Afternoon News Brief

There is a heat advisory in effect for our entire region today, with temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90’s in combination with high humidity. The National Weather Service encourages folks to drink plenty of fluids, avoid working or being outside in the sun if possible, stay in an air-conditioned room, and check up on relatives and neighbors. The elderly, young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, as they are the most susceptible to health issues associated with the heat.

 

The Genesee County Office for the Aging reminds people to be aware of the danger signs for heat exhaustion. They include heavy sweating, tiredness, headache, a cool, moist feeling on the skin, paleness, weakness, nausea or vomiting, a fast or weak pulse rate, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting or fast, shallow breathing. The danger signs for heat stroke include: extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Fahrenheit), red, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache or dizziness and nausea. The following can help everyone to protect themselves from heat-related problems:

-Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages (seek advice from the doctor)
-Rest
-Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath
-Seek an air-conditioned environment
-Wear lightweight clothing
-Remain indoors
-Do not engage in strenuous activities

 

The Rochester Institute of Technology has revealed the COVID-19 health and safety protocols that’ll be in place for the fall semester. All faculty, staff, students, and certain visitors must be vaccinated against the illness, however the booster shot requirement is still suspended indefinitely. Masks are also going to be optional in all locations except health care facilities and on public transportation. Return to campus testing won’t be mandatory and eating and drinking in classrooms is going to be allowed.

 

Amazon is now one step closer to building a brand new three-million-square foot facility in the Town of Niagara. Last night, the Town Board gave the green light to the retail giant’s plan to construct a new warehouse on more than 200 acres of land in the area of Niagara Falls International Airport and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. The Buffalo News reports Amazon’s board of directors must sign off on the project before construction can begin. The distribution center is projected to create over 1000 jobs in the area.

 

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is calling for federal aid to be sent to communities who have suffered economic damage due to mass shootings. Brown made the request for assistance yesterday during testimony in front of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which is part of the House Financial Services Committee. He says that in the weeks following the May 14th shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops, the city’s government spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on overtime for the police, fire department and other services. The man accused of carrying out the shooting, Payton Gendron, is facing dozens of charges and is being held without bail.

 

Governor Hochul has announced the official launch of a brand new workplace sexual harassment hotline. The governor said yesterday the free hotline will provide legal advice to anyone who may be experiencing sexual harassment while they’re on the job. New Yorkers can now call 1-800-HARASS-3 and they will connect with experienced pro-bono attorneys to talk about sexual harassment issues. Hochul says the state has already taken action to make workplaces safer, more respectful, and more collaborative and will never stop working to support survivors and eliminate sexual harassment.

 

For the second time this month, the Niagara County Department of Health has issued an advisory involving Olcott Beach. Officials are telling people not to swim there due to the quality of the water. They say a large bacteria count was detected Monday and that the beach will only reopen for swimming once it’s safe. Anyone with questions can contact the principal public health engineer at 716-439-7451.

 

 

A former school psychologist has found out his punishment after pleading guilty to having child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says a judge has sentenced 65-year-old David Calaiacovo to spend the next five years behind bars. Calaiacovo worked in the West Seneca Central School District until 2019, which is when he retired. Once Calaiacovo is out of prison, he’ll be on supervised released for 15 years.

 

The official opening of the Genesee County Fair is Saturday, July 23rd, but there will be horse shows and entertainment this Friday as well. The fair opens at 9am and rides and buildings close at 10pm but special ticketed entertainment will run later at night. Each day of the fair features a theme. Saturday is drive your tractor to the fair day and kids day. Sunday is Senior Citizens day. Monday is Veterans day. Tuesday is 4-H Day and Chapin manufacturing day. Wednesday is Emergency Responders Day and the second Kids Day. Thursday is HP Hood day and Friday is Chamber of Commerce Day. Kids Day for the last day of the fair. Admission is 10 dollars and an unlimited wristband for the midway can be had for 25 dollars or 15 on the first and last day of the fair, both of which are Kids Days. For more information visit the fair website at gcfair.com

 

The New York State Fair is just a few weeks away, and today tickets and parking passes for the very popular event will be going on sale. Admission is $3.00 and parking is available for $5.00. People 65 and older and children 12 and under will still get in for free. This year’s fair begins Wednesday, August 24th and runs through Monday, September 5th; to buy tickets and for a full list of events, go to nysfair.ny.gov

 

The Batavia Muckdogs played their rival Jamestown Tarp Skunks last night at Dwyer Stadium with the ‘Dogs coming out on top, 2-1; both the Muckdogs and Utica won their games last night so Batavia maintains the top spot in the West Division. The Muckdogs take on the Power tonight at Niagara…the next home game is tomorrow night against Elmira, starting at 7:00.

 

Rochester police are continuing their investigation into a shooting that left one person dead and two others hurt. According to 13 WHAM, officers were on patrol in the area of North Clinton Avenue and Rauber Street overnight when they heard gunshots and found the victims. A 19-year-old man was killed, a 25-year-old man suffered serious injuries and a 29-year-old man is expected to survive. Anyone with information on this case is asked to dial 911 immediately.