Thursday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on October 22, 2026
GENESEE COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES AWARDED $8.2 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS
Three Genesee County municipalities are receiving a combined 8-point-2 million dollars in state funding for major water and sewer projects.
The Town of Alexander will receive the largest local award — just over 4-point-6 million dollars — for the first phase of Water District Number Seven.
Pembroke was awarded a little more than 2-million dollars for its Pratt Road Water District Number Five, while the Village of Le Roy will receive roughly 1-point-5 million dollars for the fourth phase of improvements at its wastewater treatment facility, including sludge handling and disposal.
The three projects are among 14 receiving funding in the Finger Lakes region.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly 500-million dollars in grants statewide for 106 drinking water and sewer projects. The funding represents the first round of a larger 3-point-75-billion-dollar state commitment to water infrastructure.
State officials estimate the grants could save communities about one-billion dollars in future debt service while supporting more than 22-thousand jobs statewide.
BATAVIA DELAYS ACTION ON BASKIN LIVESTOCK REBUILDING PLAN
A proposal to rebuild Baskin Livestock on Howard Street remains on hold as Batavia officials continue reviewing potential environmental impacts.
The business was destroyed by fire four years ago. Owner Bill Baskin is seeking approval to construct a new facility at the same location, but the project triggered a more extensive state environmental review after concerns were raised about issues including odor, noise, traffic and possible pollution.
The company has since revised its plans, reducing the size of the proposed building enough that zoning variances would no longer be required.
Attorney Robert Marks, representing Baskin, told the city’s Planning and Development Committee the updated proposal now complies with existing industrial zoning.
City officials stressed, however, that the smaller building does not eliminate the need to study other environmental concerns.
Nearby residents have also continued raising objections, particularly over odors associated with the property.
The committee is now reviewing additional documents and public comments before deciding how the environmental study should proceed.
Any action has been tabled until November 5th.
PIZZA FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT GENESEE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH
Pembroke teachers will trade the classroom for the pizza shop next week to raise money for local mental health services.
Members of the Pembroke Teachers’ Federation will take over duties at Homeslice 33 Pizzeria from 4 until 8 p.m. on October 28th.
Money from the evening’s sales will be contributed to the Genesee County Mental Health Department, with customers also able to make separate donations.
As an added incentive, bracelets from the teachers’ federation will be handed out with the first 150 orders.
WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN CELEBRATES 104TH BIRTHDAY IN BATAVIA
A World War Two Army veteran marked a remarkable milestone Friday at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia.
Wesley Reynolds celebrated his 104th birthday surrounded by fellow residents and staff.
Reynolds served with the 802nd Field Artillery Battalion in Europe, helping push German forces back through France before spending nearly a year in postwar Germany.
He says a lifetime of hard work and staying active helped him reach 104.
The Veterans Home will also recognize Reynolds during its monthly birthday celebration later this month.
META HIT WITH $25 BILLION NEW MEXICO PRIVACY PENALTY
Meta has been ordered to pay New Mexico 25-billion dollars after a jury concluded Facebook repeatedly misled people about how their personal information was handled.
The case grew out of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, when data taken from millions of Facebook profiles was used for political targeting during the 2016 election. Jurors found more than 43-million violations of New Mexico consumer protection law.
A state judge set the penalty Wednesday, well below the 35-to-40-billion dollars sought by New Mexico, but still the largest financial punishment Meta has ever faced.
The company disputes the verdict and plans to appeal, arguing the state failed to show that its statements caused actual harm.
Under New Mexico law, money eventually collected from the case would support the state’s education system.
VANCE CRITICIZES REPUBLICAN BACKLASH OVER CONTROVERSIAL OHIO CAMPAIGN AD
Vice President JD Vance is pushing back against fellow Republicans who have criticized a controversial advertisement in Ohio’s governor’s race.
The ad, produced by Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign, features the estranged mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton attacking her daughter’s credibility and questioning her mental health. Acton has publicly discussed an abusive childhood, and court records show her mother lost custody after Acton’s stepfather was charged with raping her.
Vance said Wednesday he was “disgusted” by Republicans focusing on the advertisement, while saying its appropriateness was not his main concern.
Ramaswamy has taken responsibility for the spot and says his campaign will spend four-million dollars promoting it.
Republican Senator Jon Husted says he would not have aired the ad, while Democrats have also condemned it.
GENESEE COUNTY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP
In Genesee County high school girls volleyball action Wednesday night, Elba swept Lyndonville 3-nothing.
Alexander also won in straight sets, defeating Kendall 3-nothing, while Le Roy blanked Avon 3-nothing.
And Letchworth outlasted Pavilion in five sets, winning 3-2.
