Regional Briefs – May 24, 2017

NY Lawmakers Vote to Let Uber, Lyft Start Earlier Upstate

ALBANY – New York lawmakers voted Tuesday to let Uber and Lyft begin picking up passengers upstate on June 29, 10 days earlier than previously OKed, The Associated Press reported. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the bill.

Cuomo Sees Sharp Boost In Favorability Ratings

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is enjoying his highest favorability rating in three years in a Siena poll released Wednesday. The 61 percent who approve is up from 54 percent last month, with 31 percent disapproval. This comes as Cuomo gears up for a widely expected White House run in 2020.

Dog Stuck on 400-foot Cliff Rescued by Cop Using Ropes

MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y. – A dog stuck about half-way down a 400-foot cliff in a gorge was rescued Monday by a police officer who used ropes to reach the stranded canine, The Associated Press reported. Visitors to Letchworth State Park reported hearing a dog barking. Skippy, a 6-year-old hunting collie, had gone missing two days earlier.

UFOs Over Lake Ontario? Nope, Just Canadian Flares

ROCHESTER – Strange lights appearing over Lake Ontario had some residents wondering Tuesday night if they were seeing UFOs. It turns out the glowing objects were flares being used in a training exercise by the Canadian military, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.

Postal Worker Admits Stealing $2,400 From Mail

ROCHESTER – A mail carrier pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing $2,400 in cash, gift cards and other items from more than 700 pieces of mail he was supposed to deliver in 2014, The Associated Press reported. Timothy Wadsworth, 26, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Empire State Building Goes Dark for Manchester Victims

NEW YORK – The Empire State Building went dark Tuesday evening in remembrance of the victims of the suicide bombing in Manchester, England. At a sports game in Yankee Stadium, G-d Save the Queen was played to show solidarity.