Weekend News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on June 18, 2022
NY Congressman Joe Morelle is calling on the federal government to cleanup the mess in Rochester. He said that the US Justice Department needs to address the gun violence in the Flour City. A recent study from RIT’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives found that no other city’s per-capita homicide rate has increased at a faster rate than Rochester over the past two years. So far the city has had 31 homicides in the first half of the year. Last year there were 81 by the end of the year with the summer months being the deadliest.
Batavia City Schools is making the move to hire a second School Resource Officer. Superintendent Jason Smith believes that, given “recent tragic events over the past month” in Buffalo and Texas, that school safety concerns have once again been heightened. These officers are not direct employees of the district, as they are subcontracted from the City Police Department. Smith has been talking to City Council, the city manager, and the police department about a possible arrangement. One officer would cover the high and middle schools while a second officer would cover Jackson Primary, John Kennedy Intermediate, and Robert Morris. Smith said that funding is anticipated to come through the remote learning money from COVID relief.
Catholic Charities in Genesee and Orleans Counties is looking for people to do calling and visitation for the community’s elderly. The Friendly Phones and Home Visitation programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors 60+ who live independently, or with family. Program manager Linda Chadderdon said that “Not only do these interactions brighten our seniors’ days, but our volunteers also enjoy the time spent together.” are you interested in brightening someone’s day? Please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614, ext. 3804.
Coming to Buffalo’s Shea’s Theater are some big names in comedy. Earthquake, Cedric the Entertainer, DL Hughley, Don DC Curry and Aida Rodriguez are putting on the Jokes for Our Folks show on Tuesday June 28th. All proceeds will be donated to Feed Buffalo. Tickets can be bought at Ticketmaster.
Mercy Flight is hosting its biggest annual fundraiser at the Buffalo Riverworks this year. The BASH for Mercy Flight will be held on September 24th. The fundraiser will feature Nerds Gone Wild and DJ Milk, a fireworks show by Skylighters, a silent auction, food and drinks and more. Tickets for the event are 75 dollars a person, 50 for a pack of 4.
The Quicklees on the corner of Oak St and Noonan is now partially open for business. The gas station which sits in the place of the former Bob Evans restaurant gasoline pumps are working and the mini mart inside is open. The Tim Hortons and drive through will not be open for another month and a half.
