Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on July 16, 2021
The latest COVID report for New York shows mixed results. Close to 1,000 new positive cases were reported in the most recent report…and for the first time in weeks, the positivity rate has grown above 1%, today at 1.17% The good news is, hospital admissions and those admitted to the ICU have declined, slightly. Cases in the Finger Lakes Region have been on the rise and one new positive case was confirmed in Genesee County and two in Wyoming. Orleans County cases have remained flat.
Following his successful passage of the broader American Rescue Plan earlier this year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer heralded the Child Tax Credit expansion, which will allow payments of up to $300 per child to automatically go out to families across New York each month – starting TODAY July 15. Schumer said the plan will impact more than 86 percent of New York children. The Finger Lakes Region, which includes Genesee County, is expected to receive Expanded Child Tax Credits totaling more than $435 million.
According to preliminary figures just released by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 9,800, or 0.1%, to 7.4 million in June. By comparison, the number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.5%. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% to 7.7% last month.
Genesee County deputies report the arrest of 42-year-old Valerie Marucci of Attica. She was charged with grand larceny and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing. It’s alleged that she failed to report income on two separate applications for public assistance benefits, resulting in her receiving $2,700 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.
Due to construction, officials with the Post Office in Batavia, are asking patrons to park behind the building, in the lot next to Austin Park, and then walk around the building on the west side — between the building and the police station — to avoid walking in traffic on Main Street. The sidewalk and steps of the post office are being reconstructed.
The 51st Annual Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction will be held Thursday, July 29, at the Genesee County Fair. The auction will feature chickens, goats, lambs, beef steers, dairy steers and hogs raised by local 4-H members. Animals will be auctioned by William Kent Inc. of Stafford. New this year, the 4-H Market Animal Auction will offer online and in-person bidding. Online pre-bidding will be available on www.williamkentinc.com starting Tuesday, July 27th. The live auction will be held at 7 p.m. in the Main Show Ring at the Genesee County Fair. Registration for bidders attending the live auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the 4-H Kennedy Building. The fairgrounds are located at 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested 28-year-old Davis LeRoy of Pembroke. He was charged with criminal contempt and trespass. LeRoy is accused of violating a stay away order of protection with his neighbor by speaking to him and allegedly trespassing on his property. Arraigned in Pembroke Town Court, LeRoy was released under supervision.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to be interviewed tomorrow as the state attorney general’s office winds down its investigation into sexual harassment and misconduct allegations that upended his national reputation and threatened his hold on power as he gears up to run for a fourth term next year. The timing of the interview in Albany was confirmed Thursday to The Associated Press by two people familiar with the investigation. Several women have accused Cuomo of unwanted kisses, touches and groping and inappropriate sexual remarks.
