Morning News Brief

A Batavia man has been charged with second degree assault after he allegedly attacked EMTs while riding in an ambulance on Saturday morning.  50 year old JAmes Tillery of Farwell Dr was being transported from Bethany when he began to attack the medic onboard.  It’s alleged that he caused physical injury to the medic.  Tillery has three prior arrests reported locally.  In April 2022, he was charged with criminal mischief for allegedly damaging property at a restaurant on East Main Street. In 2020, he was charged with criminal tampering for allegedly mowing a profane word into the grass of city property.  And in 2018, he was charged with harassment for allegedly striking another person.  The status of those cases is not known at this time.

Residents in Batavia are worried about the rising crime rates.  Most noticeably the shootings over the last couple of months.  One family that caught possible thieves attempting to break into their home on their security doorbell have packed up and moved away.  Batavia Police Department Chief Heubusch said that they are trying to partner with sheriffs and state police to increase patrols.  He shared that a special unit from his police force will be out patrolling the areas they’ve noticed these gun issues in.  City Manager Rachel Tabelski warned residents to take basic security measures when going out and when securing their property.  Both said that residents should report anything suspicious to the police.

Senator Chuck Schumer has introduced a bill that he says would sanction China and Mexico for their involvement in the current fentanyl epidemic. The New York Democrat revealed details of the measure during a visit to Albion yesterday. Schumer says the “Fend Off Fentanyl Act” would give the president emergency powers that can be used to prevent the flow of fentanyl into the United States from foreign countries. International fentanyl trafficking would also be declared a national emergency.

The Town of Tonawanda is joining a lawsuit that has been filed against automakers Kia and Hyundai. Legal action has been taken by other communities such as Buffalo and Rochester due to the high number of vehicles stolen in the last several months. Kia and Hyundai are accused of not making sure proper parts are installed to stop these thefts. Most of the vehicles that have been taken were built between the 2011 and 2021 model years.

Families who would rather their kids not be in public school are asking that their kids be included in public school sports.  State Senator George Borello is co-sponsoring a bill that would allow home school students to participate in interscholastic sports.  He cites that home school families still pay school taxes and should be able to take part in sports programs.  Borello said that 30 other states allow this and New York should get onboard.  In New York State, the Department of Education says in order to enroll in an ‘interscholastic sport,’ students must be enrolled in a public school.

The Arts council of Wyoming County will be hosting a gallery of lush landscapes starting August 4th and running through September.  The works of Cary Moscato will be on display in the Main Gallery.  Moscato’s vast list of accomplishments and experiences, including her 1989 MS in Art Education from the State University College at Buffalo, 21 years of teaching art, and multiple exhibitions and memberships, have served her in building an impressive portfolio.  Her art is portrayed in watercolors, acrylics, and pastels.  There will be a reception on August 4th at 6:30 for the opening of the exhibit.