Afternoon News Brief

The Gun Control laws in New York are back in full effect after an appeals court ruled to put a hold on the lower Syracuse courts hold which temporarily blocked portions of the laws. Yesterday a federal appeals court reinstated the affected portions of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act. The high court struck down the state’s long-standing requirement that people demonstrate an unusual threat to their safety to qualify to carry a handgun outside the home. The Syracuse judge had blocked portions that required applicants to turn over their social media information and also parts that blocked concealed carry permit holders from entering certain places.

 

 

43-year-old Nicholas Amos of Medina now faces multiple felony charges. He is accused of stabbing five people outside Poler’s Pub in Medina on Sunday; this followed an altercation in which it’s believed everyone involved knew each other. The victims were transported by ambulance or private vehicle to Medina Memorial Hospital and Erie County Medical Center. Police said, two of the four required surgery. They all remain in stable condition as of this afternoon. Amos was committed to Orleans County Jail pending arraignment.

 

A judge has dismissed the $14.5 million lawsuit against Western Regional Off Track Betting by former CEO Michael Nolan, noting that the statute of limitations had expired on his first amendment violation case. Nolan had said his rights were violated when the corporation’s leadership allegedly retaliated against him for talking to federal agencies about alleged improprieties. He contended that he was fired from his position in December 2020 after being ostracized since April 2019 for sharing information with federal and state authorities as part of an inquiry into business practices. The judge said that the complaint simply came too late after the alleged violation.

 

New data from the state shows the spread of the coronavirus is continuing hold steady in our region. Right now, the seven day average infection rate is sitting at 8.4%. At this time one week ago, the infection rate was 8.6%. To prevent a surge in infections, it’s recommended that folks get vaccinated against COVID-19, receive an updated booster shot and wear a mask while they’re indoors.

 

 

 

Public Works Director Brett Frank told Chris Kalen this morning on Main & Center that the plan is to have construction work done on Harvester Avenue, including the sidewalks, by mid-December.

 

 

 

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be on home ice tonight as they start their new season against a longtime rival. The Sabres are hosting the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Brand-new team captain Kyle Okposo is leading buffalo and head coach Don Granato has signed a multi-year contract to remain with the franchise. Face-off for this evening’s contest is scheduled for 7:00.

 

The man wanted in connection with the murder of his estranged wife has been taken into custody. According to investigators, 45-year-old Adam Bennefield shot and killed 40-year-old Keaira Bennefield, who is also known as KeairaHudson, on October 5th while she was in her vehicle near Richlawn Avenue and Shawnee Avenue in Buffalo. Adam Bennefield was arraigned yesterday on multiple charges and is currently behind bars without bail. He’s expected to be back in court again on November 15th.