Thursday Afternoon News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on December 26, 2024
Damar Hamlin (NBC News photo)
The HEARTS Act, backed by Bills safety Damar Hamlin, has been signed into law by President Joe Biden. The law aims to improve access to resources for heart health around the country, including putting automated external defibrillators in schools and making CPR training more accessible. Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during a Bills game just under two years ago, advocated for the bill and worked on it with Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Rochester police are continuing their investigation into multiple vehicle break-ins in their city. They say around one a-m yesterday, there were vehicle break-ins reported in the parking lot of Saint Marianne Cope Roman Catholic Church after midnight mass. A few hours later, 11 cars were found with broken windows on Park Avenue near Barrington Street. So far, no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents.
Undated file photo of unidentified nurse administering a flu shot to a child.
Some new data shows the spread of flu virus is definitely on the rise in Western New York. During the week ending December 14th, the highest number of infections were reported in Monroe County with 130. That was followed by Ontario County with 35 and Genesee County with 17. Flu has already been declared prevalent in New York and residents who haven’t been vaccinated yet are urged to get their shots immediately.
A lot of people are heading to stores to return holiday gifts today, and the state Division of Consumer Protection says there’s things they should keep in mind. First, state law doesn’t require retailers to accept returns, but they must post a notice saying that. If a return policy is not posted, the retailer has to accept returns of undamaged and unused merchandise within 30 days of the purchase date. Consumers should also bring receipts with them if possible to make the return process easier.
Michael Tymoch (WIVB News photo)
A retired Rochester Police officer has pleaded guilty to making multiple threatening phone calls to a woman in Orchard Park who he used to be in a relationship with. Michael Tymoch served in the department for 31 years and retired in May. He accepted the plea deal on his harassment charge in Orchard Park Town Court. Tymoch was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and a $250 fine. RPD has confirmed that Tymoch has been de-certified in New York State.
