Midday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on January 24, 2022
The Town of Batavia is handing out free COVID test kits later today. The distribution will take place from 5 until 7 pm at the Batavia Town Hall drive-up window on West Main St. Road. There are 110 test kits available with two tests per kit. You must be a resident of Genesee County and may take up to two kits per household while supplies last. Proof of residency is required.
Wyoming County Treasurer, Cheryl Mayer, has announced her early retirement citing health reasons. Mayer began her employment with Wyoming County in 1993 serving in various positions at Wyoming County Community Hospital before moving to the County Administrator’s Office. Mayer noted that the time she has served in the elected office of Wyoming County Treasurer has been some of the most rewarding years of her life and she strongly recommends that the position of County Treasurer continue to be an elected position, as it offers the best true opportunity to provide the checks and balances that all governments should aspire to provide to their constitutes providing an independent advocate for the taxpayers.
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the start of the income tax filing season. It’s begun processing income tax returns, including those submitted using the Free File software available on the Tax Department website. If your 2021 income is $73,000 or less, you can file both your federal and New York State returns at no cost through the Tax Department website using Free File.
It’s only been up and running for a few weeks, but the State Gaming Commission says mobile sports betting has already been a big success. Over 600-million dollars has already been wagered and officials say New York could soon become the top sports betting market in the country. People can currently use FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesar’s, and BetMGM to place their wagers. More sportsbooks are expected to launch soon.
The battle over the fate of the Great Northern grain elevator in Buffalo will return to the courtroom today. Local preservationists will try and argue that the grain elevator isn’t in danger of collapsing because of its design. The building was damaged by the windstorm last month and a State Supreme court judge already ruled that it can be demolished. Today’s hearing will be in front of an Appellate Court and preservationists hope a temporary restraining order that’s keeping the structure from being torn down will be extended. The grain elevator was built in 1897 and is the last of its kind in North America.
Livingston County deputies are continuing their investigation into a shooting that left a man dead. They say the body of a man in his 60s was found on Alpine Lane at the Iroquois Road Trailer Park in Caledonia yesterday. The name of the victim hasn’t been released. Police report that the shooter is in custody and cooperating with the investigation and that there’s no threat to anyone living in the area.
Rochester police are asking for help from the public as they try and find the suspect involved in an armed carjacking. The victim told officers that he was approached by a man with a gun in the area of Lake Avenue and Stonewood Avenue last night. The man then got in the vehicle and told the victim to drive to Sheppler Street before stealing the car. No injuries were reported and anyone with information on the case is asked to dial 911 immediately.
Western New York drivers are still seeing consistent prices at the pump when it comes time to fill up their vehicles. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is now $3.50. That’s the same as it was last week and is a penny less than this time one month ago. The state average is also sitting at $3.50 a gallon and the national average is $3.33.
The Buffalo Bills have fallen short of making it to the AFC Championship game for the second straight year after losing in heartbreaking fashion. It was a great game; they came from behind with 12 seconds left to score a touchdown; and then the Chiefs tied the game with a fast drive and field goal. Mahomes won the coin flip and the Bills were unable to stop the Chiefs’ offense as they scored a touchdown on the only possession in overtime. Bills QB Josh Allen did all he could to lead his team to victory, throwing for 329 yards; Gabriel Davis scored 4 touchdowns. And in a repeat of the challenge last year, Buffalo mayor Byron Brown is sending Buffalo wings to the mayor of Kansas City. The Chiefs now host the Bengals this coming Sunday; on the line, a team ticket to Super Bowl 56.
The Sabres beat the Flyers over the weekend, 6-3 at Keybank Arena. Krebs, Thompson and Skinner all scored twice for the team and Michael Houser blocked 30 shots on goal. They play next tomorrow in Ottawa against the Senators.
