Holiday Weekend News
Written by WBTA STAFF on May 25, 2025
City of Batavia Police will honor the memory of those who have served our community and have passed away, at their annual Flag Commemoration Ceremony. The ceremony will take place Monday at 1:00 at Grandview Cemetery, and will feature a brief ceremony, a moment of silence, and a reading of the names of those being honored. The public is invited.
NY Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) shared remarks on the House floor during National Police Week to honor the life of fallen police officer, Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello. Sanfratello served for 32 years, was twice recognized as officer of the year, and was heavily involved with the New York State Sheriffs Association, Stop DWI, and Shop with a Cop. He was killed while responding to a call in the early hours of March 10, 2024.
A lot of people are hitting the road this holiday and law enforcement statewide will be keeping a close eye out for drunk drivers. This effort is part of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s STOP-DWI patrols which, run through Monday. Folks who are planning to drink alcohol should make sure they have a safe ride home. Anyone who sees suspicious or dangerous activity on the roads is urged to dial 911 immediately.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand supports legislation to make childbirth free for families with private insurance. The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act requires private insurance companies to fully cover the many costs associated with childbirth, from pregnancy all the way through a year of postpartum care. Senator Gillibrand says they must do everything they can to lower the astronomical cost of having a baby. The bill is receiving bipartisan support.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is supporting a decision by the Department of Justice to open an investigation into former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo is being accused of lying to Congress about pandemic decisions he made while leading New York. The Republican Stefanik believes this probe is a much-needed step towards justice for the 15-thousand Empire State seniors who lost their lives during the health crisis. A spokesperson for the ex-Governor says Cuomo testified truthfully on Capitol Hill.
A Lockport contractor is facing three felony counts of third-degree grand larceny charges for taking almost 40 thousand dollars of payments and not doing any work. Fifty-two-year-old Wayne Michalak appeared in Erie County Court for his arraignment on the charges. In April 2022, Michalak accepted a down payment of almost 29 thousand dollars to build a detached garage at a residence in Marilla but didn’t do any work. He also accepted 2 separate down payments of over five thousand dollars each later that year to install concrete patios but also didn’t do any work. Michalak returns to court next week for a pretrial conference, and was released on his own recognizance.
Buffalo State University is paring down some programs to try and balance its budget. Nearly 20 programs will be cut as the university announced its projected deficit will range between $15.5 and $17.5 million. Interim president Bonita Durand says the school’s budget is tracking to be balanced by 2027-28. Enrollment has dropped by 45% over the last 10 years.
Filming of Hallmark’s Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story is in its first week. Hallmark executives are making sure everything is being done for the film to authentically feature Buffalo and the Bills. Scenes with Bills players have been shot at Oishei Children’s Hospital and at Highmark Stadium so far, with producers also filming scenes around Bills Mafia neighborhood, Chestnut Ridge Park, and East Aurora. Hallmark will be in town filming through the middle of June.
The new Highmark Stadium probably won’t be completely finished until December 2026. That’s the latest word; however, ready or not, the fans and the Bills will be able to access it at the start of that season. Winter related events account for the construction delay. But open and completed are two different things. Stadium construction is scheduled to be at a point where a certificate of occupancy is issued in June 2026 – this, according to Buffalo Bills VP of Stadium Operations, John Polka. Polka estimates construction will be roughly 90% completed by next summer.
And in case you missed it: Buffalo Bills fans will see a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. That’s because the defending AFC East champions will be featured on the hit HBO show Hard Knocks. The squad is holding the first two weeks of its summer training camp at Saint John Fisher University. There’s still no word yet when camp is going to start or when Hard Knocks episodes will air on HBO and HBO Max.
