Weekend News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on July 9, 2022
As part of the legislation Governor Hochul signed to increase state gun control in New York, applicants for concealed carry permits must now hand over their social media account information. The stated reason for this is that the state will then be able to review a person’s character and conduct before deciding if they can carry a pistol. This will start in September following recent concerns about social media postings by the suspected mass shooters in Buffalo and Uvalde.
Going to a concert or other live event this summer? Don’t try to sneak in or get a beer with fake id. Operation Prevent, A NYS Department of Motor Vehicles initiative involving DMV and Liquor Authority investigators as well as State Police and Parks Police is in full swing through the summer months and they will be doing sweeps of events throughout the state. Customers under 21 found to be using a fake ID or another person’s ID to buy alcohol can be ticketed and their licenses can be revoked for up to a year.
O’Lacy’s Irish Pub is going to a new owner. Kent Ewell, sent out a goodbye letter to the community. -After over 25 years I am saying “goodbye” to O’Lacy’s Irish Pub. It has been a wonderful ride thanks to the many gracious and repeat customers throughout the years. I have developed many friendships over these 25 years and will cherish each and every one of them. Please remember the good times you have had at O’Lacy’s and be sure to look forward to many more happy times under new ownership. O’Lacy’s was & is a blessing for Batavia and will be for years to come.-
7 months after he failed to show for court, his attorney said he had to be at the birth of his first child, Devon Wright has been apprehended in Lockport. According to Batavia police, Wright was taken into custody without incident for his many outstanding warrants. In November he plead guilty to counts of Criminal Sexual Act, Attempted Assault in the 1st degree, assault in the 3rd degree, and criminal posession of a weapon in the 2nd degree. There was a $2,500 reward offered for the capture of Wright. Batavia PD did not release details on whether information was offered by somebody to assist in the arrest of Wright that might make such a person eligible for the reward. Wright is now in Genesee County Jail being held without bail.
The City has been looking for a manager for the David M McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena and someone has stepped up to take the job. Matt Gray who owns Alex’s Place, The Tiny Piney, is a partner in Eli Fish Brewing Company, and Matty’s Pizza and sits as vice president of GCEDC and on the towns planning and development board and on the batavia Improvement District and is a USA Hockey Coach level 4 has submitted a proposal to take over the management and make some improvements to the Arena. Gray is proposing that his organization, Batavia Sports Facility Management, spend 140 thousand dollars to fix up the lights, office space, concessions, audio and visual equipment, and maybe invest in some curling and non ice skating equipment. City Manager Rachel Tabelski recommends the city take the deal.