Evening News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on July 13, 2021
Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch till 11pm this evening. Thunderstorms are expected to increase through the afternoon and into the evening. The pattern of the storms is unstable so isolated powerful storms can pop up at any time. Strong gusts of wind over 50 miles per hour are expected along with tropical downpours that may cause flooding. If you come to a flooded roadway don’t try to ford it with a vehicle. Find an alternate safe route.
Governor Cuomo signed legislation today allowing for barbershops and hair salons to offer haircuts and shaves on Sundays. Although rarely enforced, and most people most likely didn’t even know about it, there was a law that made it a misdemeanor to cut hair or provide a shave to another person on Sunday. Governor Cuomo called it “archaic and making little sense in the 21st century.” The law takes effect immediately.
The governor also signed legislation labeling text messaging used for advertising goods or services as telemarketing. New Yorkers were previously only protected against unwanted robocalls under state law, texting was not defined as telemarketing, new legislation closes that loophole.
The New York State DMV is warning of an increase in vehicle thefts. From 2019 to 2020 thefts rose 54 percent and 2021 is showing an even higher rate of vehicle theft. You can protect yourself by not leaving keys in the car or leaving your vehicle running when you go into the house or store or to get the mail. Also to avoid car break ins don’t leave valuables where they can be seen through the windows.
A former priest of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church ahs been accused of child sexual abuse and placed on leave by the Diocese of Buffalo. The 88 year old Reverend Monsignor Leo McCarthy was accused by someone who filed through the child victims act of abusing them in the 1980s when he served at the parish of St Matthew. McCarthy served in Batavia for 12 years.
