Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on December 27, 2023
Employees at the University of Rochester Medical Center have voted to accept a 3 year contract. Close to 2,000 union caregivers and service workers with the University of Rochester Medical Center voted Wednesday to ratify a three-year contract deal with their employer. The deal includes general wage increases of more than 18 percent, and will raise the new-hire starting pay rate to $17 per hour starting next year, according to representatives from 1199SEIU. By the third year of the contract, the employees will reportedly earn $18.38 per hour. New URMC hires were previously earning $15.45 per hour. This deal comes after the group of URMC workers held a 17-hour strike last week, demanding higher wages and better benefits.
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about scammers posing as Publisher’s Clearing House employees. According to the sheriff’s office, the scammers tell the person receiving the call that they have won and are requesting processing fees. The sheriff’s office said during the conversation they are arranging electronic payment or a meeting place to receive the payment in person. The sheriff’s office says never give out personal information over the phone and to call the police if you receive a call you think is suspicious. Publisher’s Clearing House Vice President Chris Irving says they will never ask for money from prize winners in order to claim a prize.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a suspected avian flu outbreak in Monroe County. Officials say last Saturday, around two dozen Canada geese have been found dead at North Pond Park Trail in Webster. The bodies will be tested at the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says avian flu found in birds does not present an immediate public health concern, as cases in humans are rare and symptoms are typically mild. The DEC ask anyone who sees multiple sick or dead birds in a specific area to contact their regional DEC office
GO Health has put out a press release on Vaping and E Cigarettes and both how teens are using them and how to better quit. Although the age to buy them is set like alcohol and cigarettes at 21 years old, manufacturers know teens are a big purchaser and have marketed themselves to the underaged. They do this by marketing fun flavors, locating their advertising where teens will see it, and disguising the e-cigarettes as toys, flash drives, pens, highlighters, phone cases, smart watches and hoodie strings. Parents are advised to watch out for any of these and given some tips on how to help their kids quit. Advice includes setting a day on the calendar and telling everyone when they are planning to quit, knowing withdrawal symptoms, and other helpful tips. Vaping has many dangers to a person’s health, even more than regular cigarettes in some studies.
The Bills are preparing to take on the Patriots at home this Sunday in a matchup that will be crucial to Buffalo’s playoff hopes. Earlier this season, the postseason seemed like a pipe dream for the Bills. But after falling to 6-6, the team has rattled off three straight wins. Now, if Buffalo beats New England and gets a little help from the rest of the NFL, the team would clinch their fifth straight playoff berth. But that all starts with the Bills taking care of business against a 4-11 Patriots team. The Patriots are coming off an emotional win this weekend against the Broncos.
The Buffalo Sabres lost last night against the Boston Bruins 4 to 1. Erik Johnson put in the lone goal for the Buffalo team. Sabres Goalie Devon Levi blocked 21 shots while the Bruins goalie blocked 25. The Sabres are now 14th in the Eastern Conference with 14 wins and 22 losses. They play the Blue Jackets who are 15th on Saturday. Puck drop is at 5 pm.
