Morning News Briefing
Written by Michael Baldwin on March 12, 2021
A second arrest has been made in a Corfu burglary case from last summer. Sheriff’s deputies say they took 19-year-old Chance Luke Flanagan of Corfu into custody. He was charged with felony counts of burglary, criminal mischief and grand larceny and a lesser count of conspiracy. He was arraigned and release. Corfu Village Police assisted.
A Batavia woman faces a drug charge. 32-year-old Christina Sanchez-Anderson was charged by deputies with criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over. Deputies said a search revealed she allegedly possession cocaine. She’ll respond to the charge in city court March 25th.
According to preliminary figures released by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in the State increased over the month by 29,400 to 7.3 million in January. However, jobs dropped by 1,700 in Genesee County compared to January 2020. In addition, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 8.7% to 8.8% in January 2021.
13 new COVID cases were reported in Genesee County on Thursday. Four of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Five who tested positive are hospitalized. One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center. Six new cases were reported in Orleans County with seven new cases in Wyoming County.
A man has been accused of stealing more than $50,000 in property from a Bergen business. Bruce D. Smith has been indicted for second-degree grand larceny. It is alleged that between April 2018 through March 2019 in the Town of Bergen that Smith stole property having a value of more than $50,000. He is also accused of falsifying business records in the first degree, a Class E felony.
State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says an impeachment investigation will begin following mounting allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. In a statement Thursday night, Heastie said he’s authorized the Assembly Judiciary Commission to begin an impeachment investigation. The committee will be able to subpoena documents, examine evidence and interview witnesses. More than 120 lawmakers now say the governor should resign. Members of the Senate Republican Conference say if the governor doesn’t resign, the next step is impeachment. Democrats calling for his resignation say Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is capable of stepping in and serving the remainder of his term.
A grand jury has leveled a four-count indictment against a man stemming from a violent crime last October on Liberty Street in Batavia. Christopher C. Good faces a top count of first-degree burglary, a class B violent felony. It is alleged that he entered and remained unlawfully in a home and caused physical injury to a victim inside. He was also indicted for felony assault, menacing and aggravated harassment.
A Batavia man is headed back to prison after being convicted of his seventh DWI charge. A judge sentenced 43-year-old Walter Hale Jr. to up to five years behind bars. The case was his fourth felony impaired driving conviction.
Domestic travel restrictions have been lifted for New York residents. Travelers are no longer required to quarantine after entering New York from any U.S. State or U.S. Territory starting April 1. While no longer required, the NYS Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution. Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. All travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Individuals should continue strict adherence to all safety guidelines to stop the spread – wearing masks, socially distancing and avoiding gatherings.
