Evening News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on November 16, 2021
Devon Wright
Jacon Sponaugle
Devon Wright, one of the two men charged in the July 2020 shooting at Batavia’s Days Inn, has entered a plea deal at the outset of this trial.
Wright pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in return for a sentence cap of 10 years. Wright’s deal also included other charges in unrelated cases.
The trial in Genesee County Court continues for Jacob Sponaugle who is charged in the shooting of Jason Whitehead.
Police said that Sponaugle and Whitehead arranged for the sale to Wright of a 22-caliber pistol. The transaction was meant to take place at the Days Inn. When Wright wouldn’t pay the asking price, Sponaugle blamed Whitehead for the deal going south and shot him.
The trial of Sponaugle will continue in county court.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Genesee County has risen to 326.
The number is coming extremely close to the 343 cases reported at the height of the pandemic in December of 2020.
There have been six recent deaths attributed to COVID-19 bringing the county’s death toll during the entire pandemic at 292.
Jason Smith
Batavia’s new superintendent of schools is a former BHS graduate.
Jason Smith has been named the new superintendent. He will take over the post on January 3rd.
Smith is currently the superintendent of Lyndonville Central Schools.
His new job in Batavia will pay $165,000 a year.
The Transportation Security Administration says with more people traveling these days, they need additional officers at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport.
Previous experience working in security or law enforcement is not required. Anyone who joins the TSA will receive a $500 sign-on bonus and an additional $500 after one year of service.
