Morning News Brief

Thursday September 1st is the start date for several pieces of new gun control legislation in New York.  After the 1st, in order to apply for a concealed carry permit new applicants must first complete a state regulated and standardized firearm training course.  Also included are live fire testing, background checks and character references.  This also increases disqualifying criteria for misdemeanor convictions for this like weapons charges, drug related charges, and alcohol related charges.  Rifles, shotguns and other firearms are now required to be in safe storage if someone under 18 lives in the home.  Lastly, ammunition will be subject to background checks.  

Movie theaters across the country will be participating in a National Cinema day on Saturday where there will be reduced ticket prices to help theater franchises rebound from pandemic related decreases in attendance.  For most theaters this means offering tickets for 3 dollars for every showtime, format, and movie.  While Batavia’s theater has closed, there are movie theaters participating in Rochester and Buffalo.  AMC and Regal and many other privately owned theaters are lowering their prices for the day.  

Genesee Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse announced Monday that they had received nearly 250 thousand dollars in a grant from the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports for non-medical transportation.  With the 2 year grant, GCASA will be able to hire new drivers and pay for transporting clients to and from Recovery Station and around Batavia, Albion, Rochester and Buffalo.  Transportation Coordinator Nickole Millette says she estimates they have done about 800 rides since January first.  Funding awarded under this grant must be used for non-medical transportation needs, such as recreational activities likely to increase social connection or emotional well-being, recovery supports, peer interactions, formal or informal mutual support groups such as SMART Recovery and AA or NA meetings, and rides to treatment or harm reduction services or to service providers.

The Holland Land office has announced their upcoming events for September.  September 8th is Trivia night at 7pm at the GO Art Building.  Admission is 3 dollars or 2 for members.  A guest presenter, Deanne Quinne Miller, will be speaking about her book on Attica and the 1971 riots, “A Prison Guards Daughter: My Journey Through the Ashes of Attica,” on September 14th at 7pm.  Admission is 5 dollars or 3 for members.  Java With Joe will be September 22nd at 9am with presenter Greg Van Dussen to hear about the Methodist Circuit Riders.  This event is free and coffee and donuts are provided.  

Section VI announced Monday an agreement to a new contract with WNY Sports Officials.  This agreement comes just days before the previous contract was set to expire on August 31.  The High School Sports Officials of Western New York were demanding more money after not being paid throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Section VI said in a statement, “All involved are pleased to be moving forward with Fall Sports on behalf of our member schools and most importantly our student-athletes.”  The two groups have been negotiating the contract since December 2021.