Weekend News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on September 27, 2024
Shootings are down in many parts of New York State, including in western New York, where Rochester Police saw a drop of 39%. Governor Kathy Hochul says that shootings resulting in injury declined 28% through August compared to the same eight-month period last year, as reported by police departments participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. Yonkers saw an even larger decrease of 56%, while Nassau and Suffolk Counties saw declines of 40 and 39%, respectively. Meanwhile, shootings in Utica fell by 47% and Syracuse by 26%. Hochul attributes the decreases to the securing of a nearly $350 million investment to curb gun violence.
The Annual Halloween Candlelight Ghost Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th. The spooky fun through the historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue begins at 7pm with tours starting every 15 minutes through 8:45pm. Admission is $15 and reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. Visit bataviacemetery.org for more information.
The Rochester Museum and Science Center has officially revealed a brand-new exhibit. It’s called Animal Super Powers and is made up entirely of LEGO bricks. It features life-sized animal sculptures that showcases a unique superpower that resides in the animal kingdom. The exhibit will be on display starting today and remain so through May. To find out more information, head to rmsc.org.
The Buffalo Bills will be on the road this weekend as they look to keep their unbeaten streak alive. The defending AFC East champions will battle Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland. The Bills are coming off a blowout 47 to 10 win this past Monday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars and boosted their record this season to 3-0. Kickoff for Sunday night’s contest is set for 8:20pm.
The Genesee County Farmer’s Market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through November 1st, from 9am until 4pm. Vendors offer fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, flowers, crafts, wine and more. They’re located in the parking lot across from O’Lacy restaurant on School Street. For more information, please call 716-560-0853.
GOArt at 201 East Main Street Batavia is the place to be Saturday evening, October 19th, starting at 7:00. Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated by GOArt.
NBC News Features…
The U.S. Postal Service is restarting its free at-home COVID-19 tests offer by the end of the month. The program will allow U.S. households to order up to four COVID-19 at-home nasal swab kits. The kits will be available while supplies last. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency, which oversees COVID testing, has not announced an exact date for ordering to begin.
More than a third of children across the globe are nearsighted, and those numbers are expected to grow. New research finds that nearsightedness has been on the rise, from 24 percent in 1990 to nearly 36 percent in 2023. It’s particularly increasing in Southeast Asian nations, but Japan is at the top of the list, with 86 percent of children reported to be nearsighted. Researchers recommend children spend more time engaged in physical activity and less time looking at screens. The findings were published this week in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
