Tom Tharp
September 16, 2022 
2 Canadian men were arrested and charged with human smuggling in Lewiston. On Sept. 10, members of the FBI and Department of Homeland Security received information about a potential human smuggling operation. Surveillance caught a Canadian vessel leaving a marina in St. Catherines, Ontario with four people on board. The vessel entered the Niagara River and traveled towards Lewiston, where it entered American waters. The vessel backed up into a private boat dock, and two individuals got off the boat. These two individuals were apprehended by law enforcement and were determined as inadmissible aliens. The remaining two individuals on the boat were Zijad Saskin and Kevin Marlor, who were both arrested. The two defendants are believed to have been involved in a previous human smuggling operation on July 19, when two other aliens were illegally brought into the United States through the Niagara River.
If you are driving in Scottsville or the surrounding areas be on alert for nails in the road. Police are warning drivers after someone intentionally dumped piles of roofing nails at several intersections. Monroe County Sheriffs are investigating. The nails have been swept up using roofing magnets to pick them up off the road. But so far the culprit has not been apprehended. Extra police are patrolling the area.
Governor Hochul has signed legislation to make it easier for non-profit and public service workers to access loan forgiveness through the state’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The new bill eliminates substantial barriers to applying for and accessing the loan forgiveness program. PSLF is a federal program that rewards and incentivizes public service work by canceling portions of borrowers’ federal student loans. The program requires borrowers to be full-time employees of an eligible public service employer and make 120 qualifying payments toward their student loan, after which the remainder of their federal student loan debt is forgiven. Currently, about 2.7 million people in New York work in the public or nonprofit sectors, according to the governor. The legislation also sets a standard hourly threshold for full-time employment at 30 hours per week for the purposes of accessing the program and clarifies standardized prep time to be included for faculty and teachers. Finally, the legislation allows public service employers to certify employment on behalf of individuals or groups of employees directly with the U.S. Department of Education.
All Babies Cherished on Ellicott Street has a new nesting place for women and children because of the generosity of a longtime Genesee County resident. Gary Good, a man from Alexander, bought a 5 bedroom house at 441 Ellicott Street and gifted it to the christian women’s center as a temporary residence for women in need of assistance during their pregnancy. All Babies Cherished Executive Director Sue Sherman says that around 35 to 40 percent of the women ABC serves are homeless. She says that “Many of them have no family support – in fact, an alarming number of young women have been trafficked by their own families.” Sherman said ABC’s mission is to give women the tools to make something of their lives “despite the fact that many of them have been told they will never amount to anything.”
The property on the corner across from Tops Friendly Markets in Batavia has sat vacant for years. It used to be Clor’s but has been shuttered for some time. Residents may have seen a sign for F&M Convenience store go up for a couple weeks on the triangle shaped property and then disappear. They weren’t seeing things. Someone has leased the property from Benderson Development but hasn’t gone through the proper channels to open or advertise yet says Town Building Inspector Daniel Lang. Ali Musa is set to go before the Town Planning Board next week with plans to open a convenience store which will sell cannabis related items.
The home opener for the Buffalo Bills is coming up Monday and the team has unveiled some of the new food offerings that’ll be available at Highmark Stadium this season. They include beef sliders, large nacho tables, barbecue mac and cheese, and the Shout! chicken sandwich that’s covered with sauce, provolone cheese, and crispy onions. There are also some additional drink options that have been added to the Dunn Tire, Toyota and Pepsi clubs at the facility. Kickoff for Monday night’s contest between the Bills and Tennessee Titans is set for 7:15 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres center Tyson Kozak scored two goals in Thursday night’s Prospects Challenge opener against the Montreal Canadiens, leading Buffalo to a 4-3 win. Nolan Burke and Josh Passolt tallied the other two goals for the Sabres this evening. They’ll be back in action on Saturday to take on New Jersey for game two of three this weekend. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at the LECOM Harborcenter.
62-year-old Thomas Tacito of Batavia has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief after allegedly throwing a rock through a window at a location on West Main Street Road. Tacito will appear in Batavia Town Court to answer the charge.
Governor Hochul says Frederick Douglass-Greater Rochester International Airport is receiving millions of dollars in state funding to make some much-needed improvements. The $18,000,000 will go towards revitalizing the terminal area by installing energy efficient technologies and upgrading security doors. There will also be a new passenger information display system and better Wi-Fi service. Outside of the airport, a longer curbside drop-off and pick-up area will be created and the entrance canopy is going to be extended.
The latest data from the state shows that there’s been a slight increase in the spread of COVID-19 in Western New York. Right now, the 7-day average infection rate is sitting at 12.6%. At this time one week ago, the average infection rate was 12.2%. Officials say the best way for people to prevent themselves and others from getting sick is to be vaccinated, get an updated booster shot and wear a mask while indoors.
The New York State Department of Health says monkeypox vaccine is going to be made available to a wider range of Empire State residents. The agency announced yesterday that all individuals at risk of becoming infected with monkeypox could now get vaccinated. Before this expansion, eligibility was limited to people who were likely exposed to the virus. Plans are also in the works to distribute more than 3800 vials of monkeypox vaccine to counties statewide. The state says that 100 of those vials will go to Monroe County.
Residents in the GLOW region have forgotten about or lost nearly $19 million, according to state Comptroller’s Office. The unclaimed money often comes from old bank accounts, utility deposits, checks that were never cashed, insurance claims, stocks and other sources that have been dormant for a number of years. In Genesee County, there are over 15000 accounts with a total value of over $6,000,000 (5,597 accounts valued at $6,267,590). The state Comptroller’s Office invites you to see if you have any unclaimed funds: Go to 
The New York State Thruway Authority reports there are over 64 million dollars in unpaid tolls from between 2018 and 2021. The Authority says drivers who owe toll money will receive 4 notices and then their registration will be suspended. Enforcement has been paused since 2018 due to confusion over how to pay because of the tolls going cashless and then the COVID pandemic set collection back even further. Over the past few years the Thruway Authority has taken some steps to clear up some of the confusion such as, putting up signs, simplifying billing statements, offering an amnesty program to help customers settle their past due accounts and increased staffing at call centers.
Public health departments in the four-county GLOW region want you to know that clinics start this week for the new COVID booster vaccine. The eligibility requirements for the Moderna booster include being 18 years of age or older, and at least two months have passed since completing the primary vaccine series or booster. Requirements are similar for the Pfizer booster, but also include children 5-11 years of age as long as it has been at least five months since they completed their primary vaccine. The Genesee County Health Department encourages residents to talk with their primary care provider and/or their pharmacist to discuss questions they have related to the COVID vaccine and boosters.
The Genesee County Health Department is hosting a free drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic tomorrow from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia). Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. For more information on Health Department services, visit 
A 16-year-old girl is in custody in connection with a stabbing at the Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. According to police, she attacked a 17-year-old girl inside of a classroom yesterday at the school which is located on West Huron Street. The victim was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital where she was last listed in serious condition. Buffalo Public Schools says it takes any offenses that occur on school grounds seriously and that the Code of Conduct will be followed when coming up with disciplinary measures.
Students in the Orchard Park Central School District will be spending less time in their classrooms this coming Monday. District officials have announced a “Buffalo Bills Half-Day” ahead of the NFL team’s home opener against the Tennessee Titans. A lot of traffic is expected around Windom Elementary School and Orchard Park Middle School which both are near Highmark Stadium and an early dismissal will allow students to safely return home. Monday’s game between the Bills and Titans is set for 7:15pm.
A popular feature that was put in place by Wegmans at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is being discontinued. The SCAN App allowed customers to scan their own groceries then pay for them when they were done shopping. But, the supermarket chain says that due to the losses the company experienced after the app launched, it will be turned off until improvements can be made. Wegmans says it’ll keep introducing new digital solutions to help streamline the shopping experience for the future.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection is offering some tips to grandparents about how to avoid being scammed. The agency says older residents are often targeted by scammers who attempt to take advantage of the close relationship grandparents have with their grandchildren. In many cases, the scammer pretends to be a relative and says there’s an emergency in order to get money sent to them. They also often insist that no one be told about the financial transaction. Officials say people should try to verify if what the scammer is saying is true or not. Folks also should not reveal their address or other personal information over the phone to anyone they don’t know.
A mobile phone left charging on a bed is the suspected cause of a fire on Big Tree Road in Pavilion. It appears to have started in a second-floor bedroom and residents told investigators that a phone was left on the bed plugged into a charger. A 13-year-old resident smelled the smoke and found the fire. He alerted his father and they shoved the mattress out the window but the fire spread quickly anyway. All residents of the two-unit apartment building escaped safely, which included one adult and two children that lived in each of the apartments. The investigation continues today into whether or not the building is a total loss; however, it was heavily damaged on both floors with heavy flame damage in the front of the second floor. No injuries were reported.
27-year-old Jarrod Fotiathis and 31-year-old Julie Richardson, both of LeRoy, were arrested after an investigation into theft from a motor vehicle. It is alleged they conspired together to steal the victim’s wallet to purchase items at a local business. At the time of the arrest, both Fotiathis and Richardson resisted by attempting to run away. This led to a foot pursuit by police throughout the City of Batavia. Fotiathis eventually turned himself in to police and Richardson was stopped by a local citizen who witnessed the incident. Both Fotiathis and Richardson were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date.
Western New York drivers are still feeling less pain at the pump as the cost of gas continues to fall across our region. According to Triple A today, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $4.04. That’s down a dime from this time one week ago and is 45 cents less than what people were paying a month ago. The state average is now $3.89 and nationally it’s $3.72. In Batavia this morning, the average price per gallon was $4.05; closing the gap even more to what the cost was on this day one year ago, just an 80 cent difference now, $3.25.
The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic this Thursday, September 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia). Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. For more information on Health Department services, visit 
The woman, who was arrested after her dog was found to be overdosed on narcotics has once again failed to show up for her court date. When she missed the first date, Judge Thomas Burns issued a warrant for Cassandra Elmore of Batavia, after a friend called and said she was in the hospital, which couldn’t be verified. The Batavia Police say they never received the warrant and she was never apprehended. She was to be arraigned yesterday but once again failed to show. Court clerks said someone claiming to be an attorney in Pennsylvania but not leaving a phone number, address or filing a motion to change Elmore’s court appointed attorney called her behalf, but again verification was not possible and the judge did not excuse Elmore from appearing. Elmore faces three counts of injuring an animal and multiple charges stemming from a traffic stop late last month. The Judge has issued an arrest warrant and 2 bench warrants for her arrest.
The holidays will be here before we know it and the United Parcel Service is planning to hire over one-thousand people in Buffalo ahead of the season. UPS is offering part-time and full-time seasonal jobs to fill positions such as drivers, driver helpers, and package handlers. Seasonal package car driver positions begin at 21-dollars an hour and seasonal tractor- trailer driver positions begin at 35-dollars an hour. More information can be found online by visiting jobs-ups.com.
Wyoming County Emergency Services tell us that the investigation continues today into a fire that destroyed a house on Maxon Road in Bennington. The fire was reported just after 5:30 yesterday afternoon in the basement of the home owned by Robert and Darcie Kozlowski. Firefighters worked for over five hours to control the blaze but the house was ultimately considered a total loss. No injuries were reported. The Red Cross is assisting the three adults who were living in the home.
According to the latest data from the state, the spread of COVID-19 has increased slightly in our region. Right now, the seven-day average infection rate is sitting at 7.3%. At this time last week, that infection rate was at 6.9%. To help prevent another spike in cases, New Yorkers are encouraged to get the new COVID-19 vaccine boosters that are now being made available. To find out where to get immunized, call 1-800-232-0233 or visit 
A new poll shows that a majority of Empire State residents support President Biden’s plan to cancel student debt. According to Siena College, 56% agree with Mister Biden’s decision to have the federal government eliminate up to $20,000 worth of federal student loans for millions of people compared to 33% who don’t. While 29% of people think that the president’s plan goes too far, 21% believe it doesn’t go far enough, and 39% say the plan is the right approach. Also, 57% believe canceling some student debt will provide a lot of Americans with financial relief that will help both them and the economy.
The City of Batavia Fire Department has released Community Connect, that’s an application focused on protecting residents and their property in the most effective way possible during an incident or major disaster. Community Connect is a safe, secure online platform. It’s easy to use and allows residents to share critical information about their household in order to aid first responders and emergency service personnel to respond more efficiently and effectively. Community Connect is completely voluntary and residents are individually able to decide which information they are comfortable sharing. Residents simply create a profile and enter critical property and occupant information, which is then made available to public safety agencies at the time of dispatch. To learn more about the program and to create your profile, click the following link. 
This Friday is the day that our local Valu store will begin the process of closing down; that’s the day their inventory liquidation sale starts. Out of 16 stores across the region, the chain decided to close the doors at three under-performing locations. Besides Batavia, the other stores closing are in Chataqua County (Fredonia and Lakewood).
It looks like National Grid customers are going to be handing over a lot more money if they want to stay warm this winter. That’s because the utility company today predicted the average household would pay $943 for natural gas heating during the season, an increase of 39% from last winter. National Grid says this jump is mostly due to record natural gas prices and higher gas delivery rates. The company says people who are worried about paying their bills should check and see if they’re eligible for its Energy Affordability Program or the federal Home Energy Assistance Program.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has launched a brand new online service aimed at making it easier for customers to access important records. The Records Request Navigator allows people to both request and pay for records that they need rather than having to make a request to the DMV through the mail. In addition to requesting registration and title record abstracts, folks can also ask for other information such as traffic violation tickets, crash records, and license and registration suspension orders. The records navigator can be found online at 
With kids across the Empire State heading back to school over the next few days, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection has issued some tips parents should follow. The agency recommends parents protect any documents with their child’s personal information on it and to ask how after-school programs and sports clubs secure their records. Parents should also discuss Internet safety tips with their children. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220.
24-year-old Jacob Bedard of Albion is charged with aggravated harassment (2nd degree), after allegedly harassing a victim via electronic communication with no legitimate purpose, causing alarm and annoyance after being specifically instructed to cease all communication with the victim. The incident occurred on September 3, 2022, at 11:00a.m. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and a stay away order of protection was issued. Bedard will re-appear in Batavia Town Court next month (on October 11, 2022). AND 41-year-old Courtney Hewitt of Oakfield is charged with harassment (2nd degree), after allegedly striking a person in the head with a lamp. Hewitt was released on an appearance ticket and will appear in the Town of Oakfield Court next week (on September 12, 2022, at 6:30p.m.).
Police across the state are warning drivers to be on the lookout for students crossing streets and getting on and off the bus. Drivers are urged to stay alert, put aside all distractions, and never try to pass a stopped school bus when the stop sign is out and lights are flashing. The safest option is to wait for the bus to turn off its lights and retract the stop sign. Failure to stop could lead to fines, jail time, injury or death.
Food poisoning incidents, thought to be caused by bad lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants, have now spread into New York State, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new cases raised the number of states where diners have fallen ill to six. A total of 97 people nationwide have been infected with an outbreak strain of E. coli after dining at Wendy’s. The agency has not confirmed the cause of the outbreak but said many sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce before falling ill. Officials did not specify where in New York State the illnesses occurred.
With Election Day just a few weeks away, a new poll shows the race for New York governor is getting closer. According to a survey released by the independent Trafalgar Group, Governor Hochul is just over four points ahead of her Republican challenger, Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin. Other recent polls have shown Hochul with a double-digit lead in the contest. She’s hoping to win a full-four year term in November and Zeldin is looking to become the first Republican to be elected New York governor since George Pataki.
A Genesee County Grand Jury has indicted Michael Jackson, Jr. of Batavia, accusing him of the crime of bail jumping second degree, a class E felony, after he did not appear in Genesee County Court in connection with another charge against him, a felony. Jackson was required to personally appear in court on March 1, 2022 and was released from custody allowing him to remain at liberty either upon bail or his own recognizance, upon the condition that he would appear personally in Genesee County Court, or voluntarily within 30 days thereafter.
The fun comes to an end today as the New York State Fair in Syracuse wraps up its run. The gates will shut down at 9:00 tonight. Today’s featured concerts are Night Ranger on the Chevy Court stage at 4:00 and Dire Straits Legacy 6:00. For a full list of today’s events, head to the official fair website at nysfair.ny.gov.
Lotto players will be lining up to take their shot at winning two big jackpots that are up for grabs over the next couple of days. The prize for whoever wins tonight’s Powerball drawing is going to be at least $159,000,000. And the Mega Millions jackpot has grown to $191,000,000 ahead of tomorrow night’s drawing. The price of a ticket for each game is $2.00. Both the Powerball and Mega Millions drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
With a lot of people getting behind the wheel over the next couple of days, police across New York State are going to be keeping a very close eye out for drunk drivers. It’s part of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s STOP-DWI campaign that runs through September 5th. People who are planning to drink alcoholic beverages are being urged to make sure they have a safe ride home. Anyone who sees suspicious or dangerous activity on the road should dial 911 immediately.
Governor Hochul today announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on state highways will be suspended until Tuesday, September 6, to ease travel throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend. Suspension of roadside construction during a weekend of increased traffic also helps protect the safety of highway workers. Motorists should be aware that some work might continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.
People who have accounts at M&T Bank won’t be able to access their accounts for part of this weekend. Both mobile and online banking are going to be down for 36 hours starting tomorrow as the chain completes systems integrations of People’s United Bank and M&T. It’s important to note that customers can still use ATM services and their debit cards. Anyone with questions can contact M&T Bank at 1-800-724-2440.
No one has won the Mega Millions or Powerball in a while and that means both jackpots are still growing. The prize up for grabs in tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is at least $169,000,000. And whoever is lucky enough to pick the winning numbers for Powerball tomorrow night is going to be $148,000,000 richer. The cost of a ticket for each game is $2.00. Both the Mega Millions and Powerball drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
Despite a late legal challenge, brand new gun permit and gun carrying laws are now in effect across New York State. Yesterday, a federal judge denied a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by Gun Owners of America to block the legislation from taking effect today. The measures passed in July include rigorous steps to obtain a conceal-carry permit including a social media check, classroom training, and live-firing exercises. There are also areas where guns are banned for ordinary citizens including schools, churches, and hospitals. Governor Hochul says the state will continue leading the way forward and implement common sense gun safety legislation.
The Erie County Department of Health says the presence of the West Nile Virus has been detected in the area. According to officials, mosquitoes with the illness were collected during recent surveillance pool testing. While most people who contract West Nile won’t exhibit any symptoms, there are others who experience health issues including a fever, headache, and vomiting. Residents should remove standing water in their yards to curb the mosquito population. They should also wear insect repellent while outdoors to prevent from potentially getting sick.
The Buffalo Sabres will be sporting a throwback look when they take the ice for 12 home games during the upcoming season. The NHL franchise announced that its alternate jersey is going to be black and red, which are the colors the team wore from 1996 to 2006. The actual jersey itself won’t be officially revealed until November 23rd when the Sabres take on the Saint Louis Blues.
Genesee and Wyoming Counties now have one of New York State’s lowest unemployment rates, according to data just released. The two counties were tied for the state’s fourth-lowest unemployment rate at 3 percent each as of July 31st; this, according to the state Department of Labor. Only Hamilton, Saratoga, Yates and Columbia counties had lower unemployment rates. About 900 people were unemployed in Genesee County as of July 31st. That compares to about 1,300 unemployed people in July 2021. In Wyoming County, about 600 people were unemployed as of the end of last month. That compares to about 800 unemployed people in July 2021. By the way, The Bronx had the state’s highest unemployment rate of 9.1 percent.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for this afternoon, through 7pm this evening. The effected counties include Genesee, Orleans and Livingston, which could experience heat that feels like the mid-90’s. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity increases the chances that heat illnesses could occur. People are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Additional information: Muscle cramping is usually the first sign of heat-related illnesses (heat exhaustion or heat stroke). Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, vomiting, cold/pale/clammy skin, heavy sweating, fast and weak pulse, weakness or fainting and fast and shallow breathing. Victims of this illness should be moved to a cool place, be cooled using any method available such as ice packs; cool, wet cloths, or by applying water to the body, and sip on water. If a victim is continuously vomiting or loses consciousness, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If heat exhaustion is not treated it may progress to heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include hot body temperature, hot/red/dry/moist skin, rapid and strong pulse and possible unconsciousness. Victims of this illness should be treated in the same ways as those with heat exhaustion but do not give fluids. Also, 911 should be immediately called, as heat stroke is a medical emergency.
You can expect traffic delays tomorrow and Wednesday on Bank Street, Chandler Avenue and Ross Street from 7:00am to 3:00pm while crews resurface. While work is being performed in these areas, local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays. All residents and businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation. If work needs to be delayed due to weather conditions, work will progress the next business day. Please contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 Option 1 if there are any questions.
The deadline to reach a lease agreement for a brand-new Buffalo Bills stadium was supposed to be later this week, but it has now been pushed back. The team, state and Erie County Legislature, had hoped to have everything signed by Thursday, but people involved in the negotiations are now giving themselves until October 16th to get a deal done. Plans call for the new over one-billion-dollar facility to be located in Orchard Park near Highmark Stadium where the Bills currently play their home games. Ground is still set to be broken on the project next year.
The Scribner Road homeowner whose property is uninhabitable due to damage that occurred starting August 7th, is hoping Pembroke will have an independent investigation completed as to why that damage happened. Gene Nati, spoke after the Town Board meeting last night; he noted that the contractor working at the local quarry, named One County Line Stone Company, Incorporated, was going to conduct an inquiry into the matter of why the damage to his home occurred; but Nati prefers someone independent of the quarry be brought in to investigate noting that unless someone independent does the investigation, he’s not sure how results will help local residents. The Town Board indicated they would look into the cost of an independent investigation.
No Kid Hungry New York is issuing an important reminder to parents ahead of the upcoming school year. The agency says parents have to submit an application so their kids can receive free or reduced-price meals at school. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal child nutrition waivers allowed schools to provide free meals for children but that provision has now expired. Application forms can be found both online and at schools.
Lotto players are hoping they’ll have money to burn after winning two big jackpots that are going to be up for grabs over the next couple of days. The prize for whoever picks all the winning Mega Millions numbers ahead of tonight’s drawing will be at least $135,000,000. Meanwhile, tomorrow night’s Powerball jackpot is sitting at $115,000,000. The cost of a ticket for each game is $2. The Mega Millions and Powerball drawings will both be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
Following an investigation by police, 39-year-old Donald Cooper of LeRoy has been arrested and charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Cooper will return to the Town of LeRoy Court at a later date.
Rochester police are continuing their investigation into another shooting in their city that left one person dead. According to officials, the victim was hit by gunfire last night in the area of North Street. The name of the individual who was killed hasn’t been released. Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to dial 911 immediately.
A new poll from Siena College shows there are a lot of New Yorkers who aren’t happy with the way their lives are going. Just 27% of people said they are more satisfied with their life than they were a year ago while 33% are less satisfied. However, many folks say they are satisfied with things like their family and friends, spiritual life, health, and even where they live. But 75% of those surveyed are either not very or not at all satisfied with the world as a whole.
Governor Hochul announced Wednesday that there have been over 6000 illegal guns seized in New York State since January. She says that is 20 percent higher than last year. The state seized 76 ghost guns in July, which is more than what was seized in all of 2021. Hochul said the key to their success is collaboration with other state governments. She used the example of gun shows where people purchase guns in Pennsylvania and then traffic them to New York where they are illegal.
It appears New York State Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy is one step closer to heading to Capitol Hill. Langworthy has declared victory over Carl Paladino in the Republican primary for the newly-redrawn 23rd District. But, Paladino’s campaign has released a statement saying its seeing statistical irregularities in a number of counties that will be looked into in the coming days. In the newly created 24th District, Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney defeated challengers Mario Fratto and George Phillips. Tenney is now going to face Steven Holden, who is the nominee of the Democratic Party.
The Carlton Fire Company tells us that a vehicle was found partially submerged in Lake Ontario early Tuesday morning. The car had driven over an embankment from the Lakeside Beach Park and landed upside down in Lake Ontario. A single occupant was found inside the vehicle by first responders. The occupant was quickly extricated from the car and transported to the hospital with only minor injuries.
The New York State Police today announced that Troopers issued 25,199 total traffic tickets during the special “Speed Week” enforcement campaign. “Speed Week,” which was conducted from Monday, August 15, 2022, to Sunday, August 21, 2022, targeted speeding, and other unsafe driving behaviors, including distracted driving and violations of the Move Over Law. Troopers issued 14,008 tickets for speeding, 531 for distracted driving, 476 for Move Over law violations, and arrested 214 people for drunk and impaired driving. 21 of the DWI arrests were in the Finger Lakes Region; 18 in Western New York. State Police also responded to 206 personal injury crashes, including five fatal crashes.
ARC GLOW has announced Monday that they sold their waste collection business to Casella Waste Systems. Casella will continue using the same property and staff at the West Main Street waste transfer station. Arc GLOW will use the money from the acquisition to invest in programs and services to meet the needs of those they support. They said the reason for the sale was that they had been losing money on their trash collection services for years, the fleet of garbage trucks was old and would have been very expensive to replace. Casella promised to hire on anyone who wished to stay; however, the number of people being helped by employment with the trash collection and transfer station was shrinking. ARC GLOW anticipates the move out of the transfer station will take place over the next 6 months.
Police across the state will be taking part in the latest “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” STOP-DWI campaign. Police are going to be increasing patrols through September 5th in an effort to get drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol off the roads. According to data from the University at Albany the number of police-reported impaired driving crashes went up by 11% between 2020 and 2021.
In Attica, the Department of Public Works has shut down Exchange Street just south of the rodeo driveway entrance thru this Friday, August 19th. Residents and visitors can access Exchange from Main Street. Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to call the Village Office at 585-591-0898.
According to a preliminary report from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake occurred Monday in Genesee County. It happened early in the morning today. The quake’s epicenter was located east of Batavia, north of the Stafford County Club, between Prentice Road and Randall Road. Overall, it wasn’t a powerful earthquake, only registering a magnitude of 1.2 on the Richter scale. USGS says it was five kilometers deep.
People who will be hitting the road this week are going to want to keep an extra close eye on their vehicle’s speedometer. That’s because police across the state will be increasing patrols through this Sunday in an effort to make sure everyone is following the correct speed limit. Preliminary data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College shows unsafe speed contributed to 353 deadly crashes last year, an 11-percent jump from 2020. During last year’s Speed Awareness Week, law enforcement gave out over 23-thousand speeding tickets.
Western New York drivers are still seeing lower prices at the pump when it comes time to fill up their vehicles. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $4.45. That’s down eight cents in the past week and is 34 cents less than this time last month. Currently, the state average is $4.34 a gallon while nationally it’s $3.96. In Batavia, the average price per gallon this morning was $4.40, down 28 cents from a month ago today.
With the number of drug overdoses rising across the Empire State each day, action is being taken to try and save people’s lives. Starting today, naloxone can be dispensed at pharmacies in New York without a prescription under an order issued by state Health Commissioner Doctor Mary Bassett. Naloxone is used to block the effects of opioids and helps a person regain consciousness and resume regular breathing if they’ve overdosed. New Yorkers who are struggling with addiction can get assistance by calling the state’s 24-hour hotline at 1-877-846-7369.
You may already have heard, at $3.98, the national average price for a gallon of gas has now dropped to under $4, for the first time since March. The New York State average is $4.38 (down 5 cents since Monday, and 11 cents since last week). Average prices for the four-county GLOW Region remain above the state average, and Orleans County – with an average price of $4.66 – is among the highest in New York State. Only New York County, at $4.80 per gallon, and Delaware County, at $4.67 per gallon, was higher than Orleans County. The lowest prices in New York were found in Suffolk County, $4.15 per gallon. In Batavia, Triple A tells us the average price per gallon this morning is $4.42, down a nickel since last week and 30 cents from a month ago.
The Buffalo Bills will continue their preparation for the upcoming season when they host a preseason game tomorrow afternoon. The Bills are going to be taking on the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The Bills are coming off of a season that saw them win another AFC East title but once again fall to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. Kickoff for tomorrow afternoon’s contest is scheduled for 4:00.
Both the FAA and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office are looking into a plane crash that left two people injured. According to WKBW, the individuals onboard the aircraft were conducting training exercises last night when the plane went down in a wooded area near Baker Street Extension in the town of Harmony. The victims were treated at the scene and taken to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. There’s no word on their conditions.
The City of Batavia Water Department is shutting down water mains tomorrow in the area of Oak Street and Richmond Avenue (due to the Richmond Avenue Water Line Project). The streets with possible water interruptions will be from, North of Richmond Ave on Oak Street, Richmond Ave from Oak Street to State Street, Verona Ave from Richmond Ave to Hillcrest Street, all of Buxton Ave, Genesee Street, and New York Place. Additionally, new water main valves will be installed on Prospect Ave and State Street. During valve installations, water will be shut down on Prospect Ave from Richmond Ave to Oak Street and on the West side of Oak Street from Prospect Ave to the Ellicott Ave and Main Street intersection, along with an area on State Street from the Richmond Ave intersection to just South of Park Avenue. The length of time the water will be off is unknown. As is typically the case, when water service is restored it may be discolored. Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.
Residents in the Town of Batavia may experience low water pressure through tomorrow as the town continues to make repairs and upgrades to the Ellicott Street Water Booster Station. Once the work is completed, the town says water pressure will be restored to normal.
The controversial ReAwaken America Tour is scheduled to come to Batavia Friday and Saturday, and protesters again made their feelings known about the upcoming event. Protesters were outside Cornerstone Church on Sunday, which is hosting the event after the original location in Rochester declined to host after public backlash. Protesters are concerned with the tour’s ideology and that nearly 3,500 people are expected for the event. Representatives of the Cornerstone Church have said they plan to move forward with the event, as scheduled.
Dive teams are expected to be back in the water at Canandaigua Lake today as the search for a missing man resumes. Officials say the man didn’t have a flotation device on when he jumped into the lake Friday in the area of LeTourneau Christian Camp in Rushville. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office tells the Democrat and Chronicle the search couldn’t move forward until today because the department was waiting for special dive equipment to arrive. So far, the name of the man hasn’t been released.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors approved incentives for a $3.72 million financial investment by Ivy Village Corp. that would create 20 units of market-rate senior housing in the village of Le Roy. Ivy Village Corp. plans to build market rate residential units in three phases with each phase calling for the construction of 10 duplex residences. The development is located on 16 acres off Lake Street with easy access to village amenities and is a twenty-minute drive to downtown Rochester. The GCEDC board also granted mortgage, property and sales tax incentives totaling about $805,000.
A free household hazardous waste collection has been set for September 17. The collection is open to Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston County residents. It will take place 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Batavia and is by appointment only. Those interested may check 
Governor Hochul says progress is being made in the ongoing fight against gun violence. Since the start of the year, State Police have seized close to 800 firearms, which is an increase of 104-percent compared to the same time period in 2021. The governor says that statistic was boosted when a specialized Gun Trafficking Interdiction Unit carried out a months-long investigation that led to a large cache of firearms being seized and multiple arrests being made. Overall, more than 3100 gun seizures have been reported by all law enforcement agencies in the state.
A Buffalo man is in some serious legal trouble after he allegedly threatened to kill African American people at grocery stores around the city. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says days after the May 14th mass shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops that left 10 people dead and three others hurt, 24-year-old Rolik Walker created a Twitter account and posted messages claiming he and his associates were targeting four stores and were only looking to kill African Americans. Walker also tried to mask his online activity using a virtual private network. If convicted, he’s facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
