Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on February 5, 2024
Two days after the death of her sister, 33 year old Brandi Haight of Jamestown faces charges in an unrelated case. Haight forced her way into a house in Jamestown Saturday Night, per police, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, kicked a door in and stabbed a victim in the face. Haight then left the scene before officers arrived; they found her in a car shortly after, according to officials. She ran from that vehicle and resisted officers. Her sister was shot by Hamburg police on Saturday for also breaking into homes and stabbing a woman. She is facing a number of charges including assault in the 1st degree, two counts of burglary, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and more.
Police said a body was found in the Genesee River in Rochester downtown Sunday morning. A person walking across the Andrews Street bridge noticed the body around 11:15 a.m. and called 911. Police and firefighters arrived on scene and retrieved the body from the river. The identity and cause of death will be determined by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Free Fishing days of 2024 have been announced. Starting with February 17th and 18th those who don’t have a fishing license can try out fishing in NY state for free. All other regulations still apply. Other dates are June 29th and 30th, September 28th, and November 11th. If you don’t have equipment to go fishing there are Rod Loaner programs available. Just got to DEC.NY.gov and navigate to the things to do part of the site to find out more.
February 3rd marked the Pink Fund’s 10th annual Bikini Snowmobile Rally except there were no sleds to be found. 22 women came with ATVs since the weather was 40 degrees and sunny in Oakfield. The fundraiser raised over 37 thousand dollars for the Pink Fund, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to those battling breast cancer. Funds can be used for cost-of-living expenses and cover things like mortgage, rent, utility bills, and auto payments, while breast cancer patients are in active treatment for 3 months. This will be the last year for the Bikini Rally as organizers say it takes a lot of work to set up and there are other things they could be doing to raise money and awareness.
The first Batavia City School District Foundation Blue vs. White charity hockey game went to overtime before a winner could be crowned at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Sunday evening. The White team broke a 6-6 tie to win it in overtime, 8-6. Alumni members of the Batavia and Notre Dame Hockey programs, City School District faculty and staff along with several members of City Fire and the local business community made up the two teams. Batavia Middle School Principal, Nathan Korzelius coached the White Team and John Kirkwood headed up the Blue Team, both were high school coaches at one time.