Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on April 9, 2021
The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved more than $48 million in grants, interest-free loans, and low-cost loans to support vital drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across New York State. The village of Albion is earmarked to receive nearly $1.3 million in short-term low interest financing and a nearly $2 million grant for water treatment plant upgrades, transmission main repairs and distribution system upgrades.
The New York State Police and local law enforcement will be participating in the national “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” mobilization to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Law enforcement throughout the state will be stepping up patrols during this enforcement initiative, which runs through Monday. During the October 2020 distracted driving campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 30,151 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 2,897 tickets for distracted driving. New York State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin Bruen said accidents that result from the use of hand-held devices are completely avoidable and often result in terrible tragedy, like the recent death of Trooper Joe Gallagher. Trooper Gallagher was struck by a distracted driver in 2017 while helping a disabled motorist. He passed away on March 26.
The Le Roy Central School District has been designated as one of the 2021 Best Communities for Music Education in the country. This national designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Le Roy is one of 686 districts across the nation receiving the prestigious award in 2021. Le Roy has received this designation 15 out of the last 16 years and continues to thrive in providing music education through many opportunities throughout the district.
A curfew order for bars and restaurants in New York has been extended. Under an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, these businesses cannot stay open past 11 p.m. The administration enacted the order amid the pandemic. Under an order announced Thursday, the governor said the curfew would be extended through May 6. Numerous bars and restaurants have pushed back against the order, suing the state to resume regular business hours.
COVID cases in Genesee County continue to climb. The health department reports two dozen new infections. Eight of the current positive cases are hospitalized. Orleans County reports 17 new cases. Four of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. One is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility. Four are inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility. In Wyoming County, 14 new cases have been reported and 53 people are in mandatory isolation.
The New York State Liquor Authority has extended the executive order permitting takeout alcohol. A new update on its COVID guidance website names the new expiration date as May 6. Previously, the order was set to expire this week.
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits in New York increased last week. According to the U.S Labor Department, the number of new jobless claims in New York jumped 15,714 to 67,309. That’s the highest level since January 30.
Cattaraugus County deputies have released new information on a deadly plane crash Wednesday at the Great Valley Airport. 72-year-old Raymond Groetsch of Brockport was critically injured and taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo. 80-year-old William Mandelare of Brockport was fatally injured. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the allocation of $689 million through the nation’s Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing. New York was allocated $73 million. The Housing Trust Fund was launched in 2008 as an affordable housing production program.
Cutbacks are coming to the General Motors facility on Lexington Avenue in Rochester. A union representative said 255 people, both hourly and salary, will lose their jobs in August. It’s nearly one-third of the workforce at the facility. The union has been told if the plant doesn’t receive any new work from GM, the plant will have to close in 18 months.
