Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on October 27, 2022
43 year old John Sumlin the 3rd was arraigned on charges of burglary and assault after he allegedly broke into a home on West Main Street and attacked the residents. He is accused of breaking into the home, holding a knife to a woman’s neck, hitting her and threatening to kill her and her children and then breaking her tv. Sumlin was arraigned Tuesday and is being held without bail. He is charged with Burglary in the 1st degree, Criminal Contempt in the 1st, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd, Assault in the 3rd and Menacing in the 2nd. He will be back in court November 15th.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Environmental Conservation are reminding drivers to keep a close eye out for moose and deer while they’re traveling. Data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research showed that last year, 41-percent of the crashes involving deer and vehicles happened in October, November and December. Officials say that deer and moose are very difficult to spot during dawn and dusk when visibility is already low. Drivers should slow down if they see an animal and try to avoid swerving so they don’t collide with another vehicle or objects like trees and utility poles.
A bill working its way through the state senate would clarify mandated reporters responsibilities when it comes to suspected child abuse. State Sen. Sue Serino wants to close what she calls a loophole in the law, saying the current law on mandated reporting is too vague. She wants an amendment to the law, spelling out that mandated reporters like teachers and doctors are required to “report any suspected abuse directly to law enforcement” regardless of whether the abuser is a family member of the child. After the conviction of Kirk Ashton, former Principal in Hilton, of abusing 21 students. Parents are saying more could have been done and that others knew of the abuse and did nothing.
If you’ve driven through Rochester you’ve seen them, on almost every street corner and on the medians between roads, panhandlers. The city is now trying to get them off the streets with a campaign called Be the Change, Keep the Change. The campaign encourages the community to donate directly to nonprofit organizations providing services to the homeless — rather than paying panhandlers directly. Some business owners say panhandlers are a disruption. Others say it’s inhumane to not support those in need. Others argue that once money is given to a panhandler, they keep coming back for more.
The Town of Bergen is asking Genesee County for more money as they say they are facing running out completely and having to suspend snowplowing and reduce their workforce. Bergen has a budget of 2.3 million dollars. They have cut funding to the library, closed the transfer station, and raised taxes. Bergen Supervisor Ernie Hayward said the county has not been keeping up its end of the bargain in how much it provides to towns. County Chairwoman Shelley Stein said that the towns had a chance to share concerns before agreements were put in place and at some point in the future the county will be in a position to help, but not now.
A meeting will be held where Rochester lawmakers and customers are planning to call for a public takeover of Rochester Gas and Electric. Customers have been upset with the utility company, which is currently owned by AVANGRID Incorporated, after it announced a proposed increase of its gas and electric rates. The meeting is happening from six p-m until eight p-m at the Thomas P. Ryan Recreation Center on Webster Avenue in Rochester. People who want to attend can register online in advance by going to metrojustice.org.
The Volunteers for Animals are holding a FurRaiser to raise money for their furry friends this Saturday from 10 to 3 at Pudgies Lawn and garden on West Main Street. There will be a giant basket raffle and a raffle for 2 Buffalo Bills tickets for the game on December 11th against the Jets. The nonprofit helps animals at Genesee County Animal Shelter, from providing much-needed medical care, vaccinations, fostering, walking, assisting with adoptions, to, of course, showering them with lots of TLC. Pudgies will also be offering 10 percent off on all pet friendly plants.
Buffalo is facing Green Bay this weekend and Tre’Davious White is not playing. He practiced with the Bills on Wednesday wearing a red no contact jersey. He was not on the injury report. Buffalo will have to make a decision on White in the very near future. The team has until next Wednesday, November 2nd by 4:00 p.m. est. to either activate White to the roster. Or he will go back on the Injured Reserve list for the rest of the year.
After a long road trip, the Buffalo Sabres are going to have the support of their home crowd when they take the ice tonight. The Sabres are set to host the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off of a five-to-one defeat at the hands of the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night. Face-off for this evening’s contest is set for seven p-m.
