Wednesday News Brief

There’s an air quality health advisory in effect today for Western and Central New York, as well as Eastern Lake Ontario. It’s in place until midnight tonight due to concerns with Particulate Matter, defined as soot, smoke, dirt and dust. Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma, COPD and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to these conditions. Those people are urged to remain indoors if possible and make sure their windows are closed. You can check the air quality at anytime by going to airnow.gov

 

With the reduced air quality today and tomorrow, the Genesee County Department of Health recommends everyone should limit outdoor activities to reduce exposure. Masks are available to the public during regular business hours while supplies last, at the following locations: The Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street; County Building 2, 3837 West Main Street Road; the Office for the Aging at 2 Bank Street and at the Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road.

 

A scam alert to tell you about…The Genesee County Sheriffs Office has become aware of residents receiving phone calls from an individual saying he or she is a Sergeant with the Genesee County Sheriffs Office. The individual then advises them that they have an active warrant out for their arrest and requests money be sent in order to resolve the warrant. This is a scam. Although the Genesee County Sheriffs Office may on occasion contact individuals to advise them that they have a warrant, the Sheriff’s Office will never request that money be sent anywhere to resolve the warrant. The Sheriff’s Office advises you to stay aware of this situation, never send money, gift cards or any other type of payment as a result of a phone call like this. If you receive a phone call from someone you believe is from the Sheriff’s Office advising that you have a warrant and you do not believe a warrant exists, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (585) 343-5000 to verify.

 

27-year-old Jacob Patterson of Pembroke has been arrested on active warrants. He was the back seat passenger during a traffic stop but then started to resist and fight Deputies while attempting to take him into custody. Additional investigation revealed a controlled substance was in the vehicle, which Patterson attempted to destroy in an effort to conceal the substance. He was subsequently charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and resisting and destroying physical evidence. Patterson was transported to the Genesee County Jail and held pending Central Arraignment.

More arrests from City of Batavia Police:

On 6/22/2023, Jaqulyn A Dueppengiesser (age 39) of Perry was arrested on two bench warrants, from Batavia City Court. The first warrant stems from an investigation on 4/20/2023 where Dueppengiesser was initially arrested, for petit larceny, after allegedly stealing merchandise from a local business. She was issued an appearance ticket and was to appear in Batavia City Court, at a later date. Dueppengiesser allegedly failed to appear and an arrest warrant was issued. She was arrested on the warrant on 5/24/2023 and arraigned in Batavia City Court where she was released on her own recognizance. She allegedly failed to appear again and a bench warrant was issued on 6/15/2023. On 6/22/2023, Dueppengiesser was arrested on that warrant and arraigned in City Court. The second warrant initially stems from a traffic stop on 2/19/2023, where Dueppengiesser was allegedly found to be in possession of a narcotic. She was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th, on 4/11/2023. She was arraigned and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. On 5/1/2023, a bench warrant was issued, after Dueppengiesser allegedly failed to comply with a court-ordered program. She was arrested on that warrant on 5/24/2023 and released on her own recognizance. Another bench warrant was issued on 6/15/2023, after she allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arrested on that warrant on 6/22/2023. Dueppengiesser was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrests were handled by Officer Mruczek.

 

Also: 37-year-old Andrew Beedham of Batavia has been arrested and charged with harassment. This resulted from an investigation that found he allegedly hit another person. During Beedham’s arrest, he was allegedly found to be in possession of a narcotic, which led to the additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance.

 

Also: 27-year-old Nicholas Kingdollar of Batavia has been arrested on a warrant from Batavia City Court, for criminal mischief and harassment. Last April, he allegedly damaged property and pushed another person. Officers were unable to locate him at that time but on June 22, they located and arrested him. Kingdollar was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. He’s due back in court at a later date.

 

37-year-old Gerald Smith of Batavia has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, moving from a lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Charges came following a one-vehicle accident in the Town of Stafford last Sunday. Smith failed to negotiate a turn and went off the roadway into a wooded area. It’s alleged he was in possession of a quantity of cocaine, scales and bags used to package and sell. Smith was transported to the Genesee County Jail and released with an appearance ticket. He’s scheduled for Stafford Town Court on July 18th. Further charges are pending.

 

 

City Firefighters have been awarded $28,817 in federal funding. The money will go toward the purchase of turnout gear and also send fire department members to swift water rescue training. The local funding was part of over $1.2 million that had been earmarked for fire departments across the state.

 

 

 

The Rochester firefighter who is accused of having more than 1300 images of child porn has been placed on unpaid leave. A statement from the city says it’s now looking to end Brett Marrapese’s employment given the nature of the crimes he allegedly committed. Investigators say Marrapese sent and received images while he was on duty at the Engine Three station on Emerson Street. He’s facing decades in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

 

From the Wyoming County Sheriff, we get this report of two neighbors who were in a dispute. Statements were taken from all involved and videos of the incident were reviewed. This resulted in charges against 49-year-old Heather Geoghegan and her husband, 49-year-old Mark Geoghegan, both of Varysburg. Both were charged with disorderly conduct, falsely reporting an incident, and providing a false instrument for filing. An 18-year-old male was also charged with disorderly conduct. All are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

 

State education officials have announced the 2023 Food Service Summer Program will be starting soon. Beginning in July, the program will provide free meals to approximately 400,000 kids across the state at locations such as libraries, camps, parks, pools, and schools. This program is considered important because it makes sure children have access to healthy food during summer break. To find a meal site in your area, text the word food to 304-304 or search for one online.

 

For the first time since the COVID-19 crisis, local Assemblyman Mike Norris has brought back the Christmas In July Toy Drive. It started yesterday and helps support youngsters who are undergoing treatment at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. Toy donations can be dropped off at several locations including Norris’ office and Lockport YMCA as well as libraries in Clarence, Newfane, and Wilson until July 20th. The toys will be distributed on July 25th.

 

 

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres are going to have the chance to kick off their 2023-24 regular season in front of their fans. The Sabres will be hosting their longtime rivals the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center on October 12th, and will play five of their first six contests at home. On March 2nd, Jack Eichel and the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights will be in Buffalo and Hart Trophy winner Conor McDavid and his Edmonton Oilers will visit the Sabres March 9th. Season ticket packages are already on sale.

 

13WHAM Weather Authority Forecast from Meteorologist Mark McLean

Today: Wildfire smoke in the sky throughout Western New York today; an air quality alert is in effect. This means the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly and folks with respiratory ailments. They should try to limit their time outdoors. Otherwise, mostly cloudy with a lingering sprinkle early; cooler, and more comfortable. Some afternoon clearing is expected. High temperature today will be in the lower 70’s. Wind: NW 10-20 mph

Tonight: Mainly clear sky with some of the smoke clearing out. Comfortable with lows in the mid to upper 50’s. Wind: NW/SW 5-10 mph

Tomorrow: Bright sunshine with near seasonable warmth; high around 80. Wind: WNW 5-12 mph

Tomorrow Night: Mainly clear and comfortable. Low temperature near 60. Wind: SE 3-8 mph

Friday: More heat on Friday; hazy sun and more humid; could be an isolated shower. High: 85 Wind: SE 5-12 mph

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Pickleball injuries are costing Americans nearly $400,000,000 (million). The fast-growing sport is taking a toll on injury-prone senior’s legs, wrists and shoulders. Analysts estimate pickleball injuries will result in 67,000 emergency room visits, 366,000 outpatient visits, and 9000 outpatient surgeries this year. Sports analysts say the number of players will jump to 22,000,000 this year.

 

A janitor ruined 20 years of research by turning off a lab freezer at a private research university in New York. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute filed a lawsuit against the janitor’s contractor Daigle Cleaning Systems Inc and is seeking one million dollars in damages. Officials say in September of 2020, the janitor heard annoying alarms and turned the freezer off in an attempt to be helpful. The next day students found the freezer full of cell cultures and samples compromised and destroyed. The private university does not believe the janitor is at fault but blames his contractor for failing to train and supervise him.

 

A multi-time Grammy-nominated band has been added to the growing list of performers at the New York State Fair. Tonic is going to be taking to the Suburban Park stage on Thursday, August 24th, at 2:00pm. The group is best known for its smash hit “If You Could Only See” and is making their first solo appearance at the event. There’s no cost to see this concert because it’s included in the cost of daily admission to the fair, which runs from August 23rd through September 4th.

More than $200,000,000,000 (billion) in potential COVID relief pandemic funds were lost in fraudulent schemes. A report by the inspector general of the Small Business Administration shows the total adds up to about 17% of the total funds, updated from previous estimates. Nearly $30,000,000,000 of those funds have been reclaimed by the inspector general’s office, the Small Business Administration, Secret Service and other federal agencies, according to the report.

 

Debris of the Titan submersible is now in Canada. A ship carrying pieces of wreckage recovered from the bottom of the ocean where the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion returned to port Wednesday morning. A crane offloaded the debris that looked to include the nose of the Titan. Investigators from the U.S. and Canada will use the pieces to try to determine what caused the submersible to implode. All five people on board the Titan are believed to have been killed by the implosion.

 

 

Ryan Seacrest will be named the new host of “Wheel of Fortune.” That’s according to the New York Times which cited two people familiar with plans for the long-running game show. Pat Sajak recently announced the next season of the show will be his last after four decades of hosting. The Times also reports that Vanna White is in talks to continue with the show.

 

The outgoing director of the CDC warns America isn’t prepared for the next pandemic. Dr. Rochelle Walensky wrote an op-ed for the New York Times Tuesday ahead of her tenure coming to an end on Friday. She noted that the U.S. is about 80,000 public health workers short to be able to meet basic public health needs.

 

 

Today is Wednesday, June 28th, the 179th day of the year.

June 28 in history…

 

…In 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday by an act of Congress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France. It officially ended World War I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1985, Route 66 was decertified as a United States highway.

 

 

 

 

…In 1996, the Citadel’s 153-year-old men-only policy came to an end after the South Carolina military school voted to admit women.

 

 

 

 

…In 1997, Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during the third round of a pay-per-view boxing bout in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2000, amid continued protests, young Cuban refugee Elian Gonzalez was returned to Cuba seven months after he was found floating adrift the Florida coast.

 

 

 

…In 2009, famed TV pitchman Billy Mays died at the age of 50. Mays made his name loudly pitching household gadgets and products on TV infomercials and commercials, most notable ads for OxiClean.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2012, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the contentious Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the four liberals on the court in ruling that the individual mandate provision of the law can stand as a tax. The mandate required most Americans to purchase health insurance coverage or face monetary penalties.