Morning News Brief

Genesee Orleans and Wyoming Counties are facing several weather advisories.  All three are still under the flood watch till today at 7pm.  Excessive runoff from rain and snow melt may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.  Genesee and Wyoming Counties are under River Flood warnings for local streams and rivers that have risen to flood levels.  In Genesee County, Tonawanda Creek at Batavia and Attica, Black Creek at Churchville and Ellicott Creek near Williamsville are under flood warnings.  In Wyoming County Genesee River at Portageville and Wellsville, Buffalo Creek at Gardenville, Cattaraugus Creek at Gowanda, and Cayuga Creek near Lancaster are at flood level.

The Grand Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on State Street was without power and heat for several hours last night as a possible water main break pushed water into the electrical and heating systems.  Interim Fire Chief Dan Herberger said it is most likely city water because chlorine was detected.  The Department of Public Works shut off water to the building at 11pm.  At about 1:30am National Fuel was called to restore gas and heat to the nursing home.  

Orleans County is giving away COVID 19 at home tests today from all town halls, village halls, libraries and the Orleans County Office Building during normal business hours while supplies last.  There is a maximum of 2 tests per person.  The state will continue sending out tests to be distributed so this won’t be the last distribution.

The New York Legislature has just passed a bill that would fast track marijuana licenses and hemp growers licenses for Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color.  If it becomes law, the legislation would make it easier to obtain temporary conditional licenses for these people groups to produce and sell adult use cannabis.  Also included are women owned businesses, and service disabled veteran owned businesses. It goes to the Governor’s desk to sign.  

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association is holding a “try Hockey for free” event at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena Saturday the 5th of March.  This is part of the USA Hockey Week Across America.  The hockey day starts at 11:50AM and goes to 12:50pm.  Kids aged 4-9 are encouraged to come and try ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills.  All they need to bring are a helmet and gloves.  All players will get a free hockey jersey to take home.  Event space is limited so pre-registration is required.  Follow the link at wbtai.com.  http://www.tryhockeyforfree.com/

A Western New York lawmaker wants the Bills to offer cheaper concessions to fans.  Assemblyman Bill Conrad says Fans First Concessions Pricing drops the price of food and drinks by as much as 50 percent in order to encourage the fans to buy concessions and then go on to buy merchandise since they are saving money on the eats.  In 2017 the Atlanta Falcons tried this method and found that 6000 more fans attended games and bought 53 percent more concessions.  Assemblyman Conrad anticipates inflation may put a damper on the idea, but still thinks reasonably priced concessions are feasible and will enhance the game day experience.

The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Ottawa Senators Thursday night 3 to 1 ending their short lived winning streak.  The Sabres jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Kyle Okposo scored his 11th goal of the season but in the second and third periods Ottowa put the puck in without any answer from the Sabres.  Buffalo’s next game is against the Colorado Avalanche at 1 p.m. on Saturday.