Thursday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on December 4, 2025
Minimum Wage in New York State Increasing on January 1st
New York’s minimum wage is set to rise by 50 cents an hour on January 1st. For most of the state, including the Rochester and Western New York regions, the new minimum wage will be $16 per hour, equal to about $640 a week or roughly $33,000 a year.
In New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island, the minimum wage will increase to $17 per hour. These changes were approved as part of the state’s 2024 budget, which raised the Upstate minimum wage to $15 in 2024 and continues with scheduled annual increases.
Beginning in 2027, future wage hikes will be tied to inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Northeast.
Byron Hosting Free Breakfast With Santa on Saturday
The Byron Fire Department will hold a free Breakfast with Santa this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at 6357 Townline Road. Families can enjoy stocking and ornament decorating, photos with Santa, and free gifts for kids while supplies last.
A Christmas tree raffle begins at noon, with tickets priced at $1 each or six for $5.
Genesee County Boys Basketball Results from Wednesday
Attica defeated Barker 45–38, while Le Roy rolled past Livonia 75–35.
Le Roy led just 27–23 at halftime in a game broadcast on WBTA, but an aggressive defensive stretch and fast scoring off turnovers sparked a massive 33–2 run that blew the game open.
Richmond Library Friends Host Monthly Book Sale Thursday
The Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library will hold their monthly book sale this Thursday in the Wilber-Fox Room downstairs, with elevator access available. All proceeds support library programs.
Price-scanning devices or mobile price-checking for resale are only allowed from 4 to 6:30 p.m. during regular monthly sales and are not permitted at any time during members-only quarterly events.
Holland Land Office Museum Welcomes New Curator Rachel Bellis
The Holland Land Office Museum has announced the hiring of its new curator, Rachel Bellis, who joins the team just in time for the holiday season. Visitors are encouraged to stop in, say hello, and welcome her to Batavia and Genesee County.
Bellis is a Western New York native from the Hamburg–Orchard Park area. She holds a BA in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo and an MA in Costume Studies from NYU. Her interest in fashion history grew during the pandemic, eventually leading her to research mourning garments and create a digital exhibit for the White House Historical Association titled Black Cloth: Mourning Dress and Drapery at the White House. Her work uncovered an 1893 law restricting mourning drapery on federal buildings and brought new historical images online for the first time.
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin praised her research for expanding knowledge of White House mourning traditions. Bellis says she’s thrilled to return home and use her expertise to help tell the region’s story through future exhibits and programs at the museum.
