Morning News Brief

Rochester police released the body camera footage of the officer involved shooting which happened on First street on Monday.  It shows an officer responding to a gunshot and then a car chase.  The Police chief described what happened as the footage is dark and moves a lot.  The shooting happened after the police officer used his taser on the suspect after they had crashed a 2011 Chevy Silverado into a phone pole and then tackled the officer and then a fight ensued over the officer’s handgun.  The officer fired several times during the fight on the ground and struck the suspect once in the jaw.  The officer involved and additional responding officers reportedly started performing life-saving measures on the suspect right away, and continued these measures in the ambulance.  The suspect is in stable condition.  The City Council of Rochester issued a letter on Wednesday condemning the officer and police department and saying there was never a reason to use a gun and that they were sure it was a racially motivated shooting.  The Locust Club issued a statement calling the Council’s statement disgusting, vile and dangerous.

The FBI raided a home on Pearl Street in Batavia on Wednesday and it may be related to sex trafficking charges against the Pharoahs Strip Club workers and owner in Buffalo.  The listed owner of the residence at 3604 South Pearl Street Road, Batavia, according to county tax records, is Barsuk Buffalo Properties LLC, and records list Joseph Barsuk Jr. as a former owner of the property.  Barsuk and Brian Rosenthal are indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Barsuk is also accused of sex trafficking by coercion.  On the first count of the indictment, Barsuk and Rosenthal are accused of working together, and perhaps with others, to “knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain” sex workers for financial gain.  Barsuk is accused of using force, threats of force, fraud and coercion to get a victim, referred to as “Victim 1,” in paid sex work.  It is unknown what investigators were looking for in the raid in Batavia.

Governor Hochul says 100-million-dollars will be made available to help out school districts statewide who want to add zero-emission buses. The hope is that this funding will make it easier for districts to get rid of buses that run on fossil fuels, which will in turn help limit damage to the environment. The governor believes these funds will put schools on a trajectory towards embracing clean transportation. All school buses sold in New York must be zero-emission by 2027.

Its time to get spooky at Dwyer Stadium.  The 3rd annual Muckdogs trick or treating event is scheduled for Saturday October 21st from 3 to 6pm. The event is free to enter and is for all ages. Attendees can trick or treat, participate in games & activities, and enjoy the Halloween festivities at Dwyer Stadium.  For the last 2 years hundreds of kids and their families lined up in costume to get candy from local businesses and organizations who set up decorated tables to hand out treats and promotional items.  There are openings for more people to hand out candy.  If you or someone you know wants their local business to be involved, please email Muckdogs General Manager, Marc Witt mwitt.canusa@gmail.com

The North Tonawanda City Farmers Market was named the best farmer’s market in America by the American Farmland Trust.  People point to the low prices and large variety as to why it is the best.  To celebrate, the Market is going to be giving out free food to visitors tomorrow. Market sellers will be handing out things such as apples, cider donuts, kettle corn, and also apple cider. Those items will be available between the hours of 10 a-m and one p-m. For more information, go to northtonawanda.org.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen recently teamed up with Pepsi to do an ad for Buffalo Pepsi.  The difference between regular and Buffalo style, you might have guessed, its hot sauce.  In the ad Allen invited people to add a little Buffalo to their soft drink by ordering a Pepsi and wings, ordering extra Buffalo sauce, and adding it to their Pepsi.  Hardocre enthusiasts can do a blue cheese rim on their glass.  Buffalo residents tried the concoction and said it’s actually pretty good.