Friday News Brief

The Batavia Airport is the place to be on Labor Day Weekend. The Wings Over Batavia Air Show is scheduled for the evenings of September 2 and 3. National acts and a choreographed fireworks show will be included, along with flight performances. The air show is looking for groups to work the food courts and parking lots as a fundraising opportunity. For interest in working the food courts, visit: https://forms.gle/TRhMYknQuuY5NuEi6, for parking visit https://wingsoverbatavia.com/volunteer/

 

Genesee County law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s, City of Batavia Police Department, and Village of LeRoy Police Department will once again be participating in a coordinated effort with the STOP-DWI program to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. Law enforcement officers across the state are taking to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Campaign starts today and will be in place through Labor Day Monday, September 4th. This event is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, however, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaigns aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Always remember impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning.

 

The Mothers of Veteran Suicide received a donation of a little over $3300. The money represented proceeds from the Sock Hop at Batavia Downs on August 7th. Over 150 people attended on that Monday afternoon and enjoyed music by Ruby Shooz and an appearance by NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas. Several raffles also helped to raise funds for the cause.

 

 

 

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz believes a hotel in Cheektowaga that’s currently housing migrants is going to be closed down soon. Poloncarz says he’s had discussions with other officials about shutting the Dingens Street hotel, which is in a residential area. But, he did not reveal where those asylum seekers could be moved. Members of the National Guard are currently in Erie County to help out hotels that are housing migrants.

 

The driver of a Kia involved in a crash that killed four teenagers has been sentenced. Yesterday, a judge ordered the teen to spend up to the next four years in prison. The driver was speeding last October when the vehicle struck an embankment near where Route 33 meets Route 198. A total of five passengers were thrown from the car and only one survived. Before the crash, the vehicle was reported stolen in Buffalo.

 

People who used a credit card to shop at a Wegmans store this week may want to keep a close eye on their accounts. The supermarket chain says that it has identified a problem with credit card transactions that were processed in-store and online Wednesday. Some credit cards ended up being charged twice, but debit card users weren’t affected. Customers will see any duplicate charges reversed in the coming days.

 

Mark your calendar for Mar. 2, 2024 – that’s the date for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards. The event honors businesses and residents for achievements in business, community service and volunteerism, and nominations are now being accepted for those awards. Nomination forms are available at the chamber’s office or at the chamber’s website, geneseeny.com. Nominations need to be made by December 29.

Governor Hochul says New York State remains a safe haven for people who are seeking abortion care. The governor made the proclamation following a federal court ruling that attempted to curb access to the abortion drug mifepristone. In June, Hochul signed legislation shielding New York doctors who prescribe abortion medication across state lines. She also says mifepristone is still legal and available statewide.

 

 

One of the most iconic broadcasters in Buffalo Sabres history, Rick Jeanneret passed away last night. The St. Catharines, Ontario native was 81. Jeanneret called Sabres hockey games for 51-years. He had some of the most memorable calls in hockey history, from “May Day,” to “Roll the highlight film,” to “Scary Good,” and the memorable “La-la-la-la-la-la-LaFontaine.” Jeanneret had his name raised to the rafters of the KeyBank Center in April 2022, only the third non-player to have the honor.

 

The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will be making their only appearance of the season in the Empire State this weekend. They’re set to compete in the Go Bowling At The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Kyle Larson is the defending winner of the event and other contenders include Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and also Kevin Harvick. The green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday and tickets are still available at theglen.com.

 

The Buffalo Bills are going to be back in action tomorrow for their second of three preseason games. The Bills will be in the Steel City to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many of the Bills regular starters, including quarterback Josh Allen are expected to see some playing time. Buffalo is coming off a 23-to-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Saturday. Kickoff tomorrow night is set for 6:30. And in case you missed it: Scroll to the bottom of this page for a detailed story of the Bills first game in Orchard Park against the Redskins, from 50 years ago yesterday.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Hurricane Hilary southwest of Mexico is now at Category 4 strength with winds of 140 miles per hour. The storm is expected to weaken before it hits Southern California and the Southwest this weekend, but is still expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to the region. Forecasters say Hilary will make landfall in the U.S. Sunday night or early Monday.

 

 

The Biden administration has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help fight Russian forces. A U.S. official confirmed on Thursday that the American-made planes would be sent from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as pilot training is completed. Ukraine has been lobbying for F-16s to help fight against Russian air superiority.

 

 

Third-party sellers on Amazon who ship their own packages will soon have to pay an additional fee. Starting October 1st, members of Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime program will pay the company a two-percent fee on each product sold if they don’t pay for the company’s fulfillment services.

 

The Powerball jackpot is on the rise once again and has now surpassed the quarter-billion dollar mark. Whoever correctly picks all six winning numbers for tomorrow night’s drawing will get a prize of at least $264 million. Anyone who wants to watch the drawing can do so live at Powerball.com. Please play responsibly.

 

The emergency official in Maui who didn’t sound the warning sirens during the Lahaina wildfire has resigned. His resignation comes one day after he defended his decision not to activate the sirens. Herman Andaya said he feared coastal residents, fearing a tsunami, would have fled inland toward the flames.

 

 

Today is Friday, August 18th, the 230th day of the year.

August 18 in history…

 

…In 1587, Virginia Dare became the first child of English parents born on American soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued his “Proclamation of Neutrality” aimed at keeping the U.S. out of World War One.

 

 

 

 

…In 1962, the Suicide Investigation Team announced Marilyn Monroe died as a result of a drug overdose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1977, funeral services were held for Elvis Presley at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. More than 75,000 mourners surrounded the estate.

 

 

 

…In 1992, Larry Bird announced his retirement from basketball. In 13 seasons, Bird was a three-time MVP, he played in 12 All-Star games and reached double figures in points, rebounds and assists 69 times.

 

 

 

…In 2005, Dennis Rader, the man known as the BTK serial killer, was sentenced to ten consecutive life terms for the brutal murders of ten people in the Wichita, Kansas area between 1974 and 1991. The 60-year-old, a married father and Boy Scout leader, was arrested in February, 2005 after eluding and taunting police for more than 30 years.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2015, Subway officially cut ties with Jared Fogle. The announcement came before Fogle was expected to agree to a plea deal in connection with a child pornography case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The newspaper article that covered the Bills first game in Orchard Park (8/17/73)

 

It’s hard to believe that it has been 51 years since the groundbreaking ceremonies were held at what was then Rich Stadium on April 4, 1972. Fast-forward, and a few name changes later the Buffalo Bills stadium is now celebrating that 50 years ago this week, they played their very first game in Orchard Park. It was on August 17, 1973 against the Washington Redskins. Here’s the article about the game that appeared in The New York Times, August 18, 1973:

BUFFALO, Aug. 17—Herb Mul-Key of the Washington Redskins made the first play in the Buffalo Bills’ magnificent new stadium a memorable one tonight when he returned the opening kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown. The Redskins went on to defeat the Bills, 37-21, before a capacity crowd of 80,020 in Rich Stadium.

“It was a Hall of Fame play,” said Dick Gallagher, director of pro football’s Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio.
Opening night was accompanied by a huge traffic jam to the stadium and ari even worse one going out for what was purported to be the largest footbal crowd in the history of New York State. About a quarter of the seats were unoccupied when the game began as cars were backed up for miles.

The attendance established the stadium in suburban Orchard Park, east of the city, as the second largest in the National Football League, with only the elderly Tulane Stadium in New Orleans seating 977 more.

Sign Removed

The game was a desultory one decided on the opening play, in which Mul-Key remarkably ran 102 yards in nearly 11 seconds through a scattered Buffalo defense. The Redskins built a 31-14 half-time lead and half the crowd was back in the lots and on the single-lane access roads, bumper to bumper, before the contest ended.

The stadium replaced the old and worn War Memorial Stadium where the Bills had played since 1960. The new plant, which cost $22 million, did not go up without controversy. And the controversy continued today.

The Rich Products Company, which manufactures a creamer for coffee and tea, paid Erie County, builder of the public facility, $1.5 million to have the stadium named after the firm. This was against the objection of the Bills, the prime tenant, and the football club today had a sign 16 inches high reading “Rich S.” removed from the side of the stadium.

The Bills contend that the arrangement between the Erie County Commissioners and the Rich firm did not allow for signs. The county has taken the matter to court for a decision on Tuesday.

This debate was another m a long series between Ralph Wilson Jr. of Detroit, the president of the football club, and the county commissioners. The commissioners originally planned for a domed stadium and spent thousands of dollars on plans before the public financing failed. The steadily mounting cost estimates had reached $70 million.

The new rectangular stadium is a compromise. For $22 million, it appears to be a bargain in relation to New Orleans’ Super Dome, now under construction at a cost of $135 million for the same seating capacity. The N.F.L.’s new stadium last year, Arrowhead in Kansas City with 78,000 seats, cost about $42 million. The 1971 model, Texas Stadium in Dallas, cost $28 million for 65,000 seats.

Sight Lines Good

The latter two are truly luxurious in the matter of stadium clubs, press boxes and private suites. But when it comes to bread and butter features such as sight lines, parking access and spacious seats, the Bills’ facility is first-class.

Was this the largest crowd ever to attend a sports event in New York State? No. A crowd of 81,036 watched Canoneto II’s unsuccessful bid for the Triple Crown in 1971 at Belmont Park.

Some historians also point to baseball crowds in Yankee Stadium almost 40 years ago that exceeded 80,000. Others say, however, that people came in and went out when they could not find seats as the Yankees continued to sell tickets throughout doubleheaders. Yankee Stadium has 62,892 teats.