Morning News Brief

Residents have renewed efforts to have Governor Andrew Cuomo’s name removed from the sign at Watkins Glen State Park amid his recent resignation over allegations of sexual harassment. A new petition on Change.org has accumulated over 1,000 supporters to remove the outgoing Governor’s name from the park’s main sign, which is located at the entrance to the state park’s gorge trail. Residents originally called for the Governor’s name to be removed from the sign back in mid-March when multiple women began to come forward accusing him of sexual harassment. The initial petition garnered over 3,600 signatures and has also seen new support.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is evaluating 42 publicly traded shale oil and gas companies to determine if they are prepared for the transition to a low-carbon economy…that from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, trustee of the third largest public pension plan in the country. The Fund also restricted investments in five more coal producers, adding those companies to the list of 22 that the Fund divested from in 2020. The actions come as part of DiNapoli’s comprehensive Climate Action Plan to mitigate investment risks posed by climate change and ultimately transition the Fund’s investment portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Due to staff limitations, the Batavia City Clerk’s office will be unable to issue the following today…       Marriage Licenses or Certificates, Copies of a Death Certificate, Copies of a Birth Certificate and Fishing/Hunting Licenses. The office will remain open for all other services.

State Police arrested a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old after they led troopers on a vehicle pursuit in the city of Rochester.  The 2 individuals allegedly threw a loaded handgun from the vehicle as they failed to comply to troopers in the vehicle pursuit. Both individuals were charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second and third degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, and Unlawful Fleeing.  The 17-year-old has a previous Criminal Possession of a Weapon charge pending. Both teens were remanded and will answer charges in family court.

The New York State Education Department has released COVID-19 safety guidance for school districts across the state. The state health department had previously announced it would not be distributing safety guidance to schools ahead of the new school year. In response, the education department promised it would do so. School districts have been imploring the state for guidance as the new academic year approaches. This, as the pandemic persists and COVID cases increase with the rise of the delta variant. The newly released guidance is based on recommendations from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Those organizations recommend universal indoor masking for teachers, students and staff, no matter their vaccination status. The state’s guidance also calls for high-risk sports to be canceled and for extracurricular activities to be held virtually, or to also be canceled, in areas of high community spread unless all participants have been fully vaccinated.

A Utility Terrain Vehicle was spotted by a Sheriff’s patrol at 1:34 a.m., July 31, on Route 33, in the area of Seven Springs Road, in the Town of Batavia and when the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver failed to stop. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the drive took the UTV into harvestable crops causing significant damage to the crops and to fencing in the area. The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the UTV. The UTV is described as white in color and affixed with lights that change colors while in operation.