Thursday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on May 11, 2023
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown (file photo)
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says security will be high across the city this weekend as remembrance events are held for the victims of a mass shooting at a grocery store. The mayor says he wants people to feel safe as they mourn the 10 people who were killed at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue last May 14th. Three people were also hurt by gunfire when Payton Gendron started shooting at the store during a racially motivated attack. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should dial 911.
Today is the United Way Day of Caring. 360 volunteers are lending a hand in Genesee County to help with gardening, spring cleanup and other beautification projects. It’s the largest single day of volunteering in our region. For more information, call 585-242-6449.
Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry is offering free birding walks this spring. The next one is scheduled for this Saturday from 7:00am to 10:00am at DeWitt Recreation Area. You’ll learn things like how to identify birds by sight and sound. The walk is about one mile long over easy terrain. Call 344-1122 to sign up or for more information.
A free, anti-rabies immunization clinic is scheduled for next Thursday, May 18th from 4pm until 6:30 pm. It will be held at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. For more information, please call 585-344-2580, extension 5555.
Police are investigating attempted vehicle thefts at two car dealerships on West Ridge Road in Greece. Law enforcement received a report early in the morning yesterday about a suspicious vehicle leaving a dealership. Officers determined at least two suspects tried to steal two Hyundais from Matthews Hyundai, but both vehicles were recovered. Police haven’t clarified whether the vehicles were actually stolen or where they were found. Police did tell reporters that a Kia was stolen from Matthews Kia down the road. The Rochester Police Department recovered that vehicle. No arrests have been made.
The latest data from the New York State Flu Tracker shows that the spread of the virus is declining in our region. During the week ending April 29th, the area with the highest number of cases was Monroe County with 22. Erie County reported 12 cases. Livingston, Chautauqua and Genesee Counties each had 2. Over 333,000 state residents have tested positive for the illness since flu season began.
Even though the deadline is two years away, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is urging residents who haven’t applied for a REAL ID or Enhanced ID to do so now. Starting in May 2025, all air travelers 18 and older will need to have a REAL ID or REAL ID-compliant document such as an enhanced license or passport if they want to fly within the United States. The DMV has set up an online pre-screening process to help make getting these documents easier. That can be found by visiting dmv.ny.gov/realid.
42-year-old Cameron Stroke of Depew has been arrested and charged with receipt and possession of child pornography. An investigation earlier this month revealed he had a cell phone with multiple files of illegal images, including pre-pubescent girls; this is the second time in three years that he has been similarly charged. If he is found guilty, Stroke faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years.
Monroe County has dropped the residency requirement for people who want to become deputies with the sheriff’s department. Both Sheriff Todd Baxter and County Executive Adam Bello have been pushing for this change as the number of applicants continues to decline. Earlier this week, the county announced plans to hire more deputies to help improve public safety. People who are interested in applying can do so at monroecounty.gov/sheriff.
Professional hits out of the sand trap during PGA Championship in Rochester – 13WHAM file photo
The PGA has announced the players who will be coming to Rochester later this month to play in the PGA Championship tournament. Among the big names fans can expect to see at Oak Hill are Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, and Jordan Spieth. The tournament starts May 18th, and the winner is going to be crowned on May 21st. Tickets for the event are already sold out and over 200-thousand spectators are expected to attend.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England
The Buffalo Bills will be heading overseas this upcoming season to take on a familiar foe from the AFC. The Bills are set to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on Sunday, October 8th, at 9:30am. This contest will replace a home game for the Bills, who are the reigning champions of the AFC East. The rest of Buffalo’s regular season schedule will be released tonight.
ELSEWHERE…
Photo of 6-year-old after the car he was driving – his parents – hit a lamppost.
Two very little boys are in pretty big trouble after they crashed their parents’ car. The six-year-old and three-year-old brothers sneaked out of the family’s home in Malaysia late Wednesday night while their mother was in the bathroom and their father was asleep. They headed out to buy a new toy car. The six-year-old was behind the wheel when Mom and Dad’s car hit a lamppost. Police say the older boy cut his chin and his brother wasn’t injured.
Jacklyn Zeman, in her role on General Hospital soon after joining the cast (Photo: ABC Television)
A longtime star of the ABC soap opera General Hospital is dead at the age of 70. Jacklyn Zeman’s family said on Wednesday that she died after a short battle with cancer. The Emmy-nominated actress played the character Bobbie Spencer for more than 45 years, originating the role when she joined the General Hospital cast in 1977.
Unidentified medical professional with older gentlemen – file photo.
Doctors are warning seniors about the risks of using marijuana products. A study out of California shows an 18-hundred percent spike in ER visits for older people using marijuana products over the last 15 years. Doctors at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle say the problem is more potent weed and interactions with other drugs. Seniors may be using other medications that interact in a bad way with marijuana. And, seniors who may have used pot in the 60s and 70s need to know today’s marijuana products are much stronger across the board. They’re urging seniors to consult with their doctor before using marijuana products.
Today marks the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration. The CDC says after today, its authorization to collect certain types of public health data will expire. The declaration was authorized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new statement from the CDC says COVID vaccines will remain available and are still being distributed free for all children and adults. At-home COVID tests, however, may no longer be covered by insurance.
File photo from 2019 of flooding at Lake Ontario.
Governor Hochul today announced that state agency personnel are closely monitoring the rising water levels along Lake Ontario. With the prolonged rainfall in recent weeks, levels have surpassed 247 feet. While they’ve yet to reach and are not forecasted to reach the flood stages seen in 2017 and 2019, agencies including the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are coordinating efforts and preparing resources to assist lakeshore communities with potential flooding impacts. Agencies will make sandbags, pumps and other flood mitigation resources available to local governments, as needed, over the coming weeks. The following assets are available to deploy from the State’s regional stockpiles to assist shoreline communities:
· 957 Water Pumps
· 1,474 Generators
· 20 Sandbaggers
· 1,589,805 Sandbags
· 403 Traffic Barriers
· 580 Traffic Barrels
· 35,224 feet of Aqua Dam
Yummy for some people, dangerous for others.
The results of a new clinical trial show a new wearable patch could prevent allergic reactions in toddlers with peanut allergies. The trial involved over 200 children ages one to three with peanut allergies, and found that after wearing the patch for a year, 67-percent were able to tolerate a small amount of peanut protein. The lead author of the study published Wednesday said toddlers wearing the peanut patch also had a decrease in the number of severe reactions. So far, there are no FDA-approved treatments for children under four with peanut allergies.
May 11 in history…
Advertisement from 1947.
In 1947, B-F Goodrich announced the development of the tubeless tire.
The first Polaroid camera in 1949 sold for $89.95.
In 1949, the first Polaroid camera went on sale in New York City at a cost of about $90.
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers set a record for most victories to begin a baseball season. They won 26 of their first 30 games. The Tigers went on to capture the World Series title in five games against the San Diego Padres.
In 1985, cartoonist Chester Gould died at the age of 84. He created the popular comic strip “Dick Tracy.”
