Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on December 16, 2021
The Child Tax Credit program is reaching its end for this year. The program, which sent 300 to 250 dollars per child 17 and under to families is expiring at the end of December unless Congress renews it. The tax credit was half of the usual tax credit that people have been claiming for over 20 years. The difference this year was that instead of just being a credit on your year end taxes, the government paid it forward by sending half the money in monthly installments and reserving the other half for tax time.
The Batavia Town Board voted Wednesday night to opt out of Marijuana retail dispensaries. The vote was 3 to 2 with Greg Post, Patti Michalak and Sharon White voting to opt out and Chad Zambito and Dan Underhill voting to opt in. This sets up the issue to public referendum. Kelly March of Clinton Street Road, appearing before the board for the second straight meeting to voice her support for the cannabis legislation, said she was “disappointed” in the outcome but vowed to press on through the permissive referendum process.
There is a Wind Advisory until 1am Friday for Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties. Winds on Thursday will gust 40 to 50mph. Remember to secure anything that may be blown away by the wind and take care when driving in a high profile vehicle. This storm is not expected to be as severe as Saturday’s wind storm.
Jacob Sponaugle, convicted at jury trial on Nov. 17 of attempted murder, assault in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, was sentenced to two 15-year sentences in state prison as well as a 2 1/3 to seven-year sentence. The prosecution argued that Sponaugle shot Jason Whitehead for no reason and showed no remorse for the crime. Sponaugle’s co-defendant, Devon Wright, made a plea deal to be free for the birth of his first child and then went missing. He has been wanted by Batavia PD since November 27th.
Livingston County’s bicentennial year is coming to a close. The last event of 2021 includes the placement of a time capsule in the safe at the government center in Geneseo on Wednesday. The county historian’s office is inviting the public to sign a parchment scroll, which will be placed in the time capsule to be opened in 50 years.