🌱 Emergency Equipment Updating + Covid Cases + Nurses' Conference

Hello all! In today's issue, you'll find news about...

• Snow removal response
• Winter clothing drive
• Minimum wage increases

But first, today's weather:

Some sun, then turning cloudy. High: 43. Low: 37.

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Here are the top five stories today in Buffalo:

1. Buffalo Common Council members met yesterday to discuss the snow removal response, including the need to update emergency equipment. "I've heard from some people that say, 'You know no one's been hurt, no one's died because of the condition of the equipment.' Well, I'm not willing to sit around and wait for that to happen," Council member Chris Scanlon said. Read more at WKBW 7.
2. In 2022, there were 28,388 COVID-19 cases and 189 COVID-19 deaths in Erie County. It is important to recall that home-tests have resulted in underreporting of positive cases. Find more statistics at Erie News Now.
3. Buffalo VA Medical Center nurses held a conference yesterday to discuss how underprepared the hospital for the storm. "Management’s denial of our staffing crisis and failure to prepare for the anticipated storms led to the avoidable and intolerable situation of nurses working as many as 96 hours over four days with only a few four-hour breaks to sleep," said Nicole White, a union leader and registered nurse in the float team at the VA. Learn more via WIVB 4.
4. Explore & More and BankOnBuffalo are hosting a winter clothing drive, which began yesterday. Donation bins are out at all BankOnBuffalo branches. Additionally, Explore & More are offering reduced admission this upcoming Monday in honor of the national holiday. Read more at Spectrum Local News.
5. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a plan to raise minimum wage annually for workers outside of New York City, Long Island and Westchester. The plan is for minimum wage to match inflation yearly. Find more details at WKBW 7.

Today in Buffalo:

• Community Agenda Roll Out 2023! Delevan Grider Community Center, 9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
• Wine and Investing 101! The Establishment, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• River Dogs Blues Band! Diamond Hawk Golf Course & Pub, 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
• Qigong & Sound Healing! Ambient Sound Healing, 6:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
• Resin Art Workshop: Sea Glass/Pebble Buffalo! Hartman's Distilling Co.,7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
• Open Mic Wednesday! Days Park Tavern, 8:30 P.M. - 11:30 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Gorilla Birthday: "Another day another birthday party! Today our very own Kayin turns 7 years old! It's hard to believe how much he has grown these past years!" (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Animal Shelter: Awards "It’s award season and today is the Golden Globes! 🎬🌏🌟" (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Looking Ahead to the Weekend: "Dinosaur World Live!, An Evening With Larry the Cable Guy, MassiveLAN Fest, Town of Tonawanda Winterfest, Buffalo Wine Festival, Beatlemagic and more are all happening this weekend. See the full list at our link in bio!" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Ice Bar Experience: "Win a private VIP Ice Bar experience for you and your crew at Ice Fest this Saturday! Enter to win: • Tag 3 friends you’d like to bring with you • Make sure you and each of your friends follows the @buffalowaterfront • Extra credit if yo..." (Buffalo Waterfront via Facebook)
• Rick's on Main: "Still drooling over this stuffed hot pepper burger I ate at @ricksonmain over the weekend. The blackened chicken salad, along with all of their salads, are top tier as well. 📸 x @markgoodwin10 #buffaloeats #buffalo" (Buffalo Eats via Instagram)
• National Day of Racial Healing: "Join us! The National Day of Racial Healing is ONE WEEK AWAY on January 17." (Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo via Facebook)
• Yesterday's Taco Tuesday: "IT’S TACO TUESDAY swipe for extra Guac 🌮 @sassyblondebaby @waltertheminibull_ 🐶 #dogsofbuffalo #tacotuesday #tacos #minibull #doginatacocostume" (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!