Morning News Briefing

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after the body of an older area woman was found in a pond behind a barn on Maltby Road in Oakfield late last night.
Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics were dispatched at around quarter after 11 last night to the pond located between Fisher and Weatherwax roads with Sheriff’s Deputies responding as well.
After initial first responders arrived Fire and medics were told to respond in non-emergency mode.
According to Deputies, they were told the woman apparently fell in the pond after going outside looking for her dogs.
Lawmen could not determine how long she was in the water.
More information along with the woman’s identity is expected to be released at a later time by the Sheriff’s Office.

Batavia City Council members reluctantly voted to override the state’s 2 percent property tax cap at Monday night’s Business Meeting at City Hall passing a 7.5 percent property tax increase as part of the City’s 2020-21 budget.
According to City Council President Eugene Jankowski the decision was a disappointing one but also necessary…

Both Council Members Paul Viele and Rose Mary Christian cast dissenting votes against overriding the tax cap and the two were also outvoted after the rest of the legislative body voted to adopt the $17.8 million general fund spending plan.
Christian cast the lone vote in opposition to raising water rates by 3.5 percent as well. Check The Batavian for more on the story.

Mud Porch fire reported at a Summit Street residence in the City.
City Fire crews were called yesterday evening to a residence at 31 Summit St. in the city after report of smoke and flames were seen coming from the rear of the home.
The fire quickly went to a second alarm with Alexander’s Fast Team and Darien’s Rescue unit called to the scene along with Mercy medics.
Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano was on scene…

The chief said the residents made it out on their own after neighbors began pounding on their windows to alert them.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Check The Batavian for more on the story.

The number of flu-related deaths is on the rise again in Monroe County.
Health officials say 12 people have now died due to complications from the virus.
Ten of the individuals who lost their lives were over the age of 50.
The number of flu cases is dropping, with 323 new cases during the week ending February 29th.
That’s down from over 450 cases the week before.

For the first time since February, the Buffalo Sabres are celebrating a victory.
Dominik Kahun had the deciding goal in a shootout as the Sabres beat the Washington Capitals three-to-two at Key Bank Center last night.
Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel also scored for Buffalo, who snapped a six-game losing streak.
The Sabres will look to make it back-to-back wins Thursday when they visit the Montreal Canadians.