Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on October 6, 2023
On the day where most people get their deposits on their EBT cards, people across Rochester were shocked to find their food stamp cards had a balance of zero. Someone allegedly took all of their funds instantly. Monroe County confirms it has received approximately 200 reports of scam-related benefit theft just this week. The county also said those who have experienced EBT fraud should closely monitor their transactions and immediately seek a replacement card if compromised. They have not said how the fraud took place. But Monroe County says the funds will be replaced within 72 hours.
According to UAW Assistant Director Ray Jensen, 47 Lockport General Motors employees were laid off on Thursday. These employees will receive strike pay and will be able to collect unemployment benefits. Jensen says due to the Lockport plant’s connection with the plant in Wentzville, Missouri, production has been impacted. Union-represented workers at the GM plant in Wentzville were among the first groups to be selected to strike in September. According to GM, Lockport operations produce a variety of components for vehicles, including radiators, condensers, oil coolers and HVAC modules. These temporary layoffs come as the UAW strike nears week three.
Members of the Rochester City Council are facing backlash after releasing a statement condemning police for shooting a suspect while he was trying to wrestle an officer’s gun away. Stanley Martin, Mary Lupien and Kim Smith said that the shooting was racially motivated, that the officers should never use their guns, and that they supported the suspect and his family over the police officer. Their statement came on September 27, one day before the RPD released body worn camera footage of the incident. At the city council meeting on Thursday, other members of the council yelled at the three for making officers second guess themselves in potentially deadly situations and not caring about crime in the community.
Motorists may have to find an alternate route for a couple days as paving starts on Commerce and Federal Drives October 11th and 12th. Paving will begin on Commerce Drive and Federal Drive from 9am to 5pm. Once work is complete paving operations will move to Treadeasy Avenue (a portion of roadway between railroad tracks near Summit Lubricants TO city-line). All efforts will be made to maintain access to and from the properties. Properties will experience delays in access while paving through driveways. Motorists will experience changing traffic patterns including one-way movements, temporary closures, and flagging operations as the paving project progresses. All efforts will be made to get motorists to and from their destination with minimum delay. This work is weather-dependent. If work is delayed it will be rescheduled for the next available date.
Two new flavors are now available in Batavia over at the Harvester. Linda Borinquena officially opened Wednesday and sold out quickly both days they have been in operation. The Puerto Rican restaurant serves Empanadillas and rice and meat dishes. The other restaurant, opening today, is an American Style Ramen shop called Xamen that will be open 11 to 4 with different styles of ramen bowls all with their own sauces and toppings. Both businesses are opening in the Crapshoot Kitchen which is renting out space to new startups and food truck businesses that need a clean and accessible space to cook their food.
Main Street Theatre presents the age old story of 12 Angry Jurors starting tonight at 7:30pm. The show about 11 jurors who just want to pass judgment and go home and 1 who isn’t sure will run tonight, Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:30. Tickets are 16 dollars for adults and 14 for students and seniors. The show is in the Batavia City Centre.
