Morning News Briefing
Written by Michael Baldwin on February 9, 2021
The Batavia City Council will accept public comment on the city’s proposed $16.7 million budget on Feb. 22. At 7 p.m. The spending plan calls for a tax increase of 1.38%. Public hearings to establish new water rates, meter fees and capital improvement fees, and to amend the Batavia Downtown Business Improvement District Plan also are now scheduled for Feb. 22 at the same time. A public hearing about the Community Development Block Grant took place last night, but no one from the public or Council commented. The city seeks to obtain a Block Grant to fund infrastructure projects.
Batavia Girls Fastpitch Softball says it is overwhelmed with gratitude from the community stepping up with very generous donations to allow for the installation of a brand new electronic scoreboard at Lions Park, the home of the Batavia Stingers. In particular, the team wants to give a special thank you to the two lead sponsors of the sign, Batavia’s Original Pizzeria and Batavia Restaurant Supply, Inc. The team further wants to give a special thanks to the nearly two dozen sponsors that are permanently listed on a banner below the sign at Lions Park.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley has been awarded the New York Beef Producers Association 2020 Friend in Government award. Hawley has been supportive of New York agriculture as a lawmaker and as a citizen for decades, as he is a 42-year member of the New York State Farm Bureau, has served as President of the Genesee County Farm Bureau and has been a member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Agriculture for 15 years. The award is given to legislators who have been notably vocal advocates for those in the industry of beef production, and Assemblyman Hawley is one of only two legislators to receive this award this year.
Congressman Chris Jacobs held a virtual press conference with local leaders Monday to address the urgent need for high-speed internet coverage in rural communities. In addition, they discussed the growing divide in digital literacy skills and Orleans County United Way’s current efforts to survey residents. Jacobs said “The rebuilding and future prosperity of our region depend heavily on ensuring Western New Yorkers have access to reliable high-speed internet and the skills to use it. The first step to meeting this goal is ensuring we have accurate data on who still needs coverage, that is why the work the Orleans County United Way is doing is critical.”
Since Friday, 33 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Genesee County. The new infections involve residents from Batavia, Le Roy and 11 other communities. Fifty-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Eighteen of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
The operation of youth sports in the LeRoy community has never been more important than in the past months. Youth softball in LeRoy has been steadfast for decades. Officially incorporating in 2020, it has seen a resurgence with a fresh group of eager volunteers including: sponsors, parents, board members and coaches. Last summer, LeRoy Youth Softball was able to safely conduct several months of skills, drills and inter-squad scrimmaging. This winter. the program has been holding safe indoor clinics for girls. The 2021 season is here with registration open now through Feb. 28th.
New York state elections officials have certified Republican Claudia Tenney’s narrow victory over Rep. Anthony Brindisi…the last U.S. congressional race to be finalized. The certification came after a state judge ruled that Tenney won the race for central New York’s 22nd Congressional District by 109 votes. Brindisi issued a statement to the media congratulating Tenney and offered to make the transition process as smooth as possible.
Price Chopper and Tops Markets have announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that creates a powerful alliance between the two storied independent grocery chains, as it nearly doubles their collective footprint in the Northeast. This transaction unites two iconic New York-based grocery chains with deep ties to their local communities and shared commitments to service, savings, and convenience. The joint venture will collectively employ more than 30,000 teammates. The transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.