Morning News Briefing

Criticism from former YWCA Director over decision to end grant funded programs.
Former Executive Director of the Genesee County YWCA Jeanne Walton has released a statement defending her past leadership and criticizing the current decision by the organization to immediately cease all operations including grant funded programs.
Under the leadership of New Executive Director Millie Tomidy – Peppper the Genesee County YWCA announced late Monday night that it would be shutting down services and terminating 36 employees due to financial difficulties.
Walton claims that nothing about the YWCA’s financial situation changed for the worse during her years of service.
She said the financial struggles experienced by the YWCA predated her tenure as Executive Director and that she learned to manage the organization living from “paycheck to paycheck”, just to remain solvent.
After Walton shirked any responsibility for the cash crisis she then criticized the move to end programs which she emphasized were 100% grant funded.
Walton said she was shocked by the news and she knows that it was an extreme decision that could have been avoided.

Police alert residents of funny money finding its way into the area.
The Batavia Police Department is currently investigating reports of counterfeit $50 bills being passed locally
They encourage checking the authenticity if you happen to receive a $50 bill.
Police say the counterfeits are very convicting and will pass at most businesses simple marker tests.
Some fraudulent features to look for are a penciled in security strip on the reverse and a faintly penciled in face on the right side of the note with the head of Grant.
They are also missing the microprint security features due to blurring.
If anyone receives a counterfeit or suspected counterfeit bill you can call the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.

Serious windstorms for Much of Western New York.
Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties will be under high wind warnings through tonight.
Forecasters say wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour are possible.
The windstorms could down trees, knock out power and cause lakeshore flooding.

Deputies say Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio tried to buy a gun at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Deputies say the employees at the Henrietta store refused to sell Astacio a shotgun Monday.
Employees said they didn’t feel comfortable selling her the gun and turned her away based on store policy.
It isn’t known if owning a gun would violate terms of her probation.

The Buffalo Bills are suing Republican candidate for governor of Rhode Island Giovanni Feroce for nearly one-million-dollars.
The NFL team claims Feroce made a promotional deal to be the official timepiece of the Buffalo Bills.
Giant clocks were installed around New Era Field and the company paid the first installment of $87,000.
The Bills later learned that Feroce didn’t have the rights to the watch company’s trademark when the deal was cut in 2014.