Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on March 12, 2024
The attack that ended in the death of Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Sanfratello on Sunday morning was more violent than previously reported according to charging documents. Michael Elmore allegedly went to his car to retrieve a thick piece of jewelry and then came back into the casino and threatened Sanfratello with it, striking him in the head and face. He’s also accused of using his fists and of placing Sanfratello in a chokehold. Elmore is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony, aggravated assault upon a police officer, a Class B felony, and burglary in the second degree. The manslaughter charge is based on alleged intent to cause serious physical injury. The aggravated assault includes an allegation of using a deadly weapon. The burglary charge includes the alleged use of a dangerous instrument.
The woman who is accused of stealing almost half a million dollars from a St Amelia Church in Buffalo and over half a million from a doctors office, was caught while working as a nanny in North Carolina. Lisa Prynn Noble was watching the Leochko family’s children at a library when US Marshals made the arrest. The family said she went by the name Julie Wilson and was great at her job and the kids loved her. The Loeochkos said she never asked for extra money, she actually often took the kids out and footed the bill herself, buying them gifts often. A Buffalo doctor who lost his business after Noble stole over 500,000 dollars from him said that “she makes people feel good about her so she can take whatever she wants.”
The Rochester Police Department has released new figures on illegal guns taken off the streets. In the latest ROC Against Gun Violence coalition meeting, police said they have taken 39 long guns and 80 handguns off the street last month, with 15 of those being ghost guns. Police said that on average, they get three to four handguns off the street per day.
Former Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced Monday on Facebook she intends to run for Rochester City Court judge. Warren served as mayor from Jan. 1, 2014-Dec. 1, 2021, resigning with one month left in her second term after she had lost the Democratic primary to Malik Evans as part of a plea deal after accepting campaign contributions that exceeded legal limits. Warren’s resignation also came as her husband faced illegal gun charges and charges in connection to a drug trafficking ring. Timothy Granison pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine out of Warren’s home. He was sentenced to 32 months in prison. In a statement, the Monroe County Democratic Committee indicated it will not be endorsing Warren.
Nine months into construction of the new home for the Buffalo Bills, work on the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park is moving ahead as scheduled. The Erie County Stadium Corporation held its Directors Meeting on Monday and provided an update on the $1.54 billion project. Showcased during the meeting was a new timelapse video of the stadium construction site which details the progress from the groundbreaking last June through last month.
The City of Buffalo will receive $102 million in federal funding to transform the entire length of Bailey Avenue from South Park to Main Street. The goal is to dramatically improve mass transit and also speed up commute times for everyone. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer made the announcement Monday that Buffalo was selected to receive the funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Program. A key of the plan to transform the 7.5-mile stretch is a dedicated bus lane that is part of a bus rapid transit line, in addition to other improvements. Last month, the state announced $3 million in funding dedicated to the project.
