Doug Thompson
March 28, 2024 
File photo of the Easter Bunny with golden eggs
A reminder that the annual Batavia Kiwanis Easter egg hunt is this Saturday starting at 9:00am at Centennial Park. There will be 1000’s of eggs and as a bonus; each child that finds a golden egg may redeem it for a chocolate bunny from Oliver’s Candies. The Easter Bunny has been busy assisting the Batavia Kiwanis, and they’re ready to host some family fun this Saturday.
Governor Hochul says she and state lawmakers will not be able to reach a budget agreement ahead of the April 1st deadline. She put out a statement last night and announced she’ll be sending a bill to the Legislature that’ll push the deadline back to April 4th. The governor and lawmakers have been talking for weeks about how to fund the state and both sides are optimistic a deal is close. Much of the debate has involved investments in housing, schools, and health care.
Shawn Jordan
A former Rochester police officer has pleaded guilty to second-degree rape and forcible touching in Ontario County. Prosecutors said Shawn Jordan, now 40, had sex with a 13-year-old girl at his South Bristol home in the summer of 2022. As part of his plea agreement, Jordan admitted to having sex with the girl and touching her “intimate parts” on another occasion. Jordan’s arrest in September came six months after he was accused of exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl in a separate incident in Monroe County. He was charged was disseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child. The case was waived to a grand jury. The Rochester Police Department placed Jordan on paid suspension last March, following his initial arrest, and said he resigned weeks later. Jordan was released after his guilty plea yesterday. Sentencing is scheduled for June 25.
A man has now been indicted in connection with the murder of a teenager in Buffalo. Prosecutors say 21-year-old Avantae Ayala is the person who shot and killed 13-year-old Miracle Hunt near Broadway and Mortimer Street last July. Ayala opened fire towards a large group of people who were standing outside of the Forge Apartments and a bullet hit Hunt in the head. Ayala remains in custody without bail.
Angel Cooper Vause
Angel Cooper Vause, the longtime girlfriend of Raymond Moody, the man who raped and killed Brittanee Drexel of Chili in 2009 while the teenager was on a spring break trip in Myrtle Beach, has herself been arrested on federal charges related to the kidnapping and murder. A federal grand jury has returned indictments against the 56-year-old Vause, on three counts of lying to the FBI. In May 2022, Moody was arrested and told police that he and his girlfriend picked up Brittannee and went someplace to smoke marijuana. While Moody said Vause left the scene prior to his killing Brittannee; Vause’s lies involved her whereabouts and the location of Brittannee’s phone during the commission of the crimes. If convicted Vause faces a long prison term.
ORLEANS COUNTY COURT ACTIONS: 32-year-old Alexander Gelo had been wanted on a warrant following a traffic stop on February 28, 2023 on Ridge Road in the Town of Gaines. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred two weeks prior when Gelo allegedly made threats to physically harm a witness in a criminal proceeding against him. And now Gelo has pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, a charge that carries 3 ½ to 15 years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of stolen property and aggravated harassment. Gelo is being held in the Orleans County Jail without bail until sentencing. ALSO: 31-year-old Garrett Strickland of Medina has been sentenced to six months in the county jail for violating his probation. He admitted he didn’t notify probation of a change in his address to Holley, and also that he missed several probation appointments and consumed alcohol. He was on probation for bail jumping in Genesee County.
Aftermath of crash that injured a Lewiston Police officer
A member of the Lewiston Police Department continues to recover after being hurt while on the job. According to authorities, the officer was involved in a crash yesterday on Military Road in the area of Interstate 190 North. The patrol vehicle struck the back of a tractor-trailer and the impact caused the car to catch fire. The officer went to Erie County Medical Center for treatment of a broken ankle and head injury. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
The Buffalo Sabres have fallen short of picking up a second straight win after suffering a blowout loss at home. Buffalo fell behind five to nothing in the first period and ended up being beaten by the Ottawa Senators six-to-two at KeyBank Center last night. Connor Clifton and JJ Peterka had a goal apiece for the Sabres who are sliding out of contention for a playoff spot. Buffalo’s next game is tomorrow against the New Jersey Devils.
The Buffalo Bisons are preparing for the 139th season of professional baseball in Buffalo with Opening Day set for Friday, March 29 as the Herd hosts the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Sahlen Field. The players will take the field at 2:05.
The Rochester Amerks won their game last night against the Syracuse Crunch; the final score was 2-0. They’ll play the first of two against the Cleveland Monsters in a matinee game on Saturday starting at 3:15; after that, the Amerks will host Cleveland on Wednesday, April 3rd (face-off is at 7:05).
The Rochester Institute of Technology men’s hockey team will be back in action tonight as they try and keep their season alive. The Tigers are set to battle Boston University in an NCAA Tournament game in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This will be the first time ever these programs have gone head to head. Face-off is scheduled for five p-m and the winner advances to play Minnesota or Nebraska-Omaha Saturday.
Mr. Brown
The Jerome Foundation is sponsoring the William F. Brown Jr. Scholarship. The award is given in memory of the late William F. Brown Jr., noted author, broadcaster, and journalist who contributed greatly to the quality of life in Genesee County through his writing, and as a member of numerous community and civic organizations. An annual $1000 scholarship for four years for a total of $4000 given to a deserving Senior graduating from a Genesee County School whose intention is to pursue a career in the field of journalism, marketing, communication or public relations (in print, radio, television or digital media). Applications for the scholarship have been sent to area High School Counselors or can be found at thejeromefoundation.org. Applications are due May 10, 2024 and can be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, New York 14021. If further information is needed, contact Chris Fix at thejeromefoundation@gmail.com.
ELSEWHERE…
Genesis in Buffalo, March 1976
March 28, 1976…Genesis began their first North American tour since Peter Gabriel left the band the previous year. The road trip started in Buffalo. Drummer Phil Collins took over as lead singer.
Most Americans now believe marijuana should be legal. A survey from Pew Research Center found 88% of Americans think cannabis should be legal for recreational or medicinal use. While nearly six out of ten believe it should be legal for both uses, around three out of ten think it should only be legal for medical purposes. About 10% believe it should be outlawed. The survey also revealed that more Americans disagree over the effects of legalizing the drug, with only half believing legalization has a positive economic impact.
Shaun Randall with his date: A cardboard cutout of Taylor Swift. I wonder if he got a kiss goodnight?
A high school freshman in North Dakota had a good time showing off his prom date this past weekend. Shaun Randall was pictured at the prom with his arm around the waist of none other than Taylor Swift. Randall’s mom says his sister bought the life-sized cardboard cutout of the pop icon for her brother as a joke. But Shaun found Swift’s likeness to be a big hit at the dance that added to the fun.
The state Division of Consumer Protection has issued a warning about home improvement scams. The agency says such scams and contractor fraud are one of the top five things it investigates yearly and there are ways for people to protect themselves. They include doing extensive research before hiring someone and getting at least three estimates before making a final decision. Also, have a contract detailing the kind of work you want done, the contractors’ contact information and a detailed pricing breakdown.
Starting today, a major change to New York State’s Move Over law will be going into effect. Drivers are now required to slow down and move over to avoid colliding with all vehicles that are stopped along a roadway. The goal is to prevent travelers, pedestrians, highway workers and first responders from being hurt. The law has been in place since 2010 and data shows that nationally, nearly 300 people are struck and killed roadside each year.
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is offering a timely reminder for taxpayers. The fastest and easiest way to file tax returns, check refund status and receive money as quickly as possible, is to combine electronic filing and direct deposit into your account. Many state residents quality to e-file for free with the Direct File and Free File programs; find out more by visiting tax.ny.gov.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley has joined his colleagues in the State Assembly to call for an independent and public review of the state’s COVID response. On March 7th, 2020, former Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency, which shut down the state for over a year. And it was four years ago yesterday, that Cuomo decided to have Covid-positive patients stay in nursing homes. Overall, during the pandemic, approximately 80,000 New Yorkers died and many businesses struggled. In May 2022, Governor Hochul called for a study of the state’s pandemic response; however, the final report is not yet available.
Medical residents at the University at Buffalo are giving people the chance to get their eyesight checked following the upcoming solar eclipse. A clinic is happening on April 8th and it will run from 4:00pm until 9:00pm at the UBMD Opthalmology/Ross Eye Institute on Main Street in Buffalo. Viewing the eclipse without the proper protection might lead to eye injuries and the school wants to make sure any problems are caught early so they can be treated. Walk-in appointments will be accepted.
The Amerks are in Syracuse tonight to take on the Crunch. They won their last game on Sunday at home against Utica, 4-1.
The New York judge presiding over Donald Trump’s upcoming hush money trial is imposing a gag order on the former president. The order prohibits Trump from publicly commenting on witnesses, prosecutors and court staff. The move comes as the former president’s trial is scheduled to begin on April 15th. Trump pleaded not guilty last year for allegedly covering up $130,000 in hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
48-year-old James Briggs of Batavia has been arrested and charged with petit larceny. This followed an investigation of a theft complaint at Walmart. It’s alleged Briggs stole merchandise from the store and then passed all points of sale. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Batavia Court on April 9th. ALSO: 46-year-old Jennifer McCoy of Attica has been arrested. She’s charged with grand larceny and unlawful possession of personal identification information. The arrest occurred following investigation into an incident that previously occurred in Oakfield. It’s alleged that McCoy stole $2,800. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due back in Oakfield Town Court on May 6th. ALSO: 34-year-old Thomas Mitchell of Batavia has been arrested by Genesee County Sheriffs. He is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without inspection certificate. Thomas’s vehicle was stopped for traffic violations last Friday in Bergen. Following investigation, it’s alleged that he was in possession of a controlled substance. Thomas was released with an appearance ticket and scheduled to return to the Town of Bergen Court on April 10th.
The Buffalo Police Department has released more information on threats that were made against multiple schools in the city. A message claiming that schools would be shot up was posted on Instagram by a 15-year-old boy; the teen also allegedly created the post in an attempt to make it look like it was coming from someone who was being bullied. The boy has been arrested and officials don’t believe the threats were credible.
55-year-old Melanie Armstrong of Rochester has pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving national emergency benefits, filing false claims against a government agency, and transfer of a means of identification. Between July 2020 and August 2021, Armstrong falsely applied for and collected unemployment benefits while falsely representing that she had no other source of income. Armstrong also filed false tax returns with the IRS for herself along with family members and associates; claiming false and inflated wages and federal income tax withholdings. As a result, the IRS issued tax refunds to her and others totaling over $100,000. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
The Buffalo Sabres start a five-game home stand tomorrow evening; they’ll host the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Face-off is at 7:00. The Amerks travel to Syracuse for a game tomorrow.
On 3/14/2024, Trevor N Christman (age 33) of Batavia, was charged with Exposure of a Person. It’s alleged that Christman exposed himself, in a public place. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court, on 3/26/2024.
Governor Hochul says a new effort is getting underway to help New Yorkers who struggle with serious mental illness. She says $92 million is going towards assisting Critical Time Intervention teams, which provide support for individuals in need. And $10 million will be used to create additional Safe Options Support teams that focus on young adults and children. The governor says the mental health crisis is the defining challenge of our time and all available resources will be used to address it.
The solar eclipse is just over two weeks away, and Wegmans has announced it’ll be shutting its stores briefly during the event. The Rochester-based supermarket chain will close from 3:00pm until 3:30pm on April 8th. That means grocery, pharmacy, and meal services will be unavailable during that time. Wegmans says it is making this move so that employees and customers can take time to enjoy the eclipse.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent homicide. The victim has been identified as 59-year-old Michael Poole of Olcott. The victim was located Tuesday afternoon, March 19th in the town of Alabama, during the investigation into a missing person out of Niagara County. No further details are being released at this time.
A Buffalo man is in serious trouble with the law after being accused of hurting a New York State Trooper. The incident involving 29-year-old Antonio Tucker started Tuesday when law enforcement pulled him over for a traffic stop in Lockport. He was asked to get out of the vehicle but instead put it into drive and dragged the Trooper about 15 feet. Tucker was eventually taken into custody following a pursuit that ended in Genesee County. He’s charged with multiple crimes including reckless endangerment and assault.
Budget negotiations continue in Albany today between state lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul. April First is the budget deadline and between now and then lawmakers and the governor will hash out a number of items including whether to raise taxes, the amount allocated to schools and how much to put toward the migrant crisis.
The U.S. is no longer in the top 20 happiest countries in the world. It’s the first time that’s happened since rankings were started by Gallup back in 2012. Americans are now 23rd on the list. Happiness has fallen among all age groups, but particularly those under age 30, thanks in part to unaffordable housing and a growing sense of loneliness. Nordic countries top the list, with Finland at number one.
66-year-old Vincenne Mendrysa of Batavia has been arrested and charged with criminal contempt and falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement. Mendrysa was held in Genesee County Jail for CAP Court arraignment.
There are many differing thoughts on the New York Heat Act, which would give more authority over the gas industry to the Public Service Commission. The bill would impose a 6% cap for low-to-moderate income customers and end ratepayer subsidies for natural gas expansion. However, the bill does not have universal support: Senator Borrello believes, if affordability for residents is the purpose of the bill, that the state can do more to make New York more affordable. The state budget deadline is April 1.
Today the Jackson Street water project will continue from Ellicott to Main Streets. Loss of water should be expected in this area and possible nearby areas, depending on which valve closures are needed. If discolored water occurs once water pressure is regained, it is best to avoid doing laundry or cook until the water runs clear.
28-year-old Anthony Gabri of Rochester has been arrested in LeRoy. He is charged with criminal impersonation of a public servant and for having a non-transparent front windshield. This followed a traffic stop, during which it was found that Gabri was wearing the badge of a Village of East Rochester Constable and outer carrier tactical vest commonly used to carry body armor, on his way to Batavia to serve paperwork for his privately owned business and not under the direction of the Town of East Rochester. Gabri was issued an appearance ticket for Town of LeRoy Court on April 9th.
A State Supreme Court judge in Erie County has made the decision that a civil lawsuit brought on by the families of the victims of the May 14 mass shooting in Buffalo against social media companies can go forward. The decision yesterday struck down the motions of seven social media platforms to dismiss the lawsuit, which contends teenage gunman Payton Gendron, through his use of social media, became exposed to racist ideology, and radicalized to the point of executing a plot to seek to kill Black people. They further contend that the social media companies bear some responsibility for that. The decision, which allows the lawsuit to proceed, could lead to the first time a platform is held liable for a mass shooting.
Updated data from the state shows the spread of the flu is rising once again in our region. During the week ending March 9th, the area with the highest number of infections was Erie County with 531, followed by Monroe County with 468. Niagara County reported 117 cases of the flu and Chautauqua County, 108. Doctors say it’s not too late for people to get vaccinated against the flu; more information is available at 
56-year-old Mark McWethy of Batavia has been arrested. He’s charged with traffic violations and criminal possession of a controlled substance. This followed a traffic stop during which he was found to be in possession of cocaine. McWethy was released on appearance tickets, and scheduled for Batavia City Court on March 28th.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department has issued a warning to residents across our region about an ongoing scam. Deputies say people have been going door-to-door and claiming to be from the Department of Social Services. They then go on to offer free tablets and cell phones to residents in exchange for personal data like social security numbers. The sheriff’s department says the Department of Social Services doesn’t conduct business this way and anyone who is approached by a scammer should report what happened immediately.
According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.47. The state average is a dime less at $3.37. In Batavia, the average price figures out to $3.25, which has been holding steady for the last week or so; it’s a penny higher than a month ago but 12 cents lower than a year ago today.
People are on the move…that’s what the latest data estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest. For example, Orleans County is down 1,233 people since the April 2020 census, which represents one of the biggest percentage declines in population in New York State. Genesee County’s total population has decreased by 859 people in four years (down 1.47%). Wyoming County shows a decrease of nearly 1000 people, which represents a 2.46% decline of their population; Livingston County had only a 1% decrease in population. New York State overall has over 630,000 fewer people that consider themselves residents since 2020, which represents a 3.12% decrease.
With a lot of people heading out to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, police statewide are going to be keeping a very close eye out for drunk drivers. Travelers can expect to see increased patrols on the roads that will begin today and run through Sunday. Folks who are planning to drink alcoholic beverages are urged to make sure they have a safe ride home. Anyone who sees suspicious or dangerous activity while they’re driving should dial 911.
The Buffalo Sabres are still on a roll after picking up their third victory in a row. Zach Benson scored twice while Dylan Cozens and Victor Olofsson had a goal each as the Sabres beat the New York Islanders 4-0 at KeyBank Center last night. Buffalo goaltender Ukka Pekka Luukkonen earned a shutout after stopping all 21 shots that he faced in the contest. The Sabres travel to Detroit for a game tomorrow afternoon against the Red Wings.
A new study shows the most effective exercises to lower blood pressure. Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that exercises that engage muscles without rigorous movement are best to prevent and treat hypertension. That includes wall squats or planks. Studies have typically shown that aerobic or cardio exercises are best for treating high blood pressure, but this new study could help develop new exercise guidelines to prevent hypertension.
Spending at retailers is rebounding while gas prices are on the rise. Retail sales at stores in the U.S. went up .6% in February from the previous month. That’s up from January’s over 1% decline, according to the Commerce Department. But sales last month were up across most categories, mostly at home improvement stores where they jumped by over 2%.
Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day. Named for the patron saint of Ireland, March 17th is the day St. Patrick is believed to have died around 490 A.D. There are many legends about him including that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts. American cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants staged the most extensive celebrations and elaborate parades. Boston held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762. Many cities across the U.S. joined and added traditions of their own including Chicago, which has been dying its river green since 1962 to mark the holiday.
A 21-year-old Medina man has pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sexual act. When he was 15 or 16, he engaged in contact with an 8-year-old girl. The victim did not disclose the incident until several years later. The man could face state prison or he could be sentenced as a youthful offender and get probation. If he is determined to be a youthful offender, his name would not be disclosed publicly.
Governor Hochul placed the blame of the ongoing migrant crisis on Republicans, and former President Trump during an appearance on The View. Governor Hochul said there are jobs available everywhere for migrants, but there needs to be a legal path for undocumented immigrants to get those jobs. Hochul, calling the crisis a federal problem, said the state needs federal money. She placed the blame on Republicans in congress that held up voting, and ultimately voted against federal aid for the Migrant Crisis for states like New York who she says acted at the behest of former President Trump.
The latest data from the state shows the spread of the flu virus remains high across our region. During the week ending March 2nd, Erie County led the area in infections with 531; next was Monroe County with469. Niagara County reported 133; Ontario County, 82 and Genesee County had 50 infections. Since the start of the flu season in October, over 320,000 state residents have tested positive for the illness.
Starting today, Buffalo Bills fans will have the chance to get an interactive preview of the new Highmark Stadium. The Bills Stadium Experience is going to be open at the Walker Center Plaza on Main Street in Williamsville. The exhibit can only be seen by season ticket holders, and the Bills are asking people to be patient as they work on getting everyone in as soon as possible. The new stadium in Orchard Park is expected to be ready for the 2026 season.
Inflation was up again in February, slightly higher than analysts were predicting. The consumer price index, a measure of the cost of goods and services, was up .4% for the month and 3.2% from the same time last year. The numbers are down from the recent peak of inflation in 2022, but still off of the Federal Reserve’s goal of a 2% rate. It likely means the Fed will continue to hold off lowering interest rates.
It’s been four years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and America and the world shut down. In New Jersey, state health officials announced the first recorded COVID death was on March 10th of 2020, with the total number of cases reaching 15. According to the CDC, hundreds of New Yorkers were already dying from COVID each day and hospitals were overflowing with COVID-19 patients. This year, COVID deaths and hospitalizations have dropped dramatically. So much so, that earlier this month the CDC rescinded its recommendation that those who test positive for COVID isolate for five days.
Officials with Warsaw-based Five Star Bank are currently looking into alleged fraudulent activity by a business customer. The bank says it recently discovered the fraud that occurred during multiple business transactions that happened over several days before ending earlier this month. The fraud could end up amounting to an exposure of almost $19 million. Five Star is working with law enforcement in connection with this matter.
The Diocese of Buffalo is putting its headquarters on Main Street up for sale. The nearly 10-million-dollar listing price includes that building as well as two others, a parking garage and two parking lots. When the headquarters was first built back in 1985, there were nearly 300 employees in the building, but that number has now dropped below 90. In recent weeks, the Diocese has also announced plans to shut down three churches in the region.
New details are being released after a young boy was found locked inside a Columbus area Target store. Police say an employee found a 12-year-old boy Monday morning as they opened the store on East Broad Street near Reynoldsburg. Police say the boy’s parents had filed a missing persons report on Sunday. An investigation into how the boy went undetected during the store’s closing is ongoing.
It’s expected to be a big day at the State Capitol as each chamber of the legislature introduces their one-house budget proposals. Governor Hochul is calling for over 230-billion-dollars to be spent in the next fiscal year, and these proposals will provide an outline of what needs be debated ahead of the budget deadline. Some of the big issues will likely be things like housing, health care, and school aid. In order to be on time, the budget must be passed by April 1st.
Prices at the gas pumps appear to be holding steady. According to Triple A this morning, the national average price for a gallon of regular fuel is $3.40. The state average is $3.34. In Batavia, the average figures out to $3.25, that’s down a penny from a month ago and down 11 cents from a year ago today.
A Jamestown father is now in trouble with the law after being arrested for child endangerment. Officers were called UPMC on Friday night and an investigation revealed that 21-year-old Elijah McBride allegedly allowed his one-year-old son to consume marijuana. While the child was being treated, McBride took the boy from the hospital, but returned a short time later. After being taken into custody, McBride was sent to the Jamestown City Jail.
Governor Kathy Hochul says New York State is back, and she’s touting the state’s full economic recovery from the pandemic. Newly released State Labor Department data shows a total statewide private-sector job count of over 8.3 million jobs, the highest level on record. The Labor Department reported 100% recovery of private sector jobs in New York, gaining 47,000 jobs in January 2024 within key sectors like Private Education, Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Professional. Overall, the state has recovered 1.9 million private-sector jobs since April 2020 when statewide jobs reached a 30-year low of just 6.4 million jobs.
It’s now less than a month to go before a total solar eclipse will cross North America. On April 8th, people in 15 states will be able to see the moon almost totally cover the sun, casting a shadow over it and creating the effect of a fiery ring in the sky. Some of the states in the path are Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio, New York and Maine. Skies will temporarily darken in the path of totality, but in all other states in the U.S., viewers will be able to see a partial solar eclipse with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun.
When most people in America move the clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time, hospitals report a 24% spike in heart attack visits on the ensuing Monday, which is today. The exact reason isn’t clear, but experts think the lost hour of sleep plays a big role, disrupting the body’s natural rhythm. While a bit late for this year, one way to combat the change is to start going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier, two to three days before the change.
Tuesday marks equal payday. It’s the date that symbolizes how far into the year that women have to work to earn what men earned in the previous year. The Labor Department says women in the U.S. earned about 20% less than men on average last year.
An investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found Thursday in a Niagara County field. Town of Niagara Police were called around 4:30 yesterday afternoon to the 3000 block of Rhode Island Avenue, near Hyde Park Road and Lockport Boulevard. That’s where someone reported an unresponsive man lying in a field. Officers said the man, believed to be in his 50s, was dead at the scene. The man’s name is being withheld by police, who are in the process of notifying family members. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigation unit and Niagara Active Hose Fire Co. assisted at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
A bill that could ban TikTok is advancing out of committee. The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance the bipartisan bill. It would require the popular social media app’s China-based parent company ByteDance to divest the app. Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher and Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced the “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” earlier this week. If the bill gets passed into law, ByteDance would then have about five months to sell TikTok before the ban goes into effect.
The Bills are moving on from several veteran players ahead of free agency. Buffalo released Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Mitch Morse on Wednesday. The team saves about $36 million in cap space with the moves. White was selected in the first round by Buffalo in the 2017 draft and went to a pair of Pro Bowls. Poyer spent the last seven seasons with the Bills after arriving from the Cleveland Browns and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2022. Morse is considered a top-end center, especially in pass blocking. He also got a Pro Bowl nod in ’22 and started 77 games in Buffalo over five seasons after coming over from Kansas City.
The solar eclipse is just over a month away, and the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport is offering a unique experience. Aircraft can be rented for April 8th so people can take part in the Fly-by-Night event that will allow them to see the eclipse from the sky. There will also be vendors in attendance and a DJ. It’s expected thousands of people will come to the county for the eclipse. The rest of the state is also prepping for next month’s extremely rare total solar eclipse. Governor Hochul announced a range of activities and events at state parks and historic sites to celebrate the eclipse passing through Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Adirondacks April 8th. Events will be held both where the eclipse will be fully visible, the so-called path of totality, and also statewide areas where visitors can catch a rare partial eclipse. Beginning this week sites will offer projects like DIY pinhole eclipse viewer construction with educational programs on solar system science in the ramp up to actual viewing events complete with safety solar viewing glasses distribution.
Oscar Mayer is coming out with plant-based hot dogs and sausages. The company announced their NotHotDogs and NotSausages will hit the shelves later this year. It’s a joint venture between their parent company Kraft Heinz and TheNotCompany, a food-tech company backed by Jeff Bezos. The company told NBC News the plant-based options are made of bamboo fiber, mushroom, pea protein, and acerola cherry.
Tomorrow Batavia City Schools will be conducting a required “Emergency Go Home Drill” for all students except those who are in placements outside the district. The drill is designed to test their response system in the event of an actual emergency. So this means for tomorrow only, students will be dismissed 15 minutes earlier than usual.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 59-year-old Lebert Cleveland of Lancaster, died following a one-vehicle crash in the Town of Yates. Preliminary investigation indicates that on Monday, a tractor-trailer was traveling southbound on County Line Road, when it left the east shoulder of the roadway, coming to rest in the front lawn of a residence. Upon first responders arrival, they found Cleveland unconscious behind the wheel; he was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Internal Revenue Service is testing out a brand-new free tax program in the Empire State. It is called Direct File and is similar to tax filing software like TurboTax. It’ll be available to users in all 12 pilot states, including New York, beginning on March 12th. But, it’ll only be able to help people who have certain tax situations. Folks who want to see if they’re eligible can do so by visiting 
The federal government says free COVID-19 tests and free Pfizer Paxlovid antiviral medication are ending. The USPS distribution is set to end Friday, March 8th because the virus has slowed considerably. Officials say they have delivered over 1.8 billion free COVID-19 tests to the American people and they could return in the future if the need arises. All pandemic-era doses of Paxlovid are also scheduled to stop being dispensed by pharmacies Friday, following a decision earlier this year by the FDA. You can still get free COVID-19 tests through the National Institutes of Health program called ‘Home Test to Treat.’
The iconic New Jersey restaurant booth featured in HBO’s Sopranos’ finale has brought big bucks at auction. You know the booth, the burgundy one with the yellow formica top where Tony Soprano sat with his family before the screen suddenly went black in 2007. Holsten’s in Bloomfield put the booth up for auction on eBay last week, hoping to get $10,000. But the booth, the divider and plaque that reads, “Reserved for the Sopranos,” went for more than $82,000. More than enough to pay for Holsten’s planned renovations, the reason a lucky buyer is getting a piece of TV history.
Two separate crashes on the Thruway just a quarter of a mile apart left one driver needing to be airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital. As of this morning, the driver remains in critical condition. State Police say the collision happened yesterday when that driver rear-ended a tractor-trailer on the highway eastbound at mile-marker 387.2. The other accident occurred at mile-marker 387. A rolled-over tractor-trailer hauling bags of dirt blocked all of the eastbound lanes. The driver of the tractor-trailer was initially trapped, and once freed from the vehicle, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Both lanes of the road were closed between Exit 48 and Exit 47 for several hours. The cause of the accidents continue to be investigated.
The owner of The Groove Lounge in Buffalo is in trouble with the law after being taken into custody on drug charges. Erie County Sheriff John Garcia says 59-year-old Michael Jackson ended up being charged on Friday. Jackson and 38-year-old Antonio Broadus are accused of being involved in drug distribution in Buffalo and throughout the county. Both men are currently in the Erie County Holding Center.
Organizers of the Lilac Festival in Rochester have unveiled part of the musical lineup for this year’s event. Among the artists scheduled to perform include Rochester-native Danielle Ponder as well as other acts such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Skycoasters and Ghost-Note. The festival starts May 10th at Highland Park and runs through May 19th. For additional details, head to 
The Department of Environmental Conservation has revealed when its statewide burn ban will be going into effect. Starting March 16th, the burning of residential brush will be prohibited until May 14th. Because the winter has been drier than usual in most spots, officials say there’s an increased risk of wildfires during the spring. Anyone who is caught violating the ban could face charges and a fine of at least $500.
A Cheektowaga resident says she was almost kidnapped after getting home from a bar early Saturday morning. The woman managed to escape the man after he forced her into his SUV. When Kelly left the bar Lucky Day in downtown Buffalo, she says she had no idea someone could be following her. The 26-year-old says she tries to always be aware of her surroundings. But she was not expecting a stranger to be waiting for her in her driveway. Kelly says the man forced himself on her and she pushed him away. He then grabbed onto her arm and dragged her to his SUV. She put up a fight, scratching and hitting the man. At one point when the man hit the brakes, he also unlocked the doors. She made a run for it. Kelly still had her phone with her and called her parents, who then took her to file a report with Cheektowaga police. The investigation into the incident continues.
According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.36. The state average, usually a little higher, is now a little bit lower at $3.32. In Batavia, the average price calculates out to $3.25 per gallon, that’s up a penny from yesterday; two cents from a week ago, but down a dime from a year ago today. By the way, this recent slight increase appears to have resulted from higher crude oil prices.
Governor Hochul is touting New York State’s thriving maple industry. She’s encouraging New Yorkers to support their local maple producers during this Maple Month. There are upcoming Maple Weekends events and activities March 16th – 17th and March 23rd – 24th when maple farms across the state welcome the public with a chance to taste pure maple syrup from the source and experience the unique family tradition of maple syrup making. New York continues to rank second in the nation in maple production and is also home to the largest resource of tappable maple trees in the US.
Alcohol-related deaths surged during the pandemic. That’s according to numbers from the CDC, which found that there were over 480 deaths per day from excessive drinking in the U.S. during the height of the pandemic. Officials say social isolation, stress, and delays in getting medical care could have been a factor. Alcohol carryout and home deliveries were also more available, officials added. The CDC says the spike in deaths could give states a reason to make alcohol less accessible.
Smoking weed frequently could lead to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. That’s according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association led by UCSF researchers and funded by the National Institutes of Health. If you use cannabis daily, predominately by smoking it, you may increase your risk of heart attack by 25% and stroke by 42%. If you dabble weekly, the risk drops but you’re still putting your heart and brain health on the line according to the analysis. Smoking weekly, you’re at a 3% higher risk for heart attack and a 5% higher risk for stroke. It’s unclear whether there is a direct causation between smoking marijuana and heart attacks and stroke, but this is one of the largest studies to show a connection between marijuana use and cardiovascular health.
The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots keep growing and have combined to surpass the $1 billion mark. The top prize up for grabs in Mega Millions tonight is $607 million. And whoever is lucky enough to match all six winning numbers for Powerball tomorrow will get at least $443 million. Both drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
Occasionally, the Rochester Amerks take the ice to celebrate inclusivity. And they did just that yesterday; they hosted the Syracuse Crunch for the team’s fourth-ever sensory-friendly game. Anyone who has been to a hockey game knows that it can get loud. From the music to the crowds to the loud goal horn, the atmosphere can be overwhelming for people with autism. So, the Amerks occasionally host these sensory-friendly nights, turning down the music levels, and turning off the goal horn and flashing lights. Amerks head coach Seth Appert says when he was a college coach; his team was one of the first to create a sensory-friendly night. It’s something he feels can bring all hockey families together. There’s also a sensory-friendly room at the Blue Cross Arena, where families can go to explore different calming toys and activities during events.
Folks who are in the market for new vehicle should definitely check out an event in Rochester that begins today. The Rochester Auto Show is happening at the Floreano Convention Center through Sunday. There will be a variety of cars, SUVs and trucks on display and representatives will be on hand to help people find the perfect vehicle. For more information, head to 
Today is February 29th, an event that only happens once every four years. It’s leap day, an extra day added to the calendar every fourth February to keep our seasons from getting out of whack. Everyone knows a year is 365 days long but that’s not exactly accurate. It actually takes the Earth about 365 and one-quarter days to travel around the sun. To keep the extra time from throwing things off, the Romans decided a couple thousand years ago to add an extra day every four years. The Pope made some slight adjustments in the 1500s but Leap Years have stayed with us ever since.
On February 29, 1968, The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was awarded Album Of The Year at the tenth Grammy Awards. Having shipped over 32-million copies worldwide, the album is considered one of the most influential and famous rock albums of all time.
The latest data shows that the spread of the flu is still a problem across our region. During the week ending February 17th, Monroe County led the area in cases with 509; Erie County had 410. That was followed by Niagara County with 136 cases of the flu and Livingston County with 84. Doctors are still advocating that anyone who has yet to receive their flu shot should get one immediately.
If you’re traveling in the direction of Rochester and points east today, please keep in mind there is a high wind warning in effect there from 2:00 this afternoon through 7:00am tomorrow. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, so please do be careful if you must drive through that area; travel may be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Nearly $6 million in federal funding will be used to curb cyber attacks in New York State. Governor Hochul says the Cybersecurity Grant Program will expand access to cybersecurity information, tools, resources and services so local municipalities have access to the most sophisticated cyber defenses. The money comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. During the first year, the program will focus on implementing multi-factor authentication and cybersecurity training for local governments.
31-year-old Damon Singleton-Spencer of Lockport has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. This followed an investigation into a report that an individual had uploaded 184 files of suspected inappropriate images to a cloud storage application. They were later traced to Perez, who had been previously convicted for Endangering the Welfare of Child. If convicted of the new charges, Perez faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The City of Batavia Police competed against the City of Batavia Firefighters in the Battle of Badges charity hockey game. Last year, the event raised more than $3000 for the David McCarthy Memorial Foundation, which helps families in the community. Yesterday, City Police won the game for the second consecutive year, with a final score of 11-4.
According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.26. The state average is $3.30. Currently in Batavia, our average price figures out to $3.23; that’s the same as it was a week ago, down a nickel from a month ago and 14 cents lower than it was a year ago today.
The deadline to apply for the upcoming New York State Trooper entrance exam is just days away. Applications are being accepted through March 4th and the final day to take the actual test is on March 17th. Some of the qualifications to be a Trooper include being a United States citizen, being between 20 and 34 years old and having a high school diploma. The starting salary for a Trooper is over $59,000 a year.
AT&T is going to provide customers affected by Thursday’s network outage a $5 credit. In a statement on its website, the cellular provider said that customers will receive it within two billing cycles. AT&T says a software update is to blame. The service disruption started early Thursday, and was a major headache for many, with phone services limited. GPS maps failed and some 9-1-1 calls did not go through. AT&T serves more than 100 million customers, according to the company’s website.
The latest data from the United States Drought Monitor indicate that the entire GLOW region continues to experience moderate drought conditions. This encompasses roughly 15% of Genesee County (portions of LeRoy and Bethany) and a little over 14% of Wyoming County (including Covington). All of Orleans County continues to be classified as abnormally dry.
Fire investigators have now determined the McKinley Avenue fire started in a downstairs bedroom in the area of a mattress. However, the cause is still unknown. There were also non-working fire hydrants near the residence; the exact cause of the damage to the hydrants is unknown, but could be related to a wide variety of reasons. Both the fire and water departments ask that you report a fire hydrant if you see is not in good repair.
Registration for Batavia Youth Baseball for the 2024 season is underway. Any youth ages 4 – 12 interested in playing baseball can register and scholarships are available. You have until March 2nd; go to 
A new tool is now protecting low-income New Yorkers from losing access to their government assistance funds. An Electronic Benefits Transfer lock and unlock tool is available on the ConnectEBT app. It’ll allow people to prevent unwanted access to their EBT cards by scammers who may want to drain funds from their account. People can also take steps to protect their cards such as changing the PIN number frequently and checking often for unauthorized charges.
Members of the Rochester City Council have requested that a recall be issued for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The council is calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to take action and help fix a design flaw that makes it easy for criminals to steal those vehicle models. Several of those vehicles have been taken throughout our region in the last few months. The NHTSA put out a statement saying it will continue to monitor this issue and work to strengthen motor vehicle safety.
Officials at Niagara County Community College have announced the school is now going to be known by a different name. It has been officially re-branded as SUNY Niagara as part of an initiative that began in 2022. The school president says this change is not just about a new name and logo, it’s also about renewing a commitment to people in Niagara County and surrounding areas. A re-branding campaign will be launched and feature updated signage and new television ads.
The Biden administration is canceling $1.2 billion in student loan debt for more than 150,000 borrowers. While delivering remarks in California on Wednesday, the president said student loan payments have become too burdensome for millions of Americans. The move is the administration’s latest effort at student debt relief after the Supreme Court blocked Biden’s broader forgiveness plan last year. The White House has since used smaller programs to forgive debt for specific groups. The most recent relief will go to borrowers who have been in repayment for a decade or longer and originally took out $12,000 or less.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo is looking for people to join its free Home Visitation and Friendly Phones program in both Genesee and Orleans Counties. You would either visit in person or make phone calls to individuals who are homebound and 60 and over. These would be 1-hour weekly visits to help fight loneliness and provide opportunities for socialization. As a volunteer, you would engage in friendly conversation and partake in activities such as board games, puzzles, and crafts but would not be providing assistance with personal or medical care, banking, shopping or transportation. To find out more, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614.
The Florida Senate is expected to take up a social media ban for kids Wednesday. The measure would prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from creating an account and require platforms to delete existing profiles run by minors. Lawmakers revamped it last week to specify which platforms are being targeted. Governor Ron DeSantis has not publicly supported the legislation, saying it’s “to be determined” whether he will sign it, if it passes the state legislature. The current session is set to wrap up early next month.
“Mean Girls” has surpassed $100 million at the global box office. The movie musical has made over $101 million worldwide after six weeks of release, including more than $71 million in North America. “Mean Girls” held the number one spot at the domestic box office for three weeks in a row after it was released on January 12th. The film was initially slated to debut on Paramount-plus, but after test screenings, the film was moved to a theatrical release.