Monday News Brief

24-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FIVE FELONIES AFTER BATAVIA SHOOTING

A 24-year-old man is facing five felony charges following an early Saturday morning shooting at Ri-Dans Sports Park in Batavia that left two people injured.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to 3755 West Main Street Road around 2 a.m. after reports of gunfire during a private event.
Investigators say an argument involving several people broke out in the parking lot before shots were fired. Two people suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were taken to area hospitals.
Mateo Christian Francis Snyder was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Snyder was arraigned after being released from the hospital and was remanded to the Genesee County Jail on 50-thousand dollars cash bail, 100-thousand dollars bond or 500-thousand dollars property bond.
Deputies say the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

OLIVER’S CANDIES HONORED WITH STATE HISTORIC BUSINESS DESIGNATION

A longtime Batavia candy shop is being recognized for nearly nine decades of business in Western New York.
State Senator George Borrello visited Oliver’s Candies Thursday to present owner Jeremy Liles with its official designation in the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry.
Borrello nominated the business for the honor, citing its long history and continued use of traditional recipes and candy-making methods.
Oliver’s was founded in 1932 by Joseph Boyd and Edna Oliver. John and Sheila Quincey purchased the business in 1998, and it is now operated by their son, Jeremy Liles.
The shop continues using original recipes along with ingredients including real butter, cream and honey.
Borrello says the business has become part of Batavia’s identity and holds memories for generations of local families.
The experience inside the company also runs deep. Oliver’s master candy maker and seven longest-serving employees have a combined total of more than 220 years with the business.
The state registry recognizes longstanding businesses that have contributed to the history and character of their communities.

ST. JEROME GUILD BRINGS BACK ANNUAL NOEL NOOK

The St. Jerome Guild is bringing its annual Noel Nook holiday sale back to Batavia this month.
The first sale will be held November 5th and 6th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UMMC Gift Shop on North Street.
Additional Noel Nook dates are planned November 13th, 14th and 16th at the Guild’s newer gift shop on Oak Orchard Road.
Shoppers will receive 10 percent off most purchases, including holiday décor, clothing, jewelry, Buffalo Bills merchandise and gift items.
Proceeds help support the Guild’s ongoing work with local healthcare programs and UMMC.

ROUTE 19 BRIDGE PROJECT WRAPS UP AS KENDALL ROADWORK BEGINS

Major construction is complete on a 2-point-5-million-dollar bridge replacement along Route 19 in Genesee County.
The new bridge over the Black Creek overflow replaces a structure dating back to 1927. The span was raised three feet to better handle high water and includes wider shoulders for cyclists and pedestrians.
Some lane closures may continue through November as crews finish work.
Meanwhile, Route 237 in Kendall will close between Route 18 and Kendall Creek Road beginning Monday for a culvert replacement.
The road is expected to reopen by November 13th.

AP ANALYSIS DETAILS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO U.S. BASES FROM IRANIAN STRIKES

A new Associated Press analysis is revealing the extent of damage caused by Iranian attacks on American military facilities across the Middle East.
Through August, AP verified more than 115 missile or drone strikes that damaged or destroyed structures at 26 bases and other sites containing U.S. equipment.
The analysis found Iran initially concentrated on early-warning radar and air-defense systems before expanding attacks to aircraft, hangars, communications equipment, fuel facilities and troop housing.
Kuwait was among the hardest-hit areas, with Ali Al Salem Air Base struck at least 30 times.
The damage has also prompted the U.S. to move some aircraft, air-defense and communications equipment away from the Persian Gulf as questions grow over the vulnerability of fixed American bases in the region.

DEADLY SHOOTINGS REPORTED ACROSS U.S. OVER HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Several shootings across the country left multiple people dead and dozens injured over Halloween weekend.
In Dallas, four people were killed and 15 others injured in three separate shootings in the Deep Ellum entertainment district. Police say the incidents unfolded over about 75 minutes, and investigators are still working to determine whether they were connected. Some arrests have been made.
In Birmingham, Alabama, one person was killed and eight others wounded in a shooting near Legion Field following the Magic City Classic football game.
Six people were also shot near the University of Delaware campus, while another shooting near Illinois Wesleyan University left a 19-year-old woman dead and several others injured.
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, six people were hospitalized after another shooting early Sunday.

GENESEE COUNTY TEAMS PUNCH TICKETS TO SECTIONAL SEMIFINALS

In Section V football sectional action Friday, sixth-seeded Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen upset Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 28-14 in Class D.
Parker Moore rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown, while the Irish defense forced five turnovers. Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen advances to face second-seeded Attica, which rolled past two-time defending champion Avon 42-12 behind two touchdowns each from Bentley Geedy, Landyn Nagel and Luke Mest.
In Class C, Le Roy/Cal-Mum defeated Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw 35-15 as Brady McClurg ran for 137 yards and four touchdowns.
Defending champion Alexander/Pembroke survived Midlakes 14-6, with Ryder Reichert scoring both Defender touchdowns.
That sets up a semifinal rematch between Alexander/Pembroke and Le Roy/Cal-Mum.
And in Class D, top-seeded York/Pavilion advanced with a 36-14 win over Clyde-Savannah and will meet Canisteo-Greenwood in the semifinal round.