Afternoon News Brief

The search is on for an escaped sex offender who may have returned to Buffalo. The U.S. Marshals Service says Christopher Luke is serving time for a 2013 conviction of sexual exploitation of children. He was at a residential recovery program in Lake Charles, Louisiana until three days after Christmas. The 42-year-old didn’t show up and officials think he’s back in our area, possibly staying with family or friends. (Luke is reported to be 6’1″ tall and weigh approximately 280 pounds)

 

 

The federal trial of the 19-year-old man who killed 10 people and injured three others at a Tops store in Buffalo could begin in July. U-S Magistrate Judge Kenneth Schroeder says he will schedule the trial for Payton Gendron in July unless defense attorneys or the prosecution give him a reason to delay it. Gendron has been sentenced to life in prison for his conviction on state charges in the shootings last May. He could face the death penalty if he’s convicted on the federal charges. Yesterday, at a status hearing in federal court, Gendron was turned over to U-S Marshals while prosecutors decide if they’re going to pursue the death penalty, which is allowed under federal law.

 

Here’s a reminder from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, for seniors turning 65 anytime this year, the deadline to apply to upgrade to the enhanced STAR property exemption is March 1. Eligible seniors should verify the exact due date and apply to the assessor’s office.

 

 

 

State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes says she is working to remove language to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes from Governor Kathy Hochul’s state budget plan. The Buffalo assemblywoman is the Deputy Majority Leader. She says she agrees with opponents to the ban who say such a ban would disproportionately affect smokers who are people of color and therefore would create a policy with an inherent racial bias. Peoples-Stokes says she agrees with the intent of the ban to stop smoking but she calls this ban selective and would be a mistake.

 

 

The automaker Tesla has laid off 30 employees at its Buffalo plant in a move it says was based on performance reviews — but employees say it’s retaliation for trying to organize a union at the plant. Tesla Workers United say the firings are unacceptable and that the expectations for employees at the plant are unattainable and ambiguous. Tesla officials say the employees who were laid off had been notified of their performance. A spokesperson for Governor Kathy Hochul’s office says they are closely monitoring the situation at the Buffalo plant.

 

Charges are pending after a collision between a vehicle and a motorcyclist in Niagara Falls killed the cyclist. Niagara Falls Police say the accident happened Wednesday night when a vehicle traveling east on Buffalo Avenue turned left onto the I-190 on-ramp and collided with a motorcyclist heading west. The 56-year-old motorcyclist from Niagara Falls died later at a hospital. The other driver — who was not hurt — is cooperating with police.

 

 

Four generations are now represented in the newest person to be inducted in the Rotary Club. Gretchen Hawley says she grew up watching her dad and grandfather be active in Rotary and knew she wanted to be a part as well. Her great grandfather, Warren Hawley Jr. was one of the club’s charter members in 1919 and was president in 1924. Gretchen is a native Batavian who has recently returned to the community. She is a physical therapist and specializes in working with multiple sclerosis patients through her business called the MSing Link. (Published photo)