Afternoon News Brief

Many people on staff at Attica Correctional Facility were injured during a fight. A violent inmate fought with officers attempting to frisk him for contraband outside the facility’s visitor’s room. The 43-year-old inmate had been visiting with a female on January 4th when he was observed to have his hands inside her pants. The inmate was ordered to leave the room to be frisked. He initially complied with requests but then allegedly became aggressive, ultimately requiring the assistance from many officers and a sergeant. Eventually they were able to gain control of the inmate. Throughout the melee 10 officers and the sergeant were injured and treated by the facility medical staff. The inmate was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges. He is serving a 22 to 26 year sentence after being convicted in Monroe County in 2007 for attempted murder, assault and burglary.

 

36-year-old Nicholas Turnquist, who last lived in West Falls, is serving a 13-year federal prison term for transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. He has now had his last of many cases resolved in Genesee County Court, and was sentenced to a four-year term in prison. He will serve that sentence concurrent with his present prison term. Turnquist faced rape charges in 3 counties, along with federal charges, that led to an investigation into allegations of sexual activities with a minor. Genesee County sheriff’s deputies initially arrested him in October 2020 on charges of first-degree rape for a 2014 incident when he and the child were at Darien Lake Theme Park. Turnquist also was later charged in Erie County, where he later was convicted and sentenced to four years in state prison. Turnquist avoided a possible life in prison term in Wyoming County when all the charges were dismissed during his trial in 2021. The judge cited conflicting details during the testimony of the victim, including the timeline as to when the sexual assaults happened. Turnquist had in federal court admitted previously that he began a sexual relationship with the girl when she was 14.

 

 

An Oakfield man facing 48 charges in two counties for repeatedly raping a child has pleaded guilty to one charge in Wyoming County Court. 39-year-old Richard Castillo, Jr. had been charged with first and third degree rape of a child under 15. He pleaded guilty to second-degree rape. Sentencing is set for April 27th. Castillo still faces additional, similar charges in Genesee County.

 

 

 

 

Daniel Felix, Sr. of Rochester is suing the Town of Batavia. He’s alleging that a sign on Batavia-Stafford Townline Road was pointing in the wrong direction, causing him to misread a curve in the roadway, resulting in a motorcycle accident in which he sustained significant injuries. The crash occurred in the Town of Stafford on August 9th, 2021. The Town of Batavia denies any negligence, culpable conduct or liability. Felix initially included Genesee County and The Towns of Stafford and Elba in the suit, but the action against them was discontinued.

 

45-year-old Stephen Thompson of Attica is charged with criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance. He is accused of selling methamphetamine to an undercover Wyoming County Task Force officer in Attica. Thompson’s trial date is set for April 10th. He has served two state prison terms in the past for dealing drugs in Wyoming County: First, in 2012 and then again in 2013.

 

 

24-year-old Brennen Callara of Medina has been sentenced to 3-1/2 years in state prison for attempted robbery and petit larceny. He admitted that he threatened a cashier at Crosby’s in Medina last July by displaying a knife and demanding money. Callara also admitted to stealing a chain saw sharpener from Tractor Supply in Medina. The sentencing also satisfies other charges he faced in Shelby and Ridgeway. ALSO, in Orleans County Court: 27-year-old Brandon Belski of Holley has pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, a class D felony. He admitted in court that last April, he pointed a shotgun at someone in a car and discharged the gun, hitting tires on the vehicle. Belski faces up to 9 months in county jail when he is sentenced in March.

 

There remains a winter weather advisory for Wyoming County until 11am tomorrow. The National Weather Service is predicting 5 to 10 inches of snow and 40 mile per hour winds with the most accumulations across the western ridges of the county. Snow covered roads in combination with periods of poor visibility will create dangerous driving conditions.

 

 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on Democrats and Republicans to work together to prevent a possible debt ceiling crisis. Schumer said yesterday if the government does default, it would have a devastating impact on Upstate New York. Schumer says a default would risk benefits for over one-point-eight million upstate residents who are on Social Security. Medicare payments could also be interrupted, which would threaten the ability of people to receive and/or pay for healthcare.

 

The latest data from the state shows that the spread of the coronavirus has increased slightly in our region. Right now, the 7-day average infection rate is 6.39%. At this time last week the infection rate was at 6.35%. The infection rate in Erie County is holding steady; this week, at 11.87%. One week ago, it was 11.73%. Doctors are urging people who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 or received an updated booster shot yet to get one as soon as possible. An appointment can be set up online by visiting vaccines.gov.

 

The Omicron booster shot also protects against mild illness from other COVID subvariants. CDC officials said the Pfizer and Moderna boosters reduce the risk from the XBB subvariants by half. However, that would vary by age, with seniors having only a 42% reduced risk.

 

 

 

The NFL has named Josh Allen and Sean McDermott as finalists for MVP of the year and Coach of the Year. Allen is going up against the Quarterbacks of the Bengals, Eagles, Chiefs and Minnesota Wide receiver Justin Jefferson. McDermott is going up against the coaches of the Giants, Jaguars, 49ers and Eagles. This is the 3rd time McDermott has been a finalist and the 2nd time for Allen. The winners will be announced at the 12th annual NFL Honors ceremony on February 9.

 

The Buffalo Sabres will continue their road trip tonight as they look to pick up their fifth win in a row. The Sabres are set to take on the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre. Buffalo is coming off of a 5-3 win over the Saint Louis Blues Tuesday night and have earned 53 points this season. Face-off for tonight’s contest is set 8:00.

 

 

Organizers of the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival in Buffalo have announced the dates for this year’s event. It will take place July 14th through 16th on Hertel Avenue in the city. The free festival is one of the most popular summer events in the region and is usually attended by thousands of people. More information about the event will be released at a later date.