Afternoon News Brief

 

There is a high wind watch Thursday and Friday in Orleans and Genesee Counties. The southwest winds are expected to start by 7:00pm tomorrow night and gust at times up to 40 miles per hour; occasional 60 mile per hour gusts are possible, especially between 11pm and 2am. The watch is in effect until 7:00am Friday morning. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

 

A fatal house fire is under investigation in Wyoming County. The fire occurred around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at 1291 Maxon Road in the Town of Bennington. Emergency crews from many towns were called to the scene to assist. According to police, one woman was found dead in the home. The house has been ruled a total loss and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 

GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF’s REPORT: 37-year-old Jason Lebar of Bethany has been charged with criminal mischief and petit larceny. Lebar is accused of prying a vehicle emblem from the rear of a pickup truck at a local dealership last Wednesday. There was reportedly significant damage to the vehicle. Lebar is also accused of trying to remove another emblem but destroyed it in the process. He was arraigned in City Court and released. ALSO: 32-year-old Michael Shelter of Oakfield has been charged with criminal contempt, aggravated family offense and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. This followed a police investigation into a 9-1-1 hang-up call in the City of Batavia and discovered an apparent disturbance involving Shelter and a person under an order of protection. Shelter allegedly fled the scene in the victim’s car. Shelter was jailed pending arraignment. ALSO: 39-year-old Jessica Holtz of Batavia was arrested on two warrants, following her release from Monroe County jail. Both warrants are associated with alleged petit larceny. Holtz was held pending arraignment. ALSO: 32-year-old Krista Kiblin of Rochester was charged with petit larceny. She allegedly stole merchandise from an unspecified Batavia location late last month. Kiblin was issued an appearance ticket. ALSO: An unidentified 18-year-old male, of Washington Avenue, Batavia has been jailed and is held on bail or bond. The youth was arrested last Wednesday after an investigation into a physical altercation and a violation of an order of protection in the City of Batavia.

 

INDICTMENTS, from Genesee County Court: Frank Falleti has been indicted on one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument (a Class D felony) and one count of falsifying a business record (a Class E felony). He is accused of possessing a forged New York State registration document with the intent to defraud or deceive another person. Falleti is also accused of knowingly not entering a 2019 Mazda into the state online registry, with the intent to defraud that included intent to commit, aid or conceal another crime. ALSO: Joseph Martino is indicted on one count of burglary in the third degree (a Class D felony), and grand larceny (in the fourth degree). Martino is accused of entering a building on East Main Street, Batavia, and stealing property with a value in excess of $1,000. ALSO: Chad Williams has been indicted on one count of criminal possession of stolen property (a Class E felony), criminal possession of a forged instrument (a Class D felony), criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, and criminal impersonation. Williams allegedly was found in possession of a 2008 Honda Civic on Nov. 8, along with a forged Texas motor vehicle registration. He is accused of knowingly possessing narcotics packaging. He is also accused of assuming the identity of another person.

 

 

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles says the inspection stickers that are placed on the windshield of your vehicle are getting a new look. The print-on-demand stickers will be printed at inspection stations and include vehicle-specific information on them in order to enhance security. The color of the sticker itself will continue to change depending on the expiration year. The current stickers are in the process of being phased out.

 

 

With New Yorkers handing over a lot of money to pay for groceries these days, the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing tips on how you can save at the supermarket. The agency recommends purchasing items that you frequently buy in bulk and planning meals in advance to reduce food waste. Also, enroll in the reward programs that stores offer and look for coupons online. Finally, shop strategically by taking inventory of what you have at home before going to the store.

 

 

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says that a Buffalo man is facing some prison time after admitting that he stole a fire truck. Prosecutors say 26-year-old Yassin Abdikadir took the vehicle last July while it was at the scene of an emergency call in the area of Main Street and West Huron Street. Abdikadir then abandoned the vehicle near Delaware Avenue and Allen Street and was later found hiding in a garbage tote. He could be ordered to spend up to 15 years behind bars when he’s sentenced in April.

 

 

The daughter of Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula has provided an update on her mother’s current condition. Jessica Pegula says that Kim suffered a cardiac arrest at the family’s home in Florida in June and that CPR likely saved her life. She went on to say that her mom is continuing to recover but is struggling to communicate and has memory issues. Kim Pegula and her husband Terry are also the co-owners of the Buffalo Sabres.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they’ve agreed to a contract extension with center Dylan Cozens. The deal will last for seven years and pay Cozens more than $49,000,000 (million). This season, Cozens has tallied 17 goals and 43 points in the 49 games he has played with the team that drafted him in 2019. Cozens is now the third player to sign a 7-year contract extension with the Sabres in the last six months, joining Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson. All three are under the age of 26. The Sabres are going to be back in action on Saturday when they host the Calgary Flames. The puck drops at 12:30.

 

An investigation is underway after two postal carriers reported that they were robbed in Rochester. The first robbery happened January 31st on High Point Trail and the second crime occurred about an hour later near Clarissa Street and Tubman Way. In both incidents, equipment was stolen from the mail carriers but they were not injured. Anyone with information can contact the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.