Morning News Brief

It is now official, companies with more than 100 workers now have till January 4th to have all employees fully vaccinated or have every unvaccinated employee tested weekly for COVID or face hefty fines by the federal government.  OSHA will be administering the mandate which affects roughly 84 million American workers.  Regulation included in the 490 page order will force the companies to require that unvaccinated workers test negative for COVID-19 at least once a week and wear a mask while in the workplace.  It also opens the possibility to expanding the mandate to smaller businesses.  Also included in the mandate is a blanket national mandate for all healthcare workers which says they need to be vaccinated or let go.  Many companies are refusing to follow the mandate with some bringing lawsuits against the government saying that this is unconstitutional government overreach.

The mayoral election in Buffalo is hitting some rough waters as several election inspectors have been dismissed and replaced for allegedly misusing a stamp with Mayor Byron Browns name on it at the polling place.  Browns campaign bought thousands of stamps and handed them out to voters to use while voting, which is legal, but Runner up India Walton claimed that Brown was using every “dirty trick in the book” to win the election and that “republican poll inspectors were pre-stamping ballots.”  

With one small flurry hitting Batavia this week people are thinking of Christmas and the Batavia Business District is planning its Christmas in the City event for December 4th.  The event  goes from 2 to 6pm on that saturday with a parade to follow.  All businesses, groups and organizations are are invited to participate by walking riding or entering a float in the parade.  Downtown businesses are encouraged to host an activity or have a store special during the event.  This year’s event includes train rides, pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, crafts, and a Downtown Scavenger hunt with chances to win some great prizes.  The BID also is hosting its second annual Wreath Contest for Downtown Batavia.  Again, any business, group, organization or family are invited to enter the contest.

Sand, American Girl Dolls, and the board game Risk will join the National Toy Hall of Fame’s collection at The Strong National Museum of Play.  The announcement was made Thursday morning.  They were chosen from a field of 12 finalists that included Battleship, billiards, Cabbage Patch Kids, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Mahjong, Masters of the Universe, piñata, the Settlers of Catan, and toy fire engine.  The hall of fame was created in 1998 to recognize toys that have shaped play, been popular, and have had a lasting impact.

The Kraken scuttled the Sabres 5 to 2 on Thursday night.  In the first matchup by the two teams Tage Thompson and Kyle Okposo scored for Buffalo and the Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski blocked 33 shots.  The Kraken outshot Buffalo 38 to 21.  The Sabres next game is 7pm at Keybank Arena facing the Detroit Redwings.