Friday News Brief

From the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the word of an arrest: 25-year-old Ebony Laster Shakayla Deas of Rochester is charged with petit larceny following investigation at a business on Veteran’s Memorial Drive. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia Town Court on July 11th. ALSO: A homeless man, 44-year-old Pablo Viera, has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief and criminal possession of a weapon. This followed an incident in Pembroke. It’s alleged Viera struck the side of the passenger door of a Kenworth semi-truck with a wooden tire knocker multiple times, resulting in a dent in the door. Viera was transported to the Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets. Viera is scheduled to return to Pembroke Town Court on July 12th.

 

Orleans County legislators have passed a resolution criticizing Governor Kathy Hochul over negotiating in secret with the Seneca Nation to possibly open a new casino in Rochester. County legislators said such negotiations should include public comments and an impact analysis on existing casinos and gaming facilities. Orleans is part of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, which operates Batavia Downs. A new casino in Rochester would likely have a negative impact on jobs at Batavia Downs and revenues to 15 counties as well as the cities of Rochester and Buffalo – all with membership stakes in Batavia Downs. The governor and the Seneca Nation are negotiating on renewing a Gaming Compact for the next 20 years. A Rochester casino hasn’t been approved, but many news reports say a Rochester site could be part of the new agreement.

 

There’s another air quality health advisory in place for the entire state through midnight. The pollutant of concern continues to be particulate matter due to the smoke from Canadian wildfires. If you must spend time outside when the air quality is this unhealthy, the State Department of Health recommends wearing a well-fitting facemask, such as an N95 or KN95. You can check the air quality index anywhere at anytime by entering your zip code at airnow.gov

 

A woman who was found shot following a crash in Niagara Falls earlier this week has died of her injuries. Police say that 18-year-old McKenzine Munt was hit in the head by gunfire Monday while she was driving in the area of Falls Street and 19th Street. Her vehicle ended up colliding with a minivan and that driver suffered minor injuries. An arrest hasn’t been made in this case and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

 

Thousands of New Yorkers will be on the roads in the coming days, and the state is making it a bit easier for them to reach their destinations. As of 6:00am tomorrow, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects will be suspended until 6:00am Wednesday. Drivers are asked to be aware of the possibility that Department of Transportation crews may be out making emergency repairs. For the most up-to-date traffic information, download the free 511NY mobile app.

 

An extensive culvert replacement project will begin next Wednesday on South Street in LeRoy. The street will temporarily be closed from July 5 through September 1. Detours will be marked to ensure traffic flow and the use of Route 5, Asbury and Harris Road. The initial focus will be relocating the water main to allow for replacement of the culvert. As this is happening, construction will start on the west side of the culvert. This task will involve building a temporary walkway to ensure continued access to the trail leading to Hartwood Park. After several weeks of preparation, pre-cast pieces can be delivered to the site. One of the highlights of the project is the implementation of a state-of-the-art pre-cast concrete box culvert, intended to provide enhanced durability and longevity, while also ensuring safety and convenience.

 

A registered sex offender is now facing prison time after being convicted on a murder charge. A jury has found Ronald Lagasse of Rochester guilty of killing 65-year-old Mary Simzer in September 2022. Simzer was found dead in an alley on Pearce Street and an autopsy revealed she died due to blunt force trauma. Lagasse is scheduled to be sentenced in August.

 

 

 

Governor Hochul has approved a request to raise the maximum age to apply to become a New York State Trooper. Under this change, the age limit is now 34 instead of 29, as it has been in the past. State Police asked for the new rule and say it will allow the agency to recruit a diverse and skilled group of candidates. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Trooper can find out more information at joinstatepolice.ny.gov. Applications for the next entrance exam will be open tomorrow.

 

The Muckdogs wrapped up their suspended game from last Tuesday night (due to bad air quality) and won with a walk-off single by Lucas Lopez. The Muckdogs would then go on to walk-off the regularly scheduled game last night against the Niagara Power in the bottom of the 10th inning after the umpire declared inference on the 3rd baseman, as the runner from Batavia was headed home. Game two of two against the Niagara Power will be played on the road tonight; the Muckdogs return to Dwyer tomorrow night for a 6:35 start time against Queen City.

 

 

13WHAM Weather Authority Forecast from Meteorologist Marty Snyder

Today: Hazy sun, more humid, noticeably warmer. Some showers or thunderstorms are possible by the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80’s. Winds will be out of the south at 5 to 15 mph

Tomorrow: Drenching humidity with PM Storms. Highs in the mid-80’s.

Tomorrow night: Continued muggy with a low of 65-70. South to southwest winds at 5-10 mph.

Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High in the low 80’s. Winds will once again be south to southwest, at 5-10 mph.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Award-winning actor Alan Arkin is dead at the age of 89. Arkin’s sons confirmed his death in a statement to People. Arkin won an Oscar for his work in the movie “Little Miss Sunshine” and has starred in a number of memorable films, including “Catch-22.”

 

A Florida teen caught on camera “shotgunning” an alcoholic drink with a baby alligator has been criminally charged. The video taken outside of a popular Plant City restaurant shows the teen picking up the reptile, holding it in the air and chugging the drink — with the young gator’s jaws gripping the can. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reportedly caught wind of the video circulating on social media — which led authorities to charge one of the teens for taking the alligator without a permit. The good news the baby gator was captured and released in a local retention pond — where it is alive and well

 

That’s one way to end a vacation: A very lucky traveler has won $1,300,000 on an airport slot machine in Las Vegas. The traveler was playing the slots while waiting for their flight on Tuesday and hit a big jackpot. Harry Reid International Airport has more than 1400 slot machines for Vegas visitors to take one last shot at winning big before heading home.

 

 

 

 

We have another winner, this time an 18-year-old man from Washougal, Washington. Lance Wall’s father gave him a scratch-off ticket as one of his high school graduation gifts. You guessed it, he won, and won big: $50,000. Wall beat the odds of 1 in 913,000. The ‘Six Figures’ game has payouts of up to $500,000. Wall told lottery officials that he aspires to be an artist and plans to save his lottery winnings.

 

And while we’re on the subject, both the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots just keep growing and are now sitting at a combined $861,000,000 (million). The Mega Millions jackpot for tonight’s drawing is $368,000,000. And there will be $493,000,000 up for grabs in Powerball tomorrow. Both drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.

 

 

A record amount of Americans are expected to travel by car over the Fourth of July weekend. Triple-A projects more than 50,000,000 Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, which is more than the previous record of 49,000,000 set in 2019. Triple-A also expects the U.S. to hit new records for the number of those traveling by car.

 

Today is Friday, June 30th, the 181st day of the year.

June 30 in history…

 

…In 1908, A giant fireball, most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet, flattened 80 million trees near the Stony Tunguska River in Yeniseysk Governorate, Russia, in the largest impact event in recorded history

 

 

 

 

…In 1953, the first Chevrolet Corvette rolled off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan. The car sold for just over $3200.

 

 

 

 

…In 1977, the Railway Mail Service made its last run from New York City to Washington D.C.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1985, James A Dewar died at age 88. He is famous for creating the Twinkie.

 

 

 

 

…In 1992, the first pay bathroom opens in New York City — the price is 25 cents.

 

 

 

…In 1994, the U.S. Figure Skating Association stripped Tonya Harding of the ’94 National Championship and banned her from the organization for life for the attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan.