Monday News Brief

The City of Batavia Fire Department is flushing and testing fire hydrants today and tomorrow from 9:00am until3:00pm in the area north of Main Street and west of Bank Street. Service to homes and businesses will be affected; if you notice the water is discolored, you should avoid washing clothes. If it does look discolored, run cold water for about five minutes or until it’s clear. This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification, and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city’s water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settles in the water lines. Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel’s knowledge of the hydrant locations. If you have any questions, or should notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

 

 

New York State Police have arrested four people and charged each with petit larceny, following investigation into three separate incidents. Brittany Richway of Syracuse and 34-year-old Angel Scott of Batavia together were accused of stealing; in a different incident, 45-year-old Michael Vickery of Lackawanna was accused of stealing; and in one other incident, 49-year-old Daniel Stevens of Batavia was similarly accused. The location of the thefts was not disclosed; however, all were charged over the last week and released on appearance tickets. No additional information is available at this time.

 

 

The price of gas is holding steady. According to Triple A this morning, the national average price for a gallon of regular is $3.54. The state average is $3.66. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.63 per gallon; the same as it was yesterday; but up 6 cents from a month ago today. We were paying $4.64 per gallon here a year ago today.

 

 

Dewey Avenue from Birchwood Apartments to South Main Street, Madison Avenue, Orleans Avenue, and Adams Street, will experience construction delays and lane reductions for the cold milling of the pavement, on Wednesday, May 17th from 7:00am – 7:00pm. All residents on these streets are asked not to park on the roadway during the day and either park in their driveways or neighboring streets. All area motorists are asked to avoid these streets if possible. Portions of this work are weather dependent, and delays may occur.

 

 

 

Organizers of the Lilac Festival have announced some rule changes after fights that have broken out at the event. Now, anyone 17 and under must be accompanied to the festival by a parent or someone who is at least 21 years old. Also, all underage individuals need to remain with a parent or guardian while they are on festival grounds. Security is also being increased to prevent any further violence. The festival runs through this coming Sunday, May 21st.

 

 

The state Attorney General and acting Health Commissioner are issuing a warning to New Yorkers about health insurance renewal scams. For the first time since March 2020, people enrolled in Child Health Plus, Medicaid, and the Essential Plan need to renew their health insurance coverage. There have been reports of people getting calls from scammers asking them to pay hundreds of dollars to maintain their insurance. Folks are being reminded they cannot be charged a fee for renewing and also that a government agency won’t demand money or ask for credit information in a text or phone call. To report scammers, dial 1-800-428-9071.

 

Governor Hochul has announced nearly $10,000,000 (million) in funding that’ll be used to improve the lives of residents living in East Buffalo. During her visit to Buffalo yesterday, the governor revealed the money would be available to go towards a homeowner improvement program and expanding access to mental health services. There will also be an investment made in the permanent May 14th Memorial that’ll be created to honor the victims of the mass shooting.

 

 

A church located in Erie County is being considered a total loss following a fire that happened over the weekend. Crews were called to the scene at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church on Main Street in Elma on Saturday and firefighters from multiple surrounding communities helped to finally knock down the flames. The church, which was built in 1862, was undergoing renovations at the time of the blaze. Thankfully, no one was injured.

 

 

A 15-year-old boy is continuing to recover after being shot at a park in Cheektowaga. Police say the victim was at a town park on Harlem Road Saturday night when he was struck by gunfire. The teen was found near the playground area and brought to Oishei Children’s Hospital for treatment. So far, an arrest has not been made in this case and anyone with information can give police a call at 716-686-3971.

 

Rochester police are looking into a murder that happened after a man answered a knock at the door of his home. Officials say the 22-year-old man was shot yesterday at a residence on Shelter Street. The victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital but could not be saved. A child was inside of the home at the time of the shooting but wasn’t hurt. Anyone with information on this case is asked to dial 911 immediately.

 

 

The American Red Cross is offering a new incentive in order to boost the number of blood donations. Anyone who donates by May 19th will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. They’ll also be entered to win a trip for two to the MLB All-Star Game in Seattle this July. To find a donation location in your area and schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

A Michigan 13-year-old student who stopped a moving bus last month after the driver had a medical condition is getting a key to his city. Dillon Reeves ran to the side of the driver, grabbed the wheel, and pumped the brakes until the bus stopped. Other students on the bus called 911 for help. Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said in a statement that Reeves’ actions saved the lives of at least 60 people. In addition to be given a key to the city, Reeves and his family were treated to a limo ride to dinner at a Warren restaurant.

 

 

A Michigan girl was able to escape an attempted kidnapping when her brother used a slingshot to strike the would-be attacker. State Police arrested the accused assailant in the city of Alpena on Wednesday. Law enforcement said in a news release that the 8-year-old girl was in her backyard when the alleged assailant came out of the woods, grabbed her and covered her mouth. Authorities said the girl’s 13-year-old brother hit the alleged attacker in the head and chest using a slingshot. Police later arrested the 17-year-old based on another family member’s description of the suspect. Authorities also said the teenager had visible wounds from the slingshot. The 17-year-old’s name has not been released though he has been charged as an adult with one count of attempted kidnapping/child enticement, one count of attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of assault and battery.

 

The Writers Guild of America strike is ongoing. The strike began after the WGA’s contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expired on May 2nd. The Writers Guild of America is seeking changes including improved compensation increases for writers.

 

 

 

 

General Motors is announcing the recall of nearly 1,000,000 (million) vehicles due to faulty airbags. The recall includes Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia vehicles from 2014 through 2017 with air bags produced by ARC Automotive. Federal regulators are urging ARC to announce a full recall of 67,000,000 of their airbag inflators made before 2018 after it was discovered they could explode and spray shrapnel during deployment.

 

May 15 in history…

In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association was formed. The association was founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Stanton was the association’s first president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1905, the city of Las Vegas, Nevada was founded.

 

 

 

 

In 1918, regular airmail service began between New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C..

 

 

 

 

 

In 1928, Mickey Mouse was seen for the first time in a cartoon called “Plane Crazy.” He appeared in a non-speaking role. His first vocal appearance came in “Steamboat Willie.”

 

 

 

In 1930, Ellen Church became the first airline stewardess, flying between San Francisco and Cheyenne, Wyoming on a United Airlines flight.

 

 

 

 

In 1940, nylons went on sale at stores across the United States for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

In 1964, the Smothers Brothers gave their first-ever concert in Carnegie Hall in New York City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1970, the Carpenters second album, “Close To You,” was released.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1972, Democratic presidential candidate George Wallace was shot and left paralyzed while campaigning in Maryland. Arthur Bremer was later convicted and sentenced to prison for the shooting.

 

 

 

 

In 1973, the first issue of “Playgirl” hit newsstands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2013, OJ Simpson testified on his own behalf in his appeal to overturn his 2008 conviction on robbery and kidnapping charges in Las Vegas. The former football star admitted there was some pushing and shoving the night he left a crowded hotel room after retrieving his sports memorabilia from a dealer but denied seeing any weapons or hearing any threats.