Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on July 21, 2021
Scott Bischoping has been named interim superintendent for Batavia City Schools following the resignation of Anibal Soler. Bischoping was the interim superintendent following the departure of Chris Dailey and preceding Soler’s appointment at the start of 2020. Soler accepted an appointment as superintendent of the Schenectady school district. In a statement, the district said “his knowledge and leadership will guide us into the new school year.”
The New York State Department of Labor has released preliminary local area unemployment rates for June. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% in May to 7.7% in June 2021. In Genesee County, the unemployment rate stood at 4.5%. Orleans stands at 5.5and Wyoming is 4.6%.
The COVID numbers in New York have become even more concerning. In the latest state report, the positivity rate has jumped to 1.67% with 46 more people admitted to the hospital with virus-related symptoms. Admissions to the ICU also spiked. Two additional deaths were also reported. Western New York and the Finger Lakes Regions have been steadily climbing.
Another federal sex crime story from Wyoming County. A Bliss man has been indicted on charges of transportation and possession of child porn. Those indictment have been handed down against 40-year-old Shayne M. Hildreth. He could face 40 years behind bars. Prosecutors said police in Missouri interviewed a 15-year-old victim who said she was molested by the defendant over the past several years in the states of New York, Colorado, and Missouri. She allegedly told prosecutors that she had previously found child pornography, including recorded images of herself, on Hildreth’s cell phone and laptop computer. The defendant was arraigned and detained.
The City of Batavia Police Department, in partnership with The City Church, today announced that the 2021 Community Night Out event will take place on Tuesday, August 10th from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church on 114 Liberty Street in Batavia.
At least one person is dead as police continue to investigate an explosion that occurred Tuesday morning in a residential area in the WNY community of Lackawanna. According to fire officials, a total of seven homes were damaged, but it’s not yet clear what caused the explosion.
The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands on experience. Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.
A Genesee County Grand Jury has indicted 41-year-old Shane Vanname of Batavia. He is accused of felony criminal contempt and two lesser counts of criminal contempt. He is accused of violating three orders of protection in Le Roy on Oct. 23.
