Afternoon News Brief

A Cheektowaga police officer is in critical but stable condition after he was hurt on the job. Yesterday, 45-year-old Troy Blackchief was trying to put down a stop stick near Union Road and Route 33 in an attempt to end a pursuit related to stolen vehicles. Blackchief ended up being hit by one of those vehicles and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. At this time, no suspects have been taken into custody. Anyone with information can contact police at 716-686-7461.

 

 

The Batavia City School District is now accepting registration applications for universal pre-kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year. The District is offering five full-day programs and two half-day programs. The pre-k program is part of Jackson Primary School and is located at Robert Morris and at one community-based organization. Universal pre-kindergarten students must be four years of age on or before December 1. The deadline for applications is May 1 for the upcoming school year. Please call if you have questions: 585-343-2480 (ext. 1003).

 

 

President Biden will be giving his State of the Union address tonight, and the mother of one of the surviving victims of the mass shooting at a Buffalo Tops store will be the guest of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Zeneta Everhart says she’s been focused on preventing future gun violence since her son Zaire was shot at the Jefferson Avenue location last May. There were ten people killed and three others injured in what was called a racially-motivated attack. The shooter, Payton Gendron, has already pleaded guilty to the state charges filed against him and remains in jail.

 

 

19-year-old Tyrone Monroe, Jr. of Attica is charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records. Monroe is accused of stealing money and falsifying records to try and conceal the crime while employed at Flying-J in Pembroke. He was arrested on Jan. 31 and issued an appearance ticket.

 

 

27-year-old Keilah Hart of Rochester is charged with introducing prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Hart is accused of possessing a controlled substance while being booked into the Genesee County Jail on an arrest warrant late last month. She was released on an appearance ticket.

 

The United States Geological Survey says the epicenter of the earthquake that rocked communities across the region was located in the area of West Seneca. The 3.8 magnitude trembler hit early yesterday morning, but no serious damage or injuries were reported. The earthquake was felt in at least a 30-mile radius, including Niagara Falls. It was the strongest earthquake to strike Western New York in decades.

 

 

The latest New York State Flu Tracker data has revealed Monroe County continues to have the highest number of cases. There were 44 new infections reported there during the week ending January 28th. Erie County once again placed second with 35 new infections; Ontario County had the third-highest number of new cases during that same time period with 11; Wayne County had 5; Niagara County, four and Orleans County had just 3. People who still haven’t received their flu shot can schedule an appointment at vaccines.gov.

 

Livingston County deputies say they’ve arrested a Geneseo resident in connection with a recent vandalism spree. According to investigators, Chad Becker smashed the window of a vehicle, a garage door window and a shed at a residence on West Lake Road in the town last month. Deputies later found that Becker damaged residential windows and garage windows at two other homes in the region. After being arraigned, Becker was released on his own recognizance.

 

 

 

12-day passes for the Erie County Fair went on sale this morning, exactly 183 days from when gates open to start the 183rd Fair. However, there will be a limited number of passes available and they can be purchased at ecfair.org for $60.00. This year’s fair begins on August 9th and runs through August 20th.

 

 

Someone in the state of Washington is holding a Powerball ticket worth more than $750,000,000 (million) following Monday night’s drawing. The lump sum prize is over $407,000,000 (million).