Morning News Briefing
Written by WBTA STAFF on February 9, 2018
The people’s choice awards are in for Downtown Revitalization.
Members of the community had an opportunity to weigh in and show support from a number of proposed projects looking to revitalize downtown Batavia.
Around 60 people showed for Batavia’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative meeting last night with attendees helping whittle down the most popular proposals.
By using colored stickers attendees voted for projects they supported.
It was the second public open house for the DRI and the last time for public input.
Batavia’s DRI Coordinator Ed Flynn explains what happens next…
Flynn said the $15 million worth of projects submitted by the Local Planning Committee will be cut down to $10 million during the final approval process by the State.
The most popular projects from last night included a remodeling of the former Carrs building, construction of a permanent downtown public market, a healthy living campus with a new YMCA, a new home for the Batavia Players in the mall and a remodel of the Batavia Showtime Theater.
According to Flynn the earliest groundbreaking on any approved project would not be until the spring of 2019.
Kicking off the weekend with a Winter Weather Advisory.
Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties are all included in the advisory issued by The National Weather Service.
The weather advisory is going into effect at 10 o’clock this morning and will remain in effect until Saturday at 6 AM.
Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected.
Plan on slippery road conditions and limited visibilities, especially for the evening commute today.
Slow down and use caution while driving.
Drug Task Force takes a Walnut Street woman in for drugs.
Following investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force they arrested 27 year old Jaylinn Oneil of Walnut Street in Batavia.
She was allegedly found with a quantity of cocaine, drug packaging materials and hypodermic needles.
Oneil was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.
New York’s flu season is getting worse.
The newest numbers show confirmed flu cases are up 35-percent statewide from the week before.
Western New York still has some of the highest flu rates in the state.
Governor Cuomo is trying to get emergency funding to make flu shots more accessible and slow the virus.
Western New York counties are getting some much needed funding to upgrade their 9-1-1 systems.
This week, Governor Cuomo announced a more than 50-million-dollar statewide initiative for next level emergency communications.
All Western New York counties will get at least 350-thousand-dollars.
Cuomo said this will help first responders have the best equipment to get them where they’re needed faster.
