Local News

Police in Western New York are investigating alleged “swatting” incidents at some local schools.  Thursday morning New York State police released a statement on social media that said it was aware of swatting incidents across the state and continued on to say “all of the reports are unfounded. We are working alongside our federal & local partners to investigate the threats.”  Swatting is when someone calls the police to say there is an event happening that requires police to intervene such as a dangerous situation or threat.  Dozens of school districts including Olean, Lockport, South Park, Jamestown, Silver Creek, Salamanca, Brockport, Brighton and many more had calls saying there were bombs or active shooters.  All reports were investigated although schools were not evacuated.  None of the calls was an actual threat.  One report said that the calls may have come from a Russian call center but that report has not been substantiated.  These incidents are dangerous because they take police away from necessary law enforcement but also create a “boy who cried wolf situation with the schools”.  Police and the FBI are investigating and say they will take every threat seriously.

The City of Buffalo announced it has filed a lawsuit against Kia America, Inc. and Hyundai Motor America.  According to the city, it intends to join other cities such as Seattle, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, St. Louis, Madison, and Milwaukee in multidistrict litigation that “seeks to hold Kia and Hyundai accountable for placing profits over safety and manufacturing, distributing, and marketing cars that are dangerously easy to steal.”  The city said thefts of Kias and Hyundais have jumped significantly in Buffalo, increasing over 2,000% in January 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. In addition, in the last three months, they have made up between 57% and 67% of all vehicle thefts in Buffalo.

After a video of him went viral a 65 year old man has been charged with disorderly conduct and harassment over racist comments he made in an Aldi parking lot in Cheektowaga.  Police say an argument started over a door ding and escalated into a racist tirade where Richard Stasiak used several racist epitaphs.  Stasiak is scheduled to return in July for further proceedings and was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. The district attorney’s office said if convicted of the highest charge, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.  A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.

Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin and his family met with President Biden Thursday.  Biden said that Hamlin represented courage, resilience and spirit and was an inspiration to the American people. He applauded Hamlin turning recovery into action and said he was honored to meet him and his family.  Hamlin responded in a tweet and said:  “It was a pleasure & an honor meeting you today. I know your time is precious and I wouldn’t waste a second of it! Our conversations were valuable.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal of a multi-year tuition hike for SUNY and CUNY schools could cost students thousands.  Currently the average annual tuition for SUNY schools is $8,550 per year, the 8th lowest in the country and 22% below the national tuition average.  Hochul’s Executive Budget calls for annual tuition increases of 3% percent annually, for both CUNY and SUNY campuses, for five years. Large research universities would be able to raise base tuition by 6% each year for the next five years, with a cap at 30 percent above the base rate for in-state students. The tuition plan is estimated to provide $97 million in new operating support to SUNY.  Senators on both sides of the aisle are against the increase.  The state senate’s budget intentionally omits the governor’s executive proposal to increase tuition at SUNY and CUNY.

St Paul Lutheran Church and School and the Corfu Fire Department are both having a fundraiser Chicken BBQ on Sunday.  The bbq in Corfu starts at noon and goes till they run out of chicken and costs 12 dollars.  Tickets for the St Paul fundraiser dinner can be bought in advance at the Church office.  They are 14 dollars a dinner.

30-year-old Chandah Sundown of Batavia has pled guilty in Town Court to Disorderly Conduct, in connection to welfare fraud charges. The original charge was 11 counts of filing a false instrument and one count of grand larceny after failing to report that the father of her children was also residing in the home and earning income. Sundown was given a one-year conditional discharge and has made full restitution of $8,353.

41-year-old Beth Ann Jeffers has been indicted on multiple felonies, including two counts of promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance. She is accused of introducing or being in possession of contraband while in the Genesee County Jail, including cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to sell.

Congresswoman Tenney

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will be at the Old Courthouse (7 Main Street) in Batavia next Tuesday, April 4th, starting at 10:00am for a roundtable discussion with the agricultural community. She wants to hear from farmers about their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. Every five years, Congress passes Farm Bill legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation and forestry policies. Here is the link to RSVP to this event:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDEf8Tq7leEWsxbmvNat9BHAPmlJHtLIC9iagM_ZCWHlOaFw/viewform

Main Street Armory

Just weeks after it was the scene of a deadly stampede during a concert, the Main Street Armory in Rochester has been sold. According to public records, the building was purchased for $550,000 by “900 East Main Street Rochester LLC,” but just who is behind that company is still unknown. A massive group of people stormed the exit of the building earlier this month following reports of gunfire. Three women were killed and several other victims ended up being hurt.

New York State is getting $100,000,000 (million) to help close the digital divide. Governor Hochul says the federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will help connect 100,000 households to affordable, high-speed Internet. The program is geared towards underserved communities in rural and urban parts of the state. Senate Majority Chuck Schumer helped secure the money, saying it’ll help connect communities to good paying jobs, higher quality education, and better healthcare. Last year, New York helped more than 1,000,000 (million) low-income households enroll in a nationwide affordable connectivity program.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles is taking action to increase the number of people who enroll to become organ donors. The agency says customers who register a vehicle at a DMV office will be asked if they would like to consider joining the organ donor registry. If they say yes, they will be able to submit their application at that office and will have the phrase “Organ Donor” printed on the front of their DMV photo document when they request a new one. Currently, over 8,000 New Yorkers are on the national transplant wait list.

D’Mario Caesar

A Buffalo man who was involved in a hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian has found out how long he’ll be spending behind bars. A judge has sentenced 36-year-old D’Mario Caesar to spend 7-1/2 to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors say Caesar was speeding when he struck 31-year-old Brandyn Mallory on Broadway in Buffalo back in 2017. Mallory later died of his injuries at Erie County Medical Center.

Governor Hochul (file photo)

Governor Hochul announced Wednesday $2.5 million in new state funding for the victims impacted by the May 14 Tops shooting in Buffalo. This funding will help the Buffalo Urban league partner with the Community Health Centers of Buffalo to operate the Buffalo United Resiliency Center through June 2025. The new funding will also help the BURC hire new employees and ensure it has the support to serve victims and survivors of the shooting. The Community Health Centers will work to address Access to housing, Access to transportation, Emergency and long-term food access and Assistance with rent, utility, and other areas.

Senator Schuman with Damar Hamlin, in Washington D.C. – 3/29/23

On Wednesday Bills Safety Damar Hamlin was in Washington DC to support the Access to Automated Electronic Defibrillators Act. The Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to supply grants for schools and nonprofits to purchase and install defibrillators and develop emergency response plans for heart attacks such as the one that struck down Hamlin on the field against the Bengals. Hamlin has been championing people learning CPR and is now pushing for more access to equipment across the country.

2022 file photo of Diana Ross on stage

One of the biggest names in music history will be bringing her brand-new tour to Western New York this summer. Diana Ross is set to perform at the Chautauqua Institution on Sunday, July 2nd. The 79-year-old Ross will sing hits from her career as a solo artist, and from when she was a member of The Supremes. Tickets for the show go on sale tomorrow morning, and more information about the concert can be found on the Chautauqua Institution website, chq.org.

Unidentified child at Yankees game – file photo

Today is Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and some rule changes have been made this year to help speed up the game. The most visible change is the new pitch clock, which affords pitchers just 15 seconds to deliver their next throw, and 20 seconds with runners on base. Those runners may have an easier time stealing bags because the bases are 20 percent bigger.

Less than a month after the deadly crowd surge at a concert at the Main Street Armory, it appears the venue has been sold.  Public records at the Monroe County Clerk’s Office show the building was sold for $550,000, and ownership was transferred to “900 E. Main Street Rochester LLC.” The LLC’s P.O. box is the same address listed in the company title.  There’s no word yet on who is behind that company.  The city refused to renew the Armory’s entertainment license in the days following the tragic stampede.  The city said it invited the Armory’s owner, Scott Donaldson, to attend a meeting, during which “he would have been presented with a choice to voluntarily cease holding entertainment events,” or have the “pending renewal” of the Armory’s entertainment license denied but the city says he declined to attend.  Donaldson’s attorney has said the city knew he was occupied with another legal matter that day and ignored his request to reschedule that meeting in order to maliciously attack him.

A new program at Batavia City Schools is changing how kids see vaping.  By 2019, there were 5.4 million middle and high school students using e-cigarettes across the country.  Vapes contain hazardous chemicals and metal flakes that can cause cardiovascular disease, and lung damage.  Studies have shown that vapes can cause multiple times the lung damage and side effects that cigarettes cause.  All this is included in a program called Vape University which kids can attend if they get caught vaping in school to reduce their punishment.  The program educates them and provides them with alternatives to quit.  5 teachers have volunteered to work with helping kids quit and to know the dangers of the drug that is marketed mostly toward minors.  The program started in January and about a dozen students have completed the program so far.

The New York State DMV is adding a question to their vehicle registration transaction screens at DMV locations.  Do you wish to join the organ donor registry?  The question will come up on the transaction screen before a customer completes the process. If the person answers yes they will get the opportunity to fill out a quick application and “Organ Donor” will be printed on their DMV photo documents.  With only 46 percent of its population registered, New York’s registry lags behind other states. The national average is 62 percent. Donate Life NYS suggests that for New York to reach the national average of registered organ donors, 2.7 million new donors need to be added to the registry.

Gov. Hochul announced Wednesday $2.5 million in new state funding for the victims impacted by the May 14 Tops shooting in Buffalo.  This funding will help the Buffalo Urban league partner with the Community Health Centers of Buffalo to operate the Buffalo United Resiliency Center through June 2025.  The new funding will also help the BURC hire new employees and ensure it has the support to serve victims and survivors of the shooting.  The Community Health Centers will work to address Access to housing, Access to transportation, Emergency and long-term food access and Assistance with rent, utility, and other areas.

Emmanuel Baptist Church is happy to announce their Easter Cantata on Sunday at 2pm at the church on Oak Street.  The Cantata celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.  After the Cantata there will be a hymn sing so bring your favorites and join in fellowship singing praises together.  There will be free desserts in the fellowship hall to follow the singing.  

On Wednesday Bills Safety Damar Hamlin was in Washington DC to support the Access to AED’s Act.  The Act would direct the HHS to supply grants for schools and nonprofits to purchase and install Automated Electronic Defibrillators and develop emergency response plans for heart attacks such as the one that struck down Hamlin on the field against the Bengals.  Hamlin has been championing people learning CPR and is now pushing for more access to equipment across the country.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is celebrating their Diamond Derby Day Gala on May 6th at 4pm at Terry Hills Golf course and Banquet Facility.  The Michael Napoleone Foundation assists families with the diagnosis of pediatric cancer, where they provide necessary financial assistance in the many challenges they face.  So far they have given out over 800 thousand dollars in assistance.  So, grab your best hat, your best outfit, and your best friends and win prizes, Place bids and Show your support in celebration of the Diamond Derby Day Gala.

Raul Cruz

19-year-old Raul Cruz will serve two consecutive terms of 25 years to life in prison, one term on each count of first-degree murder in the deaths of Marcelino Gomez Hernandez and Elibander Morales. Both were found dead at a farm on Alexander Road last March. Cruz initially pled guilty but prior to sentencing, and against the recommendation of his attorney, he made a motion to withdraw his plea, claiming he did not understand the justice system. In the plea deal, he would have faced 23 years to life. The judge denied the motion after allowing Cruz to speak, noting that after he admitted to facts of the murder, he was now saying that he lied.

Hospitalized corrections officer, following an attack by an inmate (Provided photo)

An inmate, serving a 25 years-to-life sentence for murder, viciously attacked an officer inside one of the housing dorms at the Albion correctional facility. The assault occurred Saturday morning; an officer was making routine rounds when an inmate became verbally abusive to him. The officer notified a supervisor. The inmate was ordered to the officer’s station but then ran towards the bathroom. The officer followed him in, where he was punched in the face. The officer exited the bathroom, but the attack by the inmate continued. Once assistance arrived, the inmate was brought under control and then transferred to the Attica Correctional Facility. The officer suffered broken bones to his face.

Medina Ladder Truck – file photo from 2017

The Village of Medina has voted unanimously to begin the process of acquiring a new ladder fire truck for their department. The current truck is 27 years old and has many mechanical issues. A new ladder truck could require three years before it’s ready for delivery and will cost an estimated $1,500,000 ($1.5 million).

Buffalo Pride Parade – file photo

A request made by Governor Hochul to take part in this year’s Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival has been denied. In a letter sent to the governor, the Pride Center of Western New York and Evergreen Health said they are upset over a policy in the governor’s budget that they claim will make it tougher for LGBTQ-Plus individuals to get health care. In a statement, the governor’s office said she is a steadfast supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and has the record to back it up. This year’s parade is June 4th.

Buffalo officials have announced that applications are now open for the next Buffalo Police Department entry exam. The test is happening Saturday, June 17th and the registration deadline is Monday, May 22nd. The salary for a new officer ranges from $49,000 to $82,000 a year and each hire will get a benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental coverage and also a retirement plan. The cost to take the exam is $25 and for more information, go to buffalony.gov.

The Rochester Police Department has released surveillance videos showing several recent smash-and-grab burglaries in their city. The footage has been posted on the department’s Twitter account and the hope is people will see it and be able to identify the suspects. The targeted businesses were on Emerson Street and on Dewey Avenue. Anyone who has information on these cases is asked to dial 911.

Traffic cam image – aftermath of semi truck accident

The New York State Department of Transportation is giving drivers a heads up about an upcoming closure that will affect a portion of Route 33. Starting April 3rd, an eastbound section of the road will be shut down from 10:00pm until 6:00am, Monday through Friday. Crews will be working to fix the Dodge Street overpass, which was recently damaged by a crash involving a tractor-trailer. The repairs are expected to take about two months to complete.

Fringe Festival – file photo

Organizers of the Fringe Festival in Rochester say people who are interested in performing at this year’s event can still submit their applications. Those applications are now being accepted until Wednesday, April 5th and they can be filled out online at fringefestival.com. The acts that are selected will have the opportunity to help decide what venues they want to perform at. The 12th annual Fringe Festival runs from September 12th through the 23rd.

A lot of Empire State residents are planning to travel during the spring and summer months, and there are some things they should keep in mind when booking their trips. The state’s Division of Consumer Protection recommends people consider factors such as price, location, and availability of activities before deciding where they are going to visit. Also, travelers should get all of their confirmations in writing to safeguard themselves from any scams. Finally, folks should use a credit card to pay for any purchases since they offer more protection than paying by cash, debit card or check.

Bailey Zimmerman

Seaforth

A rising star in the country music world has been added to the list of performers at the Erie County Fair. Bailey Zimmerman is going to be taking the stage on August 15th and special guest Seaforth will join him. Tickets for this show will go on sale June 9th at 10:00am and can be purchased at ecfair.org. The fair runs from August 9th through the 20th.

A new study estimates the world’s population could peak at 8.5 billion some time in the 2050s. Scientists with the Earth4All initiative for the Global Challenges Foundation conducted the study. They based their estimate on what they call a “Giant Leap” in investment in economic development, education, and health. The United Nations Population Division reported that the world’s population reached 8 billion last November.

Evergreen Health and the Pride Center of Western NY have sent a letter to Kathy Hochul that they will refuse to participate in the Annual Buffalo Pride Festival and Parade.  This comes at the same time that Trillium Health and Rochester Regional Health held a rally Tuesday to protest the ending of 304b in the next New York State Budget.  If the COVID-era program is eliminated as part of the state budget, Trillium Health could lose $5 million in funding and Rochester Regional Health estimates a loss of more than $30 million.  This comes after Evergreen Health announced that they would file a lawsuit against the state in hopes that it would provide a temporary block on the new budget.  They say that the 304b part of the budget aids the LGBT and the most vulnerable people in New York State.

The night that Rochester Police reported 5 smash and grabs where thieves used cars to ram businesses and then rushed in and stole from them a woman saw her car on the news.  Brandy Jones said she saw her car, a blue Hyundai with a distinctive bumper sticker, backed into ROC 7.  Jones had just purchased the Hyundai in December for $10,000, to use for her job with DoorDash.  Her insurance would not cover the damage left behind by the thieves, including the smashed out windows and broken door handles.  As of March 28, there have been 888 reports of stolen vehicles in Rochester since the start of the year, according to data from the Rochester Police Department. That compares to a total of 1,135 cars stolen throughout all of 2022.

City Councilwoman Patti Pacino, second ward representative in Batavia, announced Monday night that she was stepping down from her position due to health related issues.  She has been on the City Council for 13 years.  Pacino explained that, in addition to her medical condition the last several months — a bilateral ear infection that resulted in a December brain surgery and difficulty with walking and hearing.  Her family has been helping to transport her to and from places, and she made the decision that it’s too much to continue.  Councilman Richard Richmond, chair of the City Republican Committee, said that the committee had already chosen David Twichell to run for the Second Ward seat when Pacino had indicated that she wasn’t going to run for re-election in November. So the plan is to temporarily fill her seat with Twichell until he runs for the next term.

Brandon Lewis, Owner of the Firing Pin in Bergen, says that they are going to rebuild after the fire that took down the range and most of the shop on Friday.  The fire was spotted just before 5 p.m. on Friday. A customer noticed some smoke coming from a backstop in the firing range and alerted an employee.  Some employees tried attacking the hot spot with fire extinguishers but quickly realized the effort was futile, so they dialed 9-1-1 and evacuated the building.  Once the rubber in the range got going, Lewis said, it was an extremely difficult fire to put out.  Firefighters battled until about 9 p.m.  Lewis already has a tentative meeting set up with the town’s planning board.  He’s also working on trucking a portable firing range up from North Carolina so he can provide range service for his customers during the rebuild.  He had been planning an expansion anyway, acquiring a couple of neighboring acres and including a possible indoor/outdoor firing range.  There’s also the annual freedom festival in June. That, he said, will go on as planned even if it means setting up 20 tents.

Interested in finding a new read?  Then come out to the Richmond Memorial library on Wednesdays in April to hear reviews of non fiction and a couple of fiction offerings at the 42nd annual Spring Series of Books Sandwiched In.  Books being reviewed include The Last Slave Ship, The True Story of How Clotilda Was Found, Her Descendants and an Extraordinary Reckoning by Ben Raines, “Louise Blanchard Bethune: Every Woman Her Own Architect” by Kelly Hayes McAlonie, and “The Librarian Spy” by Madeline Martin and many more.  

The Second Circuit Court decided Tuesday that social equity entrepreneurs are now allowed to open safe, regulated cannabis dispensaries in Western New York.  The decision also applies to other regions across the state, including Central New York, the mid-Hudson region, and Brooklyn.  Previously, these areas were barred from receiving any cannabis licenses.  Governor Hochul said that she was pleased with the court’s decision and that “now New Yorkers in every region of the state will have access to safe, high quality adult-use cannabis products.” 

Peter Gerace, Jr.

The owner of Pharoahs Strip Club in Cheektowaga is Peter Gerace, Jr. and he’s behind bars. Federal prosecutors say he was paying bribes to a former federal agent to avoid criminal investigations and prosecution. He has also just been charged with witness tampering and distributing cocaine. The prosecutors say he intimidated, threatened and corruptly persuaded a witness by using Facebook to send messages to them. Gerace is being held in jail until his June trial.

Hilton School – Friday, 3/24/23 (Photo: 13WHAM)

For the third time in less than a week, the Hilton Central School District has been the target of a bomb threat. The latest message was received yesterday and parents were notified that it was similar to the threats last Wednesday and Friday that claimed there were bombs placed in multiple district buildings. Law enforcement says this threat was also a hoax and schools didn’t have to be evacuated. Officials are still trying to track down who is responsible for these threats. (Photo: 13WHAM)

Brendon Burns

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation is now looking into a deadly officer-involved shooting in Rochester. Last week, police were looking into two shootings when they were involved in an encounter with 35-year-old Brendon Burns on Barrington Street. Burns allegedly threatened officers with a gun and refused to put down the weapon before he was shot. Both a gun and knife were recovered at the scene.

Nakeem Haynes

The Buffalo man who pulled the trigger in a deadly shooting then opened fire towards police officers has found out the punishment for his crimes. A judge has ordered 28-year-old Nakeem Haynes to spend 30 years to life in prison. Last June, Haynes killed 63-year-old Atlas Johnson near Broadway Avenue and Sears Street in Buffalo. There were two officers on patrol in the area of the shooting, and Haynes fired a gunshot that struck the window of a police cruiser before he was shot and taken into custody. The officers who shot Haynes were cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.

The updated data from the New York State Flu Tracker shows that the spread of the virus has once again slowed down in our region. For the week that ended March 18th, the area with the highest number of cases was Erie County with 30; Monroe County had 22; Chautauqua County had 2 cases; and Wayne, Livingston, Niagara and Cattaraugus Counties had one each. Genesee had no cases reported. Because flu season can last into May, County Health Departments continue to recommend that people who haven’t received their flu shot yet should still get one.

After tonight, the next five-planet alignment will be in 2040.

A five-planet alignment of Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Mars, and Mercury will be visible in the night sky tonight. Here in Western New York skies are expected to be clear for viewing. After sunset near the western horizon will be Mercury and Jupiter. The brighter of the two will be Jupiter. Venus will be the brightest planet to spot while Uranus will look like a green star and will be hard to see. Mars will be on top of Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and the moon. The best time to go outside is soon after sunset as Jupiter and Mercury will disappear about 45 minutes after sundown. The next five-planet alignment won’t occur until 2040.

Taylor Rapp

According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Buffalo Bills will sign former Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp to a one-year deal. The Rams drafted Rapp in the second round, 61st overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft. In four years with the Rams, he played in 57 games and had 330 total tackles, nine interceptions, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

Artist rendering of the Bills new stadium

The projected cost of building a brand-new stadium for the Buffalo Bills has crossed the $1,500,000,000 (billion) mark. The executive vice president of the NFL franchise told The Buffalo News yesterday this new estimate is $140,000,000 (million) higher than the initial one. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says taxpayers will not need to pay more towards the stadium because there is a cap on public contributions. The facility would be located near Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Photo from the Buffalo Bills website.

J.J. Peterka – file photo

The two-game winning streak of the Buffalo Sabres has been snapped after the team suffers a disappointing defeat at home. JJ Peterka, Lukas Rousek, and Riley Stillman had a goal apiece, but the Sabres were defeated in a shootout by the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 at KeyBank Center last night. Sabres goalie Eric Comrie faced 41 shots in the contest and was able to stop 38 of them. The next game for Buffalo is on Friday against the New York Rangers with face-off at 7:00.

Businesses from all around the region are now taking part in the first-ever Healthy Options Restaurant Week. The event officially kicked off yesterday and will run through April 1st. Restaurants will be offering menu items to customers to show them how easy it can be to have a healthy dining experience when eating out. To find the list of businesses that are participating, go to healthyoptionsbuffalo.com.

A study published Monday found a connection between having strong friendships and better physical health outcomes. Positive social interactions were found to decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and increase a person’s ability to cope with stress. Negative interactions, however, had an even stronger adverse effect on the body. The study’s author said it’s these ups and downs that can have the strongest impact. One researcher stressed the importance of scheduling time with friends and providing mutual support in times of trouble.

The Amherst Police Department announced an arrest has been made in connection to a criminal mischief complaint at CompassCare.  Police said the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on March 23. CompassCare, a pregnancy services clinic located on Eggert Road, posted a link to surveillance video of the alleged incident on its website which shows its sign being vandalized with graffiti.  On Saturday, police announced that 39-year-old Hannah Kamke was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree criminal mischief.  The FBI still has a reward posted for information leading to the arrest of the firebombing of the center in June of last year.

The owner of Pharoahs Strip Club in Cheektowaga is behind bars on charges after federal prosecutors say he was paying bribes to a former federal agent to avoid criminal investigations and prosecution.  He has also just been charged with witness tampering and distributing cocaine.  The prosecutors say he intimidated, threatened and corruptly persuaded a witness by using facebook to send messages to them.  Gerace is set to stay in jail until June when his trial will be held.  The judge has refused to let him out on bail.

A five-planet alignment of Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Mars, and Mercury will be visible in the night sky tonight.  Here in Western New York skies are expected to be clear for viewing.  After sunset near the western horizon will be Mercury and Jupiter. The brighter of the two will be Jupiter.  Venus will be the brightest planet to spot while Uranus will look like a green star and will be hard to see. Mars will be on top of Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and the moon.  The best time to go outside is soon after sunset as Jupiter and Mercury will disappear about 45 minutes after sundown.  The next five-planet alignment won’t occur until 2040.

Tech wars winners announced. On Thursday, March 23, nearly 800 middle and high school students from 24 schools in the GLOW Region gathered for the Genesee Community College’s 14th Tech Wars. The event was a huge success, with students showcasing their skills and knowledge in technology and engineering.  In the middle school category, Warsaw took the top prize, followed by Wayland Cohocton in second place, and a tie for third place between Alexander and Kendall. In the high school category, Alexander took home first place, with Dansville in second place, and a tie for third place between Geneseo and Pioneer.  In addition to Tech Wars, GCC also hosted close to 200 students for the Genesee County Youth Bureau Youth Conference on Tuesday, March 21 and over 600 students from 28 school districts for the GLOW with Your Hands: Healthcare career exploration event on Friday, March 24.

According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Buffalo Bills will sign former Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp to a one-year deal.  Rapp was drafted by the Rams in the second round, 61st overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft.  In four years with the Rams, he played in 57 games and had 330 total tackles, nine interceptions, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

The Buffalo Sabres lost Monday night against the Montreal Canadiens at Keybank Center after a grueling game and then a 6 round shootout.  The final score was 4 to 3 for the Canadian team.  JJ Peterka, Riley Stillman and Lukas Rousek scored for Buffalo.  It was Rousek’s first game in the NHL.  Eric Comrie saved 38 shots in the goal. The Sabres will be back on the ice on Friday against the New York Rangers at the Keybank Center at 7pm.  Monday night’s game was pride night at the Keybank Center and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin refused to wear the rainbow uniform during the warmup because of anti LGBT laws in his home country of Russia and fears that if he was seen wearing the pride jersey that there would be retaliation against his family in Moscow.  Other players such as Captain Kyle Okposo came to his defense in his decision.

Jamie Broadbent

40-year-old Jamie Broadbent of West Main Street Batavia has been arrested on a bench warrant for failure to appear; she was arraigned and released. Broadbent was originally arrested for grand larceny after allegedly stealing an electric bicycle. She was issued an appearance ticket and released at that time.

Marquis Saddler

32-year-old Marquis Saddler of Rochester has been arrested in Batavia. He’s charged with tampering with evidence, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and traffic violations. It’s alleged that when police were attempting to pull over Saddler’s vehicle he failed to stop and then threw a quantity of narcotic out of the driver’s window. He was arrested, arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Part Court and held at the Genesee County Jail.

Alexander Schwartz

27-year-old Alexander Schwartz of Rochester was arrested in Niagara County on a bench warrant for failing to appear in Batavia and on bail jumping charges. He was transported to Batavia City Court where he was arraigned and custody remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of bail. The initial warrant was from an arrest for aggravated unlicensed operation and speeding. Schwartz was arraigned in City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice after which he failed to appear.

OTHER ARRESTS FROM THE BATAVIA POLICE BLOTTER: 26-year-old Kyle Schroeder of Batavia has been arrested on four bench warrants, stemming from multiple charges including criminal possession of a controlled substance, failure to appear and criminal mischief. One of the charges is associated with his allegedly kicking and damaging an electrical lock box on the exterior of a business so that he could charge a cell phone. Schroeder was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Part Court. ALSO: 64-year-old Johnney Shannon of Creek Road, Batavia is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested during a traffic stop when the K9 found several bags of narcotic inside the vehicle. Shannon was arrested and issued appearance tickets for City Court on a later date. ALSO: 40-year-old Beth Jeffres of Batavia is accused of promoting prison contraband and unlawfully introducing dangerous contraband (cocaine and fentanyl) into the Genesee County Jail. An investigation indicated she was intending to sell the drugs. She faces multiple felony charges.

FROM THE GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF: 41-year-old Mark Robbins of Bergen is charged with two counts of harassment after allegedly pushing a person and then allegedly slapping another person. He was issued an appearance ticket and has an April 12th date for Bergen Town Court. ALSO: 33-year-old Curtis Middlebrooks, Jr. of Alabama (NY) is charged with harassment after an incident on Bloomingdale Road in Alabama. He was arraigned in Genesee County CAP Court and released on his own recognizance. Middlebrooks will appear in Alabama Town Court at a later date.

FROM THE WYOMING COUNTY SHERIFF: 42-year-old Christopher Debuck of Kendall has been arrested following several petit larceny investigations at area Walmart stores. It was found that he was allegedly stealing sports trading cards from the stores and was allegedly found in possession of over $150 in stolen cards. It was already known by law enforcement that Debuck had just allegedly stolen over $400 worth of cards from the Geneseo Walmart. He was allegedly reselling and profiting from the stolen cards by selling them online. Debuck faces the felony charge of scheming to defraud, criminal possession of stolen property and three counts of petit larceny. He’s scheduled to appear in the Town of Warsaw Court on April 10th.

Daniel Ponder at arraignment – 032623

An arrest has been made in connection with the abduction of a child and his mother in Rochester over the weekend. Officials say the two were forcibly taken from a home on Fulton Avenue Saturday morning by 24-year-old Daniel Ponder. An AMBER Alert was issued but later canceled after the victims were found safe at a residence on Reynolds Street. Ponder ended up being caught on Wellington Avenue by members of a United States Marshal’s Task Force. He was arraigned yesterday on several charges. (Photo: 13WHAM)

Hilton High School – file photo

Police say that two recent bomb threats that were made against the Hilton Central School District have been determined to be hoaxes. The threats were received on Wednesday and Friday of last week and mentioned that explosives had been placed inside of multiple district buildings. But, an investigation has revealed that the safety of students and staff members was never at risk. There will still be additional security measures in place like making sure doors are locked after school hours.

Students walking outside of The Covenant School following school shooting – 3/27/23 – Photo: WRKN-TV

(As of 3:10pm, 3/27/23) A 28-year-old Nashville woman is confirmed to have been the deadly shooter at a Nashville private Christian school today, where she had previously been a student. Police say she accessed the school through a side entrance. Three students and three adults are dead, along with the shooter who was killed by police at The Covenant Presbyterian School. Upon their arrival at the school, Nashville Police say they heard gunshots on the second floor and “engaged the shooter” who was armed with two assault rifles and a handgun. The spokesperson added it was only about 14 minutes from the first call to when officers encountered the shooter. The Covenant is an elementary school for children in preschool through grade 6.

According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.44. The statewide average is $3.42; in Batavia, we’re paying an average of $3.36 right now. That’s the same as it was a month ago and down $1.00 from a year ago today.

It is expected to be a very busy week at the State Capitol building as the deadline to pass a brand-new budget draws near. Leaders of the Senate, Assembly, and Governor Hochul have reportedly already started discussing a number of issues that need to be hammered out such as bail reform and increasing access to affordable housing. The deadline to reach an agreement is coming up on April 1st. Last year’s budget ended up being passed nine days late.

Eric Comrie – file photo

The Buffalo Sabres are returning home tonight as they look to extend their current winning streak to three games. The Sabres are hosting the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off of a 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday that kept the team in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Eric Comrie was a brick wall stopping all 26 shots on goal. Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner scored for the Sabres. Face-off this evening is set for 7:00.

Beaver Island Parkway Bridge – file photo of some of the deterioration

Work is scheduled to begin this week on a project that will replace the Beaver Island Parkway Bridge in Grand Island. The span carries traffic over Interstate 190 in the Erie County community and it is estimated 13-thousand vehicles travel over the bridge each day. The bridge was built back in 1954, and the price tag of this project is expected to be over eight-million-dollars. The hope is that construction will wrap up by the end of this year.

File photo of pothole

Pothole season has arrived, and automotive experts are providing some simple tips on how people can prevent their vehicle from being damaged. They recommend folks ensure their tires are properly inflated because hitting a pothole with an under inflated tire might lead to wheel or suspension issues. People should also drive cautiously when approaching puddles, since they may actually be potholes filled with water. There are also apps available that allow users to report potholes that have been spotted. Anyone who hits a pothole and thinks their vehicle has a problem should get it checked immediately.

An amber alert for a 4 year old boy and his mother who were abducted on Fulton Ave in Rochester on Saturday morning around 1:30 has been canceled after they were recovered by Rochester Police on Reynolds Street.  They had been abducted by force by 24 year old Daniel Ponder.  Ponder was taken into custody by US Marshals after a short foot chase.  Ponder is charged with 2nd degree kidnapping, 1st degree burglary, 2nd degree assault, 2nd and 3rd degree criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd degree reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child.  Police were originally alerted to the abduction because of reports of shots fired where a man was chased out of a home while being fired at.  Police then found the home empty with the mother and child missing.

Roughly 39,000 people in Western New York were without power from Saturday night into Sunday because of the high winds.  By Sunday night National Grid power crews had restored electricity to 94 percent of customers.  The windstorm had gusts up to 70 miles per hour in some areas.  In preparation for the storm, the company increased weekend staffing and work shifts, and pre-positioned crews and materials in areas anticipated to be hardest hit by incoming weather.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Girl Scouts, partnered with LeChase Construction, to teach the girls about Careers in Construction on Saturday.  Scouts from Kindergarten to the fifth grade were invited to tour the Strong Museum’s new expansion project and learn more about women in construction jobs.  Nearly 60 girls earned a Construction Fun Badge through interactive presentations and hands-on activities throughout the museum.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #576 of Le Roy has selected a local High School Junior girl to attend this year’s Empire Girls State the week of July 3rd at SUNY Brockport.  Victoria Rogoyski of Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School has been selected to attend. As part of the premier ALA program, citizens of the New York Girls State will study local, county, and state government processes during this five-day nonpartisan political learning experience.  Victoria was selected to attend Girls State based on selection criteria through the Auxiliary unit and/or high school, which includes being in the top 1/3 of her class, along with consideration given to scholastic achievements, leadership, character, honesty and physical fitness.

Families in the Batavia area are invited to attend the annual Kiwanis Club of Batavia Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 at 9 AM sharp.  The event will take place at Centennial Park with three age categories: birth-3, 4-7 and 8-10.  Along with the thousands of eggs hiding in the park, there will be nine golden eggs.  The nine lucky children who discover the golden eggs will be able to exchange them for a chocolate bunny from Oliver’s Candies.  There will also be one golden egg hidden each day in Centennial Park beginning on Saturday, April 1 through Thursday, April 6 to be found by kids 12 and under.  The winning golden eggs must be turned in at the Easter Egg Hunt on April 8th to receive an Oliver’s Candies chocolate bunny.

The Buffalo Sabres pulled out another surprise victory on Sunday afternoon less than 24 hours after beating the New Jersey Devils.  They won against the New York Islanders in a 2 to 0 shutout.  Eric Comrie was a brick wall stopping all 26 shots on goal.  Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner scored for the Sabres.  They’ll be back tonight to play the Montreal Canadiens at 7 at the Keybank Center.

A high wind watch has been issued for Orleans, Wyoming and Genesee Counties from 5 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Sunday with 60-mile-per-hour gusts expected; the strongest winds will move through our region Saturday night. Travel could be difficult at times, especially for high profile vehicles. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines; scattered power outages are possible

The Firing Pin in Bergen almost went up completely in a blaze Friday night.  Crews from several departments responded to the scene on Buffalo Road around 5 p.m., and found heavy smoke coming from the building.  The Bergen Fire Department says due to the high volume of smoke, it was declared a second-alarm fire.  Units say everyone was able to escape safely, and the building is not a total loss, but the shooting range did suffer some significant damage. Units were forced to battle the flames from outside, after deeming it too dangerous from inside due to the possibility of ammunition burning up.  Crews believe the fire started in the range, but the exact cause is unknown at this time, as the investigation continues.

The United States and Canada have agreed to close a loophole that let asylum seekers take advantage of unofficial border crossings.  President Joe Biden, addressing the Canadian Parliament on Friday during a state visit, said the two countries are committed to “humane policies” to secure borders while discouraging unlawful or irregular migration that feeds exploitation and human trafficking.  Northern New York was one such loophole with thousands crossing the border and claiming asylum in Quebec after going up Roxham Road near Champlain.  

A 21-year-old Batavia man accused of possessing a loaded firearm on school grounds turned over a short video — under court order — to the District Attorney on Wednesday that his attorney says will exonerate him.  Delonta Rashid Sharif Curry was arrested in relation to an incident reported on Feb. 22, 2022, at 31 Washington Ave., the location of St. Paul Lutheran School. At 8:30 p.m., according to Baisley, two girls went to the school grounds to fight, and there was a group of people there observing.  Two people, including his client, used their phones to video record the fight.  During the fight, somebody fired a weapon toward a group of people.  A person in that group, wearing a mask, returned fire.  The video will show, Baisley said, along with a corroborating surveillance video from the school, that Curry was clearly not the person in the crowd with a gun. 

The Buffalo Sabres broke their losing streak with a win over the New Jersey Devils 5 to 4.  This is the Sabres first win in 5 games.  Alex Tuch scored twice and Tage Thompson got his 100th career goal.  Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens scored 1 each.  This win gives Buffalo 2 points toward the wild card but they are still a long way off getting into the playoffs.