Morning News Briefing
Written by Dan Fischer on May 7, 2020
Another resident of the Villages of Orleans nursing facility in Albion dies from COVID-19. The death toll there is now 15.
Genesee County has added three new positive cases of the virus, two in Pembroke and one in Batavia. One individual is in their 20’s, the other two are in their 30’s. Five of the total active cases are hospitalized.
Governor Cuomo says most of the New Yorkers recently hospitalized due to the coronavirus were people staying at home.
Data shows many of the infected individuals were non-essential workers or people who have retired.
Governor Cuomo called the discovery shocking, saying the government has done all it can to keep people from getting sick.
Officials say the Finger Lakes region is on track to be able to start reopening its economy.
Doctor Michael Mendoza, Monroe County’s Commissioner of Health, says the Finger Lakes region will likely meet state requirements to get things back up and running again. Genesee County is part of the Finger Lakes region.
About 71-percent of Tri-state residents feel the priority should be slowing the spread of coronavirus and keeping people at home, even if it hurts the economy. New poll numbers from Quinnipiac University also indicate that respondents feel strongly there should be more testing in their home state, in order to lift stay-at-home-orders.
A new solar energy project has been proposed in the Town of Batavia.
Bright Oak Solar is planning a $6-million 4-Megawatt solar panel farm along Galloway Road. The company is asking the county’s Economic Development Center for a payment in lieu of taxes of nearly $400,000 over 15 years.
The GCEDC will also consider later today a tax incentive plan for a $3-million housing project in the Buffalo East Technology Park on Route 77 in Pembroke.
The state Board of Elections is planning to appeal a ruling by a federal judge that reinstated New York’s Democratic presidential primary. The June 23rd vote had been canceled by the board due to concerns over the coronavirus. However, the judge said that decision was unconstitutional and that officials have more than enough time to make sure New Yorkers can vote safely.
