Friday News Brief

BATAVIA CITY COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD WITH PROPOSED E-BIKE SAFETY REGULATIONS

Batavia City Council is moving ahead with plans to crack down on unsafe operation of electric bicycles and scooters.
Following Monday’s meeting, council members agreed to focus on three areas: operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless riding, and confiscating e-bikes operated by children under 16 until a parent can retrieve them.
City officials say existing state laws already address sidewalk restrictions and many other traffic violations, eliminating the need for additional local regulations.
Council members also raised concerns about speeding e-bikes on the Ellicott Trail, where additional restrictions and signage could be considered.
Police Chief Chris Camp and city officials will now work with the city attorney to draft enforceable regulations, potentially including fines.
Council President Eugene Jankowski Junior says he hopes the new rules can be finalized before the end of the year, allowing police to begin enforcement ahead of next spring.
The proposals would still require council approval before becoming law.

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON $22 MILLION EXPANSION OF BATAVIA ICE DETENTION CENTER

Construction is now underway on a major expansion of the federal immigration detention center in Batavia.
The project involves a large, soft-sided structure designed to accommodate approximately 100 additional detainees, primarily women.
News10NBC reports the expansion will cost 22-point-2 million dollars, including 8-point-8 million in federal funding.
The contract was awarded to Virginia-based Akima Infrastructure Protection, which already operates the existing detention center.
The Batavia facility currently has a rated capacity of 650 detainees and has regularly operated above that number.
Federal officials say the expansion is necessary following a New York State law that prevents county jails from housing detainees on behalf of ICE.
Congressman Tim Kennedy has questioned the project, raising concerns about detention conditions and whether the temporary structure can withstand Western New York winters.
Earlier federal documents described a nearly 17-million-dollar project and contained conflicting descriptions of the building.
A completion date has not been announced.

GIANT THANKSGIVING TURKEY TURNS HEADS IN BASOM

A local business is getting into the Thanksgiving spirit with a larger-than-life holiday creation.
Alleghany Services in Basom has constructed a giant turkey entirely out of drainage pipes and fittings normally used in agricultural projects.
The unusual display was assembled by the company’s installation crew, combining their everyday skills with a little holiday humor.
CEO Chad Klotzbach says the project was designed to bring smiles to the community while showcasing the company’s work.
Residents can see the turkey outside Alleghany Services at 7342 Alleghany Road in Basom, and are encouraged to take pictures and share them on social media.

DJ JICKSTER TAKES OVER 34 RUSH AT BATAVIA DOWNS TONIGHT

Looking for something to do tonight? Batavia Downs has you covered with an evening of music and entertainment.
DJ Jickster returns to 34 Rush tonight, bringing his signature energy and a late-night set to one of Batavia’s popular entertainment destinations.
The music gets underway at 9:30 tonight, with Jickster keeping the party going into the evening.
The event takes place at 34 Rush inside Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, located at 8315 Park Road in Batavia.
More information is available at Batavia Downs Gaming dot com.

NVIDIA CEO RESIGNS AMID AFFAIR AND ESPIONAGE ALLEGATIONS

A major shakeup at one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.
Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang has resigned following revelations about extramarital affairs, including one raising national security concerns.
Reports indicate Huang had a relationship with a businesswoman suspected by U.S. intelligence of providing information to China.
Separate allegations involving an affair with a Nvidia executive added to growing pressure for his departure.
Huang, who helped establish the company in 1993, previously apologized to employees for being unfaithful to his wife.
Nvidia says it has no evidence that company secrets or national security were compromised, but an investigation remains underway.
Longtime Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been named interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
China has denied the espionage allegations.

TRUMP DIRECTS VANCE TO SHIFT FOCUS AWAY FROM IRAN WAR

President Donald Trump is ordering Vice President JD Vance to shift his attention away from negotiations involving Iran and toward fighting what the president describes as corruption and crime in Democratic-led cities and states.
The announcement came Thursday, just over a week after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections.
Vance, who previously led unsuccessful efforts to negotiate an end to the eight-month conflict, has blamed the war and its economic consequences for contributing to those election losses.
Trump says he no longer sees a need for an agreement with Iran, although tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the president’s recent claims that the war is effectively over, attacks on commercial shipping continue, and American forces remain active in the region.

DREW MONTI DOMINATES AGAIN WITH SIX WINS AT BATAVIA DOWNS

Driver Drew Monti continued his remarkable hot streak at Batavia Downs Wednesday night, recording six victories for the second consecutive racing program.
Monti’s biggest win came aboard The Bride A, who dominated the featured fillies and mares handicap by seven-and-a-half lengths.
The Australian import finished in one minute, 52-and-one-fifth seconds, the fastest mile by a pacing mare at Batavia this year.
Monti also guided Arizona to victory in the 14-thousand-800-dollar Open Handicap, completing a sweep of the night’s two featured races.
Live racing resumes tonight at 5 o’clock.