Morning News Briefing
Written by Dan Fischer on May 15, 2020
On the day that Genesee County begins to re-open from the coronavirus shutdown, the disease takes another life.
The health department reported late yesterday a new death related to COVID-19. This person was only identified as an individual over the age of 65.
This brings to four the number of people to die in from the virus in Genesee County.
In Orleans County, another person has died from coronavirus at the Villages of Orleans Health and Rebab center, also a person over 65, and the 20th person to die at the nursing home in Albion since the pandemic began.
In terms of new positive cases, one was reported in Genesee County yesterday and one new case was reported in Orleans County.
After being shut down for weeks, the Finger Lakes region will be allowed to start reopening its economy today. Genesee County is included in the region.
New York State says the region has achieved all seven benchmarks needed to start phase one of a four-step reopening process.
Businesses in industries like construction and manufacturing will be allowed to get back up and running first.
Once they’re opened, businesses will need to follow strict guidelines to keep both customers and their employees safe.
Some confusion surrounding today’s partial re-opening of Genesee County related to the local DMV office.
County clerk Michael Cianfrini tells us the county’s department of Motor Vehicles is not re-opening.
The DMV office will remain closed until at least Phase-two of the “un-pause” New York order is allowed.
The Genesee County legislature is now only eight members.
District 1 legislator John Hilchey has resigned his post. Hilchey served the Towns of Oakfield and Alabama.
He said his service on the legislature was a having a negative impact on his employer
Republican Party chairmen in Oakfield and Alabama are putting out the call for a candidate to fill Hilchey’s seat.
Officials with Six Flags Darien Lake have announced details of the reservation system that’ll be in place this year in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Season pass holders will get the first chance to choose which day they want to visit the park before those reservations will be available to everyone else.
Guests will only be allowed to enter the park at the time they selected.
There’s no word yet on when the park will open.
It looks like New Yorkers are going to have to wait a bit longer to find out if the state fair will happen in Syracuse this year.
The state says any decision on the 2020 event will likely be made at the last minute.
The fair is scheduled to start in August.
