An investigation is underway into what caused a crash in Ontario County that left two college students dead. State Police say 21-year-old Olivia Moore and 21-year-old Francesca Ward, both from the United Kingdom, were in a vehicle that was traveling on Interstate 90 in Manchester early in the morning on Saturday when the vehicle struck a guide rail end. Both Moore and Ward died at the scene and two other students from Temple University in Pennsylvania were taken to a hospital to get checked out but were not injured. It’s believed the students were heading to Canada at the time of the tragedy.

File photo

Eight people have been displaced after a fire damages their home in Rochester. Crews were called to the scene on Norton Street last night after getting a report of an attic fire. They were able contain the flames to some furniture and the attic walls and the fire was put out in under 30 minutes. The four adults and four children who were in the home made it out safely and no injuries were reported. There’s no word yet what sparked the fire.

John Allen has been found

We have an update for you from the Amherst Police Department. The missing 70-year-old man that prompted police to call for a Silver Alert has been found. Facility staff members last saw John Allen on Saturday. He’s been taken to the hospital for evaluation.

International Railroad Bridge – Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario (file photo)

U.S. border agents have caught three men who illegally crossed into the country on a freight train from Fort Erie, Ontario. The men crossed the International Railroad Bridge over the Niagara River and Unity Island. They were processed and returned to Canada. In the last 60 days, border agents have stopped 24 people who were not U.S. citizens attempting to enter the country in the vicinity of Buffalo.

Western New York is one of the slower regions of the state and the country in the recovery of jobs lost during the Covid pandemic. Historically, the Buffalo area trend is toward falling deeper during downturns and taking longer to recover. In addition to the lack of population growth, the wave of retirements that happened during Covid had an impact. As a result, Buffalo and other upstate metro areas across the state still have fewer jobs than was the case pre-pandemic. They also have fewer workers, which contributes to slowing the recovery. (As of February 2023, Buffalo shows a 2% decline in jobs; Rochester, a 3% decline.)

Drivers in our region are paying even more money to fill their vehicles following yet another increase in gas prices. According to Triple A today, the national average price per gallon is $3.61; the state average is a dime higher at $3.71. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.65; that’s 3 cents higher than a week ago and 23 cents more than it was a month ago today.

Mayor Brown (file photo)

Buffalo residents will find out more today about what Mayor Byron Brown has planned over the next few months. That is because Brown will be giving his annual State of the City address. The Buffalo News is reporting that during his speech, the mayor is going to call for an increase in property and residential taxes and also higher fees for sanitation services. The overall price tag of his proposed budget is $582,000,000 (million), which is a $16,000,000 increase from last year.

A few of the guns turned in during Saturday’s gun buyback in Niagara Falls

State Attorney General Letitia James is calling a weekend gun buyback event in Niagara County a success. There were a total of 505 weapons turned in during a 3-hour period on Saturday at the Saint John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls. The Attorney General says every gun that’s off the streets is a potential tragedy averted and another step in protecting communities statewide. In exchange for their weapons, people received gift cards ranging from $25 – $500, depending on the type of firearm they surrendered.

The legislature is expected to be back at the State Capitol today to finally start voting on a brand-new state budget. The conceptual agreement announced by Governor Hochul calls for $229,000,000 (billion) in spending. Included in the fiscal plan are changes to the state’s bail reform laws, funds to improve public safety and $1,000,000,000 that will be invested in mental health services. The budget is now 1-month late because the original deadline to approve it was back on April 1st.

The latest data from the New York State Flu Tracker shows the spread of the virus is now showing signs of declining in our region. During the week ending April 22nd, the areas with the highest number of cases were Erie and Monroe Counties, both with 19. Wayne County had 6 during that same time period and Genesee County reported 2 cases. Overall, more than 332,000 state residents have gotten the flu since the season began.

New York State Police are alerting the public of a computer scam that’s circulating in the area. Troopers say when logging into a computer, a message on the screen may appear. The message states the computer user should contact Microsoft due to a virus. The victim will then call the phone number provided in the message and then speak with someone who identifies themselves as a representative of Microsoft’s Security Office. The person on the other end of the phone tells the victim their bank account information has been compromised. State Police advise anyone who receives such a message to not provide any personal information. Scammers can use your personal information to steal your identity and commit fraud. State Police offer the following tips to protect against various scams:

*Take a pause. Scammers create a sense of urgency to prey on victims’ emotions and their love for family members.
*Verify any supposed emergency by calling friends and family before sending money. This is especially important if a potential victim has been warned not to do so by the caller.
*If the caller purports to be a bail bondsperson, ask where the relative is being held and contact the facility directly.
*If the caller purports to be a law enforcement officer, get the exact agency name, hang up, and call that department directly.
*Be suspicious of anyone who calls unexpectedly asking to be sent money.
*Never send cash through the mail.
*Never purchase pre-paid debit cards or gift cards for the purpose of transferring money.
*Develop a secret code or “password” with family members that can be used to verify the identity of family members over the phone.
*Ask a question that only the real family member would know the answer to, such as “what was the name of your first pet?”
*Set Facebook and other social media settings to private to limit information available to scammers, such as the names of relatives.

ELSEWHERE…

Long overdue library book

A library book checked out in New Jersey 44 years ago has finally been returned. “Back to Basics” was checked out of the Hopewell Branch of the Mercer Library on July 25th, 1979, making it overdue by around 16,000 days. A maintenance worker found it recently in a box of donated books. No word on where the book has been or who returned it. Late fees are 10-cents a day but the library has capped those at just $6.

Donald Trump with Joe Tacopina during indictment – 4/4/23

A federal judge is denying former President Trump’s request for a mistrial in his civil battery and defamation case. Cross-examination of writer E. Jean Carroll resumed in New York this morning following the ruling. Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina had argued that Judge Lewis Kaplan had made “pervasive unfair and prejudicial rulings” in the case. The judge’s decision follows last week’s dramatic testimony from writer E. Jean Carroll who told the court that Trump raped her and shattered her reputation. The trial is now in its second week.

Please play responsibly.

The Powerball jackpot is starting to grow. Lottery officials say no one picked all 6 numbers in Saturday’s drawing. That means Monday night’s jackpot in the multi-state lottery game will be worth $60,000,000 (million). As for Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot, that’s worth $52,000,000. Please play responsibly.

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates again at this week’s meeting. The nation’s central bank has been raising rates to combat inflation. Analysts predict the rate to jump from 5% to 5.25% when the announcement is made Wednesday.

May 1 in history…

1941

One of the early ads promoting the new cereal.

…In 1941, General Mills introduced Cheerios cereal

Priscilla and Elvis on their wedding day

…In 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas.

Amtrak, 1971

…In 1971, Amtrak began service.

Final performance with elephants, Ringling Brothers, 2016

…In 2016, the iconic elephants of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed for the final time. The curtain came down on the long circus tradition after decades of protests by animal rights activists.

Two Lacakwanna residents have been indicted on kidnapping, conspiracy and threatening in a case where two men attempted to kidnap the daughter of one of the men take her to Yemen to be married against her will. 50 year old Khaled Abughanem and 32 Waleed Abughanem, the victim’s brother, allegedly conspired to transport a victim who has not been named from western NY to Sanaa Yemen and also threatening her with injury if she didn’t cooperate and then when she informed authorities of her situation. They had kidnapped her from Guadalajara Mexico in September of 2021.

A report stating that New York State legislators are seeking to restructure how the board of directors of Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation is chosen has local republican lawmakers upset. The lawmakers, Claudia Tenney, George Borrello and Stephen Hawley say that this changes 50 years of local communities working together with each other and the casinos to bring jobs, money and entertainment to Western NY and instead puts all the power into the hands of lawmakers in Albany. They characterize the move as a power grab by Governor Hochul and left wing legislators. Members of the board of directors are appointed by 17 counties and cities.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is disappointed that the Assembly Majority has moved to block his legislation, A.2062, from passing in the Assembly chamber. The bill would have eliminated the registration fee for Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Family Members for their distinctive license plates. Gold Star Family Members are families of veterans that served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice, and Hawley has always been an ardent supporter of showing those families the respect they deserve.

Emmanuel Baptist Church on Oak Street in Batavia is holding a fundraiser concert for Care A Van Ministries Sunday night at 7pm with a free dinner at 6pm. There will be a Merle Maple Basket as a door prize, a Free Will Offering taken for Care A Van with a gift for every person who gives, and lots of free food. Musicians include the Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir, soloists and groups and Debbie Prosser of Debbie Prosser Music Ministries. Care a Van operates its prayer bus with free coffee and snacks every day in Batavia. They provide free meals every week through the summer and clothing drives, a food pantry, and musical events for free to the community. Come out and support them and get yourself some great food and entertainment.

Over 500 projects supported by the Genesee County Economic Development Center have generated over $2 billion of investment in Genesee County, pledged over 5,000 jobs, and the construction of over 5 million square feet of new and renovated facilities, the agency announced in its 2022 annual report to community stakeholders. The Genesee County Economic Development Center officially unveiled its 2022 annual report to the community at the organization’s annual meeting on April 28 at Batavia Downs. The event also marks the 20th anniversary of Steve Hyde as President and CEO of the GCEDC. In 2022, the GCEDC closed on 12 projects that resulted in over $140 million in economic impact; $97 million in capital investment; and a pledge of 117 new jobs. The Batavia/Genesee County region was once recognized as a top performing micropolitan for the 19th consecutive year by Site Selection Magazine.

Richard Castillo, Jr.

40-year-old Richard Castillo Jr. of Oakfield has been sentenced to 5 years in prison with 10 years of post-release supervision for rape in the 2nd degree. He also pleaded guilty to similar charges in Genesee County and agreed to an additional 5-year sentence. He repeatedly raped a child under the age of 15 from 2019 through 2021, in the villages of Oakfield and Elba.

27-year-old Nathan Crawford of Batavia has been arrested and charged with petit larceny. It’s alleged he stole merchandise from Kohl’s. Crawford was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled for Town of Batavia Court at a later date.

The Genesee County Park & Forest is cancelling tomorrow morning’s Birding Walk due to inclement weather.  The next Birding Walk is Saturday, May 13th from 7:00am to 10:00am at DeWitt Recreation Area. You’ll learn things like how to identify birds by sight and sound. The walk is about one mile long over easy terrain.  For more information, please call 344-1122.

Interior of the St. John’s African Episcopal Church

Area residents are being urged to turn in their working and non-working firearms during a gun buyback event tomorrow. It will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm at St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls. People will be paid in gift cards ranging in value from $25 to $500, depending on the type of weapon they surrender. Since 2019, gun buyback events have helped remove more than 4000 firearms from New York’s communities.

A free, anti-rabies immunization clinic is scheduled for Thursday, May 18th from 4pm until 6:30 pm at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. For more information, please call 585-344-2580, extension 5555.

Governor Hochul announcing that agreement has been reached on the state budget – 4/27/23

Nearly a month after it was due, Governor Hochul says a conceptual agreement is in place on a brand-new state budget. The governor said last night the fiscal plan calls for $229,000,000 (billion) in spending, which is two billion more than her original proposal. Included in the budget are changes to the state’s bail reform laws and money to continue cracking down on gun violence. The legislature is expected to vote on the new budget in the next few days. The original budget deadline was April 1st.

Brittni Iverson – 13WHAM Photo

The death of a Rochester health care worker late last year has now been ruled a homicide. Brittni Iverson was an employee at the DePaul Addiction Services Center and she died in November, hours after she was involved in an altercation at the facility on Dewey Avenue. The case has been turned over to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether charges are going to be filed. In a statement, DePaul said it would fully cooperate to ensure justice is served.

Adiam Tsegai

David Balkin

Officials at SUNY Erie Community College say the search for a new president is about to get started. A search committee will be choosing who is going to replace David Balkin, who resigned in December after just 10 months on the job. The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting next week, but there’s no word just how long the search is going to take. The current acting president, ECC Provost Adiam Tsegai, is a candidate for the job.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Department will be doing its part this weekend to make sure the car seats children ride in are safe. A free car seat inspection event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the East Amherst Fire Hall on Transit Road. Deputies will be on hand to ensure that seats are properly installed and to answer any questions that parents may have. Anyone who can’t attend can check out the list of area car seat safety events at trafficsafety.ny.gov.

Dalton Kincaid

The Buffalo Bills have used their first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to bolster their offense. The reigning AFC East champions worked out a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up from the 27th overall selection to the 25th pick to select Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. He played in 55 games during his college career and will work alongside tight end Dawson Knox. Round two of the NFL Draft begins tonight at 7:00.

Kim Pegula – file photo

A prayer and healing vigil for Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula is set for tomorrow. It’ll be at the Eastern Hills Church on Greiner Road in Williamsville from 3:00 – 4:00pm and include prayer, worship, and a message from the Pegula family. Kim Pegula has been recovering from medical issues that she’s been dealing with since going into cardiac arrest at the family’s home in Florida last year. The service will also be streamed on the church’s Facebook page.

ELSEWHERE…

Highlights from this date in history…

1967… heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (at the time, known as Cassius Clay) refused induction into Army. He was later stripped of his WBA and WBC crowns as a result of his actions.

Rush Limbaugh

2006… accused of “doctor shopping” in an attempt to illegally acquire prescription pain medications, radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was booked into the Palm Beach County, Florida Jail. Limbaugh was released on $3,000 bail and later reached a deal with prosecutors that allowed him to avoid jail time.

File photo of unidentified woman grieving over the loss of a loved one.

2020… The U.S. confirmed cases of COVID-19 pass one million. The death toll surpasses the number of U.S. soldiers killed in the Vietnam War at 58,365 deaths.

And highlights from today’s news…

The escaped peacock is now back at the Bronx Zoo.

The runaway peacock is now back at the Bronx Zoo after spending the night in a nearby tree. Neighbors started calling the bird Raul when they spotted him perched in a tree just before eight p.m. Wednesday night. The bird flew from the zoo and allegedly pecked one man in the leg that was trying to get him out of harms way. More than 100 peafowl are free to roam zoo grounds and one the last time one of them flew away was 2011. It comes two months after an Owl broke free from the Central Park Zoo, but Flaco has yet to return to captivity.

Brittney Griner cried during an emotional press conference.

WNBA star Brittney Griner says she’ll never play overseas again unless it’s for the Olympics after being detained in Russia. Griner was imprisoned for ten-months in Russia after cannabis vape cartridges were allegedly found in her bag at an airport near Moscow. Griner admitted Thursday there were some tough times behind bars but looking at pictures of her family got her through it.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland

Fan voting for the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame comes to an end today. This year’s nominees include George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Iron Maiden, Warren Zevon, The Spinners, Willie Nelson, and Kate Bush. Fans can select up to five nominees a day. Cast your votes here: https://vote.rockhall.com/en/

Heritage Health and Housing Inc. of Harlem and Evergreen Health of Buffalo are suing the New York State Department of Health Medicaid director Amir Bassiri for what they say is fraud against federally qualified health centers, the New York State Supreme court and the state legislature. They are alleging that Bassiri lied about the new medicaid pharmacy benefit program. They say that Bassiri lied to the legislature about savings to New York taxpayers when each taxpayer is expected to have to pay 250 dollars more under the new program. They say Bassiri lied to the Supreme court by omitting information in asking for a restraining order against Evergreen Health and Heritage Health and Housing when they complained about the new program. Finally they allege he lied to FQHCs by saying they wouldn’t be impacted negatively by the program. The lawsuit says that all New York State Federally Qualified Health Centers are losing millions in funding and are facing mass layoffs due to changes Bassiri pushed. Governor Hochul touted the new program as expanding access to prescription medication while in actuality it cut roughly 30 percent of funding for most health centers. That money went directly to drug companies which were supposed to lower prices on drugs for customers.

40 year old Richard Castillo of Oakfield was sentenced to 5 years in prison with 10 years of post-release supervision on Thursday for rape in the 2nd degree. He is also likely serving 5 years in prison for charges in Genesee County court that he pleaded guilty to and will be sentenced in June. He will most likely serve a total of 10 years. He raped a child who was 15 at the time in the villages of Oakfield and Elba.

The Ogden Police Department announced the arrest of a man for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the Tops Friendly Markets on Slayton Avenue. 35 year old Simon Reznichenko, is charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree grand larceny in connection to the incident. Police said he is a parolee who was being monitored by GPS tracking. Officers were contacted Wednesday morning by employees at the store who reported an overnight theft. Police said the suspect entered the store around 11 p.m. Tuesday claiming to be an acquaintance of an overnight cleaning staff member. The suspect then spent several hours wandering the store posing as a cleaner and stealing from the store, before leaving around 6 a.m., according to police. Wednesday night, officers spotted the person wanted for the theft in the village of Spencerport and took Reznichenko into custody without incident. Police said they recovered around $7,000 in cash during the arrest.

Rochester isn’t the only place getting hit with cooking oil thefts. Buffalo has had similar incidents with many restaurants having their oil stolen. Biodiesel refineries which buy the cooking oil have lost money from the thefts as their usual suppliers have been coming up dry. The thieves then turn around and sell to other refineries. Buffalo Biodiesel says they have lost 10 million dollars in the last year. The company has added an investigator to help stop the thieves.

The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its next installment of its guest speaker series Wednesday May 10th at 6:30. Derrick Pratt of the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse will be talking about the choice between Buffalo or its neighbor Black Rock as the western terminus of the Erie Canal. Admission is 5 dollars or 3 for members. Trivia night will be Thursday May 11th at 7pm. The topic will be Sherlock Holmes and his creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Trivia night will be held at GO ART! Admission is 5 dollars or 3 for members.  The concert series at the Holland Land Office will continue with Don Dwyer on May 19th. Dwyer is a Musician, singer, and songwriter from Buffalo. He specializes in music and stories of the Civil War. Admission is 4 dollars for members or 5 for non members. Java with Joe will be held May 25th at 2pm. This month’s presenter is former Batavia resident and now local author David Reilly. David will be sharing stories from his childhood growing up in Batavia in the 1950s and 1960s, which are in his new book “Small Town Talk: Growing Up in Batavia, New York in the 1950s & 1960s.” Copies of the book will be available. Admission is free, and coffee and donuts will still be provided.

Lawmakers in Albany have reached an agreement with Governor Hochul to expand the child tax credit in the state to include children under the age of 4. Expanding the tax credit is expected to be included in a finalized budget agreement, which could be struck this week. Inclusion of the measure in the budget would come as New York has sought to bolster support for families, including measures meant to expand childcare programs through more funding. The budget is expected to also include an increase in the state’s minimum wage to $17 and then link it to the rate of inflation. Lawmakers have also agreed to fund the state’s system of publicly financed campaigns for this election cycle after considering a delay in the implementation of the program.

State lawmakers and Governor Hochul have reached a deal to phase out gas hookups as part of the New York State budget being negotiated in Albany. The deal calls for the end of natural gas hookups in newly constructed buildings that are seven stories or less by the end of 2026 with a few exemptions. By 2028, all new construction would no longer be allowed to have gas hookups. New Yorkers will still be able to replace an old gas stove with a new gas stove.

Police across New York State did their part today to make sure kids got on and off their school buses safely. This was part of the annual Operation Safe Stop Day. It is estimated that 50,000 state residents illegally pass stopped school buses each day that school is in session. Penalties for a first-time offense include a fine of up to $400, 5 points on a person’s driver’s license and possibly 30 days in jail. Data shows that students are 70 times safer riding a school bus to school versus riding in a private vehicle.

Hague Street location, of death of 11-year-old boy – 13WHAM Photo

Rochester police are continuing their investigation into the death of an 11-year-old boy. Officers arrived at a home on Hague Street last night after receiving a medical call and found the child. The name of the boy hasn’t been released yet. Police also haven’t revealed the circumstances of his passing.

Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry is offering free birding walks this spring. The next one is scheduled for this Saturday from 7:00am to 10:00am at DeWitt Recreation Area. You’ll learn things like how to identify birds by sight and sound. The walk is about one mile long over easy terrain. Call 344-1122 to sign up or for more information.

Danielle Bush

A former waitress is going to be spending up to five years behind bars for her role in a ticket scheme. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says that 31-year-old Danielle Bush admitted to stealing gaming tickets and placing fraudulent bets while working at a restaurant on Lake Shore Road in Hamburg. Between June 2019 and February 2020, it is estimated the scheme cost the business $50,000. The scam was uncovered when the restaurant owner conducted an audit and as part of her sentence, Bush must pay restitution.

Fantasia Stone 

A man is facing a murder charge after being accused of killing a Rochester woman by intentionally setting her on fire. Investigators say Troy Parker doused 38-year-old Fantasia Stone with a flammable liquid at her apartment on Jefferson Avenue on April 11th. He then allegedly ignited that fluid, which triggered a fire that resulted in Stone’s death. Officials say Stone was involved in an argument with Parker before she was killed. Parker was arraigned yesterday and pleaded not guilty. (Provided photo)

The Buffalo Bills will be looking to improve their roster tonight during the first round of the NFL Draft. The defending AFC East champions have the 27th overall selection in the draft which is taking place in Kansas City, Missouri. The Bills are coming off of a season where they won 13 games but were eliminated in the playoffs by the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. this evening.

Wegmans and the American Heart Association are working together to distribute CPR education kits to people across the region. The supermarket chain says hundreds of CPR training and first aid youth sports kits will be handed out in areas where there is a Wegmans store. The American Heart Association believes these kits can save lives because in many cases, people who experience sudden cardiac issues need help immediately. For more information on this program go to heart.org.

ELSEWHERE…..

Jerry Springer

Legendary talk show host Jerry Springer is dead at 79. Springer’s family said he died peacefully at his home in suburban Chicago Thursday. He also served as the 56th mayor of Cincinnati in 1977.

The ‘Wheel’s’ announcer, Jim Thornton, took over the bonus round because the contestant is a big fan.

A lot of “Wheel of Fortune” fans were likely confused Wednesday when host Pat Sajak disappeared at the end of the show. Earlier in the show, the contestant who made it to the final bonus round revealed she was a huge fan of the show’s announcer Jim Thornton. Thornton decided to take over hosting duties during the bonus round for the first time in the show’s history.

About 230,000 people filed first-time jobless claims last week, fewer than analysts predicted. Figures out today from the Labor Department show that’s a decrease of 16,000 claims from the week before and below a forecast 249,000.

Americans who feel discriminated against at work have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a new study. People participating in the study published this week told researchers they did not have high blood pressure at the start of the 8-year study and most said they didn’t smoke and drank little or no alcohol. People who experienced intermediate levels of workplace discrimination at the beginning of the study were 22% more likely to develop high blood pressure after 8 years, compared to those who reported low levels of discrimination at work.

Mounjaro

A drug widely used to treat Type Two diabetes is on track to be approved for weight loss. Eli Lilly, the company that makes Mounjaro, said today that FDA approval could come by the end of the year. Studies have shown that obese people without diabetes on the drug have experienced weight loss as high as 21%.

The peacock that escaped from the Bronx Zoo, pictured hiding in a tree.

Officials are trying to capture a peacock that escaped from the Bronx Zoo and bit a man. Local residents have been checking out the peacock, which has been hanging out in a tree despite efforts yesterday by police and fire officials to capture it. It’s unclear how it escaped, but they are allowed to roam free on zoo property.

Still shot from a released video.

A school bus driver has been arrested and is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, after being accused of threatening a student in Buffalo. According to investigators, 68-year-old Michael Askew was caught on cell phone video last week saying he was going to shoot a student. A search of his residence in Cheektowaga led to the discovery of three legal handguns and one illegal rifle. Askew is expected to face an additional charge there for the rifle. Askew was employed by First Student who says that he’s already been fired. No students onboard the bus were hurt.

File photo: Main Street, Medina

Village of Medina property owners are in for a big tax increase to over $20. The Village Board has approved a budget that will require a 14.9% tax hike. This is the first time Medina, or any village in Orleans County, tops a $20 tax rate. The mayor of Medina noted that the village faces rising fuel, inflation and other expenses that cannot be avoided. Medina has not done a full reevaluation of its tax base in about five years and plans to conduct one this year; however, the new values won’t take effect until the 2024-25 budget.

Governor Hochul addressing the media about the late budget, for the first time in 11 days. April 25, 2023

Governor Hochul says she sees a path forward to end budget negotiations and that a deal could finally be reached by the end of this week. Yesterday, the governor said she and state lawmakers are still hammering out some key issues such as cracking down on illegal marijuana shops, charter schools, and also changes to bail reform laws. The governor also revealed that her controversial housing plan has been dropped from the budget. On Monday, the legislature passed a new budget extender to fund the state through Friday. Photo: Zach Williams

Hey Bud, let’s get you another tissue.

Updated data from the New York State Flu Tracker shows the spread of the illness is holding steady in our region. During the week ending April 15th, the area with the highest number of infections was Monroe County with 20; Erie County had 19. Niagara County reported 4 cases, while Ontario County had two during that same time period. There were no cases reported in Genesee County. Since the start of flu season, more than 331,000 state residents have contracted the virus.

Picketing nurses at Rochester General Hospital, 4/25/23. Photo: 13WHAM

Rochester General Hospital staff are on strike. Several nurses picketed outside the hospital late yesterday afternoon. Members of the Rochester Union of Nurses and Allied Professionals said contract talks with Rochester Regional Health are moving too slowly; they claim the hospital harbors unsafe conditions. Rochester Regional Health said it’s committed to reaching an agreement with the Union, but some of its proposals and counterproposals have been flatly rejected without a new counterproposal response.

The scene on Ashland Avenue, Niagara Falls, following the shooting.

Niagara Falls police have released new information on a double shooting that happened in their city earlier this week. They say a 16-year-old boy has now passed away due to his injuries after being shot on Ashland Avenue Monday. A 41-year-old man was also hit in the leg by gunfire but is already out of the hospital. (Provided photo)

Academy School #131

A Buffalo City School was locked down Tuesday after a gun was found in a backpack of a high school student during a routine inspection at Academy School #131. The incident occurred yesterday morning. A school safety officer found the gun during the inspection and confiscated it. The Buffalo Police Department was immediately notified and the school was placed under lockdown. The student left school grounds and the lockdown was later lifted under the direction of Buffalo police. No staff or students were harmed. (Provided photo)

A 14-year-old boy is in some trouble with the law after leading police on a chase while behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle. Gates police say the incident started yesterday when officers went to Chili Avenue after getting reports of a Kia doing doughnuts. The vehicle then went over a person’s lawn and hit a curb before it struck a police car. A pursuit then began that ended at the intersection of Norton Street and Hollenbeck Street in Rochester when the vehicle crashed. The teen was unhurt, taken into custody and brought to family court for arraignment.

The Seneca Nation says it’s planning to place a bid on the McKinley Mall in Hamburg when it goes up for auction in a few weeks. In a statement, Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Senior said he believes the property could be a unique potential opportunity with attributes that are of interest to explore. A Long Island-based real estate group purchased the mall in 2021 for more than $8,000,000 (million). It’s scheduled to be up for auction starting May 15th. (File photo)

Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School #12, April 2023. Photo: 13WHAM

A school in the Rochester City School District is being recognized as an Underground Railroad Site. The National Park Service selected Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School Number 12, as a new listing on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, which serves to preserve and honor the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, while inspiring people across the world. Frederick Douglass’ wife, Anna Murray-Douglass, played an important role in United States history, helping her husband escape slavery and sharing his dedication to the abolitionist movement. The Rochester City School District named School No. 12 after Anna Murray-Douglass in 2018.

The Buffalo Bisons announced the team would host a “Nurse Appreciation Night” on May 10. The team is partnering with Trusted Nurse Staffing to host the night to honor hard work, passion and dedication of the many nurses who serve the community every day. Nurses will be able to purchase game tickets for $10 each for themselves and their families online and at the Sahlen Field Box Office by showing a staff ID card. Trusted Nurse Staffing will also give away a free t-shirt to the first 500 nurses that visit their concourse table that night. Special in-game recognitions are planned as well as the inclusion of nurses throughout the in-game entertainment.

With opening day of the park just a few weeks away, Six Flags Darien Lake is still in need of workers for the upcoming 2023 season. To try and boost the number of staff, Six Flags is holding a hiring event this week that’ll last until Saturday. Anyone interested in applying can do so in-person at the employment center from nine a-m through seven p-m until Friday and from nine a-m until five p-m on Saturday. More information about the available positions can be found online at sixflags.com/jobs.

ELSEWHERE…

Niagara Falls

Forbes has released its “Best Places To Travel In The U.S. In 2023″ and Niagara Falls made the list. Besides the Falls, among the other attractions suggested for a visit include recommended the aquarium, visitor center, Wine on Third and the Power Plant.

“Yes, please!”

Today is a holiday with a twist. It’s National Pretzel Day. There are at least a couple of pretzel origin stories and they’re both about religion. According to one, pretzels were invented in 610 A.D. by an Italian monk as a reward for children who learned their prayers, the baked dough folded to resemble arms crossing the chest in prayer. Another version has pretzels invented in a monastery in southern France. Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants, who actually were German, introduced pretzels to North America in the 19th century. The observance of April 26th as National Pretzel Day began in 2003 with a declaration by then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

Unidentified grandmother won $1,000,000

A grandmother of ten from New Jersey is the winner of a $1,000,000 (million) prize in Powerball last month. The 50-year-old bought the ticket on an app for the April 15th drawing and matched all five numbers, except the Powerball. She said she’s going to spend the money on her grandchildren and is also planning a trip to Disney World with her family.

Freddie Mercury performing on stage with Queen – 1986

Some of Freddie Mercury’s personal items that will soon be up for auction

A collection of Freddie Mercury’s prized personal possessions is going up for auction. The Queen singer’s London home has remained untouched since he died in 1991, and now its contents are going up for sale by Sotheby’s auction house. The contents include Mercury’s stage costumes, the jeweled crown he wore on stage and his hand-written lyrics to “We Are the Champions.

Derek Geib, the owner of Bourbon and Burger, Romans, and the Coffee Press, is proposing to buy two parcels in the city center mall. Parcells 11a and b used to be the Valle Jewelers location. City management had previously requested permission from City Council for a reassessment of vacant properties, and 11A and B were evaluated to be worth $60,000 each as fair market value by Lynne, Murphy & Associates, Inc. City Manager Rachel Tabelski estimated the deal could be done by July and the parcels would no longer be sitting unoccupied in the mall.

A Buffalo City School was locked down Tuesday after a gun was found in a backpack of a high school student during a routine inspection at Academy School #131 Tuesday morning. A school safety officer found the gun during the inspection and confiscated it. No staff or students were harmed. The Buffalo Police Department was immediately notified and the school was placed under lockdown. The student left school grounds and the lockdown was later lifted under the direction of Buffalo police.

ARC GLOW has a new communications manager in Mallory Diefenbach. Mallory, a native of Eden, has been living in Batavia and growing as part of the community as she worked as a reporter. Prior to moving to Batavia, she worked as a reporter for The Post-Journal in Jamestown. Together, she has a decade’s worth of writing experience and community engagement. Diefenbach has a bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication from St. Bonaventure University, and has a double major in history. She will also be in charge of grant writing for ARC GLOW.

Rochester General Hospital staff are on strike. Several nurses picketed outside the Hospital late Tuesday afternoon. Members of the Rochester Union of Nurses and Allied Professionals said contract talks with Rochester Regional Health are moving too slowly, and claim the hospital harbors unsafe conditions. Rochester Regional Health said it’s committed to reaching an agreement with RUNAP, but some of its proposals and counterproposals have been flatly rejected without a new counterproposal response.

Police responded to Chili Avenue near Old Beahan Road around 9:20 a.m. for a report of the vehicle doing donuts in the roadway. Officers found the vehicle in a driveway and pulled in behind it, when the driver allegedly backed the vehicle over a neighboring house’s lawn, jumped a curb and struck a Gates police car on Chili Avenue. Police chased the vehicle into the city, but ended the pursuit when the driver drove through a wooden stockade fence. An officer found the vehicle flipped over at the intersection of Norton and Hollenbeck streets and said the occupants were trying to get out and flee the scene. Police took two suspects into custody. A third suspect remains at large. The 2 arrested were 22 and 14 years old.

A school in the Rochester City School District is being recognized as an Underground Railroad Site. The National Park Service selected Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School No. 12, as a new listing on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, which serves to preserve and honor the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, while inspiring people across the world. Frederick Douglass’ wife, Anna Murray-Douglass, played an important role in United States history, helping her husband escape slavery and sharing his dedication to the abolitionist movement. The Rochester City School District named School No. 12 after Anna Murray-Douglass in 2018.

Earlier this month, Forbes released its “Best Places To Travel In The U.S. In 2023″ and Niagara Falls, N.Y. made the list. Niagara Falls, N.Y. was submitted by Michele Herrmann, a Travel, Culinary and Lifestyle Freelance Writer and Content Creator. He recommended the aquarium, visitor center, Wine on Third and the Power Plant. Other places on the list include Phoenix, Ariz., San Francisco, Calif., Vail, Colo., St. Pete Fl., Savannah, Ga., Kansas City, Mo.

The Buffalo Bisons announced the team will host a “Nurse Appreciation Night” on May 10. The team said it has partnered with Trusted Nurse Staffing to host the night and it is in honor of the “hard work, passion and dedication of the many nurses who serve our community every day.” Nurses will be able to purchase game tickets for $10 each for themselves and their families online and at the Sahlen Field Box Office by showing a staff ID card. Trusted Nurse Staffing will also give away a free t-shirt to the first 500 nurses that visit their concourse table that night. The Bisons said there will be special in-game recognitions and the inclusion of nurses throughout the in-game entertainment.

Cassandra Smith

City police report that 37-year-old Cassandra Smith of Manhattan Avenue of Batavia has been arrested and faces many charges, including petit larceny. It’s alleged she stole various items from a yard and a porch on Manhattan Avenue. She also faces criminal trespass charges. Smith allegedly entered and remained unlawfully inside an apartment on Washington Avenue where she left a note for the victim to find when they returned home. She also faces criminal mischief charges; it’s alleged that Smith spray-painted an apartment door, doorbell camera, and a van in the driveway of a residence on Washington Avenue. She was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Part Court and has appearances scheduled for Batavia City Court.

Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry is offering free birding walks this spring. The next one is scheduled for this Saturday from 7:00am to 10:00am at DeWitt Recreation Area. You’ll learn things like how to identify birds by sight and sound. The walk is about one mile long over easy terrain. Call 344-1122 to sign up or for more information.

State lawmakers say there is progress being made on a final state budget more than three weeks after the original April 1st deadline. It was announced yesterday that there are still some things to be worked out such as a plan to address the illegal sales of cannabis and measures to address the environment. The legislature approved yet another budget extender yesterday to keep the government running through this Friday. Last year’s budget ended up being passed on April 9th.

The weather will be warming up over the next few weeks and Governor Hochul wants to make sure vulnerable New Yorkers can beat the heat. She’s announced $15,000,000 (million) in funding that will be available through the Home Energy Assistance Program. The program can provide air conditioners to individuals who need them such as folks with a medical condition that’s made worse by heat and also homes with young children or older adults. Anyone wishing to apply for help can do so starting Monday, May 1st, by contacting their local department of social services.

The City of Rochester has joined a lawsuit against both Hyundai and Kia in connection with vehicle thefts. The lawsuit claims that the automakers sold vehicles that were easily stolen by car thieves and as a result, some of them have been used in crimes including smash-and-grab burglaries. The lawsuit will not be able to help people who have had their vehicles taken. The city wants reimbursement for things like costs related to law enforcement time, but a specific dollar amount is not being sought.

Franklin High School Educational Campus

The Rochester City School District has taken action to try and protect students from violence. Security barriers have now been installed at the Franklin Educational Campus just days after someone drove a stolen vehicle onto school property during dismissal. Students were also almost hit by gunfire near the school back in January. Other safety measures being considered include adding more security cameras and police officers.

Members of the Buffalo Teachers Federation have overwhelmingly voted to approve a brand-new labor contract. The results of yesterday’s vote officially puts an end to years of negotiations between the union and Buffalo Public Schools. Under the terms of the deal, an investment of more than $240,000,000 (million) will be made in teacher compensation and their average salary will increase from $71,000 to $91,000 by 2026. In a statement, Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams said not only will this new contract make teachers some of the highest-paid in the region; it’ll also help the district maintain a strong financial position.

Unidentified child receiving vaccination. (File photo)

This is National Infant Immunization Week. County health departments encourage parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on routine vaccinations. For more information, call 344-2580, or click here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html or https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents

File photo of Buffalo Bills at St. John Fisher – 2022

The Buffalo Bills have made it official; they’ll be returning to St. John Fisher University in Pittsford for training camp. This will be the 22nd time in 24 seasons. The university hosted Bills camp annually from 2000-2019 before taking a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Bills returned last year after holding training camp at their facility in Orchard Park in 2020 and 2021. Dates, times and further details for this summer’s practices will be announced at a later date.

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Alexander Graham Bell making a telephone call.

Today is National Telephone Day. There is said to be more than nine billion mobile phones around the world. Meantime, there are still over 900 million landlines worldwide. Alexander Graham Bell famously invented the telephone, securing the patent in the 1870s.

General Motors is recalling more than 40-thousand Chevrolet medium-duty trucks due to a problem with the break-pressure sensor that raises the risk of fire. Federal regulators say a faulty assembly could leak brake fluid and cause an electrical short circuit. The recall covers Chevrolet 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500 model trucks from 2019 to 2023. GM is advising owners to park their trucks outside until dealers have the parts to fix them free of charge. GM said it’s not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.

A new study links French fries to depression and anxiety. A research team in China found that eating fried foods, especially fried potatoes frequently, is linked with a 12% higher risk of anxiety and 7% higher in depression than those who don’t eat fried foods.

Research has begun into a possible link between the COVID vaccine and tinnitus.

A possible link between the COVID vaccine and tinnitus is being studied by researchers. The sensation that causes ringing in the ears has been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by more than 16-thousand people after getting the shot. That’s according to the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Erin Drake with Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is now a father. The actor’s publicist confirmed Radcliffe and his long-time partner Erin Drake welcomed their first child. Other details like if the baby is a boy or girl and when the child was born weren’t provided.

The Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America based in Buffalo, and the Iroquois Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America based in Oakfield have announced they will be merging to form the Western New York Scout Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America. The merger will take place as of May 1 and the new council will serve youth from all of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties, and most of Livingston County. The councils say the benefits of the merger include: Improved program opportunities, Better support for volunteer leaders, A larger membership base to support a wider variety of events and activities, Greater financial sustainability and Two fully operational camp properties.

Six people could face prison time for allegedly stealing used cooking oil from Henrietta restaurants and trying to sell it. While it may look gross, the hardened yellowish-brown cooking oil is considered liquid gold to some — with refineries reportedly paying top dollar for the used oil to create biodiesel fuel. The Distillery, Osaka Sushi and the Asian Food Mart in Henrietta are all listed in a federal complaint, as the six suspects are charged with conspiracy to steal and resell the oil. According to court paperwork, investigators found an unregistered 9mm handgun with a full magazine next to it in an office at a warehouse on Commerce Drive along with 15000 gallons of used cooking oil. They also said they found more than $107,000 in cash inside a backpack locked in a room. The group behind the thefts is known across the U.S. and had been accused of doing the same thing in other states.

The government of New York has too many vehicles and need to sell them off. The Office of General Services of New York State has announced a series of spring and summer surplus vehicle auctions. They will be held across the state, with the first one in Syracuse today. There will be 15 in all, including three in the Capital Region. Those three will be May 4 in Albany, July 18 in Saratoga and July 19 in Albany again. In some cases, surplus equipment will also be sold.

Genesee County, in collaboration with Genesee Valley Conservancy, Western New York Land Conservancy, and Genesee Land Trust, has announced that the Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board will be accepting pre-applications from landowners interested in being considered for New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Farmland Protection program or other state and federal farmland protection initiatives that may become available in the future. The Farmland Protection program buys conservation easements on the State’s most productive farmland. The program is completely voluntary, and the seller retains ownership of the land and can continue farming the property. However, the land will have permanent restrictions on commercial, residential, and industrial uses.

The Buffalo Bills announced Monday they will return to the Rochester area for training camp this summer. The team will hold training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford for the 22nd time in 24 seasons. The university hosted Bills camp annually from 2000-2019 before taking a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Bills returned last year after holding training camp at their facility in Orchard Park in 2020 and 2021. Date, times and further details for this summer’s practices will be announced at a later date.

His music isn’t pop, it isn’t rock or R&B. You probably haven’t heard him on a hits station but he is a legend and he is coming to Batavia. Jimmy Sturr, who has released 152 records and is the winner of 18 Grammy Awards. Starting in 1964 he released his first album on a 45 and he has been touring with his Polka band ever since. He’ll be performing Thursday at 7pm. Tickets start at 22.39 and come with 20 dollars in free play.

FROM THE COUNTY SHERIFF: 27-year-old Nathan Crawford of Batavia has been arrested and charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing merchandise from the 48 Express Deli in Batavia. Crawford was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court for May 9th, pursuant to his charge. ALSO: 33-year-old Heather Derooy of Chili is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, and improper license plates. She was released with an appearance ticket for Bergen Town Court. (File photo)

File photo of the interior of the Albion Correctional Facility

An inmate in the Albion Correctional Facility, who was intoxicated on an unknown drug, attacked and injured four staff members at the medium security correctional facility. A week ago last Friday; an officer was conducting routine rounds in one of the facility housing dorms. He heard an inmate yelling from one of the dorms and went to investigate. He found an inmate was sitting on his bed, frothing from the mouth with the appearance of being intoxicated. The officer called for a medical response. But then the inmate jumped to his feet and started punching the officer in an aggressive manner. It required the assistance of three additional officers to get the inmate back under control but even then, he remained combative. The 24-year-old inmate is serving an 8 to 10 year sentence following conviction for burglary and bail jumping. Following the attack, the inmate was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.

Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry is offering free birding walks this spring. The next one is scheduled for this Saturday from 7:00am to 10:00am at DeWitt Recreation Area. You’ll learn things like how to identify birds by sight and sound. The walk is about one mile long over easy terrain. Call 344-1122 to sign up or for more information. (File photo)

The New York State budget is now more than three weeks late as lawmakers and Governor Hochul continue try to hammer out a final agreement. A budget extender that was approved last week is scheduled to expire today, which means the legislature will need to pass still another one so the state government can keep running. One thing that has reportedly been dropped from the final budget is Governor Hochul’s affordable housing proposal. The initial deadline to pass this year’s budget was April 1st.

“Moo.” (Roughly translated: “Thank you for thinking of me, but I really am contented where I am.”)

Local lawmakers are calling for new legislation to be passed to try and deter the theft of livestock from area farms. State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Michael Norris are pushing a measure that’d increase the penalty for individuals who trespass on farmland with the intent of committing a crime. If the bill is passed, anyone who is convicted might end up behind bars for up to 15 years. Recently, there have been reports of thefts and trespassing at farms in Niagara County.

Main Street, Adams, NY – file photo

An earthquake was reported southwest of Watertown, just after 2:00pm Sunday afternoon in the village of Adams. The earthquake, which registered a 3.6 magnitude on the Richter scale, was felt as far away as Oswego and Rome. No reports of damage have been made at this time. A 3.6 magnitude earthquake is classified as moderate, but rarely cause any damage. There are close to 500,000 estimated earthquakes of similar magnitude each year around the world. For more information, visit the United States Geological Survey website.

New York State Health Department is considering a ban on tobacco sales. The state health department commissioned a survey to gauge support for an all out prohibition of tobacco sales in the Empire State. Previously there was an attempt to pass a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products that failed to get through the legislature. The survey asks what people’s opinions would be on a policy to ban all tobacco products after a 10-year draw down period or banning all tobacco sales to people born after a certain date such as 2010. The poll also solicited input on whether there’s backing for other tobacco-related measures, including capping the number of retailers who can sell related products in a community and prohibiting its sales near schools. Michael Davoli, senior government relation’s director for the New York-based Cancer Action Network, said the state has “a historic opportunity” to “prevent another generation of youth from getting addicted to deadly tobacco.”

Unidentified teen driver and adult in vehicle – file photo

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission and state Department of Motor Vehicles will be working together this week for the annual “No Empty Chair” campaign. The safety initiative runs through Friday and the goal is to alert young drivers to roadway dangers so there aren’t any empty chairs during prom and graduation season. Students will learn about safe driving practices and police will be increasing patrols near high schools this week to get dangerous drivers off the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of death among teenagers.

There has been another increase in gas prices from last week. According to Triple A this morning, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.67. The state average is $3.69. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.62; that’s up 7 cents from last week and 26 cents from a month ago. Last year at this time, we were paying $4.22 per gallon.

File photo of smashed car window following theft of belongings

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people throughout the region to secure their belongings following multiple vehicle break-ins. They say the crimes happened between 12:30 and 2:30 yesterday afternoon in the Henrietta area. People reported having personal items taken and so far, no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents. Anyone with information is asked to dial 911 right away.

Members of the Buffalo Teachers Federation are going to be meeting today to vote on a brand-new contract. The deal reached with the school district calls for a $240,000,000 (million) investment in teachers during the next few years, including over 40-million-dollars in retroactive or bonus pay. Current teachers will also be required to contribute more money towards their health insurance coverage. Because of today’s meeting, all after school activities are canceled so that teachers can attend the vote.

ELSEWHERE…

The mistake caught by Liam.

Liam Squires

Are you smarter than a fifth grader? 10-year-old Liam Squires and his 5th grade class at Pearson Elementary School in Fauquier County, Virginia, were reviewing their textbook after a lesson on the rock cycle when he saw a picture labeled sedimentary. The sedimentary rock and igneous rock were labeled incorrectly in the textbook. “They’re flipped,” he said. Liam had noticed that two rocks were misplaced in a diagram of the rock cycle. The significance of his discovery was not clear to his mother until months later in March, when Liam was praised by the school district superintendent and received a letter from the textbook’s publisher.

Unidentified teenager breaks into, and gets trapped, in a claw machine game.

An unnamed 13-year-old climbed into a claw machine, called the “Cosmic XL Bonus Game,” at Carowinds Amusement Park at around 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday and became stuck. The theme park, which borders the North and South Carolina state lines, reported that the boy was attempting to steal plush toys from within the machine. The park’s medical team responded and the boy left the machine after about 10 minutes of being stuck inside. He was treated and released and has been banned from the park for one year for ‘attempted theft’.

Animatronic dragon catches fire at Disneyland.

The Disney magic was cut short over the weekend after a fire at the theme park. Video on social media shows a tall prop dragon in Disneyland going up in flames Saturday during a nighttime water and fireworks show. Park officials say crews were able to put out the blaze and people were evacuated away from the area. No injuries were reported.

Bed Bath & Beyond is filing for bankruptcy protection as it tries to stay afloat. The home goods retailer filed for Chapter Eleven protection Sunday in District of New Jersey court. The company listed its estimated assets and liabilities in the range of $1,000,000,000 (billion) and $10,000,000,000 (billion).

What’s on your bucket list?

Today is National Bucket List Day. April 24th celebrates it to remind folks to set new goals and live life to the fullest. A bucket list is defined as things a person would like to experience or accomplish before they die, also known as “kicking the bucket.” It can include vacation destinations; life milestones like graduating from college, or something like going skydiving.