🌱 ☕ Starbucks Union Updates + VP Harris Visit + Former Track Coach Charged

Hello, neighbors! Happy Thursday! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today:

• ☕ Starbucks unionization updates
• 👩‍💼 Information about VP Harris’ visit
• 🏫 Former William South High School track coach charged for sexually explicit messaging with a child

⛅ First, today's weather: Hazy sunshine. High: 67 Low: 49.

Here are the top stories in Buffalo today:

1.) Jaz Brisack, an original leader for the Starbucks unionization in Buffalo, has resigned due to the stores refusal to meet her scheduling requests. While the company actively does not support unionization, it claims not to treat any employee differently due to their involvement in the efforts. Brisack does not believe that to be true, seeing her availability requests as normal in comparison to her co-workers, whose requirements are granted without problem. She anticipates the National Labor Relations Board will require the store to reinstate her, which is preceded by a court case in June that demanded seven pro-union Starbucks employees be reinstated here in Buffalo.

For more information, read Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.

2.) During her visit to Buffalo this past Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris reconnects with families of the Tops mass shooting victims. Vice President Harris, who visited Buffalo in the immediate aftermath of the shooting last May, set aside time during her visit this week to speak with the families she had met four months ago. This included the family of Ruth Whitfield, whose funeral VP Harris spoke at.

Learn more at WGRZ.

3.) Former William South High School track coach, Daniel W. Syracuse, has been sentenced for endangering the welfare of a child by exchanging sexually explicit messages and images through texts and a social media app. Thirty-nine year old Syracuse pleaded guilty to the offense, which occurred in 2015 with a juvenile under the age of seventeen. He was forced to resign his New York State teaching licenses, is facing 364 days in jail, and a five year order of protection has been placed on behalf of the victim.

Find out more at WKBW.

4.) According to recent announcements, The Peace Bridge to Canada will be lit royal blue this upcoming Sunday and Monday in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. The symbolic lighting honors the recent death of the Queen, who died at the age of ninety-six on September 8th. The royal blue color was chosen to match the jewels the Queen was wearing in her latest Canadian portrait.

Read more at WKBW 7.

5.) A thirty year old Cheektowaga man was arrested as the alleged criminal in multiple reports of burglary and attempted burglary near Avery Place and Herbert Avenue. The arrest of David Wyatt occurred Wednesday morning, when he was charged with attempted burglary in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, possession of burglar tools, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

Learn more at WIVB.

Today in Buffalo:

• Mothertime Marketplace! Erie County Fairgrounds. September 15th - September 18th, All Day. Details!
• Ghost Hunts USA! Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany, NY. September 15th, All Day. Details!
• Rove’s Hello Fall Weekend Sale Event + Pop-up Vendors! Rove Boutique. September 15th, 11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. (and throughout the weekend). Details!
• National Arts in Education Week 3-2-1 Happy Hour! 500 Pearl. September 15th, 5:00 P.M. Details!

Buffalo Chatter:

• Kamala Harris Visit: "Welcome, Madam Vice President! 🇺🇸 We are pleased to announce that @VP Kamala Harris will visit #UBuffalo on 9/14 to provide remarks on #climate and energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act! For details, visit the link in our b..." (University at Buffalo via Instagram)
• Boo Bash at the Zoo: "Do you have your tickets to Boo Bash yet? The Buffalo Zoo's adult Halloween event is back for another spooky season! Gather your friends, don your most magnificent costumes, and prepare for a "fa-boo-lous" night of fun. Boo Bash takes p..." (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Giveaway: "*GIVEAWAY ALERT!* We're teaming up with Envision Real Estate to give away a Curtiss Hotel Staycation ($500 value)!⁠ ⁠ Cozy up and relax after spending the evening treating yourself to all the available amenities. Your staycation includes..." (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Bills Game: "If Harry wasn’t worried last week, we shouldn’t be worried this week. @buffalobills" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Cycling Party: "This Friday, GO Buffalo Niagara is throwing a party! Along with NFTA Metro Bus & Rail, they'll take over a parking spot and the bus loading area from 9A - 2P at Grant and Lafayette for coffee, snacks, games, plants, chairs, and fun! A po..." (GObike Buffalo via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update! Have an incredible day!