Morning News Briefing
Written by Michael Baldwin on May 25, 2021
The Batavia City Council is leaning toward the “let’s try it and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll end it” approach to an offer by Casella Waste Systems of New York to empty the trash receptacles at city parks and downtown at no charge. The company previously had reached out to City Manager Rachael Tabelski with the proposal that allows Casella crews to service the parks on a daily basis and downtown on a weekly basis in return for letting the company paint the receptacles (dark blue) and place a sign on them, stating “Serviced by Casella Waste.” At Monday night’s Conference Meeting at City Hall, the board agreed to move a resolution to enter into a contract with Casella to its June 14 Business Meeting for a formal vote. After a brief discussion on the matter, the consensus was to take the business up on its offer and if things don’t proceed as expected, it would use a clause in the pact to terminate it.
In a joint statement released from New York State and the Department of Health, guidance has been revised for child care programs saying young children no longer have to wear masks. This comes after hundreds of parents were set to sue the state over the revised rule. The statement reads that while masks for children ages 2-5 are encouraged, it is not required.
Authorities report the arrest of 18-year-old Ermonie R. Schichler of State Street in Batavia. She was charged with disseminating indecent material to a minor and endangering the welfare of a minor. It is alleged that she sent sexually explicit photos to a minor over a period of time. She was arraigned via Skype in Batavia City Court, then released on her own recognizance.
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.04, down one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $1.96. The New York State average is $3.07 – up one cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.18. Batavia prices have ticked up 3 cents.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed flags on State government buildings to be flown at half-staff and state landmarks to be lit red, white and blue on Sunday, May 30 to honor the essential workers who lost their lives due to COVID-19. Flags will remain at half-staff until noon and landmarks will remain lit on Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day in honor of the service members who lost their lives fighting to defend our country.
Voters now say Governor Andrew Cuomo should not resign by a 49-41% margin, compared to a 51-37% majority who said he should not resign last month…that’s according to a just released Siena poll. Cuomo’s favorability rating has also ticked up slightly.
The Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator has announced that police agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department, will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign will start on Friday and will end on Tuesday, June 1st. Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year and marks the unofficial start of summer.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he projects all students across the state will be back in the classroom for in-person learning this fall. The governor said New York will be setting a statewide policy for all schools in the future.
