Wednesday News Brief

A 21-year-old junior at Cornell University has been charged in connection to violent online threats directed at the school’s Jewish community. Patrick Dai, originally from Pittsford, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly posting a series of disturbing messages to the Cornell section of an online forum, threatening to brutally assault and kill any Jewish people he sees on campus. Dai also said he was “gonna shoot up 104 West,” which is a Cornell dining hall that caters to Kosher diets and is located next to the Cornell Jewish Center. Dai is charged with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

 

 

The Genesee County Department of Social Services has filed charges that include grand larceny following investigation into three Batavia residents. 37-year-old Patricia McDonald is accused of falsely reporting that her children were residing with her in order to obtain additional SNAP benefits in the amount of $2,500. 63-year-old James Harris is accused of failing to report income, which resulted in him receiving nearly $2400 in SNAP benefits for which he was not entitled. And 33-year-old Remy Lacey is also accused of failing to report wages. He received $3326 in SNAP benefits he was not entitled to. Each was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on their own recognizance.

 

 

30-year-old Maranda Button of Batavia has been arrested. In addition to a traffic violation, she is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. The arrest occurred last night when Button was stopped by road patrol Deputies near the intersection of Route 63 and Park Road. An investigation resulted in allegations that Button was in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on an appearance ticket.

 

Rochester police are still looking into the discovery of human remains in the Genesee River. The remains were removed from the water yesterday near the Inner Loop. They were then turned over to the Monroe County medical examiner for an autopsy and identification. Anyone with details on this case is asked to reach out to police at 585-428-6720.

 

Governor Hochul says the state is taking action to protect people from hate crimes. There have been a growing number of bias-related incidents in the last few weeks in the aftermath of an attack against Israel that was carried out by Hamas. The governor says millions of dollars are available to help law enforcement prevent and solve these crimes. That includes funding for State Police to expand their social media analysis unit to monitor potential threats.

 

As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: A new study released by the Business Council of New York State says that the state lost almost $10 billion to Florida in the year 2021. Over the past 3 years $993 billion left New York and moved to other states. The national average of financial growth is 4%. New York has sat at .2% for the last 3 years. The report also states that New York is very low on the list for business friendliness, tax competitiveness and out migration (the definition of which is the action of leaving one place to settle in another, especially within a country). Governor Hochul’s office touted the new tech corridor in Western and upstate New York and nearly half a million jobs created since she took office and said she is doing everything in her power to turn the state around. Experts warn that without New York reducing tax burdens and cutting over-regulation the trend will continue.

 

Starting today, applications are being accepted for anyone who is interested in enrolling in the Home Energy Assistance Program. The program helps people pay their energy bills during the winter months and eligibility is based on factors such as income, household size, and primary heating source. Only one HEAP benefit will be given to an eligible household per program year. Additional information can be found by going to otda.ny.gov.

 

Members of a union at the University of Rochester Medical Center are planning to hold an informational picket. The more than 1,800 service employees and caregivers say they’re upset an agreement hasn’t been reached on a brand-new contract. Employees are still planning to go to work each day but say they want to let people know what’s happening and how they could be affected. The date of the picket hasn’t been announced.

 

The Buffalo Bills have picked up a new Cornerback, Rasul Douglas, in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. Buffalo acquired the 28-year-old corner and a 2024 fifth-round pick from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick. He’s been a durable player, missing just nine total games since coming into the league in 2018. He also intercepted Josh Allen during the Packers’ loss to the Bills last season. People in Green Bay say Douglas is also a leader and a voice that is heard in the locker room. He has size, standing at 6-foot-2-inches, and he can make plays, racking up nine interceptions over the past two seasons. He comes to the team as Tre’davious White is out for the season with an injury.

 

The Buffalo Sabres are in the City of Brotherly Love tonight as they hope to pick up a second straight win. The Sabres are set to visit the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. Buffalo is coming off of a four-to-nothing shutout victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday and has earned eight points so far this season. Face-off is set for 7:00.

 

 

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

The very last Beatles song will premiere on iHeartmedia broadcast stations nationwide tomorrow. “Now and Then” was written and sung by John Lennon decades ago, and newly developed Artificial Intelligence technology has finally allowed every Beatle to contribute to the finished song. It includes guitar parts recorded by George Harrison before his death, Ringo Starr’s drumming, and Paul McCartney’s bass and piano. “Now and Then,” will debut on more than 740 iHeart stations at 10:00am Eastern, tomorrow.

 

Turns out ghosts aren’t a deal breaker for homebuyers. A Zillow survey found that 67% of prospective homebuyers would purchase a haunted house if it were in a good location, affordable or had other appeal.

 

 

 

 

Today is Wednesday, November 1st, the 305th day of the year.

November 1 in history…

 

…In 1800, John Adams became the first President to live in the White House in Washington D.C.

 

 

 

 

…In 1956 Elvis Presley bought a new Harley Davidson motorbike and spent the day riding around Memphis with actress Natalie Wood.

 

 

 

 

…In 1975 Paul McCartney and Wings kicked off a 9-date tour in Australia.

 

 

 

…In 2005, voters in Denver, Colorado voted to allow residents over the age of 21 to legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana.