Tom Tharp
November 30, 2022 
What is the leading cause of death for people 18-45. Guns? Car accidents? COVID? None of the above. Fentanyl kills more people every year than the rest. 58 people have died in Genesee county from overdosing on fentanyl since 2018 with 10 more still under investigation. There is something people can do about it. While it is very difficult to stop the drug, the public can combat overdose deaths by learning how to use and administer Naloxone, an anti-overdose drug. If someone is unresponsive and you think they are overdosing, giving them naloxone can save their life. To learn more, visit healtogetherny.gov/genesee or the gowopiodtaskforce.org.
A homeless woman has been arrested for entering the Genesee county Jail with the intent to sell drugs. 40 year old Beth Ann Jeffres of Batavia is accused of going into the Genesee County Jail with narcotics on her person hoping to sell them to the inmates. She is charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug, 2 counts of criminal possession with intent to sell, promoting prison contraband in the first degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. She is being held on bail till her court date of December 15th.
The New York State Thruway Board of directors is meeting next month to discuss the toll prices and here is what they are going to vote on. The difference between EZPass and toll by mail is going to increase to 75 percent, meaning that ezpass customers will pay 75 percent less than those who don’t have it. The price across the board on tolls will go up by 5 percent. Commuters who get the discount will keep seeing a 60 percent discount on their tolls. The 2 dollar administrative fee for non ezpass drivers and anyone who gets their tolls processed by license plate image will stay in place. Any changes go into effect January of 2024.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center claiming years of fraud and resident neglect. This comes after gathering enough evidence of the alleged horrific neglect several loved ones have faced. James says the owners of the nursing homes misused more than $18 million in government funds. The Nursing home is also facing a lawsuit from families of those who died during the COVID outbreak of 2020 who allege that the facility did not take precautions to prevent the deaths and also neglected people who were in their care.
Batavia High School is putting on the Trial of Robin Hood play Friday through Sunday this weekend. 25 students and a crew of six are putting on the play for Director Caryn Leigh Wood’s 20th season at the High School. The self referential comedy has Robin Hood defending his actions of robbing from the rich to feed the poor in a trial. And the twist is, the play can finish in 3 different ways and the audience gets to decide the ending. Come see the hero, Maid Marian, the sheriff of Nottingham and others Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2.
One of the most popular basketball teams on the planet is going to be taking the court in Western New York next year. The Harlem Globetrotters are going to be playing against the Washington Generals at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Friday, February 3rd. Since being founded in 1926, the Globetrotters have played in over 120 countries and been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Tickets are available at the box office and through Ticketmaster.
44-year-old Tara Lyn Hall-Dilaura of Batavia has been charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and having an insufficient turn signal. Hall-Dilaura is accused of hiding a controlled substance on her person while deputies conducted a traffic stop. She was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
25-year-old Nicholas Goodell of LeRoy is charged with petit larceny after being accused of stealing in the Town of Batavia. He was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket.
State residents are expected to see higher electric bills this winter compared to last year due to various national and geopolitical factors that combined, keep the cost of natural gas and electricity elevated. Inflation, ongoing supply issues from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine continue to keep energy costs significantly higher. However, New York’s power grid has a sufficient supply of energy and won’t be strained to carry the state through the winter season; this, according to an assessment made by the New York Independent System Operator. The higher prices however, with increases between 30 and 40%, aren’t expected to turn around before the spring thaw. The price of fuel and natural gas directly impact the cost of electricity. Last week, National Grid announced it would donate $6 million to customers struggling to pay their bills with the higher costs this season. The utility’s one-time program is separate from available federal and state assistance, and is expected to help an additional 31,500 New York households that do not qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program or other aid. National Grid estimates a 39% increase for its natural gas customers this winter compared to last, and an overall 22% increase for customers across upstate New York.
A wind advisory will be in effect starting tomorrow morning at 10:00am and remain in place until 4:00am Thursday morning. Westerly winds at 25-35 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph can be expected. The effected areas include all but Livingston County in the GLOW region (Niagara County and Northern Erie County is also effected). Gusty winds could blow unsecured objects around. Tree limbs could come down and a few isolated power outages may result. Travel will be difficult at times in high profile vehicles.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for western Wyoming County and areas a little south, starting at 4:00 tomorrow afternoon; it will be in place until 1:00 Thursday afternoon. Lake effect snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches in the most persistent lake snows could accumulate across higher terrain. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will produce extensive blowing and drifting snow. Plan for snow covered and slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility with hazardous conditions possibly impacting the evening commute Wednesday and the morning commute Thursday. Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing visibility and road conditions.
The Mega Millions jackpot has risen again. The prize up for grabs tonight is now $305,000,000 after no one correctly chose the winning numbers in Friday’s drawing. The odds of hitting the jackpot are one in more than 302,000,000. The drawing will be streamed online at 
50-year-old Jamie Schlonski of Batavia is charged with grand larceny, possession of stolen property and falsifying business records. He is accused of stealing more than $1000 in merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods and pawning it at Pawn Kings, which required completing paperwork for the transaction. Schlonski was issued an appearance ticket.
51-year-old Michael Rech of North Chili was found guilty in U.S. District Court of trying to collect $900,000 in federal Payroll Protection Program funds. He was convicted by a federal jury of 37 counts of bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Rech has a long history of problems with the law as well as filing lawsuits, including one suit he filed in 2015 against the City of Batavia accusing city police of using excessive force. The suit claimed that officers smashed a window on his car, pulled him out of the car and arrested him on fake charges, violating his civil rights.
While still higher than they were last year at this time, gas prices continued their slow decline for still another week. According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost per gallon is $3.55. In New York, it’s $3.79. And in Batavia, we’re paying an average of $3.62, down 9 cents from a month ago today.
Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty tells us that a fatal bulldozer accident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Town of Leicester. 72-year-old Thomas Swyers of Perry had been using a bulldozer to clear a portion of a wooded area. When he failed to return home after dark, his family asked the sheriff to check on him. Swyers was found deceased in the woods. The scene suggested that he might have fallen off the bulldozer while it was still in gear and was dragged under the tracks. While the investigation continues, the incident is believed to be a tragic accident.
The Mega Millions jackpot continues to climb. No one picked all six numbers in the last drawing. That means tomorrow’s jackpot in the multi-state lottery game will be worth at least $305,000,000. Please play responsibly.
Unemployment rates across the GLOW region for October have improved. In fact, in the 32 years the state has been tracking this data, Orleans County’s 2.5% is the lowest it’s ever been. Genesee County’s unemployment rate improved from 2.5% in September to 2.1%, the same as it is in Wyoming County. Livingston County’s jobless rate is at 2.2%. Statewide for October, the 4.4% rate represents an increase of a tenth of a percent. The Bronx had the highest jobless rate at 7.4%.
The holiday shopping season is underway, and the New York Department of State’s Consumer Protection Division is offering some simple tips. The agency recommends that people be careful when shopping online where there are often both fake retailers and phony consumer reviews. Also, make sure to shop on a trusted site and beware of third-party vendors. Finally, designate just one credit card and one email address for online shopping to ensure an easy review of purchases and protection in case of a dispute.
People who are looking for some extra holiday cash might want to take a shot at winning tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot. There was no winner during the last drawing on Tuesday and that means the prize up for grabs this evening will be at least $284,000,000. The drawing is going to be streamed online at 
A 13-year-old Batavia girl – missing for nearly a week – has been located and she is safe.
A one-vehicle crash on Law Street in the city caused a power outage affecting almost 300 customers of National Grid.
Devon Wright of Batavia will now spend the next 24 years in state prison. The 22-year-old wright had pleaded guilty in last November to a number of violent sex-related crimes, committed over the course of two years.
The Buffalo Bills will be spending their Thanksgiving in the Motor City as they look to pick up their second win in a row. The Bills are taking on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Buffalo is coming off of a 31 to 23 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in a game that was also played in Detroit due to the snowstorm in Western New York. Kickoff for today’s contest is set for 12-30 p-m.
After snapping an eight-game losing streak, the Buffalo Sabres have now earned back-to-back victories.
Genesee County Sheriffs along with state and local police will be working together as part of the STOP-DWI program through Sunday. The campaign is intended to bring awareness of impaired driving and the potential for more crashes during the most highly traveled time of the year. If you are driving, stay within the speed limits, don’t drink and drive, and have a safe holiday.
The Buffalo Bills said thank you to the Detroit Lions for letting them use their field on Sunday. The Bills donated 20,000 dollars to the Lions Foundation and also sent Tim Hortons Coffee and donuts to the Lions Facility and Ford Field. The Bills will be back there to play the Lions tomorrow, with a 12:30 kickoff.
The Batavia Blue Devils are the Far West Regional champs; they defeated the Elma Iroquois last night 20-8 and will now play in the state semi-finals against Maine-Endwell. In other high school football action, the previously undefeated (OAE) Oakfield Alabama Elba Aggies lost their Regional Final match up against the Randolph Cardinals, 42-26. The Alexander Trojans lost to Cambridge Salem 12 to 7.
The 162.5 million dollar County budget has been passed. A minor amendment increased the tax rate by 1 cent from the proposed amount, of $8.44 to $8.45. Still, this means homeowners will see a 73-cent drop per 1000 dollars assessed value from the current tax rate of $9.18. The amount being raised by property taxes has not changed since the last budget at $32,080,762. However, the reason the tax rate can go down and the County is still able to receive the necessary amount of money, is because property values have gone up so some homeowners could see increases in the taxes they pay.
The American Red Cross is urging donors to give over the holiday season. Blood and platelet donations tend to drop more than 20% during the holidays at a time when seasonal illness concerns increase. The next two opportunities to donate in Genesee County will be on December 1st from 1-6 at the Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia (350 Bank Street) and in LeRoy, on December 22nd from noon to 5 at the American Legion (53 West Main Street).
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has issued a reminder to make sure your snowmobile is registered. Registrations must be renewed annually, which you can do by mail, at the DMV office, or online: 
Gas prices are continuing their slow decline this week. According to Triple A, the state average is currently $3.85 and nationally it’s $3.66. In Batavia, we’re also paying $3.85 per gallon, down a nickel from a week ago but 28 cents higher than this time last year.
CLOSINGS:
Triple-A is encouraging drivers to be prepared as they weather the storm. A spokesperson for the organization is hoping drivers will “dust off” their winter driving skills, with the number one thing being to control your speed. While staying home is recommended, if drivers do need to hit the road, they should have flashlights, blankets, warm clothes, snacks, and water in their car, in case of emergency. Triple-A also says that, if you do break down or get stuck, staying in the car is safer than leaving it and walking on the road.
A Gates man is dead after he was struck and killed by a school bus that then fled the scene in northwest Rochester yesterday morning. The victim is identified as 73-year-old Michael Rivoly. He was an employee of the Ontario Bus Company. Police say he was struck as he was leaving the bus company’s parking lot, walking across Fisher Street. A school bus leaving the parking lot struck Rivoly and left the scene; there were no children on the bus at the time. The driver was located later and is cooperating with investigators. His name is not being released as the case will be referred to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office to be presented to a Grand Jury.
The lake-effect snowfall that’s forecast for Western New York has led to the scheduled closure of the New York State Thruway to commercial traffic later this afternoon. The Thruway will be closed beginning at 4:00 from Exit 46 in Henrietta to the Pennsylvania state line. The snowfall is expected to become heavier as it nears Buffalo with little effect as it nears Rochester and the Finger Lakes area.
43-year-old Jacqueline Garret of LeRoy was sentenced in Orleans County Court to 1 to 3 years in state prison for 3rd degree burglary and petit larceny. She had been on a judicial diversion program but didn’t make it through without committing more crimes. Garrett’s most recent offense was taking aerosol cans from a hardware store in Albion so she could use them for huffing. Her attorney, public defender Joanne Best, said Garrett has been struggling with drug addiction; was doing well, until she had a relapse. Garrett said she will use the time while she is incarcerated to “better myself.” The judge noted that a treatment court with supervision was tried before but was unsuccessful; incarceration will keep her away from drugs.
A Buffalo man faces charges of stabbing his girlfriend to death at a home on Cambridge Avenue earlier this month. The suspect is identified as 67-year-old James Allen. He allegedly stabbed his 44-year-old girlfriend November 4th during a domestic violence incident. She died a week later. A teenaged male also suffered a minor injury in the attack. Allen has been arraigned on charges that include second-degree murder and second-degree assault. He’s being held without bail.
Injuries and illness are impacting the Buffalo Bills’ practice schedule. Five players are out sick with non-Covid illnesses, while quarterback Josh Allen, safety Jordan Poyer, and cornerback Kaiir Elam had limited practice. Three additional players did not practice all due to lingering injuries.
The GRC-GLOW chili and chowder fest at the Community Center at 38 Woodrow Road, originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, has been postponed due to the storm. It’s been rescheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 16th and 17th..
You’ll have six months to find a new home for certain farm animals, if you own them within City limits. The City Council has passed the revised law, which means sheep, horses, pigs, cows, geese and other animals most commonly seen on a farm, will no longer be allowed. The exception is up to six chickens, as long as they are penned and maintained appropriately, with no odors or mess. The measure will be enforced based on complaints received about alleged offenders. Certified service animals are not affected by the new law.
The man accused of opening fire inside of a methadone clinic in Buffalo has been ordered by a judge to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Prosecutors say Jeremy Griffin entered the clinic on Virginia Street with an AR-15 style weapon last week, but he was tackled by security officers before anyone was injured. Griffin is also charged with shooting a woman on Pennsylvania Street before going to the clinic. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 12th.
The Medina Police Department tells us that several suspects are in custody after search warrants there were executed this morning. The Police worked cooperatively with local, county and federal agencies; at this time, no additional details and no names have been released, as this is an ongoing investigation.
Catholic Health will be holding a series of “On The Spot” hiring events for the rest of this week in an attempt to fill vacant positions. Today’s event goes until 6pm at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo on Abbott Road and tomorrow’s is taking place 9 until 4 at Sisters of Charity Hospital on Main Street. And on Friday, job seekers can go to Kenmore Mercy Hospital on Elmwood Avenue between 10am and 3pm. For more information and to set up an interview, go to 
The County Planning Board has recommended approval for an expanded Tractor Supply Company retail store at 8727 Lewiston Road; two stipulations came along with it, including state Department of Transportation approval for a proposed access road/intersection and that the company complete a storm water pollution prevention plan. Project representatives are scheduled to meet with the Town Planning Board next Tuesday night and later in the month with the Town Zoning Board of Appeals. The Tractor Supply on East Main Street would move to the new site.
A former Greece police recruit and Spencerport school security guard has been arrested for child porn in Greece. 27-year-old Jason Lane allegedly had files containing an image of a partially nude preschool-age child at a local childcare facility, along with sexually explicit images of two minor victims that appeared to be taken by Lane. A search of Lane’s Yahoo account recovered non-explicit images of Spencerport High School students that appear to have been taken secretly by Lane while he worked there, according to prosecutors. The searches stemmed from a tip from Yahoo that a user uploaded approximately 260 files of child pornography. New York State Police traced the IP address back to Lane. Lane is the third person with ties to a regional school district to be arrested for child pornography in the last month. According to 13WHAM, investigators said Lane’s girlfriend discovered child porn on his laptop last year and said he told her it was a mistake.
43-year-old Octavio Smith of Buffalo has been arrested and charged with destruction of government property. He’s the man who threw a brick at the window of the FBI Buffalo Field Office. Smith was detained by on-site security personnel; he reportedly said he did this to get the FBI’s attention. Investigation of the damage indicated a severely cracked window that needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $5000. If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
If you happened to purchase Powerball tickets for the most recent draw in Buffalo or Cheektowaga, check them carefully. There are three third-place winners in Western New York, each worth $50,000. One winning ticket for the record-breaking $2.04 billion jackpot was sold in Altadena, California.
The Seneca Nation of Indians has announced plans to open its first legal marijuana dispensary in Niagara Falls. The 25-hundred square foot shop will be located in the area of John Daly Boulevard and Niagara Street near the Seneca One Stop gas station and convenience store. There will be a variety of products available to be purchased and there’s also going to be a drive-thru window. Construction has already started and the shop is expected to open early next year.
It’s Election Day and the polls are open until 9pm. Local polling places include the Batavia Town Hall, Genesee Community College, County Building 2, the Salvation Army, Richmond Memorial Library, the Senior Center On Bank Street, the ARC Community Center on Woodrow Road, Ascension Parish on Sumner St and the 400 Towers on East Main. If you aren’t sure where to vote, you can go to 
James Schlick is the Republican Election Commissioner in Wyoming County. This afternoon he told 7 News (WKBW-TV) that the county is experiencing ballot scanning issues in approximately six of its 40 districts. According to Schlick, it is not clear what is causing the issue but new ballots are being printed and delivered. He said the machines are brand new and they were recently certified by the state. Schlick noted that the county has been printing its own ballots for about 10 years and has never had a problem. If anyone is concerned about having to leave their ballot in the emergency slot, they are welcome to be present at every stage of the process at the end of the night and tomorrow morning when the board of elections attempts to use a different machine. “Whatever we can do to make them feel comfortable that’s what we’re going to do,” said Schlick.
The Powerball jackpot got up to over two billion dollars for last night’s draw. Here are the winning numbers: 10, 33, 41, 47, and 56. The Powerball is 10. One winning ticket was sold at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California.
Spectrum is going to be holding a hiring event today to fill up to 40 positions at its new video repair call center in Cheektowaga. Anyone who is interested in applying should go to the call center located on Union Road between the hours of 3 and 7 today. Hourly wages for these jobs begin at $20 per hour with an additional 75 cents an hour for people who work certain shifts. Benefits include discounted pricing on Spectrum services and comprehensive health benefits.
Veterans Day is coming up on Friday, and Governor Hochul has announced a free fishing day statewide to honor those who have served our country. That means anglers won’t need a license to fish in the state’s fresh waters. However, all other fishing rules and regulations will remain in effect. Friday is going to be the final free fishing day of the year and to find a place to fish near you, visit 
The polling place for the Town of Batavia District 12-03 will be changed to a different location within Genesee Community College. Originally it was planned for the Richard C. Call Arena; it will now be held in the William W. Stuart Forum on the 1st Floor of the Main Building at GCC. There will be signs and guidance at GCC to help guide voters to the right location. The parking lot in front of the Main Building will be reserved for voters. This polling location and all others across the county will be open from 6am-9pm on November 8th, 2022. For more information, please visit 
The four game winning streak of the Buffalo Bills is over following that disappointing loss on the road yesterday. Bills quarterback Josh Allen ran for a pair of touchdowns but also threw two interceptions as the Bills were beaten by the New York Jets 20 to 17 in New Jersey. Allen was also sacked five times as Buffalo’s record this season fell to six wins and two losses. Up next for the Bills is a home game against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday, with another 1:00 kickoff.
Not only is Tuesday Election Day, if you’re up early enough, you can check out the total lunar eclipse from 5:17-6:42am; peak totality is at 5:59.
The Town of Batavia is seeking a part-time and/or full-time Deputy Town Clerk. The Deputy position assists the Town Clerk in all phases of administrative functions in the Town Clerk’s Office, including the duties associated with Tax Collector. A complete job description and employment application is available on their website at 
The start of the holiday season is just around the corner, and UPS is looking to add to its number of employees in the area. A hiring event that begins a ten a-m is taking place today and tomorrow at the UPS Customer Center on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo. UPS is searching for seasonal drivers, driver helpers and warehouse workers. For more information, visit 
Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend as we ‘fall back’ by one hour early Sunday morning. Several states are encouraging the federal government to make daylight saving permanent through a bill called the Sunshine Protection Act. In March, the Senate voted in favor of the Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent, year-round. But the bill has stalled in the House. While some argue that if passed, crime and car accidents would be reduced. However, sleep experts support a permanent switch to standard time (which starts Sunday) because our brain and bodies function best with more sunlight in the morning. They further point out that the sun should reach its highest point at noon, known as solar time. During standard time (starting this weekend) people in the central time zone are perfectly aligned with the sun’s clock; whereas daylight saving pushes the country further from solar time. Most sleep experts favor permanent standard time; however, most would opt for switching back and forth over permanent daylight saving time. Either way, we ‘fall back’ by one hour to standard time this weekend.
Not only is Tuesday Election Day, if you’re up early enough, you can check out the total lunar eclipse from 5:17-6:42am; peak totality is at 5:59.
The State Department of Civil Service is offering state residents, the opportunity to take the Professional Career Opportunities exam online for the first time. Results of the test will be used to help agencies across the state fill a variety of positions. Qualified candidates who have or will have a Bachelor’s degree by June 30th, 2023 have until midnight on November 30th to apply. All candidates have until midnight Eastern time on December 15th to finish the exam. For more information, go to 
Buffalo police say reports that have been circulating on social media involving tainted candy that was handed out for Halloween aren’t true. Claims were made that kids died due to fentanyl-laced candy, but neither the police nor fire department have responded to any reported incidents. Adults should still check all candy to make sure that it’s safe for children to eat. Any candy that looks like it may have been contaminated should be thrown out immediately.
Governor Hochul has announced that New York’s ConnectAll office has now identified over 31,000 addresses across the state that are unserved or underserved by broadband. This data allows for informed federal funding decisions to ensure high-speed Internet is available in every home across the country. According to the information that was collected, Genesee County has 5-1/4% of its population unserved, which represents 1237 households. In Orleans County, 5-1/3% are unserved, or 980 households. If this data were unavailable, it would not be possible for the Federal Communications Commission to recognize locations as lacking broadband service and the state would miss out on much-needed funding. GLOW region data reported:
Governor Hochul announced this afternoon that New Yorkers needing assistance to help pay heating bills this season, can apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program starting tomorrow. HEAP can provide up to $976 this winter to help low and middle income households as well as senior citizens keep their homes warm. If you’d like more information, contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services.
A town in Maine is telling its residents that they cannot vote Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen into the mayor’s office. Bills fans are everywhere, including Westbrook, just a few miles northwest of Portland in Maine, and they’ve been showing their support of the quarterback using yard signs. Those signs, promoting Allen for mayor, confused some other residents into going to city hall to ask why Allen was not on their ballots. The city put out a press release and updated their Facebook page to say Allen was not a candidate for mayor.
The latest data released by the state shows there’s been a decline in the spread of COVID-19 in our region. Right now, the seven-day average infection rate is 6.44%. At this time one week ago, the infection rate was at 7.65%. As a reminder, anyone who wants to get a COVID-19 vaccine or receive the latest booster shot can find an immunization clinic in our area by going to 
The City of Batavia invites residents to attend the opening of the forthcoming Mall Market. Visit the Batavia City Centre Mall on Saturday, October 29th for the first Mall Market day. And then mark your calendars for future Mall Market Days: November 12, November 19, November 26, December 10, and December 17. The Mall Market will be open from 8:00am to 11:30am. Porter Farms, Garner Farms, and Tastefully Simple are among the vendors who will be on hand. Applications are still being accepted! Anyone interested in endorsing their business or promoting their products is encouraged to apply at 
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has a timely reminder for us to keep a close eye out for moose and deer while we’re traveling. Data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research showed that last year; 41-percent of the crashes involving deer and vehicles happened in October, November and December. Officials say that deer and moose are very difficult to spot during dawn and dusk when visibility is already low. Drivers should slow down if they see an animal and try to avoid swerving so they don’t collide with another vehicle or objects like trees and utility poles.
37-year-old Robert Williams of Le Roy has been accused of spraying bleach into the eyes of two dogs. And today he is in Genesee County Court as his trial began with jury selection. Williams was charged with two counts of felony-aggravated cruelty to animals and two counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief. Williams was living at a friend’s house in Batavia when the alleged abuse happened. The dogs were treated and have recovered. Williams faces up to two years for each count of cruelty to animals and up to a year for the criminal mischief charges.
City police are warning about an apparent text scam targeting area residents. The text claims to offer $10 off “City of Batavia Police Department” hoodies if the recipient clicks a link. Batavia Police say they do not sell clothing and never text people randomly under any circumstances. Their advice is to not click on the link and delete the message.
The Diocese of Buffalo and New York State Attorney General’s Office have reached a deal to settle a lawsuit that was filed nearly two years ago. In November 2020, the AG’s office took legal action claiming the Diocese didn’t help protect young people from being sexually abused. The Diocese was also accused of covering up that abuse for years. As part of this agreement, a Child Protection Policy Coordinator has been appointed to make sure all of the proper guidelines are followed.
This Saturday from 10am to 2pm, law enforcement agencies across the County are providing you the opportunity to turn in your expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous. Stop by the Batavia Police Department in the Alva Place parking lot; or The Genesee County Sheriff’s office at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Road, Corfu; or The Le Roy Police Department headquarters at 3 West Main Street. Sharps will only be accepted at the Batavia location.
Tonight at 5:30pm on FOX and 7:00pm on the CW you’ll be able to watch local Deputy and School Resource Officer, Jordan Alejandro and his family compete on Family Feud! He would not share whether or not they won. (Photos included with the press release)
After a two-year absence that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant week finally returns in Buffalo today. Folks will be able to visit plenty of locations in the city and get themselves a bite to eat for lunch and dinner. Also, restaurants no longer have to pay to take part in this event, which lasts until October 30th. A complete list of participating businesses can be found at 
Expect traffic delays on Harvester tomorrow and next Monday and Tuesday for paving. While work is being performed in this area, local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence and property but should plan accordingly for delays. Residents are asked not to park on the roadway during paving work.
89-year-old Ruth McVay of Alexander died after being brought to the hospital. She had been struck by a truck’s side mirror while crossing West Bethany Road (near 10342), near the crest of a hill. 55-year-old Patrick McCormick was driving over the hill. He saw McVay in the road and swerved to avoid hitting her but clipped her with the side mirror. McCormick immediately called 9-1-1. McVay was taken by Mercy EMS to Strong in Rochester where she died. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, including the Crash Management Team.
This week is School Board Appreciation Week. At the Board of Education Meeting last night district students surprised Board members with letters of support, speeches and even a special cheer provided by Jackson Primary student…At the end, board members were provided a Certificate of Appreciation.
A band that’s been enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be bringing its latest tour to Western New York next year. Journey is set to take the stage at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Thursday, March 16th, 2023. The group is of course known for several smash hits including “Faithfully,” and “Open Arms” and will be joined at the show by special guest Toto. Tickets for the concert go on sale this Friday at 10am at 
An investigation into a stolen vehicle complaint revealed a 2020 Chevy Silverado was taken from a driveway in Le Roy by a 17-year-old male without the owner’s consent. Police were able to track the vehicle’s position in real time by using OnStar and the information was distributed to surrounding law enforcement agencies. A short time later, the Silverado was located in Cheektowaga. The suspect was arrested by police there and then turned over to members of the LeRoy Police Department on additional charges. The 17-year-old male of Wolcott, is charged with grand larceny a class D felony, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He was issued an appearance ticket and returns to the Town of Le Roy Court on November 1.
Student loan debt forgiveness applications are now accessible online. Borrowers are eligible to cancel $10,000 of student loan debt. Pell Grant recipients are eligible for up to $20,000 of relief. The application takes less than five minutes to fill out. For more information, go to studentaid.gov and click on ‘learn about one time student loan debt relief’. The application is in the beta testing phase, which means technical teams are focusing on fixing any bugs or technical issues that may present themselves in the process.
According to the New York Lottery, Shawn Elkins of Batavia has claimed his $1000 a week for life winning ticket. He opted to take the top prize in an annuity and received his first payment of $33,852 after required withholdings and will continue to receive payments annually, for life. The winning ticket was purchased at Batavia Downs Gaming.
Former Western Regional Off Track Betting CEO Michael Nolan says he will appeal the decision throwing out his lawsuit against the gambling corporation. The judge made that decision because Nolan filed after the statute of limitations had expired. Nolan alleged OTB violated his First Amendment rights by firing him in retaliation for speaking to federal investigators.
A union at the University of Rochester and their Medical Center has set a date for a possible strike. Members say if they don’t have an agreement in place by 8:30am on Monday, October 24th they will walk off the job. Negotiations on a new contract started back in June, but WHEC-TV reports the union turned down a vote on a deal last month. University of Rochester officials say there is a plan in place to make sure research, teaching, and patient care isn’t interrupted if there is a strike.
State Police are continuing their investigation today into the crash in Royalton in Niagara County that left four people dead and another person hurt. Investigators say a Chevrolet Cruze was traveling west on Slayton Settlement Road when an RV traveling south on Orangeport Road failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the Cruze in the intersection. The driver of the Cruze, 20-year-old Austin Wilson, of Wilson; and his passengers, 20-year-old Simon Fox of Medina and 21-year-old William Bernadt IV of Newfane were killed in the accident; Troopers say that Wilson and Fox were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The driver of the RV, 81-year-old Michael Duffy and 80-year-old Linda Duffy, both of Sommerton, South Carolina, were transported to the hospital in critical condition; Linda Duffy later died of her injuries. There is no word as to whether or not charges will be filed.
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced it has started mailing additional financial relief to eligible New Yorkers. The Tax Department is issuing $475 million in additional New York State child and earned income tax payments to about 1.8 million people. Most of the checks should arrive by the end of this month. The checks are automatically being mailed to those who received the Empire State Child Credit or the Earned Income Credit, or both, on their 2021 state tax returns. No action is required by taxpayers.
37-year-old Erica Raphael of Batavia has been arraigned on an indictment charging her with two counts of third-degree burglary and petit larceny. She is accused of stealing a bicycle and attempting to steal a cart full of merchandise from Walmart in Warsaw, where she had been banned for previous shoplifting incidents.
Proposal 1 is on the ballot this November: It’s The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The proposal asks if you approve for the State to borrow 4.2 billion dollars and spend 1.5 billion for climate change mitigation, 1.1 to reduce flood risks, 650 million to increase water quality and infrastructure, and 650 million for open space land conservation. This is in addition to voting for governor, attorney general, comptroller and senator.
The Mega Millions jackpot keeps growing and is now sitting at $445,000,000 ahead of tonight’s drawing. No one has claimed the top prize since an over $1.3 billion jackpot was won back in July. Anyone who wants to watch this evening’s drawing live can do so at 
The rainy few weeks we’ve been having has helped in many ways. And now the state Department of Environmental Conservation has lifted its drought watch for much of upstate New York, including the four-county GLOW region. The ‘watch’ status is still in place for a few counties downstate, near Long Island.
ALDI has announced a recall of two products due to concerns that they may be contaminated with E.Coli bacteria. The grocery store chain says this recall involves Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic and Herb Falafel that is manufactured by Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC. The products have already been removed from the shelves. Anyone who purchased them should not eat or serve them and can return them for a full refund.
There hasn’t been a Powerball jackpot winner since early August and after no one picked all the correct numbers for Saturday’s drawing, the prize this evening will be at least $401,000,000. But, the odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are one in over 292,000,000. The drawing will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
Today is officially, Indigenous people’s Day. Most still call it Columbus Day. It is a federal Holiday. Banks, Schools and governmental offices are closed. There will be no mail delivery.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, with goals of developing a plan to cut child poverty in half over the next decade. The panel meets for the first time in Albany next Thursday. The meeting can be viewed online starting the next day, at: 
The latest data from the state shows the spread of COVID-19 has once again risen in our region. Right now, the 7 day average infection rate is sitting at 8.4% percent. At this time one week ago, the average infection rate was 8.0%. Anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated against the virus or is interested in receiving the vaccination or a booster shot can find an immunization clinic in our area by visiting vaccines.gov.
Some of the best dancers in the country will be making an appearance in Buffalo next year. The cast of “Dancing With The Stars: Live” will take the stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 24th. Performers who are expected to be at the show include Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater and Britt Stewart plus some special guests. Tickets go on sale this Friday and can be purchased by visiting 
The IRS wants you to know there are scammers out there trying to steal your money. The IRS tells us this morning there has been a recent increase in the number of people impersonating IRS agents. Scammers can send out hundreds of thousands of fake IRS emails and text messages in just hours. But there are clear signs that the messages are phony. They include spelling and grammar mistakes, a sense of urgency and the promise of money. Keep in mind the IRS will only ever contact you by sending letters through the US Postal Service. Things to watch out for that could tip you off that the message is from scammers:
New York’s minimum wage will increase at the end of this year, in all areas outside New York City, Long Island and Westchester County. Locally, that means the minimum wage will rise from $13.20 per hour to $14.20, which represents an increase of 7.5%. In those other three areas of the state, the minimum wage is already at $15 an hour and will not increase further.
Following extensive negotiations, Kaleida Health and unions representing over 6000 workers have reached a tentative agreement to avoid a strike. The deal was announced overnight and came after union members voted last month to authorize walkouts at Kaleida facilities. The terms of the agreement won’t be released until members are briefed. In a statement, the Kaleida Health President CEO said this contract is fair, rewards current employees and will help attract new staff. A ratification vote is expected to be held in the next few weeks.
Veterans have recently become the target of a scam to pay outlandish fees for copies of their military discharge papers. A company out of Phoenix, Arizona, named DD214 DIRECT, charges veterans $79 for a copy of their papers or $119 for an e-mail copy with a hard copy to follow. However, they should never have to pay anything. After leaving military service, veterans should file their discharge papers with the Clerk’s Office in the county where they reside. The original papers are always returned to the veteran. A FREE certified copy will be provided to the veteran, or parent, spouse, dependent or child of the veteran at any time. There is never any reason to pay fees for these records. NYS Military Law prohibits disclosure of information on the discharge papers to anyone else without the written authorization of the veteran. These papers are preserved permanently and will always be available when needed.
The New York State Department of Health has launched a new website to support Empire State residents who are dealing with the effects of long COVID. The website provides a variety of information such as how people can seek treatment from healthcare providers. Officials say anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, even kids, is at risk of getting long COVID and symptoms could last for months. It is recommended everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated against the coronavirus receive their shots and an updated booster to avoid getting seriously ill. Here is a direct link to their website: 
Unemployment insurance fraud has cost state taxpayers $11,000,000 every month so far this year…that totals $110 million. Governor Hochul explained that this means there are people who are working and also collecting unemployment. A new system will soon be in place to identify people who are scamming and get the money back. People found to have been working will be given a chance to explain and then, if their explanation doesn’t legitimately support also receiving unemployment benefits, their wages can be garnished or they can be turned over to law enforcement.
The Canadian government announced today that as of October 1st, it would no longer require people to wear masks on planes. Government officials also confirmed Canada is dropping the vaccine requirement for people entering the country and plans to end random COVID-19 testing at airports. Filling out information in what became an unpopular ArriveCan app will also no longer be required, which some people blamed for delays at airports. The government will also no longer require passengers to have pre-board tests for cruise ships.
We’ll soon find out just how true ‘if we build it, they will come’ really is; so far, it looks promising. There have now been three tenants signed to occupy a yet-to-be-built building. Leases have been signed by Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s (a sub sandwich shop) and Tropical Smoothie and they’ll set up shop in the parking lot area of the former Kmart on Lewiston road. The hope is to start building within weeks and the new businesses to be open and operating by the second quarter of next year; the building can accommodate 4 tenants. And then a second building will follow, sometime next year.
The Park Road construction project is nearing completion, which means it may once again be open to two-way traffic by mid-October. The repaving is 80 percent done and expected to be mostly completed by October 17th. The next steps will be the installation of streetlights and trees along the road. Photo by Doug Thompson, WBTA News.
There will be a walk-in Covid and flu vaccine clinic tomorrow morning from 8 until noon at the Batavia VA Medical Center, building four, in the lab area. The clinic is for veterans only; please be sure to bring your vaccine card.
The jackpots of two popular lottery games are still growing and have now reached a combined total of over a half-billion dollars. The prize up for grabs for Mega Millions tonight is now at $301,000,000. And should someone win Powerball tomorrow night, they’ll receive at least $270,000,000. The price of a ticket for each of these games is $2. Both the Mega Millions and Powerball drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
Anyone who is interested working in the cannabis industry might want to check out an event that’s taking place in Rochester this afternoon. A Cannabis Career Fair is happening from 2 until 4 today at the RochesterWorks Career Center. There will be several businesses in attendance and it’s possible people could be hired on the spot. A variety of positions are available including operations managers, bud technicians, sales associates and security.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles says newly redesigned Rotary International custom plates are now available for order. The plate features the Rotary International logo and the motto of the organization, which is “Service Above Self.” Anyone who is interested in getting one of these plates can request one online, by mail or by calling 518-402-4838. But, people do have to provide proof of membership on an organization letterhead that’s signed by either a Rotary Club President or Rotary District Governor.
Your days of having to use the ArriveCAN app every time you want to go to Canada may be numbered. In June, the Canadian federal government extended many of its COVID-19 restrictions to go until at least September 30, but Congressman Brian Higgins, who has been critical of many of the COVID policies at the border for a long time now, is hopeful they will soon come to an end. Last week, Congressman Higgins met with some of his Canadian counterparts to talk about the need to remove barriers at border crossings to encourage travel and tourism. Members of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group encouraged the Canadian government to make ArriveCAN voluntary. Keep in mind these restrictions remain in place until at least next Friday, and there’s no official word yet from the Canadian government about them being dropped.
Some very good news…Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson was discharged from the hospital this morning. He walked out under his own power, with full movement in all of his extremities. His injury occurred in the final minute of the game’s first half. Jackson was covering Titans receiver Treylon Burks and tackled him low after a completed pass. As they fell to the ground, Tremaine Edmunds dove in appearing to anticipate hitting Burks before he went to the turf. Instead, Burks and Jackson were already on the ground, and Edmunds made headfirst contact with Jackson with the crown of his helmet, sending Jackson’s head and neck whipping violently backward. The 25-year-old Jackson is a third-year pro who played college football at Pittsburgh. The Bills selected him in the seventh round of the 2020 draft. He was a part-time starter last season before earning a starting job for 2022. Once again, Dane Jackson left the hospital this morning and has full movement in all extremities.