Afternoon News Brief

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.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors approved a final resolution for a proposed $1.74 million housing project by Franklin Real Estate and Development at its board meeting on Thursday. The approval will support two 8-unit market-rate apartment buildings located south of Buffalo East Tech Park in the town of Pembroke. The multi-unit buildings will include one 1-bedroom apartment in each building and seven 2-bedroom apartments in each building. Franklin Real Estate and Development is receiving $243,402 in sales, mortgage, and property tax incentives.

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.

In an effort to keep people safe from COVID-19, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has announced a change to its masking policy. Cloth masks are no longer acceptable and only surgical masks, KN95 masks and N95 masks will be allowed. Also, people must have a facial covering on the entire time that the orchestra is performing. The change is effective immediately and will be in place until further notice.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation adopted by lawmakers earlier Thursday to create new congressional, Senate and Assembly district lines for the next decade’s elections; this resulted from the Legislature’s recently drawn plans. Assembly members voted to pass the legislative bill 118-29 with scant Republican support. Republicans both in the state and across the country have voiced opposition to the redistricting and plan to legally challenge the plans in State Supreme Court; Governor Hochul has made no comment.

Governor Hochul announced this morning that New York State has been more aggressive than any other state in the nation in terms of acquiring and distributing at-home, Covid-19 test kits. Toward that end, now more than 23 million kits have been provided to families in the state since December 30th, which she believes has helped keep schools open and also help people identify when they are positive for the virus so in turn, they stay at home and not spread illness.

Steve Hawley

You’ll recall earlier this week that 13 superintendents from school districts in both Genesee and Orleans counties, composed and sent a letter to Governor Hochul, asking for an “exit strategy” from universal masking in schools. They also asked Hochul to get away from “one-size-fits-all mandates” with regard to universal masking and Covid testing. The school leaders said those mandates from the state caused unnecessary challenges for them. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley has now written a letter to Governor Hochul in agreement with the school superintendents, requesting that she put forward guidance to school districts that would provide a “path to normalcy” by ending all state-mandated Covid-19 mitigation measures and returning control of such policies to local school districts.

Several short-line and regional railroads in the GLOW region are among the recipients of more than $76.4 million in state infrastructure funding. The funding was announced Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. The investments were described as essential for maintaining and enhancing market access for manufacturing and agricultural businesses statewide.

The Ellicott Town Supervisor is in trouble with the law after being arrested by State Police on public lewdness charges. Troopers say the alleged incidents involving 72-year-old Patrick McLaughlin and two young people happened on or about January 31st and February 1st. Police haven’t revealed many details about McLaughlin’s alleged crimes but do say no physical contact was involved. He was issued an appearance ticket after being taken into custody and is due back in court later this month.

Car enthusiasts will be heading to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center throughout the weekend for the Buffalo Auto Show. The event was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and because of the ongoing threat of the illness, all guests 12 and older will need to prove they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. The auto show will continue today from 1pm until 9pm, tomorrow from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. More information is available online at buffaloautoshow.com.

The Buffalo Bills are expected to hire Phil Rauscher as their next offensive line coach from the Minnesota Vikings. Rauscher was promoted to the same position for the Vikings last season and previously served as an assistant offensive line coach with the Vikings and Washington, and as a coaching assistant for Denver. The Bills offensive line coach Bobby Johnson has reportedly been hired by the New York Giants.