Tuesday News Brief

The Water Meters in the City of Batavia are going to be replaced starting next week. This project will replace older water meters with new advanced metering technology meters, which will increase water-use efficiency, reduce operational costs, and promote sustainable green practices. The city was awarded $730,000 in a Green Innovation Grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to do the replacements. Residents and businesses with water meters that require replacement will receive letters in the mail detailing what to expect and how to schedule your water meter replacement appointment. Photo: Doug Thompson, WBTA News.

 

The Genesee County Sheriffs Office is investigating a motor vehicle accident with serious physical injury, involving a pedestrian in the area of 5186 Clinton Street Road, in the Town of Batavia. The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received the 9-1-1 call reporting the accident at 1:26 AM.

Upon arrival, patrols and members of the Town of Batavia Fire Department located an unresponsive juvenile male laying in the westbound lane. The juvenile male appeared to have been struck by a grey 2008 Toyota RAV 4, operated by a Garrett R. Mercurio, age 18, of Batavia, NY. The juvenile male was identified as an Ethan R. Walker, age 17, of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Walker appeared to have gotten out of a Maroon 2007 Chevy Suburban that he was a passenger in, which was traveling eastbound on Clinton Street Road. Walker appeared to have crossed the roadway on foot and entered the westbound lane. Mercurio was traveling westbound on Clinton Street Road. Mercurio struck Walker with his Toyota RAV 4 while Walker was walking in the westbound lane, causing Walker to sustain serious injuries. Mercurio and witnesses on scene began to call 911 for assistance. Members of the Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS on scene provided Walker medical care. Walker was transported by Mercy Ambulance from the scene, and was later transported by Mercy Flight to the Erie County Medical Center.

At this time, members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Genesee County Sheriffs Office Crash Management Team are conducting a full investigation into the matter. Assisting at scene were members of the Town of Batavia Fire Department, and Mercy EMS.

 

CITY POLICE BLOTTER:

On 9/2/2023, Danvor E Hodgson-Aguilar (age 34) of Silver Springs, Maryland was arrested for Petit Larceny. Hodgson-Aguilar was arrested after an investigation into a larceny at Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 9/12/2023.  ALSO:  On 8/28/2023, Toni M Drake (age 42) of Batavia, was arrested for Harassment 2nd. It’s alleged that Drake struck another person in the face, during an argument in the parking lot of the Mobil gas station, on East Main St. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 9/12/2023. ALSO:  On 9/2/2023, Rodrigo G Vasquez (age 26) of Batavia, was arrested for DWI. Vasquez was arrested during a traffic stop following several citizen complaints, of an erratic driver. After an investigation, it was determined that Vasquez was allegedly driving while intoxicated. He was issued several traffic tickets and released. He is due in court on 9/20/2023. ALSO:  On 8/31/2023, Robbie C Scheib (age 21) of Rochester, was arrested on an arrest warrant, for Harassment 2nd. A warrant was issued for Scheib on 8/30/2022, after an investigation into a disturbance, where he allegedly subjected another person to unwanted physical contact. Scheib was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on 10/3/2023.  ALSO: On 9/1/2023, Jon H Bush Jr (age 40) of Batavia, was arrested on two arrest warrants. The first warrant is the result of a traffic stop on Washington Ave on 6/5/2023, where Bush was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2nd. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. The second warrant stems from an incident on 8/3/2023, where police attempted to stop Bush for a traffic violation, while he was riding a bicycle. Bush allegedly refused to stop and fled on the bike. Bush was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. He is due back in court on 9/12/2023.

 

The first legal claims have been filed following a deadly boat capsizing in Lockport a few months ago. According to The Buffalo News, over a dozen people are taking action against Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride due to the injuries they suffered in June. One passenger onboard, 65-year-old Harshad Shah, ended up drowning after he couldn’t be pulled from the water in time. The boat tour hasn’t operated since the day of the tragedy.

 

 

Buffalo Public Schools officials have made a policy change for students who want to attend football games in the future. The superintendent said yesterday that each player and cheerleader will be able to invite three student spectators to each home contest. Adults can attend so long as they show proper ID and minors must be accompanied by an adult. On Friday a brawl broke out during a game at All-High Stadium which resulted in several arrests.

 

As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: The New York State Education Department is looking to expand English as a Second Language Services to meet the needs of migrant children. The Education Department is proposing to amend requirements for educators to create flexibility so they can more easily obtain supplementary certificates and supplementary bilingual extensions. Those extensions would enable more teachers to become available to support students who speak English as a Second Language. The amendment would give candidates the option to either complete the examination requirement for a certificate or the enrollment and educational requirements rather than needing both sets of requirements. The proposed rule would take effect tomorrow through august of next year, but it is expected to be presented to the board of regents for adoption as a permanent rule at its January meeting.

 

Drivers across New York are being urged to do their part to help keep kids safe during this school year. Safety officials are reminding people it’s illegal to pass a school bus when its flashing lights are displayed. People should also keep an eye out for children who are walking to or from their bus stops, and never use electronic devices while behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking the rules faces the possibility of points on their license and a significant fine.

 

 

The Buffalo Bills are off to a tough start to their 2023 season after falling to a division rival on the road. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 236 yards and a touchdown but also had three interceptions as his team lost to the New York Jets 22-to-16 in overtime last night at MetLife Stadium. New York played a majority of the game without QB Aaron Rodgers who left the contest due to an apparent Achilles injury. Buffalo’s next game is this Sunday at home against the Las Vegas Raiders.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Following months of hard work and preparation, the Rochester Fringe Festival is officially going to get underway today. The event will feature acts that incorporate things such a music, magic, and even audience participation before it wraps up September 23rd. Over 100 of the more than 500 performances scheduled, will be free to attend. For a complete list of shows and venues, go to https://www.rochesterfringe.com/.

 

Jelly maker J.M. Smucker is buying snack brand Hostess in a multi-billion dollar deal. The maker of the popular Smucker’s jelly announced Monday it will buy the Twinkies-maker for $5.6 billion. Smucker said the deal is a compelling expansion of its family of brands. Included in the purchase are popular Hostess brands like CupCakes, DingDongs, Zingers and HoHos. The purchase is the latest in a series of deals the packaged food industry has seen recently, including Campbell Soup buying the maker of Rao’s sauces.

 

Drew Barrymore is facing backlash for resuming the taping of her talk show as the writers’ strike continues. Several Hollywood actors have criticized Barrymore, questioning who would be writing for her show during the strike. On Sunday, Barrymore responded by saying the show is “in compliance.” WGA organizers have said they’ll be picketing outside the New York City studio all week.

 

The FDA is approving updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer and Moderna. The updated shots target Omicron sub-variants circulating throughout the U.S. A CDC advisory committee will meet this week to review the safety and efficacy of the jabs and vote on recommendations for who should get the booster. This comes, as there’s been a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases.

 

The Biden administration is taking steps to carry out a prisoner exchange with Iran to free five Americans being held there. It has issued a waiver for foreign banks to transfer $6 billion in Iranian oil funds that have been held up by U.S sanctions. All five Americans were transferred from prison to house arrest in Tehran while the agreement between the U.S and Iran was finalized.

 

Today is Tuesday, September 12th, the 255th day of the year.

September 12 in history…

 

…In 1910, 37-year-old Los Angeles social worker Alice Stebbins Wells was appointed as the first woman police officer with arrest powers in the U.S. She was given a telephone call box key, a rule book, a first aid book, and a “policeman’s badge.”

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1919, Adolf Hitler attended a meeting for the German Worker’s Party, and would be accepted into the organization a few days later. This party is the precursor to the Nazi political Party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1928, actress Katherine Hepburn made her New York stage debut in “Night Hostess.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1953, John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1954, “Lassie” debuted on CBS. The show stayed on the air for 17 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1959, the television western drama “Bonanza” debuted on NBC and stayed on-air for 14 seasons. It was the first western to be broadcast in color.

 

 

 

 

…In 1966, “The Monkees” debuted on NBC. The show went on to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series of 1967.

 

 

 

 

…In 1992, actor Anthony Perkins died at the age of 60. He is best remembered for his role as Norman Bates in the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, “Psycho.”