Doug Thompson
September 28, 2023 
From the Genesee County Sheriff: A homeless man, 46-year-old Warren Cotton, was arrested in Stafford and is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. Sheriff Deputies and State Police located a disabled vehicle on Route 33 in relation to a separate complaint where Cotton was a passenger, and found they had active warrants for his arrest. Cotton is now held at the Genesee County Jail pending arraignment. ALSO: 44-year-old Tony Graber of Marilla, New York has been charged with burglary and criminal contempt. He was arrested following a domestic incident in the Town of Batavia. Graber allegedly violated a full stay away order of protection. He’s being held without bail and is due back in Town Court at a later date.
Michael Alan Jones
24-year-old Michael Alan Jones of Charlotte, North Carolina and previously of LeRoy has been convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In February 2019, Jones was convicted in North Carolina of two felony crimes. An investigation revealed that when he was in LeRoy on March 19, 2022, Jones possessed a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition. He was sentenced to time served (10 months).
Dr. Betty Rosa
The New York State Board of Education has issued a ban on the use of facial recognition technology in schools. Commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa says this decision was made after a report raised some concerns about the use of this technology. Districts can still use things like fingerprint identification so long as parental input and impact on civil rights are considered. Facial recognition technology use has been under a moratorium since 2020.
Jakubonis and Zeldin on the day of the attack.
The man who attacked former Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin has now pleaded guilty to committing that crime. Yesterday, David Jakubonis admitted to approaching Zeldin with a key chain that had two sharp points and pulling him down in Perinton during a campaign stop last year. The Republican Zeldin, who was running for governor at the time, wasn’t injured. Jakubonis could be ordered to spend up to a year in jail and pay a $100,000 fine when he’s sentenced in December.
The scene of the crash (13WHAM Photo).
One person is dead and two others are hurt following a fiery crash in Monroe County that involved a Wayne school bus. Police say the collision between the Webster Central School District bus and a vehicle occurred yesterday near Lake Road and Route 250 in Webster. The bus had 22 students and three adults on board and was returning from a field trip. The bus driver and one student were taken to a hospital with minor injuries and are expected to survive, but the driver of the car died at the scene. The cause of the accident is under investigation; the adults on the bus were praised for their fast action that saved all of the student’s lives.
Unidentified couple enjoying Niagara Falls (undated file photo)
The numbers are in, and a new report shows last year was a very profitable one for Buffalo’s tourism industry. According to Visit Buffalo Niagara, over $2 billion was spent in the city in 2022. That is an increase of almost 16-percent from the time period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the things people spent their money on included attending sporting events, checking out shows and eating at restaurants.
Police agencies across the Empire State can now apply for a portion of $50 million in funding. The money can be used by law enforcement outside of New York City to buy new equipment and modernize operations to help them prevent and solve crimes. It will be up to the Division of Criminal Justice Services to split up these funds. The application deadline is November 8th.
The recalled product
Wegmans has issued a recall for a bone broth product due to safety concerns. The supermarket chain says its 32-ounce Imagine Chicken Bone Broth might have been affected by contamination. The broth has an expiration date of November 6th, and so far, no illnesses have been reported. Anyone who bought the broth can return it to their closest store for a full refund.
Mental health was a focus of a recent announcement made by Governor Hochul. She is advocating an initiative that gives educators resources and access to a free online toolkit to talk to students on five key topics — suicide prevention, stress and anxiety, self-harm, adverse childhood experiences, and social media. 70,000 educators can now access videos and learning resources to help their students better talk about the many issues that affect being a kid in modern America.
ELSEWHERE…
Twenty-five years ago yesterday, Google was born. Today’s dominant search engine was started as a PhD project at Stanford University in 1998. Now the parent company, Alphabet, is one of the most influential in the world with a market cap of more than $1.6 trillion.
Lucky dog…
The winner of a record Mega Millions jackpot in Northeast Florida has come forward. The ticket worth $1.6 billion was sold at a Publix in Duval County’s Neptune Beach. The name of the ticket-holder from the August drawing has not been made public because of a new law that allows big lottery winners to remain anonymous for 90 days. According to News Channel 8, WFLA (Tampa) the winner claimed a cash option of more than $783 million.
A ‘Dumbo’ Octopus
Scientists are reporting a rare sighting of a deep-sea creature northwest of Hawaii. A Dumbo Octopus was recently spotted on a seamount about a mile below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The crew of researchers, on an expedition funded by NOAA, actually saw five of them in one night. The Dumbo Octopus propels itself using large ear-shaped fins.
Elijah Blue Allman with his mother, Cher
Cher is being accused of kidnapping her son, according to court documents. Marie Angela King, who is the estranged wife of Cher’s son, Elijah Blue Allman, made the allegations. King claims four men “removed” Allman from their New York City hotel room on their wedding anniversary last November while they were “working” on their marriage.
Today is Thursday, September 28th, the 271st day of the year.
September 28 in history…
Herman Melville
…In 1891, novelist Herman Melville died at the age of 72. He is best known for writing “Moby Dick.”
The 8 White Sox charged with fixing the 1919 World Series
…In 1920, eight Chicago White Sox members are charged in relation to the Black Sox scandal, where players were accused to fix the 1919 World Series.
Alexander Fleming
…In 1928, Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
Edwin Hubble
…In 1953, astronomer Edwin Hubble died at the age of 63. Hubble discovered that there were other galaxies outside of the Milky Way.
Jackie Robinson steals home in the first game of the 1955 World Series; the Dodgers won the series in 7 games
…In 1955, NBC Television broadcast the World Series in color for the first time.
National Grid may need to temporarily shut off power today for some local residents up until about 2:00 this afternoon to allow for the safe passage of a cargo shipment moving through Batavia. The most effected areas are expected to be around Routes 5 and 98. Any necessary outages and traffic delays should be brief.
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: The US Court of Appeals has overturned a court ruling that threw out a lawsuit against Western Region Off Track Betting Corporation by former CEO Michael Nolan. The Lawsuit says that Nolan was retaliated against allegedly because he cooperated with state and federal law enforcement when they were looking into gold plated health insurance and misuse of company tickets, cars and facilities by board members. Named in the lawsuit are WROTB, current president and CEO Henry Wojtaszek, and former board chairman Richard Bianchi. The lawsuit had been thrown out because a judge said it had been filed after the statute of limitations had expired. The appeals court said the judge applied the wrong time constraint to the lawsuit.
A Fairport woman is rushed to a hospital in critical condition after being injured outside a BJ’s Wholesale Club in Victor. According to authorities, 83-year-old Maryann Delfino was behind a vehicle yesterday when the vehicle backed up and hit her. Investigators say the driver of that vehicle, 87-year-old Filomena Marcholi, reversed at a high rate of speed before impact. There’s no word yet if any charges will be filed.
The New York State Trooper exam is coming up soon, and the deadline to apply to take it is just days away. People who want to take the test have until October 1st to sign up. The last day to finish the computer-based exam is October 15th, and more than 10-thousand applications have already been received. Among the qualifications to become a Trooper are being between 20 and 34 years old, a United States citizen, and having a high school diploma. For more information: 
America’s credit rating could take a hit if there’s a government shutdown. Moody’s Investors Service sounded the warning Monday as a federal government shutdown looms at the end of the month if Congress can’t reach a spending deal. The service said that while debt service payments would still be made, a shutdown would underscore the weakness of the country’s institutional and governance strength.
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants today until approximately 3:00 in the general area of North of Main Street and West of Bank Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As is always the case, do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about 5 minutes or until clear. If you have questions or notice a hydrant in need of repair, please call the fire department at 345-6375.
Today, until about 4:00pm, the portion of Commerce Drive in front of #4300 will be closed to all through traffic for a storm water pipe repair. Access to all properties within the area of Commerce Drive will be maintained. All Commerce Drive traffic is to enter and exit using the East intersection with Federal Drive.
Emergency management agencies from counties across the state are going to be splitting more than $7 million in federal funding. The money can be used for things such as training and exercises, equipment, and staffing. To receive the funds, each county must create initiatives to boost their preparedness and response to potential hazards. In our region, Monroe County received the most money.
The Buffalo Police Department is continuing to look into an officer-involved shooting over the weekend. Officers were called to investigate a report of a suicidal man at a house on Tonawanda Street near Hertel Avenue Saturday. The 36-year-old was found to have a pellet gun, and police tried to get him to drop it. Eventually, one officer opened fire and hit the man in the shoulder. The officer is now on administrative leave and the man is facing charges.
An investigation is still underway into what triggered a multi-vehicle crash on the Kensington Expressway. Authorities tell The Buffalo News the collision occurred late Saturday night on the highway near the split with Scajaquada Expressway in Buffalo. At least four cars were involved in the incident. However, there were no injuries reported.
With repayments on federal student loans set to resume in October, the state Division of Consumer Protection is offering tips to borrowers to avoid being scammed. The agency recommends people never trust a person or program that promises to help get their loans reduced or cancelled for a fee. It is also suggested that folks be weary of phishing scams and be careful about the personal information they share online. Scams can be reported by calling 1-800-433-3243.
…In 1789, the first U.S. Congress adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification. Ten of the 12 were approved and became the Bill of Rights.
53-year-old Jennifer Bobzin of Bergen has been arrested. She’s charged with criminal possession of a weapon, attempted assault with intent to cause physical injury and menacing. This followed a domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Bergen during which Bobzin allegedly attempted to grab a weapon and tried to cause injury to another person. Bobzin was to appear in CAP Court today.
46-year-old John Gronowski of Cheektowaga has been arrested in Batavia. It’s alleged he trespassed by entering Batavia Downs Casino after being advised he was not allowed on the property. Gronowski was released on an appearance ticket for Town Court on October 10.
65-year-old Larry Delre of Pembroke has been arrested. He’s charged with grand larceny for issuing a bad check. It’s alleged Delre wrote a bad check after purchasing mulch and was given multiple opportunities to pay for it but refused. He was released on an appearance ticket for Batavia Town Court on October 10th.
Sheriffs in Orleans County have arrested 41-year-old Kevin McEwen of Kendall. It’s alleged he displayed and discharged two rounds of a firearm at the time an individual arrived at his home to retrieve their property. McEwen faces multiple charges, the most serious of which include criminal possession and criminal use of a weapon. He was held in Orleans County Jail and has an appearance scheduled in Kendall Town Court on October 16th.
Governor Hochul has a solution to the migrant crisis, which includes finding them employment. She has directed the New York State Department of Labor to connect employers with asylum-seekers and migrants who are on the path to receiving work authorizations to allow them to get job offers. This comes after White House officials announced that certain asylum seekers who had been staying in the United States on or before July 21, 2023 were eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status. People with TPS can be authorized to work in the United States 30 days after filing their application while those who do not have TPS would have to wait 180 days. The state is ready to assist asylum seekers and migrants with submitting paperwork needed for legal work status. Between 4000 and 15000 migrants are crossing the southern border into the United States every day.
Amazon has announced the grand opening of its brand-new career center in East Buffalo. The goal is to help people apply for jobs that the retail giant is trying to fill. The center is located on Broadway between Mortimer Street and Spring Street and it’s going to be open year-round. Among the positions that are open include customer fulfillment and transportation. For more information, go to 
The head of the Federal Reserve says they are holding off on raising interest rates. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell made that announcement on Wednesday, but added there could be another rate hike before the year is over. Powell said inflation is still well above the central bank’s goal of 2%.
…In 1787, the Constitution of the United States was signed at the end of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
State Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a woman on Interstate 90. Troopers were called to look into a report that a person had fallen out of a vehicle on the highway eastbound near the Interstate 290 interchange in Amherst Monday night. They arrived to discover the body of 32-year-old Gabriel Turner on the side of the road. Officials say she exited the passenger side of a tow truck while the vehicle was still moving. Witnesses are asked to call 585-344-6200.
…In 1995, the House voted to drop the national speed limit, letting states decide on how fast people could drive.
40-year-old Kevin Moore of Lockport has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The investigation began in June 2022 when Moore’s ex-girlfriend took a USB drive belonging to Moore and saw that the contents included child pornography. She contacted police who turned the investigation over to the FBI. A forensic review of electronics recovered nearly 400 images. Moore faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The New York State Thruway Authority’s Board of Directors has voted to give the green light to toll hikes. Starting in January, the E-ZPass rate will increase by five percent, and a second five-percent jump will go into effect in 2027. This hike will be the first toll adjustment for E-ZPass holders in years. The Thruway Authority says that more money is needed for fiscal stability and to address infrastructure needs along the over 500-mile highway system.
A man is facing charges after falling naked into the construction pit for the new Buffalo Bills stadium in Orchard Park. Authorities say the 29-year-old admitted to being under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of Sunday’s incident. He needed to be rescued from the pit and was later taken to a Buffalo hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police say this was an isolated incident and the rest of the crowd for the Bills-Raiders game was well-behaved.
Amazon will be holding a hiring day later this week as it looks to fill jobs at its brand-new warehouse in Gates. People who are interested in working for the retail chain can go to the Italian American Community Center on Frank Dimino Way from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. this Friday. The facility located off of Manitou Road was supposed to open last month but has been delayed. For information on the available positions, go to hiring.amazon.com.
Amazon is announcing a second Prime Day. Prime Big Deal Days will take place on October 10th and 11th. The event will feature deals on tech, home goods, fashion and entertainment. Customers will need to be an Amazon Prime member to get access to the offers.
Elon Musk is hinting at a subscription fee for all users of his X social media platform. Bloomberg reports Musk told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that X will be moving to a “small monthly payment.” He claimed a subscription fee would be the only way to put a stop to ‘bot’ accounts on the platform.
If you signed up and were selected for an apartment in Ellicott Station there is bad news. Letters and emails have been sent telling those who were getting ready to move to Ellicott Station that the apartments were not going to be finished for the foreseeable future and residents should look elsewhere for housing. Since Savarino Construction Company declared bankruptcy and ceased all operations the site sits unfinished. Developers have expressed interest, but the city doesn’t own the property and has no say in how things move forward. For those looking for an apartment with similar income qualifications of Ellicott Station, Genesee County has a website with subsidized housing. Here’s a direct link:
Gas prices are decreasing ever so slightly at the pump. According to Triple A today, the average price for a gallon of regular in Batavia is $3.84. That’s down 3 cents from a month ago and 8 cents from a year ago today. The state average is higher with 3.92 and the national average price is 3.88. Experts are saying that the price of gas will dip as we head into fall and fewer people are taking road trips.
A grand jury has indicted two people for their alleged roles in a fatal drive-by shooting in Rochester earlier this year. Prosecutors say 18-year-old Keyvin Miller and 26-year-old Kirsean Chatfield were involved in the shooting death of 21-year-old Eric Martin in May. Martin had just dropped off a family member on Dewey Avenue when several shots ended up being fired in his direction and he was killed. Investigators don’t believe he was the intended target. Miller and Chatfield are due in court next month.
The Buffalo Bills are hoping the support of their home crowd helps push the team to its first victory of the season. The defending AFC East champions are hosting the Las Vegas Raiders at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The Bills are coming off a devastating 22 to 16 overtime loss to the New York Jets on Monday night. Kickoff for Sunday’s contest is set for 1:00.
Health experts are warning of another “tripledemic” this cold and flu season. The CDC predicted Thursday that COVID-19, RSV and influenza will be impacting the healthcare system much the same way it did last season. For the first time ever, vaccines for all three respiratory viruses could be available at many hospitals.
State officials are urging New Yorkers to get the new COVID-19 vaccine shot that’s going to be available by the end of this week. They’re making this request due to an ongoing increase in the spread of the illness. Right now, there are no plans to put any mask or vaccine mandates in place. Nursing homes are being required to make the new shot available to residents.
Two Niagara County daycare workers are in trouble with the law after being accused of abusing children. According to investigators, 22-year-old Victoria Stanton and 66-year-old Karon Anterline used excessive force against kids. Stanton and Anterline were employed at the Sweet Angels Daycare in Newfane at the time these alleged crimes occurred. Both are charged with child endangerment and are due back in court later this month.
Inflation is jumping. New data reveals the Consumer Price Index increased 3.7%, up from 3.2% in July. The CPI is the best measure of inflation, measuring consumer prices of anything from groceries to gas.
Gun and ammo dealers in Western NY are supposed to be starting the background checks on ammo purchases today but many are saying they have been given no information on what they are supposed to do. Several gun shop owners say they have followed advice from the State Police and registered online but there is still no information, including what the background check questions are. As a result, stores will be unable to sell ammunition without knowing how to complete the required background checks.
State Attorney General Letitia James is calling on the National Weather Service to take action that may end up saving lives. James wants alerts to be sent out to cell phones warning people of dangerous weather events such as ice storms and snowstorms. The AG is citing last year’s deadly blizzard in Western New York as a reason why these alerts are needed. Dozens of people died between December 23rd and 27th, and many locations had to deal with several feet of snowfall.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says lawmakers are entertaining every option when it comes to solving New York’s asylum seeker crisis. The governor is working on language that would grant migrants work authorization at the state level. More than 100,000 new arrivals have become dependent on New York City’s right to shelter law, weighing on city resources.
McDonalds is planning to make some big changes. The Chicago-based fast-food giant says it will eliminate self-serve soda and beverage stations in dining rooms across the nation by 2032. That means customers will no longer be handed cups to fill up on their own. The move comes as the company has seen a recent surge in business through its drive-thru and delivery services.
…In 1969, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” premiered on CBS.
…In 1983, the U.S. mint struck the first gold coin in 50 years — the Olympic Eagle.
The Genesee County Sheriffs Office is investigating a motor vehicle accident with serious physical injury, involving a pedestrian in the area of 5186 Clinton Street Road, in the Town of Batavia. The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received the 9-1-1 call reporting the accident at 1:26 AM.
On 9/2/2023, Danvor E Hodgson-Aguilar (age 34) of Silver Springs, Maryland was arrested for Petit Larceny. Hodgson-Aguilar was arrested after an investigation into a larceny at Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 9/12/2023. ALSO: On 8/28/2023, Toni M Drake (age 42) of Batavia, was arrested for Harassment 2nd. It’s alleged that Drake struck another person in the face, during an argument in the parking lot of the Mobil gas station, on East Main St. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 9/12/2023. ALSO: On 9/2/2023, Rodrigo G Vasquez (age 26) of Batavia, was arrested for DWI. Vasquez was arrested during a traffic stop following several citizen complaints, of an erratic driver. After an investigation, it was determined that Vasquez was allegedly driving while intoxicated. He was issued several traffic tickets and released. He is due in court on 9/20/2023. ALSO: On 8/31/2023, Robbie C Scheib (age 21) of Rochester, was arrested on an arrest warrant, for Harassment 2nd. A warrant was issued for Scheib on 8/30/2022, after an investigation into a disturbance, where he allegedly subjected another person to unwanted physical contact. Scheib was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on 10/3/2023. ALSO: On 9/1/2023, Jon H Bush Jr (age 40) of Batavia, was arrested on two arrest warrants. The first warrant is the result of a traffic stop on Washington Ave on 6/5/2023, where Bush was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2nd. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. The second warrant stems from an incident on 8/3/2023, where police attempted to stop Bush for a traffic violation, while he was riding a bicycle. Bush allegedly refused to stop and fled on the bike. Bush was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. He is due back in court on 9/12/2023.
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: The New York State Education Department is looking to expand English as a Second Language Services to meet the needs of migrant children. The Education Department is proposing to amend requirements for educators to create flexibility so they can more easily obtain supplementary certificates and supplementary bilingual extensions. Those extensions would enable more teachers to become available to support students who speak English as a Second Language. The amendment would give candidates the option to either complete the examination requirement for a certificate or the enrollment and educational requirements rather than needing both sets of requirements. The proposed rule would take effect tomorrow through august of next year, but it is expected to be presented to the board of regents for adoption as a permanent rule at its January meeting.
Drivers across New York are being urged to do their part to help keep kids safe during this school year. Safety officials are reminding people it’s illegal to pass a school bus when its flashing lights are displayed. People should also keep an eye out for children who are walking to or from their bus stops, and never use electronic devices while behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking the rules faces the possibility of points on their license and a significant fine.
Jelly maker J.M. Smucker is buying snack brand Hostess in a multi-billion dollar deal. The maker of the popular Smucker’s jelly announced Monday it will buy the Twinkies-maker for $5.6 billion. Smucker said the deal is a compelling expansion of its family of brands. Included in the purchase are popular Hostess brands like CupCakes, DingDongs, Zingers and HoHos. The purchase is the latest in a series of deals the packaged food industry has seen recently, including Campbell Soup buying the maker of Rao’s sauces.
Governor Hochul has ordered flags at government buildings across the Empire State to be lowered to half-staff today in observance of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks. Thousands of people were killed when planes crashed into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and s field in Pennsylvania. Landmarks including Niagara Falls will also be lit in blue tonight. The governor says New Yorkers will never forget those who died.
The Labor Day weekend has passed and gas prices have remained more or less the same as they were prior to the heavy travel holiday. According to Triple A today, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is $3.83. The state average – always just a little bit higher – is at $3.89. In Batavia, we’re paying the same as the national average, $3.83; that’s down a penny from a month ago and 23 cents less than what we were paying a year ago today.
State Police have released the results of their Labor Day weekend crackdown on impaired drivers. There were over 8700 tickets issued statewide from September 1st through the 4th. In this region five people were arrested for DWI while other individuals were ticketed for violations such as speeding and distracted driving. Last year, over 9700 tickets were handed out.
Governor Hochul is asking that customers of Charter Spectrum get refunds during the cable company’s dispute with Disney. She says New York consumers are missing some of the biggest sporting events of the year. More than 1.5 million cable viewers in New York State lost access to ESPN and other Disney-owned channels on August 31st, when Disney and Charter were unable to renew a distribution deal. Hochul has directed the Department of Public Service to ensure customers get the appropriate refunds. A Press Release came into WBTA this afternoon around 12:30. The Governor reports: 
The Powerball jackpot continues to climb with no lucky winner in Saturday night’s big drawing. That means the top prize in the next drawing coming up tonight will be at least $522 million. The cash value on that works out to just over $252 million. Please play responsibly.
Monroe County has taken action to try and reduce the number of drug overdoses. Boxes with naloxone inside of them have been installed at all 22 county-owned parks. Naloxone is a medication that can help save a person’s life if they do end up overdosing. So far this year, over 2000 overdoses have been reported in the county and more than 180 of them resulted in an individual’s death.
Rochester police say one person is in custody after a woman was hit by a vehicle in the city. The 27-year-old woman was struck by a 29-year-old man in the area of Arborwood Crescent yesterday. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. There’s no word yet what charges the driver could be facing for his alleged role in this incident.
The new head of the CDC says COVID-19 is here to stay. Dr. Mandy Cohen spoke at a luncheon in Atlanta this week, saying folks are just going to have to “learn to live with it.” Cohen recommended masking, social distancing and other measures to keep the virus at bay. She also said a new booster for COVID will be available as soon as next week.
…In 1504, Michelangelo’s marble statue of David was unveiled in Florence, Italy.
…In 1930, the “Blondie” comic strip appeared in the comic pages for the first time. Created by cartoonist Chic Young, the strip originally portrayed Blondie as a Jazz Age flapper, and Dagwood as a carefree playboy.
An accident in Wyoming County led to over 9000 gallons of liquid manure spilling in Genesee Falls. A tractor-trailer owned by Edelweiss Farms rolled over late Tuesday afternoon. It ended up on its side with hydraulic fluid leaking and the entire contents of its liquid manure tank spilling out. According to the Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services, the Pike Fire Department was able to contain the spilled contents with the assistance of the Wyoming County Hazmat Team. The NYS DEC monitored the cleanup on Wiscoy and East Koy Road. No one was injured in the accident. The truck and trailer suffered extensive damage. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: A man with a significant criminal history was sentenced after being convicted of robbing a delivery driver at knifepoint in Rochester last year. Prosecutors said 32-year-old Orlando Velazquez, a persistent violent felony offender, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for threatening a driver with a knife on Monroe Avenue before robbing them on the morning of September 5th of 2022. Police said Velazquez was taken into custody moments after the incident, and was found in possession of stolen property.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is proposing some new regulations aimed at getting dangerous drivers off the roads. The agency is calling for the number of points associated with reckless driving activities to be increased. The DMV also wants to lower the threshold at which dangerous drivers are disqualified from the right to hold a license. Finally, the DMV wants to decrease the bar for permanent license forfeiture for people who keep being convicted of driving under the influence.
…In 1998, the Japanese cartoon “Pokemon,” debuted in syndication in the United States, which helped launch Pokémon into a nationwide phenomenon.
The sweltering weather continues with another day of Heat Advisory for Genesee, Livingston and Orleans Counties, and points east. Heat index values in the 90s are predicted through 7:00 this evening. The elderly and small children will be most at risk of heat related illnesses. The National Weather service reminds residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in the shade or air conditioning if possible, and never leave pets or children unattended in a vehicle, even for just a short time.
School districts across the state are being offered tools to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. That’s because New York State is making both masks and rapid COVID-19 tests available to them upon request. There has been a rise in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks and there is also concern over a new variant of the illness. Districts are also urged to follow CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe.
Beginning next week, a brand-new area code will be launching in the Western New York region. As of September 11th, folks who currently live in the 716 area code and request new mobile or landline service may be assigned a number in the 624 area code. The State Department of Public Service says this area code will provide more phone numbers to residents and serve the region for years to come. It’s important to note that current phone numbers will not change
Fans of the Buffalo Bills will soon have another food item they can add to their tailgate parties this season. Tops Friendly Markets is going to offer Dills Mafia Pickles at its stores later this month. The product is described as being gluten-free, all-natural, and vegan. Folks who are interested in purchasing the pickles can find them on store shelves September 15th.
Narcan will be available over the counter starting this week at major retailers like Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. The nasal spray can be used to help people suffering from an opioid overdose and requires no training to use. A box contains two doses and sells for $45.
…In 2006, Bob Dylan’s album “Modern Times” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Album chart, marking Dylan’s first number one album in 30 years.
31-year-old Nicholas Breau of Batavia has been arrested and is charged with harassment. This followed a domestic incident during which he allegedly threw property at the victim. Breau was arraigned in CAP Court. ALSO: 32-year-old Amy Gambino of Cheektowaga was arrested in Darien. She’s charged with criminal contempt, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. It’s alleged Gambino struck two kids under the age of 17 and struck another individual, causing him alarm. Gambino was transported to the Genesee County Jail and held pending a CAP Court arraignment.
Taylor Swift fans will be able to see her new movie in Lockport this fall. The Lockport Transit Drive-in will be showing the Eras Tour movie on October 13th. The film is an opportunity for fans that were unable to get tickets to the stadium tour to still be able to see it. The drive-in theater will release more information on how to get tickets to see the movie as the event approaches.
The FDA will finalize a ban on menthol tobacco products in the next few months. The agency is still behind its initial schedule: it first announced it would ban the flavor in April 2022 with an August 2023 deadline. Now that August has come and gone, a spokesperson said the details would be hammered out and finalized “in the coming months.”
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: The sales tax on cigarettes in New York State will increase by $1 starting today. The state’s current sales tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes is $4.35, and will now jump to $5.35 statewide. The average smoking rate in New York State is 12%. Vendors will also be required to display health advisories in close proximity to the products and outside the stores, warning customers of the dangers of nicotine addiction and smoke inhalation. Those signs will be on display by September 30 and will be up until June 2025, according to the American Lung Association.
If you saw a smiley face and other messages in the sky yesterday, you weren’t imagining things. It was Nathan Hammond flying in his 1956 deHavilland Chipmunk to skywrite above Rochester, Batavia and Buffalo. It was meant to get your attention about the Batavia Airshow tomorrow and Sunday. Hammond started writing in the sky about 20 years ago using paraffin based smoking oil. He says there are only 4 skywriters in the US and about a dozen worldwide. His plane is going to be part of the finale for the show both days. The Airshow is from 5 to 9 pm both days and gates open at 2:00PM.
Food lovers will be making a trip to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park this weekend for the National Buffalo Wing Festival. It is set to run from noon until 9:00pm tomorrow and from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday. The event is going to feature the opportunity to taste a wide variety of wings and there is also going to be eating competitions and cook-offs. Tickets cost $20 each and there’s no cost to park. More information can be found at 
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to residents throughout our area about an ongoing scam. Officials say scammers have been reaching out to people claiming to be from the Warrants and Citations division and saying they have an urgent civil matter to discuss. The sheriff’s department says folks should not give out personal information over the phone to these individuals. Residents who get one of these calls are asked to report it.
As of the end of July, the unemployment rate nationally was 3.8%, the same as it was one year ago. However, the number of people working has grown by 2.9 million in the year – from 159.1 million to 162.0 million. Statewide, the unemployment rate has dropped from 4.3 to 4.1 percent since a year ago last month. New York also has 178,200 more people working in that time – from 9.284 million to 9.462 million. In Genesee County, our unemployment rate remains unchanged at only 2.6%. Orleans County’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.1% last year to 3.5%.
An elderly Penn Yan man is likely going to be charged in connection with the death of his wife. Authorities say the 89-year-old suffers from dementia and it is believed he killed his spouse by using a bath towel to strangle her. The couple were discovered at their residence earlier this week after a home health aide went to check on them. Their names haven’t been released.
The Buffalo Bisons will be doing their part to help raise money for the Firefighter Jason Arno Memorial Foundation. The team is going to donate proceeds from tickets it sells to its game at Sahlen Field on September 23rd. The tickets will cost $12 apiece and can be bought online or at the stadium box office. The foundation was set up in honor of Arno who died while battling a blaze earlier this year.
…In 1987, Michael Jackson’s album, “Bad,” was released with more than two-million in advance sales.
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: Mike Sputore has been hired as the Blue Devils varsity baseball coach. Sputore, a Batavia native, played as a member of the Ramblers, who were coached by his father, Paul, in the Batavia Minor League on the diamond at the corner of State and Denio Streets and continuing through two seasons as a pitcher and third baseman for the Genesee Community College Cougars. For the last two years he was coach at Pembroke Central School. He said he hopes to get his players on the field for some practice in October and is planning some “winter workouts” with the drop-down batting cage at the high school’s auxiliary gym. He also is excited about the “Meet the Coach Night” on Sept. 12 at the high school for all of the program’s players and parents.
A new study says the majority of dog owners are skeptical of vaccines, including the rabies shot. Published in the medical journal Vaccine, it finds that 53% of dog owners have concerns about the safety or necessity of vaccines for their four-legged friends. More than a third also believed vaccines could cause “cognitive issues” in dogs leading to autism – a theory that has no scientific evidence. The study says hesitancy to vaccinate dogs is an issue because without them, disease could spread through both canine and human population.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations are up by another 19%. According to the CDC, deaths also saw a large jump by 21% in one week. More than half of US states saw a “substantial” jump. South Dakota had the biggest spike, with hospitalizations surging more than 127% in one week. A new booster likely won’t be approved until the end of September.
A new WalletHub study says New York and New Jersey are among the top states to live. It compared all 50 states based on 51 livability categories. Massachusetts was number one, followed by New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York and Wyoming. Massachusetts took the top spots for education and health, New Jersey for safety and New York for quality of life but they all ranked low for affordability. Connecticut was in the middle at 26.
There has been a slight drop in gas prices over the past week. According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.82. The state average – always a little bit higher – is $3.90. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.84; that’s down a penny from a week ago, but up 14 cents from a month ago today. One year ago, the average price we paid was $4.29.
The Cinemark Tinseltown Theater in Gates is expected to reopen today after it was shut down. There were large crowds at the theatre located on Buffalo Road yesterday due to cheap tickets for National Cinema Day, which led to disturbances among customers. Law enforcement agencies responded and decided to close the theater as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
A local utility company is warning customers of a possible scam involving criminals posing as employees looking for payment on late bills. National Grid has put out a notice about the scam after customers reported emails and phone calls from scammers demanding immediate payment on late bills. In some of these cases, customers have even been promised discounts on their next bill.
The Buffalo Bills will be in the Windy City this weekend as they take the field for their final preseason game. Buffalo is set to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field and most of the Bills starters, including quarterback Josh Allen, are reportedly going to play. Last week, Buffalo was defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-to-15. Kickoff tomorrow is scheduled for 1:00.
The Maui government is suing a utility company over its alleged negligence that caused recent deadly wildfires. A lawsuit filed Thursday claims Hawaiian Electric Company “inexcusably kept their power lines energized” earlier this month despite wind and fire warnings from forecasters. The National Weather Service cited that strong winds could knock down power lines and spark fires that would spread quickly due to dry conditions.
…In 1921, The United States signs a peace treaty with Germany.
Starting next Tuesday, August 29 Batavia will have a legal place to purchase marijuana. A partnership with DANK in downtown Buffalo and six other local marijuana growers and processors will result in a temporary pop-up shop inside of Empire Hemp Co. on E Main street in Batavia. The shop will showcase local cannabis growers and will be open every Tuesday thru Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. throughout the end of 2023. Despite applications, Empire Hemp Company does not have government approval to sell the legal adult use marijuana products that his company makes. Their THC Gummies, flowers, pre-rolled joints and more can only be sold to the few stores in the state like DANK that have a license to sell marijuana. Pop-up pot shops are a temporary solution.
A new study says local trees provide a strong defense against invasive species. Published in the journal Science, findings show that invasive tree species have a harder time thriving in rich local ecosystems. Researchers say that the invaders tend to enter new landscapes from nearby human settlements, coastal and riverine ports especially. But “native biodiversity can limit the severity or intensity of non-native tree species invasions worldwide.” (file photo)
…In 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, and purchased the rights to the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” for a reported $12 million.
…In 2015, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg announced one billion people had logged onto the social media site for the first time.
Early this morning, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in the area of Masse Place and East Main Street. As crews searched for the source, City Police discovered a residential structure on fire at 18 Colorado Avenue. Fire was showing from the front of the home. There was no one home at the time and crews were able to extinguish the fire; however, significant damage was noted to the majority of the structure with remaining portions of the home suffering smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported; however, one cat perished in the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the City of Batavia Fire Department.
The Genesee County Highway Department tell us that Lewiston Road between Route 63 and Knowlesville Road in Alabama will be closed to all traffic beginning next Monday. A culvert replacement project is expected to last about 8 weeks. The new culvert pipe will improve water flow under Lewiston Road and ensure the long-term sustainability of the roadway.
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: A media tour scheduled for today at the new Batavia Medical Center has been canceled, along with the grand opening of the Batavia-based facility set for Monday. Rochester Regional Health was waiting for a final letter from New York State signing off on the project, but that letter has not yet arrived. A new opening date has not been determined but will likely be sometime in mid-September.
Governor Hochul has announced that $20 million in grant funding is going to the Erie County Water Authority. The money will be used for things such as infrastructure upgrades. That includes updating water filters that treat millions of gallons of water from Lake Erie on a daily basis. Funds will also help the Water Authority provide its customers with safe and affordable water service for years to come.
After months of anticipation, the 2023 New York State Fair is officially kicking off in Syracuse today. People will have the chance to get on rides, taste great food, check out the popular butter sculpture, and listen to live music during the fair, which runs through September 4th. Admission is six dollars for adults but kids 12 and under and people 65 and older get in for free. To check out the full list of events, go to 
…In 1963, The Beatles released their single “She Loves you” in the U.K.
Authorities are investigating a crash on Rt 20 Monday. The Pavilion Fire Department said a dump truck was heading south on South Street Road in Pavilion, when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a tractor trailer traveling east on State Route 20. Crews said the driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The dump truck driver suffered minor injuries and did not receive any treatment. Over 100 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the fuel tanks of both vehicles, but the spill was contained, and there is no threat to the area’s water supply. State police are investigating the crash.
Following a two-year hiatus, Western New York Beer Week going to return next month. The event, which is hosted by the Western New York Brewers Guild, is set to go from September 23rd through the 30th. The celebration will feature dozens of breweries and taprooms from around the area and support an industry that employs roughly 1,000 people in the region. For more information, go to 
The FDA has approved a vaccine that is given to pregnant women in order to protect newborn babies from RSV. Abrysvo, a single-dose shot, would be given to expectant mothers late in their pregnancy and trigger the development of antibodies that are passed on to the fetus. It would then provide protection for about the first six months of the baby’s life.
…In 1865, a patient for liquid soap was issued to William Sheppard.
