Morning News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on September 22, 2021
The City of Batavia Planning & Development Committee approved a site plan for the Healthy Living campus. It’s a joint venture between United Memorial Medical Center and the GLOW YMCA.
According to The Batavian, the committee approved the $30 million project by a 3-1 vote. The approved project eliminates a proposed traffic exit onto Summit Street, and eliminates 30 parking spaces between the existing YMCA and GO ART!
The Healthy Living Campus is slated to replace the current YMCA.
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The State Department of Labor last week said the state’s unemployment rate dipped slightly in August from 7.6% to 7.4%.
The latest unemployment figures for August showed that Genesee County’s unemployment rate was 4.5%, a full 3% drop from the rate in August 2020. It’s also one of the lowest county unemployment rate in the state.
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The Rochester man arrested in connection with violent protests at the United States Capitol is due back in court today. Prosecutors have charged Dominic Pezzola with multiple crimes for his alleged role in the January 6 protests including conspiracy and assaulting police. Pezzola was among a group of protesters who were trying to prevent Congress from certifying President Biden’s win over former President Donald Trump. Pezzola is currently behind bars and awaiting trial.
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Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced yet another effort to get teenagers vaccinated against the coronavirus. The governor said yesterday that 120 new pop-up vaccination sites will be opening statewide over the next 12 weeks. The hope is to boost the immunization rate among people in the 12 to 17-year-old age group. So far, only 54 percent of New Yorkers in that category have been vaccinated which is the lowest of any demographic that’s currently eligible to get their shots. Hochul also says there are no plans to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for students.
The Governor is making a trip to Rochester today, to announce that Constellation Brands will move its headquarters from Victor to downtown Rochester. The company, which distributes beer, wine and spirits like Modelo beer and Svedka vodka, is expected to bring 300 jobs to downtown Rochester.
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A federal judge has issued a new ruling involving a mandate that health care workers in New York State get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19. The judge says the state can’t enforce the rule on people who seek or obtain a religious exemption until October 12. The order is being challenged by health professionals who are claiming the mandate is a violation of their Constitutional rights because it doesn’t allow exemptions for religious reasons. Any health care worker who hasn’t received an exemption must still get vaccinated by September 27.
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If you feel like you’ve been bitten by more mosquitos this year, you’re not alone. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is requesting more federal dollars – a 61% increase, to be exact – for the CDC’s Vector-Borne Diseases programs which helps fend off the increasing mosquito population and curb the spread of disease spread by mosquitos like West Nile.
Schumer said a wet summer and climate change could keep the mosquitos around during the fall months. A recent article by the Syracuse Post-Standard said Syracuse is experiencing 25 times more mosquitos this year than last. local departments of health to ensure research findings and information are getting out into the community more rapidly, support surveillance efforts, and promote outreach and education.
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Yesterday, we reported at the Biden Administration would keep the land border between the U.S. and Canada closed to Canadians until October 21. Now U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants President Biden to open up the border sooner and allow Canadians in.
Gillibrand said the border closure strained supply chains of New York businesses, hospitals, and medical equipment providers that rely on travel across the border to stay afloat. She said it’s also affecting cross-border families, including service members at Fort Drum.
Gillibrand said the closure and loss of Canadian business is costing the U.S. economy $1.5 billion each month and $665-855 million annually in Erie County alone.
