Friday News Brief

On 3/14/2024, Trevor N Christman (age 33) of Batavia, was charged with Exposure of a Person. It’s alleged that Christman exposed himself, in a public place. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court, on 3/26/2024.

On 3/16/2024, Martin J Rodgers (age 40) of Batavia, was arrested for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment 2nd. Rodgers allegedly threw a cell phone at a 15-year-old child, during a disturbance, on Summit St. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

On 3/13/2024, Janell M Sauer (age 48) of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Sauer was initially charged on 11/10/2023, with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd. The warrant was issued, after she failed to appear in court. Sauer was arraigned in CAP Court and released. She is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

On 2/28/2024, Brian A Powell (age 64) of Batavia, was arrested for Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd. Patrols responded to the area of Oak St and West Main St, for the report of a person slumped over the wheel of a car. When police made contact with the driver, later identified as Powell, he allegedly drove away, leading police on a short pursuit. Powell then stopped the vehicle, on Central Ave, but refused to exit the car. Powell was then removed from the vehicle, by police, and placed under arrest. He was issued an appearance ticket and several traffic tickets. He is due in Batavia City Court, on 3/14/2024.

On 3/7/2024, Keonon S Williams (age 46) of Batavia, was arrested for Petit Larceny. Williams allegedly stole a set of license plates, from another person, and refused to return them. Williams was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

On 3/11/2024, Misty R Scutt (age 34) of Akron, was arrested on a bench warrant. Scutt was initially charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, on 4/26/2023. The warrant was issued after she allegedly failed to participate in a court ordered program. Scutt was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. She is due back in court, on 3/27/2024.

Between 3/11/2024 and 3/13/2024, Alicia M Lyons (age 44) of Batavia, was arrested a total of four times for Trespass. It’s alleged that Lyons entered onto the property of Kwik Fill on 3/11, twice on 3/12, and once on 3/13, after previously being banned. On 3/13, she was additionally charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd, after allegedly fleeing police, who were attempting to take her into custody. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. She is due back in court, on 3/26/2024.

 

IN OTHER NEWS…

There is a proposal in Albany to change the way teachers and principals are evaluated. It means school districts could be moving away from standardized testing as a way to do these evaluations. Historically, many parents throughout our region had opted out of these tests and keeping their kids at home. One problem with assessing students at one particular point of the school year is that the tests are sometimes measuring things that had not yet been taught. If this bill becomes law, it would be up to individual school districts to decide whether to keep testing kids to evaluate teachers.

 

Buffalo Police are investigating a double fatal crash along Main Street and Humboldt Parkway. Officers were called to the area just after midnight yesterday morning. According to accident investigators, a Dodge Magnum was speeding north on Main Street, when it collided with a Toyota Corolla, which was trying to make a left turn onto Main Street. The Dodge Magnum did not have its headlights on. Police say a 27-year-old male driver and a 26-year-old female passenger from Ohio in the Corolla were transported to Erie County Medical Center, where they died. Two other passengers in the Corolla, both 31-year-old men from Ohio, were also transported to ECMC. As of this morning, one is listed in critical condition and the other in stable condition. The crash remains under investigation.

 

A Rochester woman is one of four people indicted, accused in a massive mail fraud scheme. Prosecutors say 30-year-old Heather Dierna helped trick nearly 5,000 companies into paying false invoices over the course of about two years, which brought in almost $4 million. She and three others are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

 

 

The 45th season at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park will be getting underway tomorrow. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 9:30am and is going to be followed by staff members talking about events that are planned for the months ahead. They include a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the USS Croaker where the history of the submarine will be highlighted. For more details, head to buffalonavalpark.org.

 

The Diocese of Buffalo has put another one of its current properties up for sale. The diocese listed the Buffalo State University Newman Center on Elmwood Avenue online for $649,000. The building has been the home of the school’s Catholic ministry for decades. The Diocese is facing financial problems as it deals with hundreds of sex abuse allegations involving clergy and may end up selling at least two dozen properties.

 

Governor Hochul says a new effort is getting underway to help New Yorkers who struggle with serious mental illness. She says $92 million is going towards assisting Critical Time Intervention teams, which provide support for individuals in need. And $10 million will be used to create additional Safe Options Support teams that focus on young adults and children. The governor says the mental health crisis is the defining challenge of our time and all available resources will be used to address it.

 

The Buffalo Sabres are now on a two-game losing streak after suffering a blowout loss on the road. JJ Peterka scored twice and Victor Oloffson also had a goal as the Sabres fell to the Edmonton Oilers eight to three at Rogers Place last night. Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a tough night in net and was only able to stop 31 of the 39 shots he faced. The next game for the Sabres is Sunday against the Calgary Flames.

 

The Rochester Amerks play tonight in their second of a three game home stand; they host the Toronto Marlies. They’re fresh off from an exciting game Wednesday night against the Hartford Wolf Pack that featured three lead changes with the Americans on top at the end; the final score was 6-5. Face-off tonight is at 7:05.

 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is teaming up with Tops to promote a new flavor as part of a brand he supports called ‘DON’T QUIT’. The campaign focuses around Hamlin’s new healthy sports nutrition drink with the signature flavor, cookies and cream. Shoppers can celebrate the new flavor by stopping by Tops, and taking a picture with the life-size Damar Hamlin cutout for a chance to win a meet and greet with the football player, and a 6-month supply of the cookies and cream beverage. The promotion is on from April 15th through the 29th; Hamlin will announce the winner in a personal video during the week of April 29th.To learn more, visit dontquit.com

 

ELSEWHERE…

The solar eclipse is just over two weeks away, and Wegmans has announced it’ll be shutting its stores briefly during the event. The Rochester-based supermarket chain will close from 3:00pm until 3:30pm on April 8th. That means grocery, pharmacy, and meal services will be unavailable during that time. Wegmans says it is making this move so that employees and customers can take time to enjoy the eclipse.

 

Tiger Woods is on the Master’s official tournament field list, signaling a possible appearance at Augusta National. Tiger has just played one time this season at the Genesis Invitational, and exited early due to illness. The five-time Master’s Champion is one victory shy of the record held by Jack Nicklaus. The tournament is scheduled for April 11th through the 15th.

 

 

On March 22, 1985, Wendy’s hamburger restaurant ended its relationship with Clara Peller. She coined the famous phrase “Where’s the Beef?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

All nine Star Wars movies are returning to theaters this spring and will be shown in chronological order. Lucasfilm announced Thursday that the “Skywalker Saga” is being shown to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “The Phantom Menace.” Fans will be able to see the entire series from the beginning, starting with “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” followed by “Star Wars: A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” and ending with “The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker.” The “Skywalker Saga” begins on Star Wars Day, May 4th.