Wednesday News Brief

Following an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in and around the Medina area, law enforcement there have arrested 34-year-old Demarques Underwood and 35-year-old Erica Davis, both of Medina. The pair face several felony charges including criminal possession of a controlled substance. Underwood was arraigned in Cap Court in the Town of Barre and committed without bail to the Orleans County Jail, due to his previous criminal history. Davis was issued and appearance ticket and scheduled to return to court next week. More charges are pending in this case.

 

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants today until approximately 3:00pm in the general area of north of West Main Street and west of Bank Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected because the tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As is always the case, do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored; if your water is discolored, run it cold for about five minutes or until it’s clear. If you have questions, or notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 345-6375.

 

New York has joined dozens of states across the country in taking legal action against Meta. The social media company, which oversees Facebook and Instagram, is facing a federal lawsuit. Meta is accused of hurting the mental health of young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis. State Attorney General Letitia James is claiming Meta designs its platforms to have features that make children addicted while lowering their self-esteem. Meta says it’s working to provide a safer environment for teens.

 

 

Niagara Falls police are expected to release more information today on a recent sexual assault. Authorities say that an arrest has been made in connection to the September 19th incident in the parking lot of the Pine Plaza shopping center. A woman told officers a man approached her with a weapon before being forced to go behind a building where she was then assaulted. The name of the suspect hasn’t been made public.

 

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is making it easier for people to apply for a REAL ID. The agency says the availability of an online pre-screening tool for those IDs has been expanded. The goal is to make sure people have applications that are accurate before they go to their closest DMV office and file the paperwork. The DMV is urging residents to apply for a REAL ID now so they don’t need to worry about missing the May, 2025 deadline to have one.

 

The Buffalo Diocese says it’s willing to pay a total of $100 million to the survivors of sexual abuse. The money would be used to help settle lawsuits that were filed by people who were allegedly victimized by members of the clergy. Up to half of those funds would come from schools, parishes, and the sale of the Catholic Center on Main Street. However, lawyers for some of the survivors believe the diocese wants to silence accusers by quietly putting an end to these lawsuits.

 

Monroe County deputies are looking into the deaths of two people in Pittsford. Law enforcement was called to a home on Tobey Road last night after a woman’s relative said the family had not heard from her. The bodies of the woman and a man were found inside the house. Investigators say this could have been a murder-suicide.

 

 

Police are continuing their search for a missing University of Rochester professor who they believe might be in danger. Authorities say 44-year-old Heikki Rantakari hasn’t been seen since this past Friday when he was in the area of Exchange Street between Flint Street and Mount Pleasant Park in Rochester. The school says Rantakari is an Associate Professor of Economics and Management and didn’t show up for his class Saturday. Anyone with information is asked to dial 911.

 

 

Tops Friendly market is giving veterans, military personnel and their families a discount on their purchases again this year. On Veterans Day they can take 11% off their bill for the 11th year in a row. Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11% discount off of their total purchase that day.

 

 

Rochester is one of the 50 “rattiest” cities, according to a new list from pest control company Orkin. The list is based on the number of new service calls and efforts the communities make to control the problem America’s largest cities take up the top spots in the list, with Chicago leading the way for the ninth consecutive year. Los Angeles is second, followed by New York City, Washington and San Francisco rounding out the top five. Rochester moved into the top 50, up five spots to 46th this year. Buffalo dropped five spots to 38th, while Albany fell six spots to 42nd and Syracuse dropped nine spots to 48th.

 

Thanks to the Buffalo Bills, students in the Orchard Park Central School District will be spending less time in class this week. A spokesperson says kids will be dismissed after just a half-day of instruction on Thursday. This move is being made for traffic and safety reasons ahead of Buffalo’s game against the Tampa Bay Bucanneers. Another half-day is set for Monday, November 13th when the Bills host the Denver Broncos.

 

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office has provided the traffic plan for tomorrow night’s Buffalo Bills home game. The portion of Abbott Road in front of Highmark Stadium will close beginning at 3:15 p.m. and remain shut until after the game is over. All stadium lots will open at 4:15 p.m. and fans are asked to avoid parking vehicles on the shoulder of the road to help keep pedestrians safe. Kickoff between the Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is set for 8:15pm.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

The oldest dog ever has passed away. Bobi, who lived to be over 31-years-old, died last week at an animal hospital in Portugal. He was officially recognized as the oldest dog ever in February, two weeks after a 23-year-old Chihuahua attempted to stake a claim at the title. That dog, named Spike, is now the oldest living dog.

 

Richard Roundtree is dead at the age of 81. Best known for his portrayal of the iconic detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller “Shaft” as well as its two sequels and TV series, Deadline reports Roundtree died Tuesday after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.

 

Today is Wednesday, October 25th, the 298th day of the year.

October 25 in history…

…In 1960, Martin Luther King, Jr., was sentenced to four months in prison for a sit-in. He was released two days later.

 

 

 

 

…In 1963 The Beatles were photographed standing by a wall beside Stockholm, Sweden’s Town Hall while on tour. The picture would later be used for the Fab Four’s “Long Tall Sally” EP. That evening, the Fab Four kicked off their first tour of Sweden by playing two shows.

 

 

 

…In 1964, the Rolling Stones made their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” They played Chuck Berry’s blues classic, “Around & Around,” closing out the show with their hit, “Time Is on My Side.”

 

 

 

 

…In 1970 Speaking at a U.S. radio conference, President Richard Nixon asked programmers to ban all songs containing drug references.

 

 

 

 

…In 1975 Elton John performed the first of two historic sold-out shows at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on a bill that also included opening sets by Emmylou Harris and Joe Walsh.

 

 

 

 

…In 1990, boxer Evander Holyfield defeated James “Buster” Douglas to become the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1994, Susan Smith of Union, South Carolina, claimed a black carjacker had driven off with her two sons. Smith later confessed to drowning the children herself and was convicted of murder.

 

 

 

 

…In 1999, golfer Payne Stewart and five others were killed when their out-of-control plane crashed in South Dakota. Stewart was 42.

 

 

 

…In 2010, the late Michael Jackson topped Forbes magazine’s “2010 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities” list, with an estimated income of $275 million in the first year following his death. Coming in at number two was Elvis Presley. The King of Rock n’ Roll’s estate racked in $60 million.