Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on May 24, 2021
It’s rare when a state audit doesn’t dig up any dirt…but that was case in a recent review of the Genesee County 2021 budget. According to a report summary, Genesee County officials adequately assessed the impact of the pandemic on financial operations while developing estimates for significant revenues and expenditures in the 2021 adopted budget. There was one key recommendation – the report suggested in consideration of the continually new and evolving impacts caused by the pandemic, County officials should carefully monitor their budgeted to actual revenues and expenditures and make amendments to the budget as needed throughout the year.
Three Buffalo residents are facing felony counts stemming from an alleged crime in the Town of Batavia. Charged with criminal possession of stolen property valued above $1,000 – 26-year-old Shelby McElwain, 47-year-old Steven Cameron and 50-year-old Gary Cameron. Shelby was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Court appearances are pending.
An Albion man faces felony counts. During a traffic stop, state troopers arrested 27-year-old Randall Vanhouten. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and having a blood alcohol content at or above.08%. They are each felony crimes because he has previous alcohol-related convictions within the past ten years. A court appearance is pending.
After missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions, Darien Lake Theme Park, has reopened for the year. Currently, the park can operate at 33-percent capacity but expects to be open at 100-percent capacity in about a month. COVID-19 protocols include a touchless temperature check as patrons enter the park and social distancing. People who are full vaccinated do not need to wear masks. The mask protocol will operate on the honor system. Patrons will not be required to show proof of vaccination. All of the rides and attractions are open.
Batavia police say they arrested Justin Thagard, charging him with felony first-degree criminal contempt. According to police, he allegedly violated an order of protection. He was initially jailed in lieu of cash bail.
City police arrested 30-year-old Robert Wood. He was charged with felony first-degree criminal contempt. Police said he allegedly had contact with a woman who has an active stay away order of protection. Wood was initially arraigned and jailed without bail.
64 percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 55 percent have completed the vaccine series. More than 822,000 doses have been administered statewide over the past seven days.
