No matter what that patented collegiate-student sense of self-importance may tell us, Rochester keeps bustling even when we go home for the summer. So here are some local news stories you may have missed while away.
Gun violence uptick met with state of emergency declaration
Read more: Democrat and Chronicle, “Mayor Evans, trying to combat bloodshed, declares gun violence emergency in Rochester”
Rochester, like many cities, has seen a persistent uptick in gun violence since 2019, with 2021 clocking in as a record-breaking year for shooting homicides. 2022 is thus far on pace to surpass last year’s figures, prompting Mayor Malik Evans to declare a “gun violence state of emergency” in mid-July, giving him access to some expanded powers. This story will continue developing through the year.
Jazz Festival returns after COVID-19 pandemic hiatus
Read more: WXXI News, “After a two-year hiatus, Rochester gets its jazz on”
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing nine days packed full of musical performances that brought thousands downtown.
Police Accountability Board begins taking in cases
Read more: Democrat and Chronicle, “Rochester police accountability board says it will begin accepting complaints June 20”
Amid criticism over repeated operational delays and staffing controversies, the Rochester Police Accountability Board began accepting cases on June 20th. They took in 130 reports through June and July. Initially, the PAB charter gave them power to directly issue consequences to officers after investigations, but that power is being challenged in the courts by the Rochester Police Locust Club.
Attack on Representative Zeldin spotlights Monroe County District Attorney Doorley
Read more: Democrat and Chronicle, “Complaint alleges DA Sandra Doorley violated ethics guidelines through involvement in Zeldin campaign”
At a campaign event for Republican gubernatorial candidate and Representative Lee Zeldin in Perinton, Iraq War veteran David Jakubonis stepped onstage wielding a pointed self-defense device and allegedly assaulted the candidate. Jakubonis was released for a period following the incident because his alleged crime, second-degree assault, was ineligible for cash bail. Zeldin used Jakubonis’ release to campaign against New York’s bail reform laws. Jakubonis has since been held in jail on federal charges. The incident cast a spotlight on Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley, who was at the event and had a prior relationship with the Zeldin campaign, prompting a Perinton man to file an ethics complaint against her.
Hochul wins Democratic gubernatorial primary, becoming first major-party woman candidate in state history
Read more: Democrat and Chronicle, “NY primary results: Kathy Hochul, Lee Zeldin win nominations for governor. What to know”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul won the Democratic gubernatorial primary in June, the first woman to do so for one of the two major parties in the state’s history. She defeated progressive challenger Jumaane Williams, who is New York City’s public advocate, and a challenger from the right, Long Island Congressman Tom Suozzi. She will face off against Republican Lee Zeldin in November’s general election.
Rochester firefighter alleges he was forced to attend racist party hosted by prominent local couple
Read more: CITY Newspaper, “’Juneteenth parody party’ couple digs in to defend themselves”
Rochester firefighter Jerrod Jones alleged that his captain, Jeffrey Krywy, took him to a party with racist overtones hosted by a prominent local couple, former Highland Hospital dentist Dr. Nicholas Nicosia and his wife Mary Znidarsic-Nicosia. Jones alleged that the party featured a Kentucky Fried Chicken menu, Hennessy cognac, and Juneteenth-themed party favors. The Nicosias hosted a press conference on the matter Tuesday during which Mary Znidarsic-Nicosia admitted at the behest of her lawyer to running a locally-notorious racist Twitter account. The couple also framed the party as liberal-bashing rather than racist.
