Afternoon News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on February 27, 2023
BATAVIA CITY POLICE ARREST REPORT: 39-year-old Marya Cole of Batavia is charged with falsely reporting an incident and false written statement. Earlier this month, she allegedly called police to report her boyfriend was walking on Ross Street after displaying a handgun to her. Police detained the male subject; while completing a search for the gun throughout the area. Cole later admitted to police that she lied about the gun. She was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court tomorrow. ALSO: 47-year-old Kelly Mungo of Batavia has been charged with petit larceny following a shoplifting complaint at a local convenience store. Mungo was issued a ticket to appear in Batavia City Court tomorrow.
FROM THE COUNTY SHERIFF: 23-year-old Christian Voigt Jr. of Batavia has been charged with criminal mischief and harassment. During a domestic incident yesterday morning, Voigt allegedly damaged property and placed his hands on one of the victims. He has been held at the Genesee County Jail to be arraigned in CAP Court. ALSO: 31-year-old Kevin Monell of Medina is charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing a carton of cigarettes from a smoke shop on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Monell was released on an appearance ticket to return to Alabama Town Court early next month.
DWI arrest in Buffalo
Buffalo police say they’ve tracked down the driver who was involved in a hit-and-run in the city over the weekend. According to investigators, 47-year-old Rinaldo Pearson struck a pedestrian Saturday morning on Broadway and left the area. The victim was seriously injured and Pearson was later taken into custody. He is now facing charges including DWI.
According to Triple A, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is $3.37. The State average is $3.45. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.36, down a penny from a week ago and down 39 cents from a year ago today.
Dan Fisher, WBTA (Photo by Howard Owens, III)
WBTA is being sold to one of its own sales executives, Jim Ernst. Ernst heads up Majic Tones Communications LLC. Current owners Dan and Debbie Fischer have operated HPL Communications since 2004. The sale process will take 90 days and until then there will be no changes in programming. WBTA is the region’s only locally owned commercial radio station. It has been in operation for 82 years under various owners.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley is asking Governor Hochul not to push through legislation banning gas stoves and heaters from new housing and construction. People who are in support of the legislation say it is needed to slow down climate change and also entice people to move to New York State. Hawley says it is a chance for the government to take more power over businesses and homeowners. Some people have responded to the legislation complaining that gas is far more reliable than electricity in times such as the Christmas Blizzard of last year, which knocked out electric power to thousands for more than a week in below-zero temperatures.
Dylan Cozens celebrates hat trick – 2/26/23
The Buffalo Sabres, in their black and red uniforms, skated to a 7 to 4 victory over the Washington Capitals Sunday afternoon. Dylan Cozens scored his first career hat trick, finding the net once in each period. Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner and Zemgus Girgensons scored once each. Tage Thompson made his 40th goal of the season. The Sabres will be playing the Columbus Blue Jackets at Keybank Center on tomorrow night starting at 7:30.
No injuries have been reported following several fights that happened at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene Saturday night after receiving reports of brawls occurring in a parking lot. Police were able to get the crowds to leave that lot, and so far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call 716-689-1311.
NY State of Health and the state Department of Taxation and Finance are teaming up to help Empire State residents get access to affordable health insurance. Health department enrollment assistors will be at Taxpayer Assistance Program sites throughout the state over the next several weeks. Those assistors will meet with people to discuss health care options, answer questions, and make enrollment appointments. For more information, go to info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
