Morning News Briefing
Written by Michael Baldwin on October 5, 2020
The federal investigation continues today after Attorney Steve Barnes, who founded the nationally-known Cellino & Barnes personal injury law firm, died in a small plane crash along with his niece, Elizabeth Barnes. It happened Friday in Corfu. The National Transportation Safety Board says it won’t be traveling to the scene of the crash, in part because of Covid-19 safety considerations. The FAA has been on scene investigating. Congressmen Brian Higgins and Chris Jacobs are calling on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to send investigators to the scene of fatal airplane crash in Genesee County. The plane’s impact created a 10-foot deep crater in a swampy area that is prone to fill with water and mud making recovery difficult. Officials say it will be another day to two before all of the plane is removed.
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing & testing fire hydrants on Wednesday and Thursday from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Friday from about 9 a.m. to noon in the general area of south of Main Street and west of Jackson Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area.
Local governments have not done an effective job of enforcement in some COVID-19 hot spot ZIP codes in New York…that was the comment Sunday from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. In a weekend statement, Cuomo said the State will be doing aggressive enforcement starting today. As officials saw with bars and restaurants, the Governor said when the State initiated enforcement actions, compliance greatly increased. Cuomo said he is concerned about the lack of testing in the schools. If the localities do not do testing immediately in the schools in those areas, the State will close them immediately.
A Saratoga County woman faces charges following a vehicle crash in the Town of Pavilion. State Troopers listed the driver as 53-year-old Lynn Perry of Halfmoon, NY. Perry wasn’t hurt, but was charged with DWI.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is expected to be arraigned in court this afternoon after she was indicted on two felony campaign finance charges. Warren and two campaign associates are charged with first-degree scheme to defraud and election law offense for illegally coordinating activities and expenditures. It all stems from her 2017 reelection campaign. Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley says…this was not a political witch hunt. The nearly 2 years long investigation into the campaign irregularities was initially started by the Board of Elections…who passed it on to the DA’s office…for criminal charges.
The Buffalo Bills are 4-0 for the first time since 2008. The Bills beat Las Vegas, 30-23. Josh Allen completed 24 of 34 passes for 288 yards, threw for two touchdowns, and rushed for another. Up next for the Bills is a game next Sunday with the Tennessee Titans, who are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that is now up to 20 cases, including 18 positive tests since Tuesday.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that 21 names will be added to the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Wall at the Empire State Plaza to honor the memory and heroism of these first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty. Due to the pandemic, a tribute video for the honorees and their families has been created. The families of all 2020 honorees will be invited to attend the 24th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial in 2021 so their loved ones can be recognized at a traditional in-person ceremony.
