Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on July 10, 2023
Batavia city Schools are looking at a capital improvement project to be voted on in October. At the latest School Board Meeting Superintendent Jason Smith introduced the projects being looked at. The proposed scope of work includes necessary updates to all BCSD buildings, including security upgrades, field upgrades, auditorium upgrades, and improvements to the Richmond Memorial Library. Grades being taught at each school will also change as work is done. Batavia High School will see no change but Batavia Middle School, John Kennedy, Jackson Primary and Robert Morris will see changes to grade levels. The total cost is 45 million dollars. 89% of the funding is covered by New York State Aid, and the remaining 11% of the funding is covered by the Batavia City School District Capital Reserve Fund, resulting in a zero percent tax increase of the City of Batavia school tax levy as a result of this project.
Batavia High School has a new principal. On monday it was announced that Jennifer Wesp-Liestman will be taking over the position starting August 1st. Wesp-Liestman has served as assistant principal at both Spencerport High School and Greece Odyssey Academy. She was a special education teacher in the Churchville-Chili and Greece Central School Districts. She received a BA in Psychology with a Concentration in Elementary and Special Education and a Master of Science in Inclusive Education from Nazareth College. She has a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from the SUNY Brockport. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Roberts Wesleyan College in the Pathways to Teaching Program.
A grand jury has indicted seven people for their alleged roles in an illegal multimillion-dollar Rochester-based gambling ring. Louis P. Ferrari II, Dominic Sprague and Tomasso Sessa are charged with two counts of conspiracy, one count of transmission of wagering information, and two counts of operating an illegal gambling business. Anthony Amato, Joseph Lombardo, Jeffrey Boscarino and James Civiletti are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of transmission of wagering information, and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. Prosecutors said Ferrari also used his excavating business on Steel Street in Rochester to collect cash payment of gambling losses and launder the proceeds illegally, while Sprague used his own pawn shop on Stone Road in Greece to collect gambling losses and pay them out to winning bettors.
Someone has stolen a Buffalo Buffalo. A statue of a Buffalo that stood on a concrete platform in the Niagara Street Corridor was stolen over the weekend. There were 4 statues and the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western NY spent about 10,000 to put them there. According to police it appears the thieves drove up to the statue and loaded the heavy statue into a vehicle with hand tools and then attempted unsuccessfully to take a second statue. A City of Buffalo spokesperson says Buffalo Police are investigating the statue theft.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is continuing to spread the message about the importance of CPR training. Hamlin, who was resuscitated with CPR during a game in Cincinnati on Jan. 2 and cleared in April to resume football activities, was honored Monday as the New York Yankees began their 14th annual HOPE Week events.Earlier in the day, Hamlin participated in CPR training with several Yankees. Wearing a Babe Ruth jersey, Hamlin threw out the ceremonial first pitch along with former Fordham softball player Sarah Taffet and both participated in the exchange of lineup cards.
The Buffalo Zoo announced Monday the return of its $7.16 admission in honor of 716 Day, on Sunday, July 16. The Zoo will partner with the 716 Foundation in order to give attendees a reduced admission, with a discount of $7 to $11 depending on ticket type. Admission gates at the zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 716 Day. For more information about 716 Day or to purchase tickets, you can visit the Buffalo Zoo website.
