Morning News Briefing

There are no weather alerts for Genesee County right now, but you’ll still want to pay attention for some potential slick spots on the roads later today. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Wyoming County, where 4-8 inches of snow could pile up. A Winter Storm Warning is also in effect for southern Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia and Sen. Robert Ortt of North Tonawanda are celebrating passage of their legislation which designates a portion of New York State Route 31 in the town of Albion as the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.” Howard was a lifelong resident of Albion, nationally recognized as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa Claus for 18 years and founder of the world’s first Santa Claus school. Hawley and Ortt say they were thrilled to honor Howard (Santa Claus) for his achievements and dedication to the community.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that $6.7 million in federal funding is available from the Marine Fisheries Relief Program established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act to assist New York’s marine fishing industry following extensive economic losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible seafood, commercial marine fishing, and marine recreational for-hire fishing businesses will be able to apply for the funding today, to help provide financial relief for this hard-hit and crucially important industry.

Since last Wednesday, Genesee County has recorded 127 new coronavirus cases. Fifteen of the new positive individuals are residents at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia and seven of the new positive individuals are from the Batavia VA Medical Center. The county is also reporting one additional COVID death. In Orleans County, 36 new COVID cases have been confirmed. Wyoming County health officials are reporting 26 new cases since Friday.

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.13, up 2 cents from one week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.59. AAA of Western and Central New York reports Batavia prices are at $2.19, up 1 cent since last week.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is urging people to remain vigilant and smart during the holiday season – as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb. Cuomo, speaking to reporters Monday, introduced a series of directives to hospitals that will help them gather the staff, PPE, equipment and space needed if hospitalization rates get worse. Elective surgeries will be canceled starting Friday in Erie County. Governor Cuomo says elective surgeries in other parts of the state might have to be canceled if more hospitals get overwhelmed.

Thousands of people were without power Monday afternoon amid a power outage in areas west of Rochester. National Grid customers in Genesee, Monroe, and Livingston Counties reported more than 10,000 customers without power Monday afternoon. That included more than 5,000 customers in Genesee County. The cause of the outage has not been disclosed.