Afternoon News Brief

Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on March 16 in honor of fallen Genesee County Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello. Sergeant Sanfratello also served as a Board Member for the Town of Alexander. This memorial act is concurrent with the half-staff order already in place in honor of New York National Guard members Casey Frankoski and John Grassia, who died during a federal deployment at the southern border. On March 10, Sergeant Sanfratello died in the line of duty. Originally from Batavia, Sergeant Sanfratello served in law enforcement for more than two decades. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy; his children, Ian, Kyla and Alexis; and countless other family and friends.

A New York State community is in mourning after a pregnant elementary school teacher was found unresponsive in her classroom.  29 year old Courtney Fannon  taught special education at Kendall Elementary School. On March 8th, she texted her husband, Kurtis, to let him know she was finishing work for the day. However she was found unresponsive moments later and transported to an area hospital.  Fannon and her preborn baby were both declared dead later that evening. A cause of death has yet to be released.  The Kendall Central School District canceled classes Monday, while also providing students and staff with grief counselors Tuesday. In a message to families, superintendent Nicholas Picardo called Fannon’s death an “unspeakable loss,” noting she “served her students with passion and joy each day.”

A man is charged with enticement of a minor for allegedly luring a child to a hotel for sex.  30 year old Jonathan Woody of Rochester, is accused of exchanging sexually explicit texts and online messages with a 13-year-old victim.  On Jan. 2, Woody allegedly paid for an Uber to bring the child to a hotel in Greece, where he’s accused of engaging in sexual acts with the victim and giving them alcohol and marijuana.  The child eventually returned home after their family had called 911 to report them missing, according to the criminal complaint.  Woody was arrested some time later after the victim told their family about their alleged relationship and actions with the 30-year-old man.

Rochester Police are investigating a man’s death at a boarding house on the city’s west side.  Officers responded to the home on West Avenue, between Grover Street and Gardiner Avenue, around 2 a.m. Tuesday for a report of an unresponsive male.  First responders found Jose Olivencia, 55, unresponsive in his room. He was pronounced dead at the scene.  The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide.  Investigators determined Olivencia may have been involved in some sort of altercation that escalated, resulting in his death.  No suspects are in custody. The investigation continues.

Long-time Notre Dame football coach Jimmy Fanara has decided to retire ending a 22-year stint coaching football at his alma mater.  Coach Fanara had planned that 2022 would be his final season before he stepped up to take the head varsity coach position when Joe Zambito’s job took him out of the area.  Fanara held a variety of coaching positions, spending most of his years on the coaching staffs of Notre Dame HOF coaches Bill Sutherland and Rick Mancuso before taking over the Varsity reins in 2022.  His final team advanced to the Sectional semifinals before losing a hard-fought contest to York-Pavilion.

A 13 year old girl in Jew Jersey did a mile run to honor Sergeant Sanfratello on Thursday Night.  Morgan runs a mile for a fallen police officer.  Sergeant Sanfratello is her 1709th run.  Morgan has been doing this since she was 6 years old and does fundraisers for police departments to purchase body armor and other safety equipment.  She wants to be a K9 police officer one day.  Local police and Sheriffs ran at the same time as her and synchronized over the phone.  

To see her run and give to her fundraiser follow the link at wbtai.com.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=795027652474872