Friday News Brief

STAFFORD MAN CHARGED WITH MAKING TERRORISTIC THREATS

A Stafford man is facing felony charges after allegedly making violent threats toward Stafford Town Court.
Sixty-seven-year-old Thomas Perl was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats following an incident on Main Road in Stafford on July 1st. He was taken to the Genesee County Jail and held for arraignment in CAP Court.
In other sheriff’s activity, 72-year-old Clair Cupler of Pavilion was charged with harassment after allegedly threatening another person and was also accused of possessing crack cocaine.
Thirty-seven-year-old Steven Binder of Batavia was charged with resisting arrest after allegedly fighting with sheriff’s deputies.
Thirty-three-year-old Iris Pineda Fuentes of Batavia was charged with DWI following a traffic stop in Oakfield.
And Journey Kingdollar was charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance after allegedly stealing merchandise from the Town of Batavia Walmart while allegedly possessing a crack pipe with residue.

 

 

 

LE ROY RESIDENTS VOICE CONCERNS OVER LEARNING CENTER CHANGES

Community members packed the Le Roy Board of Education meeting Wednesday night, raising concerns about changes to the Senior High School Learning Center.
Residents questioned how the district will replace the support previously provided by former Learning Center teacher Jennifer Bertrand, who resigned after declining a reassignment to an elementary classroom. Speakers urged the district to explain how students will continue receiving academic and executive functioning support under the new model.
One parent and educator called the Learning Center critical to student success, while another questioned whether teachers will have the time and resources to take on additional responsibilities. A student also credited Bertrand with helping him through a difficult year and said she was the only staff member to regularly check on him during repeated hospital stays.
Superintendent Merritt Holly said the Learning Center will continue in a different format and plans to follow up with those who spoke at the meeting.

 

SONGBIRDS KICK OFF JACKSON SQUARE CONCERT SERIES TONIGHT

Downtown Batavia’s popular Friday Concert Series returns tonight with a free performance by Songbirds in Jackson Square.
The concert runs from 7 until 9 p.m. in Jackson Square, located between Center and Jackson streets. Organizers encourage concertgoers to arrive early to enjoy downtown Batavia’s restaurants and shops before the music begins, and to stick around afterward to continue the evening downtown.
The Friday Concert Series is free and open to the public. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an evening of live music under the summer sky.

 

 

 

28 KILLED IN CHINA SHOE FACTORY FIRE

At least 28 people are dead after a massive fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China.
The blaze broke out Thursday at a footwear factory in the city of Jinjiang, where nearly 240 workers and visitors were inside the building. Authorities say 213 people were rescued, but 28 others died.
Officials say the fire started on the first floor, where shoe materials and other highly flammable products fueled the flames. Firefighters battled the blaze for about four hours, with more than 500 emergency personnel taking part in the response.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a full investigation, demanding those responsible be held accountable. The factory owner and other company officials have reportedly been taken into custody as investigators work to determine the cause of the fire.

 

U.S. STRIKES IRAN AS ISRAEL-LEBANON PEACE TALKS MOVE FORWARD

The United States launched another round of airstrikes against Iran Thursday, targeting military sites after recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes came hours after President Donald Trump declared the temporary ceasefire was effectively over and warned Iran against further attacks. Iran responded by targeting U.S.-allied Kuwait and Qatar while accusing the U.S. of striking near its only nuclear power plant.
Despite the renewed violence, U.S. officials say progress is being made on a separate U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Lebanon. After weeks of stalled negotiations, technical talks are expected to begin soon in Rome, with pilot zones set to launch in the coming days as Israeli forces gradually transfer control of areas in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Army.

 

 

 

 

MUCKDOGS ERUPT FOR 17 RUNS, IMPROVE TO 22-6

The Batavia Muckdogs put on an offensive show Thursday night, rolling past the Niagara Falls Americans 17-8 at Dwyer Stadium.
Batavia’s bats stayed hot throughout the evening as the Muckdogs piled up 17 runs to improve to 22-6 on the season and strengthen their hold near the top of the standings.
The Muckdogs hit the road tonight for a matchup with the Jamestown Tarp Skunks as they look to keep their momentum rolling. First pitch is scheduled for this evening in Jamestown.