Morning News Brief

Former Irondequoit police chief Alan Laird is facing possible prison time, according to prosecutors.  They allege that Laird and Steven Rosenbaum, his business partner in Swoop 1, Inc., a local security business, cashed checks from clients, failing to report over $5 million in earnings from 2016 to 2021.  Court documents state that over the five-year period, Laird and Rosenbaum did not report more than $5 million of income. Instead of depositing checks from clients into a business bank account, they cashed them at a local business.  Prosecutors allege that approximately $2.5 million were used to pay employees, with the remainder being split between Laird and Rosenbaum.  Laird is ordered to pay restitution to the IRS, which his attorney expects him to have paid in full by sentencing.  Laird could face up to three years behind bars.

Gun and ammo dealers in Western NY are supposed to be starting the background checks on ammo purchases today but many are saying they have been given no information on what they are supposed to do.  Dean Adamski of DD’s Ranch in Alden says “No dealer has been contacted by the state about how it will work.”  Several gun shop owners say they have followed the New York State Police’s advice and registered online but there is still no information.  They don’t even know what the background check questions are.  As a result, stores will be unable to sell ammunition without knowing how to complete the required background checks.

A man was shot and killed while sitting outside on Main Street near Buffalo’s University Heights neighborhood early Tuesday morning.  Detectives say the man, who has not been identified, was shot on the 3100 block of Main Street— that’s near Custer Street— after 1:50 a.m. He died at the scene.  Detectives have not named any suspects or given any identifying information on the victim.  According to Buffalo’s crime incident data, this is the 30th homicide in the city in 2023.

The new Hood expansion marks a major milestone for the Genesee Valley Agri Business Park.  Since opening in 2011, the Ag Park and supporting infrastructure has generated investments of about $607 million by HP Hood, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Marktec Products, and O-AT-KA Milk Products in an area with over 1.2 million sq. ft. of food and beverage facilities set to employ over 1,000 professionals in the food processing industry.  HP Hood’s investment also marks another $100+ million project in Genesee County, and the fifth largest in the county’s history, four of which have been announced in just the past year.  HP Hood’s expansion includes the construction of a 32,500 sq ft building to accommodate the addition of new batching and processing systems, along with increasing capacity and beginning the production for a new product line. The project will create 48 new full-time positions.

The New York State Cannabis Control Board has finalized regulations for the adult-use cannabis market.  The move officially opens the floodgate to general licensing, meaning a broad universe of individuals and small businesses across the state will now be able to apply for licenses beginning October 4.  It paves the way for the most significant expansion of the state’s cannabis market since 2021, when cannabis was first legalized.  New cannabis retail licenses were previously on hold after a judge upheld an injunction last month.

Josh Allen blames himself for the Bill’s loss to the Jets and Coach Sean McDermott agrees.  When asked after the game about the loss, McDermott talked about the 4 turnovers that Allen was responsible for.  He said Allen can play better and smarter.  McDermott also said that this kind of sloppy play will not win in this league.  The team will try to get to 1-1 coming up on Sunday when they play their first home game against the Raiders at 1 p.m.