Afternoon News Brief

The City of Batavia (has announced that recently passed Federal legislation includes) will receive $2.5 million in federal funding for the new police headquarters and community complex to be constructed on Bank Street and Alva Place. The City estimates that the cost to build a new police department could reach up to $15 million. The 19,000 square foot facility will be constructed on city owned property and provide connectivity and enhance the area between City Centre and the emerging Medical Campus. Once completed, there would be 115 public parking spots available in nearby lots, in addition to free public parking on surrounding streets to serve the needs of existing businesses on Washington, Alva and State Streets.

 

 

Genesee County is considering the addition of up to $80,000 in costs to the $70 million jail project. The Ways and Means Committee supported the resolution for a change order to pay for additional insulation installation and protective flashing around the base of all pod areas for the new jail, which is being built near County Building #2 on West Main Street Road. County Manager Matt Landers is authorizing the additional work; the total amount of the final change order will be determined based on documented time and receipts for materials.

 

 

This Sunday, January 8th, at 6:30PM the City of Batavia Police Department and Fire Department are squaring off for the first annual hockey match-up. The two agencies have battled it out on the softball diamond in years past. The game will take place at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena. Patrons will be welcomed by some high-energy music to set the tone for the evening. The teams will take the ice for warm ups around 5:50 PM. Around 6:30 PM, the show starts. The National Anthem will be played by Miles Meyer on electric guitar. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:35. The ice rink secured a one-day liquor license and will be stocked with your favorite food / beverages. The night will include 50/50 drawings. Staff is still trying to work out the logistics of the fan favorite “chuck a puck”. The Batavia Rampart Mite Teams will keep fans entertained by playing during intermissions. All proceeds will benefit the David McCarthy Memorial foundation.

 

 

36-year-old Jeremiah Thomas of Albion has been sentenced to six months in the Orleans County Jail, to be followed with five years of probation. He pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and reckless endangerment in a road rage incident. Thomas admitted in court to using his pickup to drive into the front of a car at McDonalds in Medina. The incident caused more than $8000 damage and put the other driver and a young child at risk of significant injury. Since that time, Thomas has been participating in an anger management program from which he said he was making progress. At sentencing, the judge also issued an order of protection for the other driver.

 

A new report shows that the spread of COVID-19 has decreased slightly in our region. Right now, the seven-day average infection rate is sitting at 6.77%. At this time one week ago, that infection rate was at 7.04%. Anyone who wants to get immunized against COVID-19 or receive a booster shot can schedule an appointment online at vaccines.gov.

 

A teenager has been sentenced to spend the next six months in jail for her role in a stabbing that happened at a school in Buffalo. The Erie County District Attorney’s office says that the 16-year-old attacked a 17-year-old female student with a knife at the Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management this past September. The victim suffered several wounds but did survive. Once she’s out of jail, the 16-year-old will have to spend five years on probation.

 

 

New information has been released involving a fire in Buffalo this past weekend that left five children dead. The victims have now been identified as two-year-old Nehemiah Robinson, four-year-old Denise Keith, seven-year-old Jalissa Liggans, eight-year-old Joelle Liggans, and 10-year-old Aniyah Green. All of the children passed away due to the injuries they suffered during last Saturday’s blaze at a house on Dartmouth Avenue. Their grandmother, Lisa Liggans, is recovering from burns. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

 

The state Attorney General’s Office and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are teaming up to take legal action against an auto lender. The agencies have filed a lawsuit against Credit Acceptance Corporation, which is one of the largest sub-prime auto lenders in the country. Officials claim that CAC deceived low-income New Yorkers into high-interest car loans without considering whether people would be able to repay their loans in full. The goal of this lawsuit is to end CAC’s practices and also collect restitution for affected consumers.

 

 

The Buffalo Bills have shared a new update on the medical condition of defensive player Damar Hamlin. The team says Hamlin remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital but also says doctors have noted some improvement. The 24-year-old Hamlin collapsed on the field after suffering a hit in a contest with the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night, and the game was postponed. The team held a walkthrough yesterday ahead of Sunday’s game with the New England Patriots, but no players or coaches met with the media.