Weekend News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on April 29, 2023
Two Lacakwanna residents have been indicted on kidnapping, conspiracy and threatening in a case where two men attempted to kidnap the daughter of one of the men take her to Yemen to be married against her will. 50 year old Khaled Abughanem and 32 Waleed Abughanem, the victim’s brother, allegedly conspired to transport a victim who has not been named from western NY to Sanaa Yemen and also threatening her with injury if she didn’t cooperate and then when she informed authorities of her situation. They had kidnapped her from Guadalajara Mexico in September of 2021.
A report stating that New York State legislators are seeking to restructure how the board of directors of Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation is chosen has local republican lawmakers upset. The lawmakers, Claudia Tenney, George Borrello and Stephen Hawley say that this changes 50 years of local communities working together with each other and the casinos to bring jobs, money and entertainment to Western NY and instead puts all the power into the hands of lawmakers in Albany. They characterize the move as a power grab by Governor Hochul and left wing legislators. Members of the board of directors are appointed by 17 counties and cities.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley is disappointed that the Assembly Majority has moved to block his legislation, A.2062, from passing in the Assembly chamber. The bill would have eliminated the registration fee for Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Family Members for their distinctive license plates. Gold Star Family Members are families of veterans that served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice, and Hawley has always been an ardent supporter of showing those families the respect they deserve.
Emmanuel Baptist Church on Oak Street in Batavia is holding a fundraiser concert for Care A Van Ministries Sunday night at 7pm with a free dinner at 6pm. There will be a Merle Maple Basket as a door prize, a Free Will Offering taken for Care A Van with a gift for every person who gives, and lots of free food. Musicians include the Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir, soloists and groups and Debbie Prosser of Debbie Prosser Music Ministries. Care a Van operates its prayer bus with free coffee and snacks every day in Batavia. They provide free meals every week through the summer and clothing drives, a food pantry, and musical events for free to the community. Come out and support them and get yourself some great food and entertainment.
Over 500 projects supported by the Genesee County Economic Development Center have generated over $2 billion of investment in Genesee County, pledged over 5,000 jobs, and the construction of over 5 million square feet of new and renovated facilities, the agency announced in its 2022 annual report to community stakeholders. The Genesee County Economic Development Center officially unveiled its 2022 annual report to the community at the organization’s annual meeting on April 28 at Batavia Downs. The event also marks the 20th anniversary of Steve Hyde as President and CEO of the GCEDC. In 2022, the GCEDC closed on 12 projects that resulted in over $140 million in economic impact; $97 million in capital investment; and a pledge of 117 new jobs. The Batavia/Genesee County region was once recognized as a top performing micropolitan for the 19th consecutive year by Site Selection Magazine.
