Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on June 15, 2023
The Batavia police department is looking for two people of interest in a stolen credit card scheme. They are asking for the public’s help in identifying 2 people photographed by security cameras leaving Target on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. If anyone knows who they are please contact the investigating detective at (585)345-6357 or you can leave a tip on the confidential tip line. You can view the photos on WBTAi.com.
A substitute teacher in Rochester is on leave after allegedly grabbing a 7 year old student and forcing him into a wall and then shouting in his face. The incident was captured on security cameras. A second teacher pulled the substitute off the boy and then reported the incident to administration. Administration immediately suspended the substitute and informed the boy’s parents. The student, Mathias Tucker, was taken to the hospital with neck and back pain and is staying home, afraid to return to school. The substitute, who has not been identified, is on leave until an investigation is completed.
The summer concert season is underway, and multiple agencies are working together to prevent underage drinking at venues across the state. Under an initiative called Operation Prevent, there will be enforcement sweeps through mid-September to stop the use of fake IDs to buy alcohol. Anyone under the age of 21 who is caught using a phony or another person’s ID can get a ticket and have their license revoked for up to a year. Police will also be keeping an eye out for drunk drivers after concerts.
The first group of asylum seekers who have been staying in New York City might be arriving in Western New York as early as today. According to WGRZ, those migrants from the southern border are going to be staying at a hotel in Cheektowaga. There will be 60 individuals coming to the region, and the Erie County Department of Social Services has been already notified so it can help them out. County Executive Mark Poloncarz has said in the past he welcomes the arrival of asylum seekers.
The City Council has agreed to allow open containers of alcohol in Jackson Square over the summer on a couple of conditions. Bars and restaurants wanted to be able to sell alcoholic drinks in the square during the summer concert series and other events and petitioned the Council for permission. The Council allows them to do so as long as they take responsibility by providing liability insurance of at least 1 million dollars, naming the city as co insured. Business owner Matt Gray said that an open container policy may help establishments to get cross traffic. Jackson Square concert series is getting ready to kick off on June 23rd with the Old Hippies and will continue with concerts through August 25th, finishing with Ghost Riders.
A Batavia resident is the new director for the tri county area for Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities of Buffalo has promoted Katelyn DiSalvo to tri-county district director. In her new role, she is responsible for the overall administration and functioning of Catholic Charities’ three tri-county offices located at 106 South Main St., in Albion, 25 Liberty St., in Batavia, and 6470 US-20A, in Perry, which include the emergency financial assistance program, friendly phones, and home visitation programming. With Catholic Charities since 2018, DiSalvo most recently served as an emergency financial assistance specialist, providing support to clients in emergency situations. She also assisted the district director with office responsibilities and local community outreach projects.
