Morning News Briefing

Following report that three suspected shoplifters allegedly refused to stop for store security Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Kohl’s Department Store of Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia.
The incident occurred early yesterday afternoon with report that the two female suspects who were said to be wearing black jackets and pants had left the store on foot toward Home Depot.
The third male suspect reportedly left in a Nissan with Georgia license plates.
Sheriff’s Deputies had detained the male suspect at last report near the Target Plaza parking lot.

Scott German the Genesee County Treasurer has announced that he will be seeking re-election.
It would be the fifth term for German as County Treasurer who is in his 27th year in the office, the past 16 as Treasurer.
German is credited for overseeing the successful refinancing of county debt, which saved Genesee County taxpayers more than $1,000,000 in interest expense over six years.

Governor Cuomo will be laying out his fiscal plan for the Empire State when he gives his budget address today.
Right now, New York is facing a six-billion-dollar budget gap, mostly due to Medicaid overspending.
The governor said during his recent State of the State address he’d reveal a plan to try and fix the shortfall in his budget proposal.
He’s also expected to discuss school funding and the financial benefit of legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes.
Lawmakers have until April 1st to pass the budget.

The son of ex-Republican Congressman Chris Collins will find out later this week if he’ll be spending time in prison.
Cameron Collins is set to be sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
On Friday, his father received a sentence of 26 months behind bars following his guilty plea to federal insider trading charges.
Prosecutors believe Cameron Collins deserves to spend at least 37 months in custody, while the U.S. Probation Office is recommending a six month sentence.

Wegmans is issuing a reminder to customers ahead of a change to its plastic bag policy.
Starting January 27th, the grocery chain will be getting rid of single-use plastic bags at all of its Empire State locations.
The company will push shoppers towards buying reusable bags to carry their groceries.
They’ll be available at each Wegmans for 99 cents each, while paper bags will cost a nickel apiece.
A statewide ban on single-use plastic bags goes into effect in March.