Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on October 16, 2023
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday signed a package of legislation aimed at improving alcoholic beverage laws for consumers and small business owners. The package allows for the retail sale of beer on Sundays and permits liquor and wine stores in New York to open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. It also extends the duration of a brewer’s valid license from one year to three years, allows businesses to prepare and keep drinks containing alcohol in pressurized dispensing machines and lets retail stores sell complimentary gifts and promotional items related to wine and spirit sales. The state Assembly passed the measure to expand Sunday liquor sales in June after it was approved by the state Senate. It was delivered to Hochul last week.
For the second time in less than a year, a Bills player suffered a scary injury that required immediate medical attention on the field. Running back Damien Harris left the field in an ambulance and was reportedly taken to the hospital after injuring his neck while being tackled in the second quarter of Buffalo’s Sunday night matchup against the Giants. Harris reportedly has movement in his arms and legs and will be undergoing further testing.
Jessica Pegula has won the Korean Open after beating Yuan Yue 6 to 2 and 6 to 3 for the 4th title in her career. The top-seeded Pegula dropped only one set through the tournament and became the first American since Venus Williams in 2007 to win the title in Seoul. Pegula told crowds how she was half Korean and felt like she was coming home.
Early voting in the general election is starting soon. From Saturday October 28th to Sunday November 5th voters can go to the ARC Community center at 38 Woodrow Rd in Batavia for early voting from 9 to 5. The election day is November 7th. October 23rd is the last day for absentee ballot applications and changes of address. November 6th is the last day for applying for an absentee ballot in person. November 7th is the last day to postmark a ballot. The last day to register to vote is October 28th.
Batavia Downs has announced several events over the winter. November 5th the Batavia Bacchus Wine Festival will be from 1 to 3:30pm. Attendees will be able to sample vintages from over a dozen wineries. Early access tickets are 25 dollars and come with 20 dollars in free play. The Uncle Louie Variety Show comes back to Batavia Downs on November 30th. Comedians Carlo Russo and Lou Greco will be making the audience laugh starting at 8pm. Tickets are 20 dollars for VIP and 15 for regular seating. Tickets come with 10 dollars in free play. December 8th Marsha McWilson will be performing her annual Christmas Concert. Doors open at 6:30pm with music beginning at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 and concert go-ers will receive $10 in Free Play.
The Buffalo Bills beat the New York Giants 14 to 9 Sunday night moving the Bills to 4 and 2 on the season. The game started slow for the Bills with the Giants leading 6 to 0 at halftime. 2 touchdowns in a row late in the game saw the Bills lead. Josh Allen finished his day 19 of 30 passing for 169 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His go-to target was Diggs, who caught 10 of his 16 targets for 100 yards. The Bills next game is against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium Sunday at 1pm.