Author: Robert Kinney

Assembly Republicans are calling for a budget hearing to investigate the state’s purchase of COVID-19 test kits they say were significantly overpriced. Republican lawmakers argue that the procurement process lacked transparency and are demanding answers about how much was spent, who approved the contracts, and whether taxpayer funds were used responsibly. They contend that similar test kits were available at substantially lower prices at the time of purchase. In a joint statement, Assembly Republicans said a formal budget hearing is necessary to fully examine the decision-making process behind the contracts and to hold state officials accountable. “New Yorkers deserve to…

The project is located at the corner of Veterans’ Drive and Volunteer Road, directly across Route 20A from Applebee’s. The facility will be leased by Rochester Regional Health and is expected to create at least 40 new jobs in its initial phase. The approximately 50,000 square foot building will house multiple medical offices, an urgent care center, and a small surgical facility. Site work is currently underway, with land clearing and grading in progress. Construction of the building’s foundation is expected to begin within weeks, and the project is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2021. Developer Devin…

Erie County Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. is calling on the federal government to investigate former Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York State over policies that directed COVID-19 positive patients back into nursing homes during the pandemic. In a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, Mychajliw urged federal officials to examine the state’s nursing home policies and questioned whether those decisions contributed to high COVID-19 death rates among seniors, particularly in Erie County. He also raised concerns about the accuracy of data released by New York State regarding nursing home fatalities. “It is despicable…

Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw Jr. and Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns are criticizing a state law passed during the COVID-19 pandemic that restricts law enforcement agencies from sharing certain Department of Motor Vehicles information with other agencies involved in immigration enforcement. The law, included in the state budget adopted in April, makes it a felony for law enforcement officers to share DMV data with agencies that enforce federal immigration laws. Mychajliw and Kearns argue that the measure creates public safety risks and undermines cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Both officials called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to reverse the policy,…

Local radio station WGSU-FM (89.3) is bringing its popular annual Genny Fest Music Festival to listeners in a virtual format after the in-person event was canceled due to the global pandemic. The virtual event, titled “Gen-E Fest,” will air May 15 at 5 p.m. on WGSU-FM and online through the station’s digital stream. The broadcast will feature music and interviews with artists who were originally scheduled to perform at this year’s Genny Fest, along with a few additional performers. The lineup includes Nashville-based band Twen, New York City singer-songwriter Allison Leah, 2018 Genny Fest headliner Jackknife Stiletto, and solo artist…

The Livingston County Farm Bureau will distribute 2,000 gallons of free milk to the public on Monday, June 1, at Craigs Station Creamery. The community giveaway is a collaborative effort involving the Livingston County Farm Bureau, Natural Upcycling, Craigs Station Creamery, and Dairy Farmers of America. The event is being held in recognition of World Milk Day and aims to support local families while reducing food waste. Organizers said the distribution was made possible through the ReFED COVID-19 Food Waste Solutions Fund, a grant program created to help limit food waste across the United States. The event is scheduled to…

Shoppers in Geneseo may have noticed a store closing sign at the local Peebles location. While the Peebles store is preparing to close, the space will not remain vacant for long. The company’s corporate office has announced plans to convert the Geneseo Peebles into a Gordmans store, with a grand opening expected in spring 2020. Both Peebles and Gordmans are part of the Stage family of stores. According to the company, several Peebles locations are being converted as customers continue to respond positively to the Gordmans off-price retail model. Gordmans is known as an off-price retailer, offering merchandise for the…

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — A $20,000 political consulting payment made by Assembly candidate Marjorie Byrnes has been returned after questions were raised about the arrangement involving the Livingston County Conservative Party chair. Byrnes, who is running in the Republican primary for New York State Assembly’s 133rd District against incumbent Joe Errigo, paid Jason McGuire, the Livingston County Conservative Party chair, $20,000 in consulting fees, according to campaign finance filings dated June 21. The payment occurred before Byrnes received the endorsement of the New York State Conservative Party. On July 13, Byrnes was unanimously endorsed by the party’s State Executive Committee, a…

Reports have surfaced indicating that Assemblyman Errigo was briefly reported missing in the Wayland area, prompting concern among local officials and residents. According to initial accounts, Errigo was expected at a scheduled engagement but did not arrive as planned, leaving his whereabouts in doubt. The situation triggered inquiries and informal checks by those attempting to locate him. Officials later confirmed that Errigo had been found and was not in danger. No medical emergency or criminal activity was reported in connection with the incident. Details surrounding how and why the assemblyman was reported “lost” have not been fully clarified, and authorities…

DANSVILLE – Thomas J. “Big Da” Rauber Sr., a nationally recognized advocate for the bald eagle and a lifelong resident of Dansville, passed away early Wednesday at his home on East Hill. He was 93. Rauber was widely published for his work on bald eagles, and his decades-long effort to save the species from extinction was featured nationally, including on CNN. While his research gained broad attention, those closest to him said he took the greatest pride in the countless hours he spent quietly observing and photographing the birds he worked to protect. Born in Dansville on May 27, 1924,…