Afternoon News Brief

GENESEE COUNTY INDICTMENTS: Jeffrey Hewitt of LeRoy has been indicted by a Genesee County Grand Jury. He’s accused of criminal possession of a weapon after knowingly possessing a metal knuckle knife in the City of Batavia. Other charges include unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Hewitt also is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the City of Batavia. ALSO: Rufus Johnson of Chili has been indicted and accused of the crimes of petit larceny and burglary. It’s alleged he knowingly and unlawfully entered Walmart in Batavia with intent to commit a crime and steal property. ALSO: Johnnie Waston of Batavia has been indicted, accused of the crime of criminal mischief. It’s alleged he damaged the property of another person, a car windshield. Damages exceeded $250.

 

FROM THE BATAVIA CITY POLICE BLOTTER: 26-year-old Alexandro Rodriguez of Batavia has been arrested and charged with criminal contempt. This followed an investigation into a domestic incident at a local address, where it’s alleged he violated an order of protection. Rodriguez was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He’s scheduled to return to City Court next month. ALSO: 80-year-old Carolyn Kurek of Batavia is charged with harassment. Earlier this month, she was arrested after it was alleged that she shoved another woman while at a State Street address. Kurek was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court.

 

 

Assistant City Manager Erik Fix has announced, the City Centre entrance project plans have changed due to increased costs. The proposed construction estimate was $2.6 million, which is more than twice the Downtown Revitalization Initiative award of a million dollars. The project will now be streamlined and alternate designs discussed, as well as alternate grant funding. At this time, the City is waiting for a quote on the new proposed entryway plans. (File photo)

 

 

47-year-old Roger Yencer of Mt. Morris is charged with criminal contempt after allegedly violating a full stay away order of protection while being a passenger in a vehicle that the victim was driving on Route 63 in Batavia. Yencer was held at the Genesee County Jail for CAP Court.

 

 

The reporting of COVID-19 cases will be scaled back this month and state officials also plan to assess how the data is collected from local officials. COVID data was closely watched for much of the pandemic but a major spike in cases has not occurred in more than a year after the onset of the omicron variant. The data reporting is one of several changes New York is making as federal emergency rules are set to lapse May 11. For example, last Friday the state Department of Health announced visitors at nursing homes would no longer be required to show proof of a negative COVID test to gain entry. Public health officials are still urging New Yorkers to take precautions, including monitoring symptoms and personal hygiene as well as staying up-to-date with vaccines. COVID data will still also be available on the State Department of Health’s website.

 

At approximately 6 pm last Tuesday, Albion Police were dispatched to a location on West State Street. A call had come in reporting a male covered in blood and threatening people while holding a knife. He was identified as 31-year-old Shane Lake of Albion. As responding officers arrived, Lake was driving away. Police conducted a traffic stop and charged him with criminal possession of a narcotic drug (cocaine) with intent to sell. Lake was issued an appearance ticket and released under New York State Bail Reform guidelines. He’s scheduled to appear in the Town of Albion Court at a later date.

 

 

 

One person is dead and another injured following a single-car crash over the weekend in Buffalo. Investigators say a vehicle was traveling northbound on McKinley Parkway when it left the road and hit several trees, just before 9 p.m. Saturday. The 44-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The 38-year-old driver is in the hospital with multiple injuries. Officials say high speed appears to be involved and the driver will be facing charges. (Provided photo)

 

 

Gas prices are holding steady these days. Triple A tells us this morning that the average price of gas in Batavia is currently 3.38 for a gallon of regular; it’s only fluctuated by a penny one way or the other, over the last month but is down nearly $1 from a year ago today. The state and national average is 3.44.

 

 

A man charged with the attempted murder of a Rochester police officer is due in court today as his jury trial is scheduled to begin. Monroe County authorities say 27-year-old Isaiah Williams is charged with firing at officers last May while he was fleeing police. No officer was hurt. The district attorney’s office says Williams has an extensive criminal history. (Provided photo)

 

 

One Niagara hospital is shutting down permanently in the next few months. Lockport’s Eastern Niagara Hospital has been struggling for years and will close its doors on June 17th. The struggling hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019. Hospital leaders said with the high number of Medicaid, Medicare, and uninsured patients, the hospital could not rely on insurance and patient billing to keep the lights on.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres were completely shut out against the Boston Bruins in their game on Sunday. They lost 7 to 0 against the frontrunner for the President’s Trophy. Boston scored their first goal within 15 seconds of puck drop. The loss marks Buffalo’s third in a row and the second straight time giving up seven goals in a back-to-back contest against Boston. Buffalo plays again at Keybank for their next game, a showdown with Nashville tomorrow night. Puck drop is at 7:00.

 

Canisius College in Buffalo has won their second Atlantic Hockey title. They defeated Holy Cross 3-0 on Saturday, sending them to their first NCAA Tournament in 10 years. The Griffins will enter the tournament as the 16th seed out of 16 and face off against Minnesota, the nation’s top team, in the regional semifinal in Fargo, North Dakota on March 23rd.

 

The next Buffalo Record Riot will be in July. Vinyl collectors descended upon the Knights of Columbus in Cheektowaga on Saturday to buy and sell classic and modern records. The event is part of the biggest chain of record shows, running 18 shows across eight states.

 

 

Cornell’s Yianni Diakomihalis has made history as he became only the fifth wrestler in NCAA history to win four individual Division One national titles this weekend. Diakomihalis won his fourth title at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Tulsa by beating Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso. He says his next goal is to win a gold medal at the world championships.

 

The Powerball jackpot is growing. Lottery officials say no one picked all six numbers in Saturday’s drawing. That means tonight’s jackpot will be worth $86,000,000 (million). Tomorrow’s Mega Millions jackpot will be worth $272,000,000 (million). Please play responsibly.