Friday News Brief

37-year-old Ebony Shine of Rochester has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess 400 grams or more of Fentanyl, with the intent to distribute. She also sold a firearm to an undercover law enforcement agent. Investigation revealed she was operating in both Medina and Rochester. Shine faces a penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2.

 

 

 

There’s still no sign of escaped Pennsylvania inmate Michael Burham after a weeklong hunt. However, investigators have found what they believe is evidence that he is still in the area. A pair of bags was found while crews searched the woods near Warren, Pennsylvania. They were wrapped in a dark tarp and partially hidden under a log. They contained clothing, food and other survival materials. Police said they’re confident they belonged to Burham and are urging people in that area to keep an eye out for anything that may look similar. Investigators also said they believe it is very likely Burham has a gun on him and the combined reward for information leading to his capture is now over $20,000. Officials say the murder suspect, who is said to have survivalist skills, broke out of a Pennsylvania jail through the roof last week. An official who watched surveillance video of the breakout said Burham “looked like a spider” as he escaped.

 

The first licensed cannabis dispensaries are coming to western New York. The state Office of Cannabis Management has given its approval to Herbal IQ to open its dispensary on Transit Road in Depew one week from today on July 21st. Dank will open the next day. It’s at the former site of the soup and wine bar, Brodo. A little more than a dozen state-licensed dispensaries have opened in the state but none in western New York. State officials have set aside 22 licenses for western New York, which is twice the number originally planned.

 

 

Home prices nationwide have risen in recent months but few have seen that increase more sharply than homebuyers in our region. For example, the website realtor.com ranks Buffalo tenth highest nationwide for its increase in home prices. The median price in Buffalo is $278,000, an increase of more than 13% from a year ago. Local realtors say they don’t expect a balanced market to occur very soon as a shortage of available inventory remains tight.

 

 

The Murray Town Supervisor, 65-year-old Joseph Sidonio, has been arrested by Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputies for an incident that happened in the Town’s Highway Department parking lot. It is alleged that Sidonio drove his truck at a high rate of speed at another individual in the parking lot. Sidonio then swerved at the last second to avoid a collision that could have resulted in serious physical injury to the individual. Sidonio was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Murray Court and an Order of Protection was issued to the victim. Sidonio was released on his own recognizance and will return to the Town of Murray Court on August 9.

 

The night was emotional when Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin presented the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the Bills training staff at the ESPY Awards in Las Vegas this week. The staff was given the award for helping save Hamlin’s life. Wednesday night, Hamlin broke into tears on stage as he embraced the first responders who jumped into action save his life as he collapsed from cardiac arrest during a game against Cincinnati in January. Hamlin is planning to play this upcoming season.

 

Sheriff’s and police department pups got some green from the Downs. On Thursday, a ceremony was held in the lobby at Batavia Downs Gaming during which a check was presented to both law enforcement agencies for the benefit of their K-9 units. The money came from unclaimed funds at the Downs. Both the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and the Batavia Police Department’s K-9 Units received $2,000 each.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Monday is the last chance for taxpayers to claim a tax refund from 2019. The IRS says nearly $1.5 billion in refunds remain unclaimed from the year before the pandemic, and about 1,500,000 taxpayers may still be eligible for a refund. The 2019 return must be filed on paper and postmarked by Monday.

 

 

Film and television production is grinding to a halt as Hollywood actors hit the picket lines today. The union representing 160,000 actors is going on strike, joining the screenwriters who have been picketing for nearly 2-1/2 months. The biggest entertainment shutdown in decades means all work covered by union actors must stop.

 

 

Chipotle is testing a robot to speed up its guacamole production. The “Autocado” cuts, cores and peels the fruits. The fast-food chain’s decision comes as the restaurant industry faces a labor shortage. An employee will continue to mash the avocados with the other ‘guac’ ingredients including salt, lime juice and jalapenos.

 

 

The Buffalo Zoo’s new lion cubs, “The Fab Four” are getting a clean bill of health. The cubs had their six week check up yesterday. Zoo officials say the cubs’ baby teeth have come in and their claws are much sharper. All of the cubs weigh around ten pounds and were given their first round of vaccines. Zoo officials say the cubs are getting stronger every day.

 

 

Lottery players across the country have their hopes set on winning at least one of the multi-state lottery games this weekend, with a combined estimated jackpot total of more than $1.4 billion. Not since April has a player won the top prize in either the Mega Millions or Powerball game. Mega Millions numbers will be drawn tonight with an estimated jackpot of $560 million. The jackpot for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing is even higher as it stands at a whopping $875 million. Please play responsibly.

 

 

Today is July 14th, the 195th day of the year.

 

July 14 in history…

 

…In 1789, the French Revolution began. The day has become known as Bastille Day.

 

 

 

…In 1868, the tape measure was patented by Alvin Fellows of New Haven, Connecticut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1933, Popeye made his debut in a “Betty Boop” cartoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1951, CBS broadcasted the first-ever color television coverage of a sporting event. It was a horse race.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1968, “Hammerin” Hank Aaron hit his 500th career home run.

 

 

 

 

…In 1988. WYHY radio offered $1 million to anyone who could prove Elvis was still alive.

 

 

 

 

…In 1997, the California mansion O.J. Simpson owned was sold to the bank that foreclosed on it at auction for $2.6 million.

 

 

 

 

…In 2000, actress Meredith MacRae died on this date at the age of 55. MacRae starred in the TV series “My Three Sons” and “Petticoat Junction.”