Morning News Brief

Primary day is here in New York State.  Running in New York for governor are Democrats Kathy Hochul, Tom Suozzi, and Jumaane Williams.  For the Republicans Rob Astorino, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson and Lee Zeldin are vying for the Governor nomination.  3 Democrats are also running for Lieutenant Governor, Ana Maria Archila, Antonio Delgado and Diana Reyna.  Polls will be open from 6 to 9 today.  Congressional and State Senate primaries are going to be held on August 23rd this year due to redistricting of New York’s election map.

Governor Hochul has announced what she is planning to do about the Supreme Court’s decision striking down New York’s law about needing a stated reason to concealed carry a pistol outside the home.  She is planning to put forward measures that would allow businesses to declare themselves a gun free zone by posting a sign near the entrance.  Hochul says this will allow restaurants and other places of business to make their customers feel safe knowing if there are concealed firearms or not near them.  Previously, the only dedicated gun free zones were airports, federal and state buildings and lands including state parks, schools and daycares and public campgrounds.

Fourth of July Weekend is right at the end of the week and there is a lot to do in Batavia.  Friday the Jackson Square concert series continues with the “Old Hippies” while the Muckdogs play at Dwyer Stadium.  Competing with the Jackson Square series is “Rockin’ the Downs” with the Led Zeppelin tribute band “Get the Led Out.”  Saturday will also bring the family fun all day and night long with the Batavia Ramble Explore Arts & Music Fest downtown in Jackson Square. Live bands, cultural dances, hands-on arts and crafts, and more will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Sunday There is another Muckdogs game at 7:05.  And The 4th itself starts off with some exercise at the Kiwanis Club 5k starting in Centennial Park.  No fireworks at the Downs this year due to the construction on Park Road.

Everybody has blood, and if you are injured, you might need more of it.  The Red Cross is reminding the public of the increased need for blood during the summer months as more people skip giving to go on vacations and are just generally out of town and not thinking about donating.  They are seeking more donors and more volunteers for their blood drives.  There is a blood drive today at the American Legion in Batavia from 2 to 7pm and another tomorrow at St James Episcopal Church.  There will be 4 more through July in Batavia.  Walk Ins are welcome.

New York Bus Sales broke ground on their new 20 thousand square foot facility on West Saile Drive and Call Parkway on Monday.  The regional director for National Grid, Ken Kujawa, Batavia Town Supervisor Greg Post, Genesee County Legislature Chairwoman Shelley Stein, Assemblyman Hawley and Senator Rath were all part of the groundbreaking ceremony.  The 4.5 million dollar building will house the offices, training space and repair and storage areas for the company in this area.   It is intended to support school districts and bus operators across Genesee County and the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions to convert their fleets from diesel fuel to all-electric.  The project has also pledged to create 24 full-time jobs.  One of the first electric school buses will be delivered this summer to the Lake Shore School District in Erie County.