Afternoon News Brief

38-year-old Jamian Edwards of Rochester has been charged with the criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance – both class B felonies – after a 6-month investigation into the possession and sale of crack cocaine in and around Batavia. Edwards was taken into custody last week while checking in with Monroe County Probation. He was then turned over to Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies. Edwards allegedly sold crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Drug Task force here in the city; he was arraigned in Genesee County Court and released under supervision.

 

If you’ve walked the sidewalks of Batavia lately, you already know that many are in need of repair. In fact, the city has bid out the replacement of sidewalks and the work to make them Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant on Seneca, Miller and Columbia avenues. In fact, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said Monday night during the City Council Conference Meeting that plans include paving those three streets this year and finish sidewalk work on Chase Park and Fisher Park, two streets that were paved last year. Tabelski added there is a capital streets plan that the city has been following for years and trying to identify the streets that need repair immediately, while also addressing the sidewalks on those streets, so that there is a rotation throughout the city. City Council is expected to vote on bids at the next business meeting in June. Scope of work includes replacement of approximately 6,400 linear feet of sidewalks and installation of handicap accessible ramps on portions of Chase Park, Fisher Park and Seneca, Miller and Columbia avenues.

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs still welcomes public comments on the traffic analysis and safety study recently completed in reference to intersections near the Western New York National Cemetery. This includes the intersection of State Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, where a two-vehicle accident took place yesterday morning. (at the intersection of State Route 77 and Gabbey Road, right across Route 77 from the Route 77-Indian Falls Road intersection) The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Mercy EMS responded. A female driver suffered minor injury. The Sheriff’s Office report said a male driving a pickup truck was at the stop sign at Gabbey Road and Route 77 when he was looking north and being waved through by a driver heading south on Route 77. The pickup truck driver said he didn’t see the vehicle driving north on 77 and the northbound vehicle struck the pickup truck. The driver of the vehicle going north on 77 was transported with minor cuts on her arms. The traffic study made a few safety suggestions, which include installing rumble strips; sign-mounted flashing warning lights; and signage that indicates ‘cross traffic does not stop’.

 

After weeks of waiting, Congressman Antonio Delgado is going to officially become the state’s new lieutenant governor today. Delgado will replace former lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin who resigned after being indicted on bribery and fraud-related charges. Governor Hochul says Delgado is a phenomenal leader and public servant who has a record of getting things done for New Yorkers. Delgado currently represents the 19th Congressional District and a special election to fill his seat is scheduled for August.

 

A vigil is going to be taking place in Chili tonight in remembrance of a 17-year-old girl who was murdered. Brittanee Drexel disappeared while on vacation in South Carolina in 2009, and police recently arrested Raymond Moody in connection with her death. The vigil is scheduled to go from 7:00pm until 8:30pm at Davis Park. Anyone who is going to attend is asked to bring a candle. Drexel’s family is holding a celebration of life for her on June 11th in Rochester.

 

The USS The Sullivans is back up and ready for visitors. It’s been five weeks since the partial sinking of the U.S.S. The Sullivans, but come this Saturday for Memorial Day Weekend, the Naval Park will be welcoming visitors once again. While they are still doing cleanup and salvage, the Naval Park is planning many events for the Memorial day weekend including a marathon and ceremonies. Park President Paul Marzello says that memorial day is very important to them, The Sullivans is named for 5 brothers who were killed fighting for the US in World War 2, marking the greatest loss by one family during WW2.

 

Governor Hochul has signed off on new law giving sexually abused adults a one-year window to sue their alleged attackers, even if the statute of limitations has expired. The Adult Survivors Act, was passed by the State Assembly earlier this week after previously being approved by the State Senate. The window to file claims opens in six months, which means survivors of sexual abuse will have time to decide if they want to come forward. Governor Hochul called the bill a victory for justice and said it’s long overdue.

 

The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is looking into what caused a crash that took the life of a two-year-old child. Deputies say the accident happened yesterday when two SUVs collided at the intersection of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Sy Road in Wheatfield. The two-year-old, who was in one of the vehicles, was taken to DeGraff Memorial Hospital but later died. No other serious injuries were reported and anyone who saw the crash is asked to contact the sheriff’s department.

 

The Seneca Gaming Corporation and FeedMoreWNY are working together today to hold a food drive to help people affected by the Tops supermarket shooting. Folks are being asked to donate things such as toiletries and infant and child care products. Organizers also say they need food items including cereal, soups, canned tuna , vegetables and peanut butter. Those items can be dropped off from 11 a-m until seven p-m at the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino at Michigan Avenue and Perry Street.

 

The Alden man charged in connection with the violent protests at the U.S. Capitol last year has agreed to a plea deal. According to prosecutors, 37-year-old Daniel Warmus has admitted to entering the building through the Senate wing door and staying inside for roughly 15 minutes. Warmus is facing up to six months behind bars, probation and a fine when he’s sentenced later this year. Protesters stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 to try and keep Congress from certifying President Biden’s win over ex-President Donald Trump.

 

The New York State Department of Transportation has announced a nearly eight-million-dollar project to resurface the entire Kensington Expressway. The road runs from downtown Buffalo to Cheektowaga and officials say the goal of the project is to improve driver safety. Crews are going to be milling and resurfacing both the expressway and ramps and new traffic signs will also be installed. Construction is expected to begin next month.

 

56-year-old David Stephens of Stafford is charged with criminal contempt, obstructing governmental administration and harassment, after he allegedly violated an order of protection by harassing the protected party. When deputies arrived at the scene, Stephens attempted to fight with them. He was arraigned in Stafford Town Court and released on his own recognizance. Stephens is scheduled to return to court on June 7.

 

A Village of Lyndonville trustee and community leader has been arrested and charged with possessing child pornography, state police said. Darren Wilson, 61, was arrested Monday and charged with 10 counts of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. The arrest came after a tip from Internet Crimes Against Children April 11. The tip said that Wilson was possibly involved in child pornography. On May 10, police received more information that Wilson possessed “multiple unregistered pistols,” troopers said. He was additionally charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

 

The Water Department will be doing line repair today at 9 Olyn Avenue. It is possible the water may need to be shut off on Olyn from Holland to Montclair Avenues. Traffic will be limited to local traffic only while work is being completed. Once water is restored, it may be discolored. Customers should refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

 

The State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation tells us that a revitalized Historic Barn Rehabilitation Tax Credit program is now available. The new program allows state taxpayers who rehabilitate their historic barns to earn a state income tax credit. The amount of the credit is equal to 25% of the expenditures incurred to rehabilitate the historic barn. To qualify, a barn must have been built before 1946, and the work must be approved by the Division for Historic Preservation. Taxpayers can begin to claim the credit on their 2022 New York state taxes. Program information and staff contact information can be found on the Division for Historic Preservation’s website www.parks.ny.gov/shpo/tax-credit-programs/. Applications can be mailed to 1 Delaware Avenue North, Cohoes, 12047 for express mail services or to P.O. Box 189, Waterford, NY 12188 for USPS mail service.

 

Students across New York State won’t be taking the U.S. History and Government Regents next month. Education officials have decided to cancel the test following the mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo that left 10 people dead. Experts reviewed the exam and determined it had content with the potential to compound student trauma caused by the shooting. The education department didn’t reveal what was in the exam that students may find upsetting. However, officials did say it’s not possible to change the test because it’s already been printed and packaged for shipment to schools.