WBTA STAFF
April 22, 2022 
The mother who fled with her child after being ordered to surrender custody of her in Bridgeport West Virginia has been found in Chautauqua County. Adreinne Marean was being tracked by US Marshals Fugitive Task Force on an arrest warrant March 17th and they thought she could be in Webster or in Buffalo. Her daughter was found safe. Marean was charged with Felony concealment of a child and kidnapping.
A chase that started at the Canada border ended in a field off Rt 20A in Wyoming County late on Tuesday afternoon. 3 men drove through the US checkpoint in Buffalo without stopping in a Hyundai Tucson. Customs and Immigrations officers gave chase through Buffalo and down 20A. The SUV left the road and careened into a field and all three fled into the woods. K9 Units were deployed and tracked them down. The Border Patrol and ICE have them in custody and aren’t saying why they fled or giving any additional information,
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that spring turkey season opens on Sunday, May 1, in all of upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. In addition, DEC’s annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place this weekend. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12 to 15 is open in all of upstate New York and Suffolk County. The spring turkey harvest in New York averages approximately 19,000 birds and varies based on the number of participants and turkey productivity in the previous few spring seasons. This spring, DEC biologists expect hunters to take more turkeys than last year
Crews will be working Friday on the exterior of a vacant building in Rochester. A portion of the façade on the old Richford Hotel at the corner of Chestnut and Elm streets sheared off, landing in the road. One vehicle incurred minor damage, according to city officials. City officials say wind may have been the culprit behind Thursday’s incident. According to city property records, the building was constructed in 1915 and has been vacant since 2011.
The Buffalo Sabres topped the New Jersey Devils at their home ice in Newark Thursday night 5 to 2. Newcomer to the team Owen Power scored his first goal with the Sabres along with Kyle Okposo, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin and Jeff Skinner. Craig Anderson also had a strong outing, stopping 29 of the 31 shots he faced. With the win, the Sabres improved to 30-38-11 on the season. Buffalo hosts the New York Islanders on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
The Buffalo Bills have signed another starter from the 2021 Tennessee Titans offensive line. David Quessenberry joins the Bills on a one-year contract, signing with the team on Thursday. A former sixth-round pick in 2013, Quessenberry started at right tackle last season for the Titans. While he’s battled his way into a starting role on the field, his battle off the field has been even more inspiring. Quessenberry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma just a year after being drafted. Years later, he beat cancer and made his NFL debut in December 2017.
Highly pathogenic avian flu has been confirmed in a wild bird in Livingston and Monroe counties, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The disease has been found in multiple wild bird species in several areas of the state. The DEC didn’t provide further details about these regional cases but listed a variety of species in which it has been confirmed statewide. Infected birds have included Canada geese, mallard and wood ducks, great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, turkey vultures, snowy owls, redhead and ring-necked ducks, snow geese, mute swans, great horned owls, tundra swans, sanderlings and cooper’s hawks. Small songbirds have not been affected, but many other species of waterfowl — including shorebirds, gulls, raptors, herons and cranes — are also vulnerable. DEC officials are offering advice for dealing with wild game birds. People can protect themselves by only harvesting game which appears to be healthy and properly cooking any game meat being eaten to an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit, which kills the virus. If handling wild birds — particularly waterfowl, gulls, and raptors — people should follow precautions such as using personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, and eye protection. They should also wash their hands thoroughly afterward. People are asked to report any suspicious deaths of infected wild bird species to their local DEC office.
Batavia City schools board members have quite a full agenda for tonight’s meeting, which includes a public hearing about spending district reserves to repair the roof at Batavia High. The meeting will begin with a presentation about that $140,000 proposal. The public will be given time to voice questions, comments and concerns before the board is scheduled to vote on the work later in the meeting. Other agenda items include a review of the tentative 2022-23 budget, followed later by a vote to adopt the $55 million financial plan. The most recent preliminary budget in March included a nearly $3 million increase, or 5.75 percent more than the current budget. The tax levy was at $20.57 million for a 5.5 percent increase, overriding the tax cap levy by $756,449. The meeting is set to begin at 6 this evening at the BHS library, 260 State Street. Business Administrator Scott Rozanski is expected to go over the proposed budget up for board vote during Thursday’s meeting. The preliminary plan included spending increases of $692,575 for teacher/administrative support salaries, $481,970 more for support salaries and nearly $1 million more for fringe benefits. Those total increased numbers are $19.9 million for teacher salaries, $6.5 million for support salaries and $12,306,449 for fringe benefits.
The Covid case numbers in Genesee and Orleans counties continue to climb. Genesee is at 168 and Orleans at 113 as of the measurement week that ended April 19. These numbers are up from the previous week when Genesee had 119 cases and Orleans had 83; all of this, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. Governor Kathy Hochul discussed Covid during a news conference yesterday when she announced a mask mandate would remain in place in certain settings in the State despite a federal judge striking down the requirement for airlines, trains, subways, and buses. Governor Hochul says for the short term to include nursing homes, health care facilities and on public transportation systems. Hochul says she thinks she would have lifted the mandate in all settings if not for two omicron sub-variants driving up the number of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in New York State. Right now, the seven-day-average infection rate in the Western NY region is just under 12%.
Law enforcement agencies across Genesee County are providing the public the opportunity to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. On Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be three locations across the county where citizens can dispose of their medications. Sharps will only be accepted at the Batavia location. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The Batavia Police Department, in conjunction with United Memorial Medical Center, will be accepting prescription drugs and sharps in the Alva Place parking lot across the street from Batavia Showtime. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting prescription drugs ONLY at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Rd. Corfu. And the Le Roy Police Department will be accepting prescription drugs ONLY at their headquarters located at 3 West Main Street, LeRoy. The Batavia Police Department Headquarters has one for everyday collection of drugs and sharps located in the rear entrance at 10 West Main Street. Containers are also located at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on Park Rd, Batavia, and at the Le Roy Police Department.
Three men who failed to stop at a checkpoint at the U.S. border with Canada were taken into custody after a chase that ended in a field off Route 20A late Tuesday afternoon. Wyoming County Sheriff Gregory Rudolph said his department was contacted after an SUV failed to stop at the checkpoint and led border patrol and agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a chase that went through Erie County and into Wyoming County. When the driver went off Route 20A near Snyder Road, the SUV ended up in a field about 75 feet from the road. All three men inside ran into nearby woods. K9 Units from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Genesee and Erie counties were called to assist in the search. All three were soon taken into custody without further incident and there was no indication as to why the men fled.
Customers of multiple cell phone companies reported outages across the country yesterday afternoon, an issue that appeared to be centered on problems with Verizon’s network. Reports of outages began to increase starting around 3:15 p.m. Outage spikes were reported by customers of multiple carriers. Apparently, this is often a case of somebody with one carrier not able to reach a phone number for someone with a different carrier. But they may report it as a problem with their own provider. According to a Verizon representative, a fiber issue in the core of their network caused some customers to experience intermittent call failures, but has now been resolved. But either way, the lines of communication all appear to be fine and open now.
Divers have finally been able to get into the waters of Lake Erie to get a close-up look at the damage to the USS The Sullivans. Last week, the ship suffered a massive hull breach, which caused it to fill up with thousands of gallons of water and partially submerge. It was announced yesterday the oil that had been leaking from the vessel is now contained. Officials haven’t said yet how long cleanup and repair efforts are going to take.
New advertising has been launched as part of a public health campaign that’s focused on informing New Yorkers about the state’s Cannabis Law. The ads are educating consumers about the dangers of impaired driving, the risks of youth cannabis use, safe cannabis storage, and respectful consumption of cannabis in public. Governor Hochul says part of building the strongest cannabis industry in the nation is making sure New Yorkers have relevant facts at their fingertips. More information on the law can be found online.
For the sixth straight month, Genesee County’s unemployment rate was lower than the pre-pandemic rate for the same month, according to the New York State Department of Labor. The rate of 3.7% for March of this year reflects a dip when compared to a 4.5% rate in March 2019. The rate in March 2021 was 5.6% and the rate in March 2020 was 5.7%. The current rate is the lowest it’s been from available state labor department records going back to 1990. By the way, the unemployment rate for all of New York State is 4.7%, which is higher than the March 2019 — pre-pandemic — rate of 4%.
County public health directors in the GLOW region today encourage all eligible residents to get their second COVID-19 booster shot. The BA.2 variant is being referred to as ‘stealth Omicron’, and currently represents 80.6% of COVID infections in the state. Those interested in getting a second booster need to wait at least four months since the time they received their first booster dose.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says failure is not an option when it comes to saving the USS The Sullivans. Brown said yesterday cleanup around the vessel is continuing, several days after a hull breach caused the ship to fill with thousands of gallons of water. So far, crews have removed over 4600 gallons of waste and several yards of debris that ended up in the water that surrounds the ship. Divers were supposed to check out the damage to the ship yesterday but that didn’t happen due to the weather conditions.
Governor Hochul has released her first campaign ads as she looks to win a full, four-year term in office this November. The television and digital ads highlight Hochul’s accomplishments since she became governor last year following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. They include cracking down on illegal guns and investing more money in public schools so additional teachers can be hired. Hochul is being challenged in the June Democratic primary by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Congressman Tom Suozzi of Long Island.
Childhood lead poisoning is of course, a concern throughout the year, but cases of lead poisoning increase during the spring and summer months because children spend more time outdoors, on the porch or in the yard. Homes built before 1978 may have chipping and peeling lead paint on the porch or on siding, which could be more deteriorated than other parts of the house due to the effects of weather. Children playing on the porch can unknowingly pick up lead paint chips and dust on their hands and toys and then place hands or toys into their mouths. Lead dust can also be found in the soil outside where children are playing. And also, many home improvements begin in the spring and summer. Renovations to areas of the home containing lead-based paint can put lead dust into the air, both inside and outside of the area being worked on. Lead dust can also collect on windowsills and in window wells. On warm days when the windows are open, lead dust in these areas can blow into the house. For more information on Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs, visit 
Batavia Police have arrested Lorenzo Baker, for criminal possession of a weapon following a traffic stop where he was allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded revolver. Simultaneously, a search warrant was executed at his residence, the upper apartment at 36 Dellinger Avenue, upper Apt., as part of an ongoing investigation where additional evidence was found. Baker was arraigned before Judge Thomas Burns in Batavia City Court and held on $25,000.00 cash, $50,000.00 Insurance Company Bail Bond, or a $75,000.00 Partially Secured Appearance Bond. He is scheduled to re-appear in Batavia City Court on April 21, 2022, at 1:30 PM. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, further details were not released at this time.
A recall alert for you…The U.S. Product Safety Commission has announced that General Electric is recalling six types of its stainless steel refrigerators. The recall involves roughly 155,000 appliances manufactured between February 2020 and August 2021, sold at Best Buy and Home Depot. Free-Standing French Door Refrigerators in Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel, which have freezer door handles that are detaching. There have been reports of 37 injuries including what have been described as three serious falls. Affected model numbers, printed on a label found on the top of the left side inside of the refrigerator section, are:
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a nationwide scam has made its way to New York State. Individuals are being contacted by scammers posing as Border Patrol agents or Public Affairs Officers, and when people answer the call, they hear a pre-recorded message that says, “a box of drugs and money being shipped has your name on it and has been intercepted.” Some of the calls say that there is a warrant for the individual’s arrest or they are requesting information from them in exchange for Bitcoin. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection urge you not to give out any personal identifiable information, such as date of birth or social security numbers. They never solicit information by phone, nor do they use gift cards, Bitcoin or any other digital currency. If you get a call like this, make a note of the number and contact police and the Federal Trade Commission immediately.
News of an arrest from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation…a man who served a state prison term for setting fire to the Chiefs Council Office building in 2008 has been arrested again and charged with a vicious assault during a domestic dispute earlier this year. According to State Police, 41-year-old Rodney Willis, Jr. is charged with first-degree assault for causing serious injuries to another person back in February. The charge is a class B violent felony and punishable by up to 25 years in prison. He is committed to Genesee County Jail without bail. Willis had previously served 5 to 10 years for arson and was released from prison in 2017.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he’ll be using his influence in Congress to get federal aid to help save the USS The Sullivans. The New York Democrat made the promise yesterday during a visit to Buffalo where he got a look at the damaged ship. The vessel took on thousands of gallons of water last week due to a massive breach in the hull. Schumer says money for repairs and cleanup would also come from the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The ship is named for the five Sullivan brothers who died during World War II.
Monroe County drivers will be seeing savings at the gas pump in a few weeks under a plan announced by County Executive Adam Bello. He said yesterday the county would reduce its tax on gasoline by 8 cents starting June 1; that’s when they will tax gas as if it costs $2 per gallon and that coincides with the state’s plan to temporarily lower its gasoline tax from June 1st through the end of the year. Niagara County is talking about doing something similar and capping their 4% tax rate at the cost of 3 dollars a gallon, which would create a 12-cent per gallon savings for consumers there. In other words, counties cannot just drop the gas tax completely; but rather, the state budget notes that they can base it on a lower cost per gallon, say at 2, 3 or 4 dollars. Genesee County Manager Matt Landers said earlier this month that a similar discussion is likely to occur here but it is not in the plans at the moment.
The Batavia City School District, along with the police department, and City Church have joined together to create a new recommended pickup route for the City Church Community Food Distribution program at St. Anthony’s. The City Church currently hosts a bi-monthly food distribution program for community residents at St. Anthony’s Church. Due to the program’s popularity, some traffic concerns have emerged around Jackson Primary, resulting in serious safety issues along with traffic backups during school arrival and dismissal periods. In response, a new route has been established to access the Food Distribution Program pickup line. The new route will be in effect starting with the April 27 distribution date. Those community members who wish to participate in the program must access Liberty Street via South Swan Street, Osterhout Avenue, or Otis Street. All food distribution traffic will be redirected to avoid Liberty Street between South Jackson and Sumner Streets and South Jackson between South Swan and Liberty Streets (the areas directly in front of and adjacent to Jackson Primary). The City Church Community Food Distribution program is scheduled every two weeks for the following dates: April 27, May 11, May 25, June 8, and June 22.
A dinosaur invasion will be happening at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo later this year as part of the Jurassic World Live Tour. Folks will get the chance to see animatronic replicas of several popular creatures including the velociraptor and tyrannosaurus rex from October 21st through the 23rd. Advance tickets go on sale today and seats will be made available to the general public April 26th. More information can be found on the arena website at 
U.S. Marshals are still searching for a missing 11-month-old child named Iris Chidester, and her fugitive mother, 35-year-old Adrienne Grace Marean. Marean is wanted by the Bridgeport Police Department in West Virginia for allegedly violating a Family Court Order. She was last seen in the Western Pennsylvania, Dunkirk and Fredonia areas and could possibly be in Webster near Rochester. Marshals say she could be elsewhere in Western NY, as well. Marean is believed to be driving a gray Toyota Prius with New York license plate JJR1907. She is a white female, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. The child has brown hair and brown eyes. Officials are urging the public to relay any information or sightings of Marean or the missing child to the U.S. Marshals Service at 1 (304) 623- 0486 or contact 911.
Le Roy Police have arrested 22-year-old Marco Hernandez of Le Roy, charging him with rape in the first degree, and first degree criminal sexual act, both class B felonies, following an investigation of an incident in Le Roy from July 2021. Hernandez was arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and was remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.
Even though the number of COVID-19 cases is rising statewide, Governor Hochul says she has no plans to shut the state down to try and prevent further spread of the illness. The governor made the promise during an interview yesterday. She stated she is going to focus on protecting both New Yorkers and the economy. Last week, the state health department issued a warning about two omicron sub-variants that have been connected to the recent increase in infections.
Several inmate-on-inmate fights over a two-day period resulted in 13 officers getting injured; occurring while staff was attempting to stop fights at the Orleans Correctional Facility last week. One inmate attacked and kicked an officer in the head causing a two-inch laceration, concussion and fracture above the left eye that required treatment at an outside hospital. On the first day, inmates began to fight in a classroom and ignored orders from staff to stop fighting. Eventually all complied, but not before causing several injuries to staff; the following day, six officers were hurt in two separate incidents at the facility. The inmate that inflicted the more serious injuries was transferred to Attica Correctional Facility. Each of the inmates involved face disciplinary charges.
The Buffalo Sabres have picked up their second straight win following a road victory in the City of Brotherly Love. Victor Olofsson and Tage Thompson had two goals each while Anders Bjork also scored as the Sabres beat the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday by a final score of 5-3 at Wells Fargo Center. Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski stopped 32 of the 35 shots he faced during the game. Up next for the Sabres is a road game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
It’s Dyngus Day, and a parade to celebrate Buffalo’s Polish-American community is taking place in the city this afternoon. The parade is scheduled to step off at five p-m and head west on Broadway from Memorial Drive to Fillmore Avenue. Restaurants around the area will also be serving up popular Polish foods today such as pierogis and cabbage rolls.
In just a few hours, one lucky person could end up winning one of the biggest lottery prizes that’s been up for grabs this year. There was no winner in Saturday’s Powerball drawing, meaning this evening’s jackpot will be at least $348,000,000. As always, the cost of a ticket to play the popular game is just $2.00 and tonight’s drawing will be streamed online. Please play responsibly.
2 people have been charged with unlawfully owning an alligator. An Amherst man called the Department of Environmental Conservation, asking for help finding a new home for the 3 and a half-foot alligator he said he had rescued from a bad home and was looking to place it in a good home. This turned out not to be true; he was actually trying to sell it but was unsuccessful in finding a new owner. He finally admitted to buying it from another man in Dunkirk. Both the man who claimed he rescued the gator and the person who originally sold it to him were arrested and charged with unlawfully possessing the reptile. Additional charges may be pending. The gator was turned over to a licensed handler. There are 15 reptiles that are illegal to have as pets and for breeding in New York State. If you are caught breeding or owning any of the illegal reptiles, you could be facing a $500 fine for the first offense and $1,000 for any following offenses.
A man has multiple charges filed against him, the most serious of which is attempted murder. 29-year-old Jarrett Coniglio allegedly attacked a person early Tuesday morning. At that time, Genesee County sheriff’s deputies responded to a Sandhill Road residence for a reported assault involving a knife. Coniglio, of Bloomingdale Road in the Tonawanda Reservation, is accused of seriously injuring the victim. He was committed to Genesee County Jail without bail and is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday.
RECALL ALERT: More than 1 million crafting glue guns are being recalled pursuant to complaints of malfunction, leading to fire or burns. The recall involves Crafter’s Square Glue Guns sold for about $1 nationwide at Dollar Tree stores from August 2020 through February 2022 and at Family Dollar stores in January and February of this year. The plastic guns are black with an orange trigger and tip. They have a silver UL label above the handle with “GLUE GUN” and “XY-15302” printed on it. The guns dispense hot glue when plugged in and the trigger is pulled. Dollar Tree says it has received seven reports of what it calls “electrical malfunctions” when using the gun. There were four reports of fires and one report of a “skin irritation.” The malfunction itself was not identified. Consumers are urged to stop using these glue guns and unplug them immediately. They can be returned to Dollar Tree or Family Dollar for a full refund. Those who bought the guns at 
Tax Day is on Monday and the state Department of Taxation and Finance is extending hours at its call center to answer any questions last-minute filers may have. Those folks can talk with a member of the agency today between the hours of 8:30am and 6:00pm, tomorrow from 8:30am until 4:30pm and Monday from 8:30am until 7:00pm. The number to call is 518-457-5181. Answers to a wide range of tax-related inquiries can also be found online at 
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for what it said is the first device that can detect COVID-19 in breath samples. The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, and can be used in doctor’s offices, hospitals and mobile testing sites. The test, which can provide results in less than three minutes, must be carried out under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. The FDA said the device was 91.2% accurate at identifying positive test samples and 99.3% accurate at identifying negative test samples.
New York State has initiated a pilot program with the goal of making roads safer for construction crews. Speed cameras will be installed by the end of the year to help catch drivers speeding through work zones on the Thruway. Offenders will be ticketed automatically and sent a letter and a fine. The program was part of legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.
According to the New York State Department of Health, there has been an increase of influenza cases in the GLOW region. For the week ending April 2, there were 47 lab-confirmed cases. This is the highest total for a single week since the end of December. Local health officials recommend continuing to follow universal precautions, like staying home when sick. It’s also not too late to get a flu shot; however, the earlier in the season you get it, the better you’re protected from serious illness.
Cost estimates for Phase 3 of Genesee County’s water project is going to be more costly than originally expected. County manager Matt Landers reported that he and Highway Superintendent Tim Hens received an estimate of projected cost from CPL, the firm involved in engineering the water project. In a few years when Phase 3 starts, the cost could be around $135,000,000. With Phase 3 still in design, Landers said the county would look for funding sources using lobbyists at the federal and state level.
Governor Hochul says she hasn’t made a decision yet on who is going to be the state’s next Lieutenant Governor. Brian Benjamin resigned from the position Tuesday shortly after he pleaded not guilty in court to bribery and fraud related charges. During an interview yesterday with Brian Lehrer on WNYC, a public radio station, Governor Hochul said Benjamin’s arrest came as a surprise to her and called the corruption allegations he’s facing disappointing. Right now, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is serving in an acting capacity as Lieutenant Governor. And during the same interview, Governor Hochul revealed that the Buffalo Bills were considering moving to another city outside of New York. This was in response to a question about why the state would use public funds to build the new stadium. Hochul noted she was aware of other cities that had lost teams reaching out to the Bills and if a new stadium didn’t come to fruition here, the team had other options out of state.
One of the early signature rides at Six Flags Darien Lake is being dismantled this week nearly 40 years after its debut. The Giant Wheel has been a fixture at the center of the park since 1983, and it was retired last year. In recent days crews have begun removing the Ferris wheel in pieces. A spokesperson for Six Flags shared that the ride had reached the end of its useful life and they’re considering options to replace it. The Giant Wheel opened at Darien Lake in 1983, arriving one year after the debut of the park’s first roller coaster, The Viper. The attraction was a key piece of the park’s growth from its origins as a campground with rides and water slides into a full-fledge theme park and one of region’s most-visited attractions.
Brian Benjamin has resigned as Lieutenant Governor after pleading not guilty to fraud and bribery related charges. It’s alleged Benjamin used his influence while he was a state Senator to direct a state grant to a non-profit controlled by a real estate developer. That developer later donated money to Benjamin’s Senate Campaign Committee and his failed campaign to become New York City Comptroller. Benjamin is also accused of providing false information while he was being vetted to become the state’s Lieutenant Governor. Last year, Benjamin was picked to take the job by Governor Hochul. In a statement, the governor said that she and Benjamin agreed he couldn’t continue to serve while the legal process plays out.
And some good news, specific to Covid-19 treatment options, starting next week, the Erie County Department of Health will be offering a new treatment option to people who have contracted COVID-19. Beginning Monday, anyone who receives a positive result after being screened at a county testing site can get a prescription for Paxlovid. The antiviral drug is used to help people over the age of 12 with a mild or moderate case of the coronavirus. A prescription for the medication will be sent to the person’s pharmacy for pickup and the cost is covered by most insurance plans.
Our local health department has a timely reminder for us, especially this time of year. There are many animals being born and some of them stray away from their mothers and may possibly be rabid. Rabies is a central nervous system disease, which attacks the brain and almost always results in death if a rabies exposure is not treated. Rabies is most often spread through bites, scratches, and contact with infected saliva. It is most often seen in bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. In addition, pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect against infection. Anyone who has been bitten by any animal or may have been exposed to rabies needs to take immediate action. Make sure to thoroughly clean any wounds or bites with soap and water, and then call your health care provider for further instructions. If you can do so safely, capture the animal (being careful not to damage the head/brain) and call your local health department to report the incident. For more information, please visit the website of our health department at 
There is a watermain break on Park Road in the Town of Batavia. The water will be shut off for an undetermined amount of time beginning at 2:30 P.M. today. This may cause reduced water pressures in the surrounding area.
Two of the biggest names in rap music will be coming to Western New York this summer, and today tickets to see Pitbull and Iggy Azalea are going on sale. The concert is happening at the Darien Lake Amphitheater on Sunday, July 31st. Seats are now available through the LiveNation website. The cost of a ticket may fluctuate based on demand.
The state’s budget includes a tax credit, available to low and middle-income households as well as seniors enlisted in the School Tax Relief Program. Under the program, basic STAR & Enhanced STAR recipients are eligible for the rebate. Basic Star recipients are those with an income less than $250,000. Enhanced members are those 65 and older making less than $92,000. The rebates will be a percentage of their existing STAR benefits.
The Empire Center has updated their Spend-O-Meter to reflect the newly enacted $220+ billion budget, to show just how much the state is spending… per second the state government is spending $6,987.37…this equates to $419,242.36 per minute, or just over $25 million per day. 
For the 25th year in a row, Wegmans has made the list of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” The supermarket chain was ranked third in this latest survey behind Cisco and Hilton. The results are based on several factors including respect, trust, camaraderie and fairness. Colleen Wegman, who is the president and CEO, says the company is grateful for this honor and that it’s inspiring to see how employees rise to the occasion to provide the best possible service to customers.
The Genesee County Health Weights and Measures Department has received a complaint from a customer that fuel purchased from the TA Travel Center on Alleghany Road in Corfu, had a high level of water in the fuel…this resulted in damage to the individual’s car. The TA Travel Center had received a similar complaint about a week ago and investigated. Results showed that there was water in the fuel tank above the state limit and TA discontinued pulling fuel from the problem tank. Customers are asked to contact the TA Travel Center at 585-599-4577 and select Option 4 if they purchased regular (87 octane) or mid-grade (89 octane) at the station from April 6 through the 7th. Proof of purchase and vehicle repair is needed to file a claim.
You’ve already heard about the upcoming suspension of the gas tax, which is planned from June 1st through the end of the year. Governor Hochul said this will cost the state roughly $600,000,000 in tax revenue, but will save consumers 16 cents per gallon at the pump. Hochul suggested that counties across the state suspend their gas taxes as well during this period, but Genesee County Manager Matt Landers said there is no plan for this at the present time. In fact, he was unaware of any counties across the state that planned to do this.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is revealing new information about the negotiations for a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. He confirmed yesterday that the team’s owners, Kim and Terry Pegula, wanted the public to pay the entire cost of the more than one-billion-dollar facility. Instead, the state stepped in and provided 600-million-dollars in funding as part of the new state budget while Erie County agreed to chip in 250-million dollars. The stadium is going to be built in Orchard Park across from Highmark Stadium, which is where the Bills currently play their home games.
Starting today, local golfers are going to be able to tee off when Monroe County’s three golf courses open up for the season. County Executive Adam Bello says this year’s $30 purchase fee for season permits has been scrapped and that discounted fees are being offered to seniors, military members, kids, and disabled golfers. Tee times at Churchville Park, Genesee Valley Park and Durand Eastman Park can be scheduled online. Due to the wet weather, golf carts won’t be allowed meaning the courses will be walking-only.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments say that with the arrival of spring we all should be more vigilant for rabid animals.
Our Monday gasoline price report shows a continuing downward trend.
Tax Day is one week away, and the state Department of Taxation and Finance is reminding New Yorkers to file their returns, even if they can’t pay what they owe. The agency says people who have to pay should reach out to them if they want to avoid or reduce penalties and added interest on their debt. One thing they can request is an Installment Payment Agreement which allows them to make monthly payments toward their unpaid tax balance.
‘Historic or unprecedented’ – that is how Governor Hochul described each of the items in the 2023 state budget in a press release. There are several items listed, including $31.5 billion earmarked for school aid, including $125 million for full-day kindergartens and preschool. $2.2 billion is set aside for improvements to SUNY and CUNY schools. The Budget also creates a new property tax relief credit, the Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit, for eligible low- and middle-income households, as well as eligible senior households. Under this program, basic STAR exemption and credit beneficiaries with incomes below $250,000 and Enhanced STAR recipients are eligible for the property tax rebate where the benefit is a percentage of the homeowners’ existing STAR benefit. This $2.2 billion investment will help approximately 2.5 million homeowners. Governor Hochul also promises that New York will become the leader in offshore wind energy.
Western New York drivers are continuing to see falling gas prices when it comes time to fill up their vehicles. According to Triple A, as of this morning, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $4.31. That’s down 3 cents from last week but is 11 cents higher this time one month ago. The state average is $4.26 a gallon while nationally it’s $4.15. In Batavia, the average price per gallon is $4.30, the same as it was yesterday but down 4 cents from a week ago.
On this date in…the future…April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse, and Western New York is in the path of totality. During a solar eclipse, the moon gets between the sun and the Earth. In a total solar eclipse, people who are in the path of totality see the sun’s bright disk totally covered by the moon for a short time. The moon will begin to cover the sun at 2:07 p.m. Using a safe solar viewing method, we’ll see more and more of the sun covered by the moon for the next 73 minutes. This time is called a partial phase because the sun is partially covered by the moon. Totality begins at 3:20 p.m. and lasts 3 minutes 38 seconds, plus or minus a few seconds, depending on your exact location. After totality, the moon gradually uncovers the sun in a second partial phase. The eclipse ends for us at 4:33 p.m. So make a note on your calendar…April 8, 2024.
Three finalists have been named for the superintendent position at Attica Central School. The finalists will visit the district on three separate days later this month and different district stakeholders will interview each candidate throughout the day. Meet and greet forums will also be conducted 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. each day in the Attica Middle-High School Library. They are open to the public. Final interviews with the Board of Education will follow the meet and greet forums. It’s anticipated the new superintendent will start his duties on July 1. The three finalists are: Brian Swatland, who is currently principal at Williamsville East High School in Erie County; he will visit the district on April 20; Dr. Kiel Illg has served as assistant superintendent of Lackawanna City Schools since 2019. He will visit the district April 21; Dr. Sean C. Kinsley is the principal of Barron Collier High School in Naples, Florida where he has served since 2021. He will be on hand in the district on April 25.
It was a routine traffic stop for minor traffic violations but further investigation revealed a prescription drug selling operation. The case began last August 19th when 60-year-old Harjeet Ghotra of Niagara Falls Ontario was pulled over on Route 20a in Warsaw; it was discovered he was driving with a suspended license and over $30,000 cash in his pockets. It was later learned that the company Ghotra worked for, ‘MKG Wholesale of Cheektowaga’ apparently was a front for criminal diversion of prescriptions and prescription medications. It was found the company bought diabetes medications from people in WNY and sold it out-of-state. Ghotra was charged only with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; a representative for MKG appeared in court last month and accepted a plea deal that included the county receiving that $30,000 plus in cash. It still remains unclear who exactly owns MKG; the site on which it’s located only has on it a two-unit apartment building. By the way, the FBI declined to pursue the case.
Spring only started a few weeks ago, but officials at Six Flags Darien Lake are already looking ahead to summer. The theme park is holding an in-person hiring event for summer jobs tomorrow from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Six Flags Darien Lake Hotel. There are about 1500 positions available including ride operators, lifeguards, food service and security. Anyone who can’t make the job fair can apply online or visit the park’s human resources office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Home opens this afternoon at 5, and closes at 9:00. Tomorrow the hours are 10 to 5 and then on Sunday, 10 to 3. The show is taking place at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evan Street. Admission is $3. There is a door prize of a $500 gift certificate to your vendor of choice. Make sure you stop by the WBTA booth and say hello.
A 345 million dollar, 3,400 acre solar farm is coming to the Town of Byron. The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment granted approval for Excelsior Energy Center, LLC to build and operate a 280-megawatt solar farm with 20 MWs of battery storage available, in the Town of Byron. This will generate enough to power 74,000 homes. The creation of new jobs, long-term revenue and economic development to both the town of Byron and Genesee County are anticipated.
Anyone who has Spectrum for television services can expect an increase in rates due to what the company is referring to as “the growing cost of programming.” For new customers who have a promotional price for their TV, Internet or Voice plan, the new regular plan price will not take effect until the end of the promotional period. A spokesperson for Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent company, released the following statement: “TV programmers continue to raise fees annually to carry their content, driving higher costs across the entire industry. As a direct result of the growing cost of programming from the TV networks we carry, we are passing through these increased fees to viewers.” According to Spectrum, here is what you can expect:
The Buffalo Bills have signed one of their best players to a contract extension that will keep him with the team for years to come. According to NFL-dot-com, wide receiver Stefon Diggs has agreed to a new four-year, 96-million-dollar deal which includes 70-million-dollars in guaranteed money. The 28-year-old Diggs has been a member of the Bills since 2020 when he was acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. This past season he caught 103 passes for 1225 yards and 10 touchdowns. The hope is that he would retire a Bill.
Following weeks of controversy surrounding his speech, SUNY Brockport students finally had the chance to hear from convicted cop killer Jalil Muntaqim. He was originally scheduled to talk on campus last night, but due to security concerns, the speech happened virtually over Zoom. During his address, Muntaqim, who was formerly known as Anthony Bottom, discussed his involvement with the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army but never talked about murdering two New York City police officers decades ago. Instead, Muntaqim claimed he was put behind bars for fighting white supremacy.
22-year-old Tarrance Williams of Batavia has been indicted by the Genesee County grand jury; he is charged with third-and-fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Williams is accused of possessing cocaine.
Staff at Attica Correctional Facility had to initiate the hazardous materials protocol when an unknown substance was found on a letter in the mailroom. The incident was reported to officials yesterday morning; the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision was alerted, as were the state police, Attica firemen and Wyoming County’s hazardous materials response team. Fortunately, nothing came from the investigation; staff, incarcerated individuals and the community at large were not at risk.
Anastasiia Sobol is a student from Ukraine currently attending college in Canada, studying Business Marketing. She previously lived with Jim & Lorrie Gammack of Darien Center as an exchange student while attending Batavia High School during her senior year. With the war going on in her homeland, her family is unable to pay for school for her. The Gammacks have been raising money for Ana through a GoFundMe site. They have also been talking with the U.S. State Department and are in touch with representatives in Washington to try and get a visa for Sobol to return to the U.S. to live with the Gammacks during the summer. Meanwhile, she’ll be staying with friends in St. Catharines, Ontario. According to information available on travel.state.gov, the State Department says that generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wants to enter the United States first needs to get a visa. However, the application process and wait time for an interview depends on many factors but could take 300 days or more.To help the Gammacks assist Ana, search ‘Help Ana the Exchange Student’ on the GoFundMe site. So far, they’ve raised a little over $8800 of their $10,000 goal.
Alton Brown, the famous chef and television personality, criticized Buffalo’s main culinary attraction, Buffalo Wings, on an episode of Hot Ones. That was back in 2018 when he said “if you want great Buffalo chicken wings, you don’t go to Buffalo.” He visited the city again earlier this week, and this time Buffalo natives sent him to where they thought the best wings were and he has recanted. Brown now says, “I have had the best buffalo wing of my life and yes, it was in Buffalo.” This time around, he reportedly went to Bar Bill in East Aurora and La Nova on the West Side for the wings.
44-year-old Tyrone Thigpen of Summit Street is accused of pulling out a rifle in front of a woman and her two children during an argument. The incident occurred on Batavia-Elba Townline road; the arrest followed a report of a dispute that turned violent. He is charged with felony aggravated family offense, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing. He was arraigned in Town Court and committed to Genesee County Jail without bail.
For the 2022-23 budget year, the Batavia City Council decided to add a little more in for themselves. They hadn’t had a raise in 9 years. So, effective April 1st the new annual salary for a city council member is 5,000 dollars. That’s a 43 percent from the 3,500 they were earning. City Council President will get 7,000, which is the same percentage up from the 4,900 it was previously. The council stressed during their meeting that this will not raise any taxes and the tax rate remains the same with or without the pay raise. The total increase for the budget will be $14,100.
A former member of the Buffalo Bills is in trouble with the law after being arrested in Lockport. According to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Alex Carrington was pulled over on South Transit Road yesterday after deputies say he was speeding and driving his vehicle without a headlight. Deputies say Carrington appeared to be intoxicated and asked him to get out of the vehicle but he refused. A taser was later used to help get him into custody. A search of his vehicle led to the discovery of a gun and two loaded magazines. Carrington is facing several charges including DWI and criminal possession of a weapon.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans has announced that he’s tested positive for COVID-19. Evans says right now that he’s not experiencing any symptoms of the illness. He’ll continue working from home and follow the proper health and safety protocols. He’s also urging state residents to take the necessary steps to minimize their own exposure to COVID-19.
Administrators with the Le Roy Central School District are busy working on the 2022-23 budget; they presently propose close to $28 million in expenditures, an increase of a little over $800,000 from the present school year. School districts do not yet know how much state aid they will receive, which is a significant portion of every district’s revenue. Without knowing that number, administrators in Le Roy cannot say what the anticipated tax levy will be and what that will mean for the tax rate on property owners in the district. Under the property tax cap, the district can increase the levy by 2.39 percent. The school board will meet tomorrow evening at 6 in the auditorium of Wolcott School.
47-year-old Thomas Moynihan the Second of Alexander has been arrested after allegedly violating a stay-away order of protection on at least 5 different dates. He is charged with criminal contempt in the 2nd degree and released with an appearance ticket; another arrest followed for allegedly violating an order of protection/disobeying a mandate, which resulted in another appearance ticket…both of which are scheduled for April 12 in Town of Alexander Court.
Lawmakers will be back at the State Capitol today as they continue working on passing a brand new state budget. The April 1st deadline went by without a deal in place, meaning the budget has now been late three years in a row. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office says if the budget isn’t approved by 4:00 this afternoon, paychecks for some state workers could end up being delayed. There are reportedly several issues that still need to be hammered out before a budget agreement is struck including possible changes to the state’s bail reform laws, the temporary suspension of a state tax on gasoline and how much money the state will contribute towards a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills.
The Batavia Police Department needs your help in identifying a person of interest in a larceny, during which a bucket of small liquor bottles was taken. This occurred at Kwik Fill on Sunday, March 27th around 11:30 pm. Anyone with information on the identity of the person is asked to call police at 345-6350; the confidential tip line is 345-6370.
Another recall…A popular brand of antiperspirant is being recalled because it may contain a potentially cancer-causing chemical. It’s the latest such recall involving aerosol health and beauty products in the past few months. Unilever is recalling two versions of Suave 24-hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant. The company said an internal review found unexpected, slightly elevated levels of benzene from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. Benzene can result in cancer, but Unilever said that based on an independent health hazard evaluation, the amounts detected in the recalled antiperspirant would be unlikely to cause health issues. That’s similar to recent recalls involving shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens and other antiperspirants.
District Attorney Kevin Finnell reports that the case against two men accused of stabbing two migrant workers to death at the Blumer Dairy Farm in Alexander last month, has yet to be scheduled for a grand jury presentation. He noted that the investigation is ongoing and both he and the attorneys for the accused are talking about a possible resolution. Prince N.K. Wilson, 23, of Albion and Raul S. Cruz, 18, formerly of Albion and now of Warsaw, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the March 11 stabbing deaths of two men. Elibander Morales, aka Ivan Cruz, 30, and Marceleno Gomez-Hernandez, 29, were both pronounced dead at the scene in a bunkhouse at the farm on Route 98. Investigators have continually been working on the case and have released little information. (Pictured: From left, Prince N.K. Wilson and Raul S. Cruz)
Western New York drivers are handing over just a little bit less cash when it comes time to fill up their vehicles, although gas is still high. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is $4.36. That’s down a penny from last week but is still 57 cents higher than this time one month ago. The state average is $4.33 a gallon while nationally it’s $4.22. In Batavia, the average price per gallon is $4.35; the same as it was yesterday and down one cent from a week ago.
The Buffalo Sabres will continue their four-game home stand tonight as the team looks to get back on the winning track. The Sabres are set to host the Nashville Predators at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off of a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night and are currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with 59 points. Face-off for this evening’s contest is scheduled for 7:00, with a tribute to long-time Sabres play-by-play announcer — Rick Jeanneret – planned just before puck drop.
The U.S. Marshals Service continues their search for a missing child who has been taken on the run by her fugitive mother. 35-year-old Adrienne Grace Marean was charged earlier this month by the Bridgeport Police Department in West Virginia for allegedly violating a Family Court Order. She had been ordered to transfer custody of a minor child last month and is believed to have fled that area with the child. Marshals have focused their efforts in locating the missing child and Marean in the Dunkirk and Fredonia areas in Chautauqua County; however, it’s possible she is somewhere else in the Western New York area. Marean is believed to be driving a gray Toyota Prius with New York license plate, JJR1907. She is described as a white female, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 165 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Marean or the missing child is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Nearly 162,000 pounds of select Skippy peanut butter products are being voluntarily recalled because some of the jars may contain small fragments of stainless steel. Skippy Foods announced the recall Wednesday evening, saying roughly 9,350 cases of three products with specific code dates are affected. The stainless steel fragments are from a piece of manufacturing equipment. According to Skippy, internal detection systems at the manufacturing facility were able to detect the equipment issue. And there have not yet been any reports from consumers about fragments found in the peanut butter. The list of affected products is available on today’s Afternoon News Brief page, by clicking ‘Local News’ under the Local News tab at WBTAi.com.
Legislators unanimously approved all the bids for the new Genesee County Jail project. Companies from Western and Central NY bid for a total of over $57 million dollars, which is 2.7 million dollars less than what was budgeted for the work. The Pike company had solicited the bids and county legislators were satisfied with the answers provided about the project. They are scheduled to break ground on May 9 on land next to County Building 2 on West Main Street Road. Work will take place over 20 months; they hope to be finished by January 2024.
New details are emerging about the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium agreement. Under the memorandum of understanding between the Bills, New York State and Erie County, the Bills will extend their current lease at Highmark Stadium on an annual basis until the new stadium is finished. Any necessary maintenance will be done by Erie County and the Bills, including inspections of the upper deck. The Bills can get out of the lease prior to the end of an extension if the stadium is finished before the end of the extension period, or if all sides agree there’s a health and safety risk at Highmark Stadium.
Geomagnetic storms are in the forecast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center…more simply put, forecasters tell us we may be able to see the Northern Lights here in Western NY. The current storm has a rating of 3, which can make auroras visible as far south as the New York/Pennsylvania state line. The lights may be visible starting as early as 8 p.m. this evening through 5 a.m. tomorrow. Historically for us, auroras tend to show off their colors after midnight and into the wee hours of the morning.
Congressman Chris Jacobs along with NYS Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy held a press conference at a gas station Tuesday morning to call on President Biden to “get out of the way of the American Energy Industry and allow affordable, domestically produced energy to flow to the American People.” Jacobs blamed rising gas and heating costs on the president’s canceling of the Keystone XL pipeline and destructive policies against US Oil production. They also held a voter registration drive at the event.
Officials with the Seneca Nation say they’re releasing casino revenue sharing payments totaling 564-million dollars to New York State. Governor Kathy Hochul says about $418,000,000 dollars from the settlement will go toward the new Buffalo Bills stadium. The move followed hours of deliberations this week. Seneca Nation blames the state for causing restrictions of the accounts used to pay salaries and services. Officials say the state made a move on their bank accounts while Seneca Nation waited for a review of its revenue sharing payments. Nation officials say the move resulted in a freeze of its accounts, but state officials say their move was justified.
It’s less than a week until opening day at Sahlen Field in Buffalo. The Bisons will take on the Iowa Cubs at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5th. This marks the first opening game for the Bisons at Sahlen Field in three years due to pandemic-related changes. This year, fans can enjoy improvements made to the ballpark during that time, and can expect several theme nights planned throughout the season.
50-year-old Brian Beach of Albion has been sentenced in Orleans County Court to 18 months to 3 years in prison, for felony criminal contempt of court. Despite close to 200 charges filed against him for repeated acts of domestic violence over the years, he had avoided state prison because victims in Genesee, Orleans and Livingston counties failed to cooperate with prosecutors…that is, until 2019 when he violated an order of protection. Less than two weeks after his release from prison, he was arrested again and is now presently sentenced to another prison term.
An Attica man now faces many charges after allegedly found sleeping behind the wheel. A complaint came in to Perry police of a suspicious person in a vehicle on Liberty Street there…police allegedly found 32-year-old Ian Prial asleep at the wheel. Further investigation revealed he was driving with a suspended license and showed signs of impairment, which resulted in his failing a field sobriety test. A search of his vehicle also revealed possession of controlled substances and drug-packing paraphernalia. He is scheduled to appear in Village Court on April 12.
The Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service is looking to expand in Genesee County. The non-profit organization was founded in 1987, and is now in need of local volunteers to read for a couple of hours weekly. This service provides blind or sight-impaired individuals access to print materials. For more information or to obtain a free reading radio, become a volunteer and/or donor, go to: 
Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has hired a new director of live racing and racing secretary: Don Hoover was recommended by other individuals involved with racing throughout the state and will replace Todd Haight who retired earlier this month. Hoover will serve from June 1 through December 31. The 2022 harness racing season is expected to resume on July 20.
Governor Hochul has announced the launch of a new website with resources for Ukrainian people and their allies in New York State. The site includes support services, immigration assistance, emotional support, humanitarian aid and information on ways New Yorkers can assist people in need. Hochul said Ukraine’s resilience against Vladimir Putin’s tyranny is an inspiration to the rest of the world, adding the state is proud to provide trusted resources for those who want to lend a helping hand. For more information, visit 
If you’ve driven on or near Park Road in Batavia this week, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the new traffic pattern. Park Road is currently open only to southbound traffic heading toward Lewiston Road. The detour was set up this way so vehicles would go down Veterans Memorial Drive then turn right to get onto Park Road to go north. The construction began Monday with a completion date sometime in November, for a total construction period of about eight months. The project will provide safety improvements to the two-lane road, including:
The Genesee Society of Model Engineers will host the 100th “Great Batavia Train Show” next weekend, Sunday, April 3rd, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’s all happening at the Richard C. Call Arena, Genesee Community College. The train show typically attracts up to 1500 model railroad enthusiasts from across the region. Over 100 vendors will be there offering merchandise ranging from antique railroad artifacts to the most modern digitally controlled model trains. This year the Club will also be hosting the “Batavia Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet” along with the train show. Admission is $6 for Adults, $3 for teens, and kids 12 and under get in free.
A parolee has been indicted in County Court on charges that he strangled a woman to unconsciousness and then attacked her with a boot. 48-year-old Wade Murphy of Clarendon is now facing multiple charges, including second-degree strangulation and unlawful imprisonment. He is accused of attacking the woman last July in Oakfield, while on parole for previous convictions.
The Genesee County Legislature had to change their plans and adjust the budget, when it came to light that the cost of painting road lines has been increased by 25%. This is due to the rising cost of fuel. Last year, the cost was $308 per mile; it’s now $388 per mile. Seneca Pavement Marking is the company with whom the County contracts; Highway Superintendent Tim Hens believes they are getting a good deal. Seneca Pavement has kept their price on specialized marking, such as turn arrows and railroad crossing marks at last year’s cost. Legislators approved the new pricing last night.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office tells us that a North Carolina man was found with an illegal rifle during a search of his vehicle in Le Roy. Over the weekend, deputies say they were investigating a traffic offense on School Road when they found an AR-15 in Michael Jones’ vehicle. The 24-year-old Charlotte man is now facing a number of charges, including criminal possession of an assault weapon, criminal possession of an ammunition-feeding device, as well as having an unregistered vehicle. Jones was arraigned and will be back in court on April 21.
Members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be doing their part to help out people being affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They’ll be holding a benefit concert on April 3rd at 7:30pm at Kleinhans Music Hall. The cost of a ticket will be up to attendees but organizers are requesting a minimum donation of $40 per person. Seats can be purchased at the box office, through the BPO website or by calling 716-885-5000. All proceeds from the show will be given to the Red Cross for their humanitarian relief efforts.
The maker of Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer is taking precautions and voluntarily recalling some of their products. The concern is some bottles were distributed that may contain a bacteria that poses a risk to people with weakened immune systems and may make them more susceptible to infections; however, the bacteria – Pluralibacter- poses minimal risk to healthy people. The recall is for specific lots of 3-ounce and 10-ounce bottles of Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer and the 3-ounce bottles will have UPC 019100109971 for single bottles and 019100267114 for pack of three. On the back of the bottle, printed in black, will be one of these lot codes with the prefix “ZU.”
Governor Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Benjamin are making their case for changes to bail reform laws. They wrote an Op-Ed in the New York Daily News saying the state should make it possible for judges to set bail in all felony cases involving illegal guns since that crime is not currently bail-eligible. They’re also advocating making it possible for judges to set more restrictive pretrial conditions. However, both Hochul and Benjamin emphasize that bail reform laws have been successful and that the data doesn’t suggest they’re the main cause of an increase in violence.
Meanwhile, state Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara believes shutting down the toll stations on the New York State Thruway, will decrease the cost of shipping supplies, tourist travel and commuter travel. However, Thruway Authority Deputy Director of Media Relations, Jonathan Dougherty, believes the user-fee system presently in place ultimately saves money, since they accept no funding from taxpayers. In addition, approximately 1/3 of motorists on the Thruway in the summer months are out of state drivers and allowing them a ‘free pass’ would shift the cost back to state residents. The bill to suspend the tolls will be coming to a vote in a few weeks.
The accusations against 40-year-old Melvin Huntley of Wilkinson Road, Batavia, date back to 2012 and continue through 2021 when he was first arrested. The indictment charges Huntley with repeated acts of sexual abuse with four children, all under 17 and some under age 11. Huntley was first charged on July 8 after a Genesee County Sheriff’s Department investigation in regards to one victim. The investigation continued, resulting in more charges filed against Huntley in September involving three more victims; the grand jury then added more counts. These charges are Class A1 felonies punishable by up to 25 years to life in prison. Huntley, who remains in Genesee County Jail, is scheduled to be arraigned today in Genesee County Court.
An Alexander man, already with many charges against him filed by two different police agencies, now faces a new charge. 27-year-old Anthony Micucci attempted to run away from the police during an escort to Pembroke Town Court. This is considered a Class E felony and punishable by up to 4 years in prison. Previous violations include contempt of court, repeatedly violating orders of protection as well as stalking. He was released after arraignment and is to appear at a later date in Town Court.
The Le Roy Board of Education has unanimously approved Dr. David Russell as the new Jr/Sr High School Principal. He is currently the assistant principal at the Cosgrove Middle School in Spencerport, a position he has held since 2019. Previously he was the principal of the Western Wayne Summer Academy, a Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES program. Dr. Russell was also previously a special education teacher at Sodus Central School District and the True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School. Dr. Russell officially starts on Monday, April 25.
Rochester Regional Health in partnership with Orleans Community Health has opened a new cardiology clinic in Medina. Leading the clinic is Dr. Harry McCrea, a cardiologist with the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute in Brighton. The new clinic is located inside Medina Memorial Hospital. It offers diagnostic testing and referrals for procedures within the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute. Patients who want to visit the clinic should contact their primary care provider first, for a referral. The clinic will serve patients in Orleans and surrounding counties.
Dogs biting or chasing mail carriers is more than just a cliché and the U.S. Postal Service needs your help. Here are some tips for keeping your pet and mail carriers safe: Keep your dog in a separate room with the door closed when packages are being delivered; remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet. The dog may view the carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture. And if a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office or other facility until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained.
It’s that time of year again, time for spring-cleaning. And before throwing anything away, keep in mind that the 2nd Annual Yard Sale for Habitat for Humanity is coming up and they welcome any and all of your donations. Anything from clothes to furniture may be dropped off at 150 State Street and they’ll even come and pick things up for you. The yard sale is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 21st and 22nd from 10-4. If you’d like to find out more about the event or making donations, please call 585-356-4867 or email the organizer of the event at angelinapellegrino@ymail.com
In Pavilion, brand new cars were being transported to dealerships when something went very wrong. The sleeper cab of the tractor-trailer hauling the vehicles caught fire yesterday afternoon around 2:00 on Route 63, just west of the tracks; the driver was not initially aware of this until he got out of the cab. By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, three of the cars were completely or partially on fire and part of the truck exploded. The cause of the fire remains under investigation; however, initial impression was that there were engine problems. No one was hurt.
The former Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism employee, 45-year-old Kelly Ashcraft, has pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny, second-degree forgery, and first-degree falsifying business records. She now faces up to 15 years in prison after admitting she stole a little over $105,000 ($105,024.78) from the agency, forged signatures and failed to make entries in business records as required. Ashcraft has agreed to make restitution, with no promises made of a reduction in sentence. Sentencing is set for June 9th. Ashcraft was arrested in January after an investigation by Warsaw Village Police revealed she had been stealing Chamber funds since 2018.
Over the weekend, a press conference was conducted with area farmers by Congressman Chris Jacobs, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and State Senator Ed Rath. The result from their meeting was that both lawmakers and farmers agree and are calling for Governor Kathy Hochul to reject the state Farm Laborers Wage Board’s decision to lower the overtime threshold from 60 hours to 40 hours per week for farm workers. Advocates for this measure say it will allow fair wages and treatment for farm workers, but farmers say it will push their operations beyond the financial brink. The Farm Laborers Wage Board still hasn’t submitted its final report to State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, who is expected to rule on it within 45 days. Governor Hochul also has not signed the recommendation. The word from her office today was that Ms. Reardon would make he correct choice.
A new report from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office shows there’s been a very slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Western NY region over the last several days. The seven-day average infection rate in the region is now sitting at 2.2%. At this point one week ago, the average infection rate was at 2%. Officials are urging people to take the proper precautions to protect themselves from the virus and to get vaccinated against the illness if they haven’t been already. The governor plans to provide an update on the state’s fight against COVID-19 later today.
The Batavia City Schools budget is over the limit according to the state and must be cut down by more than ¾ of a million dollars. District Superintendent Jason Smith and Business Administrator Scott Rozanski have a plan that includes the following in cost-cutting measures: Combine bussing for middle and high school students; not replacing 4 retiring faculty; obtain a grant for new teacher hires; and not purchase needed busses for the school system. The other option is to approve the budget as it stands and have a community vote to approve a more than 1.62 percent tax levy increase. The School board president, Alice Benedict, said that bussing is a privilege and not a mandate, if they hire new teachers they don’t have to get tenure after 3 years, and that the school board’s goal is to get the tax levy as low as it can be.
A new tax being proposed on ammunition has Assemblyman Steve Hawley protesting. He says that the legislation to add a 2 to 5 cent per round tax on ammo is a violation of the 2nd amendment and puts a onerous burden on New Yorkers. Hawley says that “This latest attempt to stifle criminality by inconveniencing the law-abiding may be the most dangerous we’ve seen in some time.” The proposal includes that money raised by the tax go into a gun violence research program fund.
The HP Hood Company is working through a network disruption and it’s affecting their ability to manufacture products at their plant here in Batavia, located on Ag Park Drive West. The issue will result in delays of deliveries to some of their customers and they’re making progress. They expect to be operational again here in Batavia over the next few days.
The first day of the NCAA Division One men’s basketball tournament has wrapped up, and the number of teams playing in Buffalo has been cut in half. In yesterday’s action at the KeyBank Center, Richmond beat Iowa, Providence defeated South Dakota State, New Mexico State was victorious over UConn and Arkansas held off a challenge from Vermont. The winning teams will play tomorrow with a trip to the Sweet 16 up for grabs. Tickets for those games are still available and can be purchased online.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced this morning that a new family-owned French company, La Fermiere, has plans to construct locally. They have committed to building a $25 million, 45,000 square-foot yogurt and dairy desserts company, at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. It is anticipated this will create up to 135 new jobs in the region. Additionally, they plan to utilize millions of pounds of milk provided by area dairy farmers. La Fermiere had considered many other sites around the country but with the focused support from both the State and its regional economic development partners, they decided to build in Batavia.
According to a review released by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the need at the Batavia VA Medical Center for inpatient medical and surgical care, inpatient mental health care, and residential rehabilitation treatment services is shown to be decreasing, while needs for long-term care and outpatient care is increasing. Our local VA hospital currently offers long-term care, a residential rehabilitation treatment program and outpatient services. However, its primary and specialty care clinic lacks space and having been built in 1932, is not at this time designed to meet modern health care needs or standards. A new facility for outpatient services on the campus of the Batavia VA Medical Center is proposed to help meet the growing and changing needs of the veteran population. Also being proposed, is a planned expansion of residential rehabilitation services in Buffalo and the VA Medical Center here will be expanded to become the region’s post-traumatic stress treatment hub.