Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on October 13, 2022
The Gun Control laws in New York are back in full effect after an appeals court ruled to put a hold on the lower Syracuse courts hold which temporarily blocked portions of the laws. Wednesday a federal appeals court reinstated the blocked portions of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act. Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers rewrote the state’s handgun laws this summer after a Supreme Court ruling invalidated New York’s old system for granting permits to carry handguns outside the home. The high court struck down the state’s long standing requirement that people demonstrate an unusual threat to their safety to qualify for such a license. The Syracuse judge had blocked portions that required applicants to turn over their social media information and also parts that blocked concealed carry permit holders from entering an increased list of properties.
A judge dismissed the lawsuit against Western Regional Off Track Betting corp by former CEO Michael Nolan Wednesday saying the statute of limitations was up on his first amendment violation case. Nolan had said his rights were violated when the corporation’s leadership allegedly retaliated against him for talking to federal agencies about alleged improprieties. Nolan contended that he was fired from his position in December 2020 after being ostracized since April 2019 for sharing information with federal and state authorities as part of an inquiry into practices such as health insurance plans for board members, use of sports tickets and luxury boxes, and awarding of contracts. The judge said that the complaint simply came too late after the alleged violation. Nolan had sought 15 million dollars.
A 39 year old Oakfield man has been arrested and charged with 46 counts of rape between 2019 and 2021. Ricardo Castillo Jr., according to the sheriff’s office, was charged in connection to a series of sexual offenses that took place across the Village of Oakfield and the Town of Elba. He is charged with 13 counts of first degree rape, 10 counts of 2nd degree rape of a victim under 15 years of age, 13 counts of first degree criminal sex act, and 10 counts of 2nd degree ciminal sex act against a victim under 15 years old. Castillo was arraigned on all charges and released under Genesee Justice supervision. He is due back in court at a later date.
Less than a year after unionizing the workers at the Starbucks on Elmwood in Buffalo are striking. Starbucks Workers United filed labor board claims, accusing the company of illegally terminating more than 80 of its supporters, including a prominent activist in the Buffalo region recently fired for refusing to remove a suicide awareness pin. British musician Billy Bragg joined the strike on Wednesday ahead of his concert in Toronto. Workers have said they will continue to strike until an agreement is met.
The Keybank center has some new food offerings available for fans of the Sabres this year. New additions at Perry Market and Rachel’s Mediterranean Grill include: Porchetta Sandwich, Korean Chicken Quesadilla, Hawaiian Beef Dog. New food items throughout general concessions include: Baja Fish Tacos, Spicy Cheese Dog, Mustard Pulled Pork Sandwich, Artisan Deli Sandwich, Walking Taco and La Nova Chicken Wings. There will also be new items at the Lexus Club, KeyBank Club and in suites.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced that cornerback Tre’Davious White will return to practice Wednesday but will not play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. White had an ACL injury against the Saints on Thanksgiving of 2021. The Bills, who have a 4-1 record through five games, are set to take on the Chiefs on Sunday. Following the matchup against the Chiefs, the Bills will have their bye week and after the bye week they will take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
The Buffalo Sabres have signed head coach Don Granato to a multi year extension to his contract. Granato starts his second full season as coach for the Sabres today. He joined the organization as an assistant coach prior to the 2019-20 season and was promoted to interim head coach in March 2021 when the Sabres fired Ralph Kruger. He coached 28 games to finish out the season and the team went 9-16-3. The sabres also signed Mattias Samuelsson to a 7 year contract extension for 30 million dollars. The son of longtime NHL defenseman and coach Kjell Samuelsson, Mattias served as a captain of Team USA at the U-18 and U-20 World Championships and at Western Michigan University. He played 42 games last
The Holland Land Office is hosting Guest Speaker Ken Slaughenhopt who will be presenting on the Holland Land Survey. Slaughenhopt is a surveyor from the Lewiston Historical Society. He will be discussing the trials and tribulations of the surveying process that went into laying out the Holland Purchase and its 3.25 million acres, as well as its importance to Western New York even today. The event will be October 19th at 7pm. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members.
