Holiday News
Written by WBTA STAFF on December 31, 2024
Heavy snow is expected to fall in parts of Western New York. The National Weather Service says heavy lake effect snow with significant accumulations is possible, beginning tomorrow. Winds gusts could produce blowing and drifting snow. A winter storm watch goes into effect tomorrow morning and lasts until Sunday afternoon for Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie counties.
New Year’s Eve has arrived, and there will be enhanced security measures in place all across the Empire State. Security is being boosted at airports, bridges, tunnels and mass transit systems as a precautionary measure. Police statewide will be focusing on getting dangerous drivers off the roads as part an ongoing crackdown that is scheduled to run through tomorrow. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to dial 911 immediately.

William Sheron, Jr.
Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron is set to retire at the end of 2024. Sheron served as the Genesee County Sheriff for 47 1/2 years. Chief Deputy Joseph M. Graff will take over as the 55th sheriff of Genesee County at the beginning of 2025.
The New York State Department of Health is once again urging people to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated against the flu virus. The agency says during the week ending December 21st, the number of confirmed flu cases statewide surged 86%. Regionally, Monroe County had the most cases with 301 and Ontario County was a distant second with 52. For more information, visit vaccines.gov.

Jonathan Francisco
A former Livingston County assistant district attorney is in legal trouble after being charged with misconduct. Authorities say 30-year-old Jonathan Francisco was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a crime victim Francisco left his position in the DA’s office earlier this month. The nature of that alleged relationship is not being made public but it happened while he was serving as the assistant district attorney. Francisco is due in court January 22nd.

Robert Brooks (released photo)
Protesters are demanding action against prison guards in the deadly beating of a New York inmate. Family, friends and supporters demonstrated outside Governor Kathy Hochul’s Manhattan calling Robert Brooks’ death “a modern-day lynching.” Video shows the 43-year-old being punched, choked, kicked and hoisted by his neck while handcuffed on a gurney earlier this month at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County. Brooks died the next day. So far, no criminal charges have been filed against the prison guards involved, some of whom have been implicated in other assaults on inmates. The FBI and Justice Department are investigating. Meantime, Hochul announced prison reforms while visiting Marcy, including more body cams and new leadership.

Emanuel Lutchman
It was nine years ago today when the New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration in Rochester was called off after an arrest in an ISIS-inspired terror plot. Emanuel Lutchman was accused of planning to attack a restaurant or bar in the Rochester area in the name of ISIS.
It’s now 2025, and new state laws are in effect. Telemarketers will now be required to provide the purpose of their call plus the name and address of their company within the first 30 seconds of a call. Cell phone companies must also limit or disable service to a device that is reported stolen to reduce the number of phones sold on the black market. Minimum wage for our region increased by 50 cents to $15.50/hour. Finally, New York will be the first state in the country to require paid prenatal leave.

Mitchell Trubiski (NFL Photo)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will be able to keep his streak of consecutive starts intact this weekend. Bills head coach Sean McDermott said yesterday Allen is going to take the field for the 121st straight time when Buffalo takes on the New England Patriots Sunday. However, McDermott also said Allen will play a very short period of time before backup QB Mitch Trubisky takes over. The Bills are already locked into the number two seed in the AFC playoffs.