Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on October 6, 2022
Congressman Chris Jacobs is calling for the New York State Department of Education to release 2021 and 2022 standardized test data for kids in grades 3-8. He was joined by Elise Stefanik, Nicole Malliotakis, Joe Sempolinski, Claudia Tenney and Lee Zeldin in demanding that the data be released to the public as it has been in previous years. Usually it is sent out in August. Jacobs and the others say that the state is hiding the information because COVID school closures negatively effected kids learning. Tenney called the shutdowns unscientific and said Governor Hochul is refusing to release the information because of the November 8th election.
Hoping to get your students loans forgiven when the applications open up later this month? Watch out for scammer trying to make money off you. The US Department of Education is warning of scammers who are calling on people and claiming to be able to secure debt relief for a fee. They usually ask for your social security information or FSA ID or say they can help you refinance your loan. Federal Student Loan Servicers will never call or email you asking for your private information and you do not need to pay anyone for the student debt relief.
The Genesee County Board of Elections is in need of poll workers. They say they are expecting a major turnout for the November elections but they are understaffed. People have signed up and then no showed. Many people who used to do the elections have retired. Anyone 17 and older who is a Genesee County resident and pre-registered for one of the two parties of Republican or Democrat may be qualified for the job.
3 Batavia High School Students have been recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program. The 3 seniors, Jack Pickard, Lauren Reimer, and Nathan Canale, were recognized for their academic achievement of having an above 3.5 GPA and a high PSAT score or 3 or better on 2 or more AP exams. Students apply for the honor.
Genesee County Sheriffs want to introduce their newest deputy. Deputy Jacob A. Kipler recently graduated from the 78th Basic Course for Police Officers at the Niagara County Law Enforcement Training Academy held at Niagara County Community College. Deputy Kipler is a 2013 graduate of Maryvale High School, Cheektowaga. Following high school, Deputy Kipler enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from 2013 to 2018 and was awarded several medals, badges and citations. He was an aviation mechanic and achieved the rank of Sergeant. After the Marines, Deputy Kipler pursued a college education at the Community College of Vermont and Erie Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a 3.6 GPA.
The Museum Quilt Guild of Batavia will present their biennial show, “Stitches in Time”, on Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 150 quilts displayed at the Alexander Fireman’s Recreation Hall. In addition, there will be vendors, demonstrations, a silent auction, a boutique and a basket raffle. Admission is $5; children under 10 are free.
Former Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Cole Beasley is retiring from the NFL according to his agent. He has played 11 seasons and is 33 years old. This season he is with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 3 seasons with the Bills. In Buffalo, Beasley was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2020 with 82 receptions for 967 yards and four touchdowns. He had another 82 receptions in 2021, though his yardage total dropped to 693 yards with one touchdown. Beasley is also known for his outspoken stance against COVID-19 vaccinations and was reportedly fined multiple times for violating the NFL’s COVID protocols. The Dallas native finishes his NFL career with 554 receptions for 5,726 yards and 34 touchdowns in 151 regular-season games. He had another 40 receptions for 457 yards in 11 playoff games.
