Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on December 23, 2022
Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties are under a Blizzard Warning from 7am through Sunday morning. Expect ice on the roads as the wet rain from overnight and this morning freezes as temperatures fall throughout the day into the single digits resulting in a flash freeze. The National Weather service is predicting 2 to 3 feet of snow and up to 70 mile per hour winds. The winds are expected to go from tonight into Saturday morning with temperatures dropping into the negatives with wind chill. Numerous power outages are expected with trees and power lines going down due to the combination of ice and wind. Travel is expected to be near impossible, exposure outside could result in frostbite in 30 minutes or less if in direct wind.
The weather has brought multiple reactions and closures. A travel advisory is in effect for Genesee County. All motorists are urged to avoid any unnecessary travel. Ice and white out conditions will make any driving extremely hazardous. The thruway is closed to all commercial travel from Henrietta to the Pennsylvania Line. The governor has declared a state of emergency through the weekend. Batavia City and Genesee County buildings are all closed and expected to reopen Tuesday. The following schools have announced closures: Batavia City Schools, Alexander Central School District, Attica Central School District, Genesee Valley BOCES, Pavilion Central School District, St Joseph’s School and St Paul Lutheran School. Tonawanda Valley Credit Union is closed, as is the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Genesee Orleans Mental Health in Batavia and Albion are closed and will reopen on Tuesday.
Hoover Beach neighborhood in Hamburg was evacuated Thursday night ahead of the expected flooding from the severe winds coming with winter storm Elliot. In the last major storms several homes were flooded and many were damaged, some with walls being knocked down and windows blown in.
The City of Rochester has announced a state of emergency both for the oncoming storm and because of a water main break that caused issues for well over half the Flower City on Wednesday. Mayor Malik Evans said that the state of emergency will allow him to make the changes he needs to to respond to the issues facing the city right now. He says he hopes that he doesn’t have to use the powers given by the state of emergency but he’s doing it out of an abundance of caution. Rich Perrin, the city’s environmental services commissioner, said the break is under control but excavation work continues.
Despite calls to “talk about other issues,” the New York State Legislature met in a special session on Thursday, voting on a bill to increase lawmakers’ pay from $110,000 to $142,000, capping outside income at $35,000. After some debate, the Senate passed the bill 33-23, and the Assembly 81-52, closer margins than most. With that, the bill now heads to the governor’s desk, where Kathy Hochul, who has supported a raise for legislators, will decide whether she wants to sign off on the raise. Assemblyman Steve Hawley says he voted against the raise and that it is “tone deaf” and “embarrassing.”
A Viral Buffalo Puppet Maker and Art teacher has had the honor of being on the show, Worst Cooks in America. Adam Kruetinger said he didn’t know the show when he got the call but his wife was a fan. He made puppets that did funny bits online and they wanted him on. It was just a week before he was diagnosed with brain cancer and he says he had to keep his sense of humor up. The show premieres on January 1st. You can check out Kruetinger’s puppets at puppetnerds.com.
