Afternoon News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on April 14, 2023
Jason Lane
A former Town of Greece police recruit has pleaded guilty to the receipt of child pornography. 28-year-old Jason Lane of Greece had uploaded approximately 260 files to an email account. The files included an image of a partially nude preschool-aged child, which appears to have been taken at a childcare facility in Rochester. The files also include sexually explicit images of two minor victims that appear to have been taken by Lane. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July.
An investigation is underway into what caused a crash on the New York State Thruway that left one person dead. According to State Police, the collision involving two passenger vehicles and a flatbed tractor-trailer happened yesterday at mile marker 396 in Pembroke. One person died at the scene but no one else was injured. According to early reports, a vehicle rolled over and a person was ejected. Anyone who saw the accident is asked to call State Police.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced there is an Air Quality Advisory in effect through tonight at 11:00 for both Western and Central New York. The pollutant of concern is ozone. For more information, the state Air Quality Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-535-1345, or visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/34985.html
A three-year-old Lockport girl is in critical condition after being brutally attacked by her family’s dogs. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened yesterday at a residence on Glendale Drive. The child was rushed to Oishei Children’s Hospital for treatment of the injuries she suffered. The investigation into this case is ongoing and the dogs are in possession of the SPCA of Niagara County.
Daniel Ponder at his arraignment last month
Three more people are now facing charges in connection with a kidnapping in Rochester. Officials say two teenagers and an adult were involved in the abduction of a mother and her four-year-old son in March. Previously, 24-year-old Daniel Ponder was arrested for his role in the kidnapping, and these suspects are being accused of helping him. Both the woman and her child were eventually found safe at a home on Reynolds Street.
Cortez Foster
A Buffalo man who is responsible for a murder that happened more than two years ago has found out the punishment for his crime. Yesterday, a judge ordered 33-year-old Cortez Foster to spend 40 years to life behind bars. Prosecutors say Foster shot and killed 29-year-old Marcus Spain on Johnson Street in Buffalo back in March of 2021. Foster was found guilty earlier this year and was sentenced as a second felony offender.
Maid of the Mist – file photo
One of Western New York’s most popular tourist attractions will return tomorrow when the Maid of the Mist officially launches its 2023 season. The tour gives people a close look at Niagara Falls, which is considered one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. Tickets cost $28.25 for adults, $16.50 for kids between the ages of six and 12 and children under 5 are free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, go to maidofthemist.com.
File photo, Casey Mittelstadt; he scored the winning goal last night in overtime
The Buffalo Sabres have wrapped up the home portion of their season with a win over a longtime rival. Tage Thompson, Victor Olofsson, Casey Mittelstadt and Henri Jokiharju all scored as the Sabres beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in overtime at KeyBank Center last night. Buffalo goaltender Craig Anderson faced 33 shots in the contest and was able to stop 30 of them. The Sabres finish up their regular season tonight with a road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Neither team is in the playoffs.
ELSEWHERE…
Russian tank captured by Ukraine in Louisiana
A Russian tank that was reportedly captured by Ukraine last fall has somehow turned up at a Louisiana truck stop, and nobody seems to know how or why. Photos of the massive military crawler, which was loaded onto a trailer, popped up on Reddit thanks to a worker at the travel center off Interstate-Ten in the town of Roanoke. The military says it’s not theirs.
Dimes on the parking lot in Philadelphia
Police are investigating after thieves stole $100,000 in dimes off a truck in Philadelphia. Authorities say the Florida bound truck had picked up $750,000 in dimes from the United States Mint and had stopped overnight in Philadelphia. On Thursday morning, police found the trailer broken into and coins scattered across the parking lot. No arrests have been made. (NBC News photo)
Both the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are still on the rise and are now sitting at a combined $695,000,000 (million). The prize for Mega Millions tonight is $476,000,000. And anyone lucky enough to win the Powerball tomorrow night will find themselves $219,000,000 richer. Both drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
