Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on March 30, 2023
Less than a month after the deadly crowd surge at a concert at the Main Street Armory, it appears the venue has been sold. Public records at the Monroe County Clerk’s Office show the building was sold for $550,000, and ownership was transferred to “900 E. Main Street Rochester LLC.” The LLC’s P.O. box is the same address listed in the company title. There’s no word yet on who is behind that company. The city refused to renew the Armory’s entertainment license in the days following the tragic stampede. The city said it invited the Armory’s owner, Scott Donaldson, to attend a meeting, during which “he would have been presented with a choice to voluntarily cease holding entertainment events,” or have the “pending renewal” of the Armory’s entertainment license denied but the city says he declined to attend. Donaldson’s attorney has said the city knew he was occupied with another legal matter that day and ignored his request to reschedule that meeting in order to maliciously attack him.
A new program at Batavia City Schools is changing how kids see vaping. By 2019, there were 5.4 million middle and high school students using e-cigarettes across the country. Vapes contain hazardous chemicals and metal flakes that can cause cardiovascular disease, and lung damage. Studies have shown that vapes can cause multiple times the lung damage and side effects that cigarettes cause. All this is included in a program called Vape University which kids can attend if they get caught vaping in school to reduce their punishment. The program educates them and provides them with alternatives to quit. 5 teachers have volunteered to work with helping kids quit and to know the dangers of the drug that is marketed mostly toward minors. The program started in January and about a dozen students have completed the program so far.
The New York State DMV is adding a question to their vehicle registration transaction screens at DMV locations. Do you wish to join the organ donor registry? The question will come up on the transaction screen before a customer completes the process. If the person answers yes they will get the opportunity to fill out a quick application and “Organ Donor” will be printed on their DMV photo documents. With only 46 percent of its population registered, New York’s registry lags behind other states. The national average is 62 percent. Donate Life NYS suggests that for New York to reach the national average of registered organ donors, 2.7 million new donors need to be added to the registry.
Gov. Hochul announced Wednesday $2.5 million in new state funding for the victims impacted by the May 14 Tops shooting in Buffalo. This funding will help the Buffalo Urban league partner with the Community Health Centers of Buffalo to operate the Buffalo United Resiliency Center through June 2025. The new funding will also help the BURC hire new employees and ensure it has the support to serve victims and survivors of the shooting. The Community Health Centers will work to address Access to housing, Access to transportation, Emergency and long-term food access and Assistance with rent, utility, and other areas.
Emmanuel Baptist Church is happy to announce their Easter Cantata on Sunday at 2pm at the church on Oak Street. The Cantata celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. After the Cantata there will be a hymn sing so bring your favorites and join in fellowship singing praises together. There will be free desserts in the fellowship hall to follow the singing.
On Wednesday Bills Safety Damar Hamlin was in Washington DC to support the Access to AED’s Act. The Act would direct the HHS to supply grants for schools and nonprofits to purchase and install Automated Electronic Defibrillators and develop emergency response plans for heart attacks such as the one that struck down Hamlin on the field against the Bengals. Hamlin has been championing people learning CPR and is now pushing for more access to equipment across the country.
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is celebrating their Diamond Derby Day Gala on May 6th at 4pm at Terry Hills Golf course and Banquet Facility. The Michael Napoleone Foundation assists families with the diagnosis of pediatric cancer, where they provide necessary financial assistance in the many challenges they face. So far they have given out over 800 thousand dollars in assistance. So, grab your best hat, your best outfit, and your best friends and win prizes, Place bids and Show your support in celebration of the Diamond Derby Day Gala.
