Monday News Brief

CITY of BATAVIA POLICE BLOTTER:  On 2/9/2024, Felicia R Sherrell (age 43) of Batavia, was arrested for DWI. The arrest is the result of an investigation into a motor vehicle accident that occurred on 12/17/2023. It’s alleged that Sherrell struck a sign at West Main St and Oak St and left the scene. After being located by police Sherrell allegedly resisted arrest and struck an Officer as they attempted to take her into custody. Sherrell was additionally charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Alcohol, Failure to Keep Right, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Harassment 2nd, and Resisting Arrest. She is due in court on 2/13/2024.

On 2/12/2024 Leona J Polk (age 44) of Leroy, was arrested for Harassment 2nd. Polk allegedly struck a nurse in the Emergency Room at UMMC. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 2/27/2024.

On 2/12/2024, Rebecca R Fugate (age 23) Batavia, was charged with Harassment 2nd. Fugate allegedly struck another person while on a bus in the City of Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 3/5/2024.

On 2/4/2024, Isaiah J Munroe (age 33) of Batavia, was arrested for Assault 3rd, Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd and Criminal Mischief 4th. Munroe was arrested after an investigation into a disturbance call on Walnut St on 1/28/2024. It’s alleged that Munroe engaged in a physical altercation with another person causing injury. He also allegedly restrained them and prevented them from calling for help. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due in Batavia City Court at a later date.

On 2/6/2024 David J Sokolowski (age 54) of Batavia, was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th. The arrest stems from an incident on 10/7/2023 where Sokolowski was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 2/27/2024.

On 2/7/2024, Jaylinn M Oneil (age 33) of Leroy, was arrested on a warrant from Batavia City Court. Oneil was initially charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd on 11/8/2023. The warrant was issued after she failed to appear in court. Oneil was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. She is due back in court on 2/28/2024.

On 2/9/2024, Michael R Ostrander (age 59) of Batavia, was arrested for Assault 3rd. Ostrander was arrested after police responded to an incident on Mill St where Ostrander allegedly struck another person causing injury. Ostrander was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due back in Batavia City Court at a later date.

On 2/3/2024, Kristen R Aquino (age 40) was arrested for DWI. Aquino was initially stopped on Liberty St for a vehicle and traffic violation. Aquino was allegedly found to be operating the vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol. She was issued several traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on 2/21/2024.

IN OTHER NEWS…

Two Rochester residents have lost their lives following a high-speed chase in Lockport over the weekend. Niagara County officials say the pursuit began Saturday after a stolen vehicle was spotted on Route 31 near Chesnut Ridge Road. The driver, 29-year-old Michael Walker, refused to pull over and eventually lost control of the vehicle and slammed it into a tree. Both Walker and his passenger, 28-year-old Ana Cerrato, died at the scene.

 

 

Nationally, there has been a slight uptick in gas prices over the past week; locally however, the price has gone down a few cents. According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.28, which is up 2 cents from a week ago; the state average is $3.30. In Batavia, the average calculates out to $3.23; that’s down 7 cents from a month ago and 14 cents from a year ago today.

 

Governor Hochul has announced there will be two free snowmobiling weekends taking place next month. They’ll be March 1st through the 3rd and also March 8th through the 10th. The goal is to attract out-of-state snowmobilers and encourage them to ride New York’s over 10-thousand miles worth of trails. While the registration requirement will be waived, all riders still must carry proof of insurance with them. For a full list of rules and regulations, head to nysnowmobiler.com.

 

Governor Kathy Hochul is responding to a report that former President Trump would try to pass a federal 16-week abortion ban if he’s elected in November. Hochul says it’s abhorrent that women’s rights could be jeopardized across the country, including in New York, the birthplace of women’s rights. She says she would fight such a move with every breath and would never back down. The New York Times reported this morning that Trump privately told supporters he’s open to the idea of banning abortions after 16 weeks with few exceptions.

 

A major one billion dollar project in Buffalo is moving forward. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the feds have signed off on the Kensington Expressway project. It will create a tunnel and cap part of the Expressway and improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle mobility and access in the area. Despite some community opposition, Hochul says it will right the wrongs of the past by reconnecting communities. Construction should start later in the year.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be back on their home ice today as they look to pick up a second consecutive victory. The Sabres are hosting the Anaheim Ducks at KeyBank Center. Buffalo last played on the road Saturday when they beat the Minnesota Wild by a final score of 3-2 in overtime and boosted their point total this season to 52. The puck drops this afternoon at 12:30.

 

 

 

Organizers of the Rochester Pride Festival say the event could be in a new location this year. They’ve asked the Monroe County Legislature to approve its move to Highland Park. The hope is this new spot will provide participants and visitors with additional shade and parking while also improving accessibility. Should the Legislature decide to green light this request, the festival will happen July 20th.

 

ELSEWHERE…

“Mean Girls” has surpassed $100 million at the global box office. The movie musical has made over $101 million worldwide after six weeks of release, including more than $71 million in North America. “Mean Girls” held the number one spot at the domestic box office for three weeks in a row after it was released on January 12th. The film was initially slated to debut on Paramount-plus, but after test screenings, the film was moved to a theatrical release.

 

Paul McCartney is getting back his bass guitar after it went missing more than a half-century ago. McCartney said he purchased the Hofner bass guitar in 1961 and played it for a number of Beatles concerts and albums. It had been stolen in 1972, but a Valentine’s Day statement on McCartney’s website said it was returned and authenticated. The statement credited the “Lost Bass Project,” which was created last year, for locating the bass.

 

A new CDC report shows the effects of long COVID are lingering longer among people who live in certain states. It’s most prevalent in West Virginia, Montana and Alabama, where about one in ten people surveyed reported experiencing the effects. Long COVID rates were nine–percent or higher in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Wyoming. The CDC says that overall, nearly 7% of U.S. adults have experienced it. Symptoms of long COVID, which is defined as lasting three months or more, include brain fog, persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, rapid heart rate or cardiac arrhythmia. Dr. Marc Siegel of NYU Langone Medical Center in New York cites multiple studies that show getting three COVID shots or more significantly reduces the risk.