Friday News Brief

STATE AUDIT FLAGS THOUSANDS IN LE ROY FIRE DISTRICT SPENDING

A new state audit is raising concerns about how the Le Roy Fire District handled travel, meal and refreshment expenses over a three-year period.
The State Comptroller’s Office reviewed 134 purchases totaling more than 23-thousand dollars and found problems with documentation, authorization or compliance in 117 of them.
Auditors classified roughly 17-thousand dollars in spending as unnecessary or inappropriate district expenses, including nearly 14-thousand dollars in non-travel meals and refreshments. They also identified travel claims that lacked prior approval or exceeded district limits.
The comptroller is recommending tighter claim reviews, clearer written rules for food and refreshments and stricter enforcement of travel policies.
Fire District commissioners agreed improvements are needed, but pushed back on some of the audit’s characterization.
The board says many purchases did include receipts, although some lacked the detail auditors wanted. Commissioners also defended keeping basic snacks and drinks available for volunteer firefighters during extended district activities.
The district says it will strengthen documentation requirements and review travel claims more closely before payment.

CHURCHVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FATAL THRUWAY CRASH

A Churchville man has pleaded guilty in connection with an April crash on the New York State Thruway in Stafford that killed a Syracuse man.
Sixty-eight-year-old Patrick Hastings admitted to felony second-degree vehicular manslaughter and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
State Police say Hastings was driving east near the Le Roy exit on April 10th when his BMW struck a pickup truck from behind. The impact caused the pickup to overturn and eject 56-year-old Scott Berberian, who died at the scene.
Police said Hastings showed signs of impairment, failed field sobriety tests and later registered a blood-alcohol content of point-zero-eight percent.
Hastings could face up to two-and-a-third to seven years in state prison on the vehicular manslaughter conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for January 27th in Genesee County Court.
Prosecutors say restitution may also be sought for Berberian’s family.
Hastings’ attorney told the court his client is extremely remorseful and wanted to resolve the case without putting the victim’s family through additional proceedings.

STOP-DWI PATROLS INCREASE FOR HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Drivers across Genesee County can expect stepped-up impaired-driving enforcement this Halloween weekend.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is joining the county STOP-DWI program and agencies statewide for a high-visibility campaign running Friday through Sunday.
Officials are urging anyone who plans to drink or use drugs to arrange a sober ride before heading out.
They also encourage friends and family members to take keys away from anyone who may be impaired and help them find another way home.
The campaign is part of a broader statewide effort aimed at reducing alcohol- and drug-related crashes.

ZEKE LYNN TAKES OVER BATAVIA CITY GOP AS COUNCIL VACANCY OPENS

Batavia’s Republican Committee has a new chairman as the party also begins looking for someone to fill an upcoming City Council vacancy.
Zeke Lynn took over as committee chairman October 20th, replacing Rich Richmond. Lynn says he wants to bring a more accessible approach to the local party and encourage younger residents to become involved in city politics.
The change comes as Sixth Ward Councilwoman Tammy Schmidt prepares to step down November 1st.
Lynn is asking interested Sixth Ward Republicans to submit their names for consideration as the city prepares to appoint a temporary replacement.

DOORDASH MAKES $17 BILLION BID TO BUY INSTACART

DoorDash is offering 17-billion dollars to acquire Instacart in a deal that would combine two of the biggest names in U.S. delivery.
Instacart would keep its name and app, while its roughly 600-thousand independent shoppers could continue filling orders as they do now. DoorDash also says customers paying separately for DashPass and Instacart Plus could eventually use one membership instead of two.
The combination would also give Instacart customers access to about 50-thousand additional stores already available through DoorDash.
The proposal comes as DoorDash continues expanding beyond restaurant delivery and into groceries, retail and other categories.
The deal still needs approval from Instacart shareholders and government regulators and is not expected to close until late 2027 or early 2028.
DoorDash shares rose following the announcement.

NETANYAHU’S LIKUD PARTY CHALLENGES ISRAEL ELECTION RESULTS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is escalating claims that this week’s election was improperly influenced, even as election officials say there is no evidence of widespread fraud.
Likud alleged Thursday that Arab-led parties benefited from foreign interference and declared the election had been “stolen.” Those claims remain unproven.
The head of Israel’s election committee did ask the Shin Bet security service to investigate separate allegations of possible foreign involvement, while stressing that he could not verify them. Qatar, which has been accused by some Likud members, denied any role.
Preliminary projections show Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats, opposition parties with 48 and Arab-led parties with 19 — leaving no side with the 61 seats needed for a majority.
Final results were expected Thursday evening, followed by coalition negotiations.

NOTRE DAME GIRLS SOCCER ADVANCES TO CLASS D SECTIONAL FINAL

Notre Dame is headed to the Section V Class D girls soccer championship after a 6-1 semifinal win over Mount Morris.
Emilie Noble led the Irish with a hat trick, while Emma Fitch added a goal and two assists. Chelsea Fitch and Bri McGirr also found the net.
The win improves Notre Dame to 12-4-and-1.
The Irish will face Northstar Christian Academy for the Class D title Saturday at 1 p.m. at Caledonia-Mumford High School.