Morning News Briefing
Written by Michael Baldwin on October 19, 2020
We can all look forward to some encouraging news later this week. Gov. Cuomo says movie theaters outside NYC can reopen, with limitations. Theaters can only open in counties that have COVID-19 positivity rates of less than 2 percent on a 14-day average and do not have any cluster zones. Theaters will be subject to rigorous state guidance and enforcement.
Ski resorts can reopen with 50 percent indoor capacity and with strict health and safety protocols under state-issued guidance starting Friday, November 6. There are rules and regulations, of course…masks required at all times, except when eating/drinking or skiing; Social distancing between parties required at all times; Lifts are restricted to members of the same party and ski lessons are limited to no more than 10 people. Resorts must also reduce outdoor capacity on mountains by 25% during “peak” days or if multiple trails are closed due to unseasonable conditions.
Another familiar retail staple is gone. J.C. Penny in Batavia closed up shop at 5 p.m. Sunday. J.C. Penney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May after years of sales declines and months of disruption from the coronavirus pandemic.
The single use plastic bag ban is coming back after months of not being enforced. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that the DEC will begin to enforce the ban on single-use plastic carryout bags today. According to the DEC, the ban was not enforced due to an agreement with a plastics company. The timing also coincided with COVID-19 as many stores refused to allow reusable bags.
Batavia Police Department continue to investigate a burglary at Batavia Bottle and Can Retrieval Center at 563 E Main Street. Investigators confirmed that property was removed. If anyone has any information, you’re asked to reach out to police.
The Batavia Development Corporation will gavel into session Thursday morning. The meeting begins behind closed doors where members will discuss the employment of an individual as well as a property deal. During the public portion of the meeting, they’ll discuss the sexual harassment policy and board members confidential evaluations.
The Buffalo Bills take the national stage for the second straight week, this time for a matchup with the reigning Super Bowl champions. It will be a meeting of two prolific offenses, headlined by quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Allen ranks second in the NFL in passing yards; Mahomes ranks fourth. The game will air nationally at 5 p.m. Both teams sport a 4-1 record.
