Midday News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on May 19, 2021
School budget votes were approved in all public school districts in Genesee County – and approved by wide margins.
For the most part budgets held the line or slightly reduced the tax levy.
Batavia City Schools OK’d the budget by a 4 to one spread.
John Reigle, (Ree-gul) Brenda Good and Jennifer Lendvay were elected to the city board of education.
Incumbent Shawna Murphy was defeated.
Only one close school board election…that was in Oakfield-Alabama where Jeff Hyde defeated Lorna Klotzback by just six votes.
And Pembroke, no one filed nominating petitions in time.
Daniel Langwith garnered 25 write in votes. School officials say they must contact Langwith to confirm he even wants the seat.
See a list of all school election results
Today, New York State will begin its largest reopening since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most capacity restrictions will be lifted at locations like retail businesses, gyms, food services, hair salons and offices. Outdoor dining curfews were already removed a couple of days ago while indoor dining curfews will come to an end May 31st. The process of having the state completely up and running again is expected to take a few more weeks.
The New York statewide 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate dropped to 1.07 percent, the lowest since September 27. The 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 43 straight days. Governor Cuomo says today marks a major reopening of New York State, a milestone reached thanks to the strength and grit of New Yorkers.
COVID numbers continue to improve across the region. Health Commissioner Paul Pettit issued an update
On Tuesday, 36 new positive cases were reported in Genesee County.
It looks like Americans will have to wait another month before they can cross the land border between the United States and Canada.
According to CTV News, both U.S. and Canadian officials are planning to extend the closure until June 21st.
The border has been shut to all non-essential travel since March 2020 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
It’s believed any agreement to fully reopen the border could require travelers to prove they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19.
