Afternoon News Brief

Batavia City Code Enforcement Officer Doug Randall has condemned two local hotels on Oak Street due to inoperable fire alarm systems, as well as no electrical, gas or water service. Both the Days Inn by Wyndham and Super 8 by Wyndham have signs posted that say ‘this property is closed’ along with notices from the City. Public Works Director Brett Frank said that the property owners have left the country and the City has been unable to contact them. He added there is not much that can be done unless they don’t pay taxes and the City could then foreclose. Photos by Doug Thompson, WBTA News.

 

32-year-old Lance Mercado, Sr. of Batavia is charged with aggravated harassment. He is accused of repeatedly calling another person, threatening physical harm and causing the victim to fear for his or her own safety. Mercado was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and ordered to return at a later date. He is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon following his arrest in Alexander, when it was allegedly found that he was in possession of knife knuckles.

 

25-year-old Kyle Schroeder of Batavia is charged with criminal mischief. Schroeder is accused of damaging property at a business on Jackson Street. He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

 

 

 

 

20-year-old Nickolas Adam Figlow of Batavia is charged with criminal mischief and harassment. He is accused of damaging a victim’s vehicle and of following the victim to Walmart late one evening last week. Figlow was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and ordered to return later this month.

 

 

Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced this morning that Edwards Vacuum, a British-based world leader in vacuum and abatement equipment in the semiconductor industry and part of the Atlas Copco Group, has chosen the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Genesee County, as the location for their new $319 million, U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility. The dry pump technology that will be produced at the new facility is a vital component to controlling the highly sensitive environment of semiconductor manufacturing processes. Phase One of Edwards Vacuum’s 240,000 square-foot campus include manufacturing, warehouse and administration. The company is expected to employ 600 people and the state and federal financial incentives tied to the deal require Edwards to meet that employment goal. Edwards will also negotiate a PILOT agreement (a reduction in property taxes on the increased value of the property in exchange for payments to local governments), along with sales tax, and mortgage tax abatements with Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

 

 

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors advanced 5 projects totaling approximately $582.5 million of investments at its board meeting last night. (Tuesday, November 1, 2022) The board accepted initial applications from Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC for a proposed $550 million utility scale solar project in the towns Elba and Oakfield and for community solar projects in the town of Batavia and LeRoy totaling $20 million. The board also approved final incentives for a $12 million tourism hospitality project as well as a final resolution for 8250 Park Road LLC. The project proposes to invest $12 million for extensive renovations to the Quality Inn & Suites and Palm Island Indoor Water Park.

 

The State Department of Civil Service is offering state residents, the opportunity to take the Professional Career Opportunities exam online for the first time. Results of the test will be used to help agencies across the state fill a variety of positions. Qualified candidates who have or will have a Bachelor’s degree by June 30th, 2023 have until midnight on November 30th to apply. All candidates have until midnight Eastern time on December 15th to finish the exam. For more information, go to cs.ny.gov/pco.

 

Buffalo police say reports that have been circulating on social media involving tainted candy that was handed out for Halloween aren’t true. Claims were made that kids died due to fentanyl-laced candy, but neither the police nor fire department have responded to any reported incidents. Adults should still check all candy to make sure that it’s safe for children to eat. Any candy that looks like it may have been contaminated should be thrown out immediately.

 

This is the weekend we “fall back”. It officially happens at 2:00am early on Sunday morning; however, most people turn the clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday. This means it’s a little lighter in the morning with sunrise before 7AM, but then the sun sets before 5PM. On a positive note, at least for one night, we’ll get an extra hour’s sleep.

 

 

Customers who choose to do their holiday shopping at Walden Galleria are going to have plenty of time to get it done. The shopping center will be closed on Thanksgiving, but the mall is going to be open for extended hours from Friday, November 25th through New Year’s Day which is Sunday, January 1st. Santa Claus is also set to arrive November 18th and will be there until Christmas Eve. The complete list of shopping hours can be found at waldengalleria.com.

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be finishing up their current homestand tonight and they’re hoping to end it with a third straight win. The Sabres are hosting Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off of a dominating eight-to-three victory over the Detroit Red Wings Monday night and have 12 points already to start the season. Face-off for this evening’s contest is scheduled for 7:30.

 

 

The Buffalo Bills did not let having the best record in the AFC stop them from making moves at the NFL trade deadline. Buffalo acquired running back Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for running back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Hines adds some veteran depth to the running backs room and also presents Buffalo with a potential punt returner. The Bills also traded for Dean Marlowe in a deal with the Falcons. Buffalo sent Atlanta a 2023 seventh-rounder for the safety.

 

The 4th largest jackpot in United States lottery history is going to be up for grabs tonight as the Powerball jackpot keeps growing. The prize for whoever picks the winning numbers is going to be at least $1.2 billion, which is the second highest jackpot in the history of the popular lottery game. The record Powerball jackpot of more than $1.5 billion was claimed back in 2016. The drawing will be streamed online at powerball.com. Please play responsibly.