Afternoon News Brief

McDonald’s Eastown Plaza – file photo

The investigation continues into a robbery this morning at McDonald’s on East Main Street. At 5:36am, a white male wearing a gray-hooded sweatshirt and a mask, walked up to the drive through window and demanded money. The suspect stole the cash drawer from the register and fled the scene and was last seen on foot running westbound behind 555 East Main Street. No one was injured and the suspect got away with an undetermined amount of money. Anyone with information should contact the Batavia Police immediately on their confidential tip line: 345-6370.

A Byron man has been sentenced to 5 years for raping a person under the age of 17 in the Target parking lot in January of last year. 21-year-old Shawn Myers is a volunteer firefighter and carries diagnoses of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, and depression. The victim suffered physical injury and still experiences emotional trauma from the event. The judge told Myers that he should spend the time in prison learning not to force people to do things against their will and to learn a trade.

Governor Hochul – Congressman Zeldin

A new poll is out and it reveals one candidate still has a double-digit lead in the race for New York governor. The Siena College Research Institute says Governor Hochul has a 17-point advantage over her Republican challenger, Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin. Last month, the governor was ahead by 14 points in this contest. Hochul is looking to earn a full four-year term in office after taking over for ex-governor Andrew Cuomo last year. Zeldin is attempting to be the first Republican to be elected governor since George Pataki. Election Day is a little over a month away, on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

When the new state firearms laws were passed in July, many people across the GLOW region expressed opposition. New restrictions The Concealed Carry Improvement Act established include strict new standards for the purchase, possession and carrying of firearms. The requirements to obtain a New York state concealed carry pistol permit were expanded to include mandatory training, in-person interviews, and a review of the person’s social media posts. Permit re-certification and renewals are also now required. Firearms have also been forbidden from “sensitive areas” such as bars, libraries, schools, government buildings, parks, and protests. Violating the new laws is a felony offense. Most believe that law-abiding citizens will be the only ones to follow the new laws. And in fact, many believe the new law that took effect on September 1st place unprecedented and overly restrictive conditions on the process of applying for, obtaining, utilizing, maintaining and then recertifying a conceal carry permit for personal protection and other legal uses. Many members of the County legislatures find the new laws to be a gross violation of the Constitution and plan to work with other counties across the state to repeal it.

Positive COVID test result

For the first time since late spring, there have been more than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in Genesee County in back-to-back weeks. Last week, there were 123 new positive tests reported to the Health Department; this week, there were 115. New case reports were well below 100 most weeks throughout the summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the county’s current transmission risk is “medium.”

Andrew Cuomo

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo says it’s time to move forward. In a video posted online, the 64-year-old Cuomo said being forced from office more than a year ago gave him time to reflect. Cuomo said he plans to do a weekly podcast and wants to start a political action committee with goals of electing the right people to office. Cuomo also wants to start a Gun Safety America Project.

Dane Jackson

A few weeks after being involved in a scary collision, Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson has returned to the field. Jackson was a limited participant in yesterday’s practice as the Bills started preparing to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Jackson was injured earlier this month when he was accidentally hit in the head by his teammate Tremaine Edmunds. There’s no word if Jackson is going to play in Sunday’s game in Baltimore.