Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on February 5, 2021
A Lake Effect Snow Warning is in effect from 4 p.m. through late Saturday night. Heavy lake effect snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 9 to 16 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow. The Warning includes Genesee, Erie and Wyoming counties. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Orleans County.
A Warsaw couple faces federal drugs crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that 62-year-old Michael Scott Bullers and 54-year-old Pearl Susan Mibbs were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiring and attempting to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and are being held pending detention hearings on Monday.
Congressman Chris Jacobs released a statement after voting to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia from her committee assignments. He said he was very troubled by a number of Greene’s statements and assertions. Jacobs said he was shocked by the video of Greene harassing a survivor of the Parkland school shooting. He said he believed her actions, whether out of extreme callousness or ignorance, disqualify her from serving on the House committee overseeing education policy.
With another impending winter storm approaching coupled with the snowfall already received Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano and the members of the City of Batavia Fire Department are encouraging residents to “adopt a fire hydrant” near their home or business this winter season. The department is asking residents and business owners for their assistance in keeping fire hydrants clear of snow and debris. Napolitano added “if possible, the ‘adopted’ hydrants should be uncovered of snow after each snowfall and provide a clear path of approximately three feet around the hydrant. This path will allow firefighters to quickly locate the hydrant and obtain a water supply used in firefighting activities.” Officials say that delays in locating and securing a water source can hamper fire suppression activities, raising the risk of injury and furthering property damage.
Genesee County reports 18 new cases of COVID-19. Seventeen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Twenty-three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. Orleans County reports 33 new positive cases with three people hospitalized. Meanwhile, health officials in Wyoming County are reporting 16 new COVID cases.
State and local law enforcement agencies across New York will be stepping up patrols to crack down on impaired driving during the Super Bowl weekend. The enforcement campaign will run from today through Monday. This safety initiative is designed to reduce alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. It is sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
A cohort of lawmakers, social justice and mental health advocates, and relatives of Daniel Prude gathered virtually Thursday morning to propose a new piece of legislation aimed to bring mental health professionals to 911 calls. Daniel’s Law is being put forth in the New York State Legislature by Assemblyman Harry Bronson and State Sen. Samra Brouk. It establishes state and regional councils for mental health responses to crisis situations. Under those councils, mental health professionals would be among the first responders to emergencies involving mental health and substance abuse. The bill is named for Daniel Prude, who died on March 30, 2020 – one week after an encounter with Rochester Police officers during which he was detained, had a spit hood placed over his head and ultimately stopped breathing while being held down.
