain, snow and floods made this past weekend especially challenging for Western New Yorkers. And some more wet weather is here. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the GLOW region that will be in effect this afternoon through tomorrow evening. With flows on area creeks and rivers already running high due to last week’s rainfall, more rain and snowmelt is expected tonight. On a positive note, we are not expecting as much rain this time around as we got last week, we still could see between a half-inch and an inch of rain through tomorrow morning. As always, stay with WBTA for the latest weather information from 13 WHAM meteorologists.
This morning, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation creating a new Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Cultivator license, thus providing a fast-track for existing New York hemp farmers to apply for a conditional license to grow cannabis in the 2022 growing season for the forthcoming adult-use cannabis market. Under the law, conditionally licensed cannabis farmers must meet certain requirements, including safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation practices, participation in a social equity mentorship program, and engagement in a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization. With a conditional adult-use cannabis cultivation license, farmers can grow outdoors or in a greenhouse for up to two years from the issuance of the license. It also allows them to manufacture and distribute cannabis flower products without holding an adult-use processor or distributor license, until June 1, 2023.
The number of Empire State residents who are hospitalized due to the coronavirus has fallen to its lowest level in weeks. According to Governor Hochul’s office, there are just over 2500 people receiving treatment for the illness which is the smallest total since right before Thanksgiving. The statewide COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped below 2% and the 7 day average infection rate in Western New York is slightly under 4.3% percent. Governor Hochul is urging people not to let their guard down against the illness and to get vaccinated or a booster shot if they haven’t already.
City firemen responded to a call early in the evening last night at 167 Vine Street and found that the one-family home had a large volume of smoke throughout with fire in the basement. Neighbors and City Police assisted an older woman who uses a walker, to vacate the building; she was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. Firefighters report that the blaze was somewhat difficult to fight because it was difficult to identify the specific location of the fire in the basement. Extensive fire and smoke damage to both structure and contents was reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A record number of people participated in last fall’s Shop Wyoming and Win contest. The local shopping promotion is conducted annually in November and December by the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. Participants submit shopping receipts from businesses within the county. They receive one drawing entry for every $50 of purchases. A total of over 1100 (1,164) people participated in this year’s contest. The receipts totaled more than $1.3 million; 18% of the shoppers were from Genesee County. Four people from the region won prizes; the drawing of winners was conducted Feb. 8 at the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors
A mandate requiring healthcare workers across the state to receive their COVID-19 booster shot will not go into effect today as planned.
Todd Haight, the long-time general manager and director of live racing at Batavia Downs, will retire March 15th after 20 years with the Downs.
A flood warning is in effect until tomorrow morning for the Tonawanda Creek in Batavia. Flood stage is 9 feet, which would bring some flooding to the city, possibly affecting Kibbe Park, Walnut Street, and Law Street. Flooding in rural areas of Alexander and the lowlands of the Alabama Swamps with some road closures is also likely; this, according to the Weather Service. The Tonawanda creek was expected to rise above flood stage this morning, cresting early this afternoon at 9.7 feet before falling below flood stage early tomorrow morning.
There is a Flood Warning out for the Tonawanda Creek in Batavia.
The Batavia City Council will continue to think about how best to tackle snow plowing and snow removal concerns that have come up during this particularly snowy winter. Last Monday evening, they spent about 20 minutes discussing the issues that have come up, including plowed snow ending up in the streets or piled 4 feet or higher on sidewalks, making it especially challenging for some homeowners to keep sidewalks clear. One possible solution discussed was to distribute information to some residents about property owners’ responsibilities specific to clearing snow after a storm.
The relationship between the City of Batavia and Oatka Milk Products turned sour late last year when wastewater from the plant contaminated the city’s sewer system.
State Police have released the results of their Super Bowl Weekend STOP-DWI campaign.
Wegmans is now offering N95 masks to customers in an effort to protect them against COVID-19. They received the masks as part of a federal program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Shoppers are eligible to receive up to three adult-sized masks, however the locations of the masks in stores and the times they’ll be distributed vary by location. Anyone who is interested in getting a mask should contact their nearest Wegmans for more information.
The demolition of the Great Northern grain elevator in Buffalo is still on hold thanks to a court ruling. Preservationists have been trying to prevent the building from being taken down after it was severely damaged during a windstorm in December. The city issued a demolition order less than a week after the storm, but it has been challenged in court. Preservationists say the grain elevator can be saved and they’re asking the owner of the building to repair it. The grain elevator was built back in 1897 and is the last of its kind in North America.
Municipal and baseball club executives around the state, including Batavia, are asking Governor Hochul and the state to set aside some money in the state budget for improvements to municipally owned stadiums. The letter included signatures from Muckdogs owner Robbie Nichols and Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League President and General Counsel, Robert Julian. In the letter, officials requested that about $250 million in capital funds for improvements should be earmarked as the money will be needed for many facilities across the state, including Dwyer Stadium.
There is a flood watch affecting all of Western NY through Friday. The high temperatures over the next few days are expected to cause major runoff which may result in floods near waterways. Ice jams may result in backups and rising water in creeks and rivers. There also may be rain that can contribute an inch to an inch and a half of precipitation. Be prepared to go around flooded areas, do not drive into standing water if you don’t know how deep it is. 
WBTA news has learned from Genesee County sheriff’s investigators A Warsaw man faces felony charges after a series of incidents that began when he
One of the biggest names in country music has announced plans to perform in Western New York later this year. Jason Aldean will be taking the stage at the Darien Lake Amphitheater on Saturday, August 27th. Aldean will be joined on his “Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour” by special guests Gabby Barrett and John Morgan. Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday at 10:00am through Live Nation.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine are being felt at the gas pump.
Buffalo Bills tickets will cost more next season. Some seats will cost 3-dollars more, other’s could run you 20-dollars more.
Employees and members of the public may now enter Genesee County facilities without wearing masks, with the exception of the Genesee County Mental Health and Public Health Clinical settings. Employees and visitors to those facilities must continue to wear a mask while on the premises. County officials urge both employees and the public to assess their own risk and strongly encourage those with increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or anyone with a compromised immunized system to continue to wear a mask. The County will, however, continue to practice social distancing and enhanced cleaning measures to help ensure the safety of employees and residents.
Buffalo Bills fans can expect to dig deeper into their wallets if they want to see their team in-person this coming season. The team’s Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service says the cost of some seats may go up by $3 a game while others might cost about $20 more. There are several factors that led to higher prices including some of the teams the Bills are playing at Highmark Stadium such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. The Bills do say more than 13,000 of their seats will cost $60.00 or less.
The Batavia City Council is set to discuss problems the city has been having with snow removal and plowing at tonight’s 7pm meeting. The heavy snowfall that hit Batavia around February 3rd and 4th resulted in snow being plowed into the streets and sidewalks, sometimes with piles as high as 5 feet. Several downtown businesses complained about customers not being able to get to their stores or find parking. Mail service was also delayed. Coucilperson At Large Bob Bialkowski said that it is a shame to have issues like snow on the sidewalks given how much the city spends on them. Putting snow in the street or on the sidewalks is against the law.
Most eyes will be glued to the TV set this weekend, especially Sunday for Super Bowl 56… but lawmen are concerned about you getting home from your watch party.
The 2022 season of the Batavia Muckdogs will begin June 3rd in Elmira.
Batavia Muckdogs General Manager, Marc Witt, has provided us with a sneak preview of the upcoming season…he announced the team plans to bring back some players from last year and will also be introducing some new personnel. There will be 30 home games this season at Dwyer Stadium. The Muckdogs play in The Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League and there will be some new teams/new competition in the league, including the Capitol City Reds from Ottawa, Canada; and the Cortland Crush.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is planning to file a misconduct claim against State Attorney General Letitia James. Cuomo’s complaint will center around a report issued by James last year claiming that he sexually harassed multiple women, allegations he has repeatedly denied. Cuomo resigned in August and said in a recent interview with Bloomberg News that if he had to do it again, he would’ve remained in office. He also called James’ report politically motivated. Cuomo’s attorney says if James is found to have been involved in any wrongdoing, she could be censured or have her legal license suspended.
The Pembroke Junior/Senior High School Girls’ Basketball Team is hosting their 11th annual Shooting for A Cure! event against Oaksfield-Alabama this evening, at the High School located at the corner of Routes 5 and 77 in Pembroke. The doors open at 5:00; admission is free. The JV game starts at 5:30 and the varsity game, at 7:00. There are many ways people can contribute during the event and the team is also accepting donations online. This year, they look forward to adding to the more than $200,000 they have raised for the cause since their first game in 2011.
They aren’t here yet but they are on the way. Convoys of Semi Trucks are planning on coming to Buffalo from New York City and Tennessee this weekend to support the Canadian Freedom Convoy which is gathered in Ottawa to protest Vaccine mandates in the great white north. Supply lines are already stressed in Buffalo as the blockades in areas of Canada are causing backups that reach all the way across the border. Some truckers are having to wait several hours to cross into Canada because of a blockade in Detroit which affects travel in Buffalo. Police say they know about the convoys and are ready for them. 
Yesterday afternoon just a little before 4:00, the Batavia Police Department responded to an address on Wallace Street for the report of a male who had been shot. After arriving on location officers were not able to locate a victim. Officers conducted interviews with residents in the area and were able to determine that a juvenile placed the call. That juvenile has since been identified and located. It has been determined that the call was a false report and there was no threat to public safety at the time of the call.
As you might expect, there has been a great deal of reaction to Hochul’s press conference from yesterday. Assemblyman Steve Hawley noted that the end of the statewide mask mandate is a welcome development. However, he believes that the time for state-level mandates of any kind has come to an end and control of pandemic management should return to local governments and school districts. He further noted that for rural communities, mask mandates for healthy children in schools have done more harm than good and educators and school district administrators should have the ability to make the best decision possible for the well-being of their students. Congressman Chris Jacobs similarly believes the time is now for to end the statewide mask mandate in schools.
New York State has provided Genesee County with free COVID-19 test kits and KN95 masks to distribute to residents. As of yesterday, a limited number of test kits and masks were still available at town and village municipal buildings, while supplies last. Residents will be required to show proof of residency and should contact their local municipality for hours of operation and availability.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he’s encouraged by the status of negotiations involving a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. Goodell said during a press conference at the site of Super Bowl 56 yesterday that the bottom line is a new facility must be built for the Bills in Western New York. Team ownership has proposed building a new stadium in Orchard Park across from Highmark Stadium. Goodell praised everyone involved in the talks for their work in getting a deal done. The Bills’ current lease expires in 2023.
Governor Hochul announced this morning that, in light of the declining Covid numbers, the state-wide mask mandate for indoor businesses is lifted as of tomorrow. However, she emphasized that the pandemic is far from over. With that in mind, the statewide mask requirement remains in effect at: state-regulated health care settings, state-regulated adult care facilities and nursing homes, correctional facilities, schools and childcare centers, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and buses, bus stations, trains and train stations, subways and subway stations and planes and airports.
According to the New York Council of School Superintendents, Governor Hochul is planning to extend the Mask Mandate in schools for another 2 weeks and then reevaluate after the February break. The mandate for businesses and venues is set to expire Thursday and the one for schools will expire on the 21st. School superintendents from Monroe, Livingston, Genesee, Niagara, and Orleans counties have written to the governor asking for a return to being able to control their own health regulations and roadmap for when the mandates will end. 
Governor Hochul is going to be making an announcement on the future of the state’s indoor mask mandate tomorrow. The mandate was put in place back in December in an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and is set to expire on Thursday. The mandate has been controversial and at one point was declared unconstitutional by a State Supreme court judge before that decision was overruled by an appellate court, which allowed it to remain in effect. The governor is meeting with education leaders today and is expected to discuss how much longer students will have to wear masks in school. Oakfield-Alabama has set an emergency Board of Education meeting for this week to vote on whether to keep their own resolution on masking in place. Batavia City Schools Superintendent Jason Smith says the Board of Education’s meeting on February 17th may also be a venue for this same discussion. It seems there are advocates on both sides of the issue with the vast majority wanting it to be up to parents and the personal choice of the child.
City of Batavia Republican Committee Chairman Richard Richmond invites qualified individuals seeking to serve in the role of council-at-large representative to submit a letter of interest to him by February 17, a week from Thursday. To be qualified for the position, the prospective representative must be a resident of the City of Batavia and a member of the same political party as the representative who most recently served in the seat—in this case, a Republican. The City Republican Committee expects to recommend an individual to the City Council, which has the appointment power to fill the vacancy temporarily.
LeRoy Police have arrested 52-year-old Virginia Steen of LeRoy. It is alleged she deliberately tampered with another individual’s property in a common area of the residence. In doing so, she violated an order of protection. Charges include 2nd degree harassment and 2nd degree criminal contempt. She is due to appear in court later this month.
State University of New York community colleges have experienced a trend in enrollment drop since 2011, which has led to faculty and staff losing jobs. An analysis of demographic data suggests steeper competition and the ongoing economic and social implications from the Covid pandemic have contributed to their challenges. Rising wages have also lured some potential community college applicants away from school and into the work force. Statewide, the SUNY system will try to combat declining enrollment by making it easier for students to apply for financial aid, increase support around child care, mental health, food insecurity, and offer more flexibility in course types and schedules.
Over the weekend, the 8th Annual Sno Packers Bikini Rally was held in Oakfield and raised over $19,000 for the Pink Fund breast cancer financial assistance program. Snowmobile riders both men and women, braved low temperatures in bikinis for the cause; about 450 people attended the rally.
Our state congressional district is going away. The 27th district which includes Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties as well as parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, and Ontario Counties will be eliminated. The district in the new map will be absorbed into district 24 which extends from Niagara Falls all the way to Watertown in Jefferson county. District lines will remain the same until the end of this year when new or re-elected officials take office, that’s when they will officially change for the next ten years.
The weather seemed to remain calm during the snowstorm yesterday; however, highways and travel gradually became increasingly more treacherous throughout the GLOW region, especially as the snowfall intensified during the evening commute. Contrary to our previous major storm, when we experienced an intense and focused winter blast, this snow began to accumulate and cause increasingly more problems as it continued. As of this morning, most everyone received between 8 and 14 inches of snow, as predicted by 13 WHAM meteorologists. This has resulted in many closures and slick roads. Before heading out, it would be best to call ahead to your destination to ensure they are open.
A little after 3:00 early this morning, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 31 Walnut Street. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke coming from the two and a half story, two-family home. Fire crews entered the home to find a fire in the kitchen that was quickly extinguished. Three occupants were home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed prior to arrival of the firemen. The residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was accidental.
A Batavia woman, who ran out of gas on the Thruway early Wednesday morning, has been charged with a felony after it was found the car was stolen. 38-year-old Jessica Holtz was identified of the driver of the black 2007 Chevy Tahoe. State Police were contacted about a suspicious person going door to door in a neighborhood in Henrietta, telling people she ran out of gas on the Thruway. Holtz had outstanding warrants from the City of Batavia and was brought to Genesee County for processing. Previous charges included failure to appear in court and petit larceny. Presently, she faces 3rd degree criminal possession of stolen property (a felony) and misdemeanor 5th degree criminal possession of stolen property. She is to appear in Town Court at a later date.
A female corrections officer was injured during what union officials called a ‘disgusting’ sexual attack; this happened Wednesday at Attica Correctional Facility. The attack happened as inmates were leaving a COVID testing site in the prison chapel. As the 38-year-old inmate left the chapel, he grabbed the officer in the groin. She and two other officers forced him against a wall as the inmate continued to struggle. He then grabbed the woman again as officers tackled the inmate to the floor, where he fell on top of the female officer. The inmate continued to grope her while officers struggled for control. The inmate was cuffed and escorted to another unit. The inmate was serving a 19-year sentence for robbery in Queens County in 2011. He was placed in special housing pending disciplinary charges.
The winter storm warning continues till 1pm this afternoon with another 1 to 3 inches expected across all of the GLOW region. Most area schools are closed for a snow day today. The roads are slick and accumulation may make travel difficult. Remember to give yourself extra time to come to a stop and extra time to get started from a stop when entering traffic.
The Winter Storm Warning is on through today and into tomorrow. Predictions have not changed much; heavy, wet snow up to 12 inches is expected through Friday at 1pm, across most of Western NY. Most of the accumulation is expected to come late this afternoon and into the night. Travel may be affected by snow building up on the roads and slick conditions. With bad weather moving into the region, both air and train travel will likely be impacted. Anyone planning to travel should be aware that delays and cancellations are possible. Travelers are urged to check on the status of their flight or train departures prior to heading out.
The Genesee County Health Department has scheduled a free anti-rabies immunization clinic for next week. The clinic will be held next Thursday, February 10, from 4 until 7 at the Town of Batavia Highway Garage. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets but donations are appreciated.
Congressman Chris Jacobs says he’s planning to run for re-election in a newly proposed Congressional district. Currently the Republican serves the people of the 27th District, but under a redistricting plan, he’d run for office in the 24th District. That district covers an area that stretches from the northernmost shores of the Niagara River to the Thousand Islands region.
Kelly Ashcraft was a longtime employee of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. She now faces multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from the organization. The criminal complaint was filed by the Chamber earlier this month, alleging that she had stolen funds and forged business records. The investigation that followed found that Ashcraft had falsified documents as far back as 2018.
A Corfu man is dead following a single vehicle accident. 32 year old Jordan Terkel of Corfu was killed early Saturday morning when his vehicle struck a utility pole on rt 77 in Pembroke. Terkel was traveling south on rt 77 when his vehicle traveled off the east shoulder of the roadway and struck the pole. Terkel was dead by the time deputies arrived according to the sheriff’s office. The county coroner said he died from injuries sustained in the crash.