Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on March 19, 2021
New COVID cases have ticked up slightly in Genesee County. On Thursday, 15 new cases were confirmed. Eleven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. Meanwhile in Orleans County, 11 new positive cases have been reported with three hospitalizations.
The American Rescue Plan includes an estimated $2.6 billion for New York’s public, private, and proprietary institutions of higher education. In Genesee County, Genesee Community College is expected to get $9.1M and Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES is expected to get a total of $662,000. The total allotment for the Finger Lakes Region is almost $164M. Sen. Schumer said that public and nonprofit schools will use half of their award on emergency financial aid grants to students to help them with college costs and basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare. The other half of the funds will allow institutions to provide additional student support activities.
As New York State legislators finalize negotiations on a measure to legalize recreational marijuana, NY Senator George Borrello from the southern tier is calling for the deal to include the requirement that all police officers be trained and certified as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) and $600 million to fund the mandate. In calling for the expansion of this specialty training for law enforcement, Borrello noted that he is opposed to legalization of marijuana for many reasons, including its impacts on public health, rates of substance abuse and traffic safety. Yet, with the momentum towards legalization growing, he noted that legislators have a responsibility to incorporate provisions to help mitigate the risks.
The Genesee County Interagency Council is offering a $1,000 scholarship for the Fall 2021-2022 semester for Genesee Community College students and high school seniors. Those eligible will be students living in Genesee County and attending Genesee Community College or high school seniors; in good academic standing, and majoring in or intending to major in Human Services, Social Work, Sociology or Psychology ONLY. Because the goal of this scholarship is to support those students who have a strong drive to contribute to the field of Human Services, special consideration will be given to those students who have already demonstrated a commitment to the field through their employment, volunteer, academic, or extracurricular pursuits. Completed applications must be received by Friday, May 7.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center has announced that with the anticipated completion of a $2 million infrastructure project this summer, water capacity will increase to more than 1 million gallons per day at the 1,250-acre STAMP mega site in Genesee County. Development President & CEO Steve Hyde says “Every infrastructure milestone adds to the tremendous momentum behind STAMP. Our ability to deliver low-cost, 100-percent renewable power, and utility infrastructure aligned with project timelines and capacities, is driving even greater interest from site selectors and companies looking to locate in Genesee County.”
The New York Mets and New York Yankees can resume play with spectators in the stadiums, beginning April 1. Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening. The New York State Department of Health will re-evaluate the testing and vaccination entry requirements in May, and if the public health situation continues to improve, they may be discontinued in mid-May.
