Afternoon News Brief

58-year-old Ronald Rowcliffe of Batavia has been sentenced to four months in jail for violating terms of his probation. He most recently had been convicted of molesting boy scouts but has a long history of inappropriate behavior with children. Presently, the probation violation involved his having social media accounts, changing his address and being in contact with a girl under the age of 17. Rowcliffe is considered a Level 2, sexually violent offender on the state registry.

 

 

According to the National Weather Service, an arctic cold front will pass through our region this evening. When it does, a 30-minute burst of moderate to heavy snow along with winds gusting at times to 40mph are predicted. This will create near white-out conditions between 8 and 9 pm. Also, a wind chill advisory begins at 4:00am tomorrow morning and will be in effect through 10:00am Saturday.

 

42-year-old Daniel Bakowski of Batavia has been charged with assault, harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal obstruction of breathing and preventing a request for emergency assistance. He is accused of assaulting another person while children were present. Bakowski was turned over to the Genesee County Jail to await arraignment. ALSO:  27-year-old Keilah Hart of Rochester has been charged with introducing prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Hart allegedly had the controlled substance at the Genesee County Jail while being processed for a separate warrant. She was released on an appearance ticket.

 

57-year-old Margaret Miles of Batavia is charged with petit larceny, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. This followed an incident on West Main Street Road last weekend. Miles will appear in Batavia Town Court on February 23rd.

 

 

The 9th Annual Bikini Rally for the Pink Fund is scheduled for Saturday morning in Oakfield. The fundraiser helps patients undergoing breast cancer treatment to pay household bills. The Pink Fund is a non-profit organization that pays 90 days of medical expenses for those in active breast cancer treatment. Participants will ride six laps in their bathing suits as well as a small lap with a breast cancer survivor; the option is also there to do a lap in honor of someone that lost the battle. They hope to raise $15,000 this year. The Bikini Rally is at the Genesee Sno Packers, located at 102 South Park Street, Oakfield. Registration is from 10 until 11; gates open at 11:00 and the rally starts at noon. The Genesee Sno Riders will have 2023 calendars available for purchase, as well as event shirts, a basket raffle, 50/50 giveaway and food and drinks. (Photo provided by Jane Chaddock)

 

Governor Hochul has laid out a $227,000,000,000 (billion) spending plan for fiscal year 2024, the total of which is $5 billion more than for 2023. Highlights of the budget proposal she revealed yesterday include money to reduce and prevent gun violence, transform mental health care in the state, and build hundreds of thousands of affordable homes. The governor also proposed a review of bail laws and raising the minimum wage based on inflation. She’s calling this budget a thoughtful plan that furthers New Yorkers’ priorities but also ensures fiscal responsibility.

 

 

The woman who drove a vehicle through a police blockade and seriously injured a state Trooper has pleaded guilty. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says 33-year-old Deyanna Davis went through the blockade while a protest was happening on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo back in June 2020. Trooper Ronald Ensminger Junior was hit by the vehicle and needed treatment for a shattered pelvis and broken leg. Davis is facing up to seven years in prison when she’s sentenced in May.

 

 

The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is issuing a warning to New Yorkers about credit and debit card skimming scams. The agency says thieves place devices on things like ATM’s and gas station pumps to steal a person’s card information. That data is then used to withdraw funds and make illicit purchases. To protect your information from being stolen, inspect card-reading machines closely, and if the buttons on the keypad look or feel different, don’t use them. It is estimated skimming costs consumers and financial institutions over one-billion-dollars a year.

 

A brand-new report from the state shows that the spread of the coronavirus is on the decline in our region. Right now, the 7 day average infection rate is at 6.24%. At this time last week, the infection rate was at 6.39%. In Erie County however, the total number of new cases increased slightly. County Health Departments are asking people to do their part to prevent another spike in cases by washing their hands, wearing a mask indoors and making sure they’re vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres are now on a two-game losing streak after suffering a blowout loss on home ice. Alex Tuch had the lone goal for the Sabres as his team fell to the Carolina Hurricanes by a final score of 5-1 at KeyBank Center last night. Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggled in net and surrendered four goals. The Sabres have more than a week off before their next game on Saturday, February 11th against the Calgary Flames at home, with face off at 12:30.

 

 

The Powerball jackpot is up to an estimated $700,000,000 (million) after no one matched all six numbers Wednesday night. The lump sum cash payout would be more than $375,000,000 (million). The next drawing is Saturday night at 11:00. Please play responsibly.