Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on January 23, 2024
It may look frozen but the ice isn’t always safe. An uptick in ice rescues this winter has local fire departments and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation urging New Yorkers to stay off the ice. Jordan Fire Chief Jeremy Chilson and several other first responders were called to the Seneca River Sunday after a 36-year-old woman fell into the frigid waters after she ran out to try and get her dogs. Chilson said it took less than five minutes to rescue the woman and get her into an ambulance, but they couldn’t save the dogs. Last week, two men were rescued in Oneida County after a dog fell through the ice. Earlier this month, a man died after trying to ice fish near Cooperstown, and an Onondaga County man died after his truck fell through the icy bay of the St. Lawrence River
A Rochester man assigned to help deter people away from crime in the city is now accused of leading a drug trafficking operation. According to a federal criminal complaint, law enforcement has been actively investigating 46 year old Timothy Jackson, who is a part time worker for Pathways to Peace, a support program for at risk youth, for involvement in drug trafficking, including cocaine and fentanyl, and associated acts of violence since October 2021. The complaint alleges Jackson is one of two leaders linked to a drug trafficking operation in the city that has used multiple homes along Angle Street to store and distribute illegal drugs. According to a City of Rochester statement, Jackson has been a part of Pathways to Peace since December 2020 and is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the pending investigation.
New York undocumented immigrants under age 65 and at a certain income level would receive health insurance under a bill reintroduced in the state legislature this year. Migrants with a household income between 133% and 250% of the federal poverty line would be eligible for coverage if they are disqualified from basic healthcare programs. Immigrants who have an unaffordable employer-sponsored plan and are ineligible for minimum essential coverage can also apply for state insurance. Eligible migrants’ children can enroll in their parents’ plans for a year. The health commissioner may also include other individuals whose continued health and well-being would be “significantly at risk” without routine healthcare access, like those with serious behavior health issues, life-threatening conditions or in need of an organ transplant. No premium would be required for immigrants at or below 200% of the poverty line.
The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting their first rabies immunization clinic of the year at no charge to participants on Thursday, February 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Batavia Town Highway Garage. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per person maximum.
So far this winter season Buffalo is in first place for the Golden Snowball for most snow in NY but not for the most snow in the country. Anchorage Alaska is in first place with almost 88 inches of snow. Most other cities have had less snowfall than most years except for Buffalo which is at 51 inches so far. Rochester is in 5th place in the nation with 33 inches behind Grand Rapids Michigan and Boulder Colorado.
The Bills season came to an end Sunday night with another playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo was just two wins away from the Super Bowl — the same place the season ended last year and the year before that. It’s a frustration the fans feel deeply, and the players and staff feel it, too. But Josh Allen says the Super Bowl window is not closing. He says he believes in his teammates and coaches. Dawson Knox says the Bills have made the playoffs every year of his career and won the division 4 years in a row.