Entertainment and Sports
Hall-of-Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert, his training team and any horse he trains are banned from running in the Belmont Stakes and from running any races at Saratoga Race Course this year, a story in the New York Times is reporting. The ban from the New York Racing Association stems not only from the failed drug test of Medina Spirit, his horse and winner of the Kentucky Derby, but other failed tests in the recent past. NYRA is still considering the length of the ban.
Commercial Real Estate
The owner of four NAPA Auto Parts stores and another supply company is looking to receive $420,000 in tax incentives to build a $3.5 million building in Milton, the Albany Business Journal is reporting. The 15,600 square foot building would be a wholesale and retail parts center, the story says.
Also in the ABJ, a Bennington Vt. LLC has purchased commercial real estate in Clifton Park for $2.3 million. The 2.1 acre property on Old Route 146 currently houses an Outback Steakhouse and an M&T Bank branch, the story says.
Retail and eCommerce
Wegman’s, the popular grocery stores based in Rochester, is still requiring masks, according to a story yesterday in NewYorkUpstate.com. The story says the company will review the mandate as events warrant, including if the rules in New York State change. [See the next story.]
Government, Law and Legal Services
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says it’s OK to go maskless if you are vaccinated, a story in the Post-Star is reporting this morning. The caveats: People must wear masks in health care centers, schools and on mass transportation. Businesses are allowed to require masks if they want to and must separate people by six feet unless they have checked the vaccination status of everyone in the room, the story says.
Travel, Tourism and Recreation
The room to turn a bus around on Route 73 in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks has scuttled the entire plan to move hikers from outer parking areas into the popular hiking areas, a story in the AdirondackExplorer says. The shuttle buses were bought last year but were not used during the pandemic. Now, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation says more study is needed to ensure safe travel roundtrip. According to the story, the state budgeted $800,000 for vehicular and pedestrian traffic management in the High Peaks, including bus operation. Officials expect another record year for hiking tourism.