Jason Lane

A former Town of Greece police recruit has pleaded guilty to the receipt of child pornography. 28-year-old Jason Lane of Greece had uploaded approximately 260 files to an email account. The files included an image of a partially nude preschool-aged child, which appears to have been taken at a childcare facility in Rochester. The files also include sexually explicit images of two minor victims that appear to have been taken by Lane. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July.

An investigation is underway into what caused a crash on the New York State Thruway that left one person dead. According to State Police, the collision involving two passenger vehicles and a flatbed tractor-trailer happened yesterday at mile marker 396 in Pembroke. One person died at the scene but no one else was injured. According to early reports, a vehicle rolled over and a person was ejected. Anyone who saw the accident is asked to call State Police.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced there is an Air Quality Advisory in effect through tonight at 11:00 for both Western and Central New York. The pollutant of concern is ozone. For more information, the state Air Quality Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-535-1345, or visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/34985.html

A three-year-old Lockport girl is in critical condition after being brutally attacked by her family’s dogs. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened yesterday at a residence on Glendale Drive. The child was rushed to Oishei Children’s Hospital for treatment of the injuries she suffered. The investigation into this case is ongoing and the dogs are in possession of the SPCA of Niagara County.

Daniel Ponder at his arraignment last month

Three more people are now facing charges in connection with a kidnapping in Rochester. Officials say two teenagers and an adult were involved in the abduction of a mother and her four-year-old son in March. Previously, 24-year-old Daniel Ponder was arrested for his role in the kidnapping, and these suspects are being accused of helping him. Both the woman and her child were eventually found safe at a home on Reynolds Street.

Cortez Foster

A Buffalo man who is responsible for a murder that happened more than two years ago has found out the punishment for his crime. Yesterday, a judge ordered 33-year-old Cortez Foster to spend 40 years to life behind bars. Prosecutors say Foster shot and killed 29-year-old Marcus Spain on Johnson Street in Buffalo back in March of 2021. Foster was found guilty earlier this year and was sentenced as a second felony offender.

Maid of the Mist – file photo

One of Western New York’s most popular tourist attractions will return tomorrow when the Maid of the Mist officially launches its 2023 season. The tour gives people a close look at Niagara Falls, which is considered one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. Tickets cost $28.25 for adults, $16.50 for kids between the ages of six and 12 and children under 5 are free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, go to maidofthemist.com.

File photo, Casey Mittelstadt; he scored the winning goal last night in overtime

The Buffalo Sabres have wrapped up the home portion of their season with a win over a longtime rival. Tage Thompson, Victor Olofsson, Casey Mittelstadt and Henri Jokiharju all scored as the Sabres beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in overtime at KeyBank Center last night. Buffalo goaltender Craig Anderson faced 33 shots in the contest and was able to stop 30 of them. The Sabres finish up their regular season tonight with a road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Neither team is in the playoffs.

ELSEWHERE…

Russian tank captured by Ukraine in Louisiana

A Russian tank that was reportedly captured by Ukraine last fall has somehow turned up at a Louisiana truck stop, and nobody seems to know how or why. Photos of the massive military crawler, which was loaded onto a trailer, popped up on Reddit thanks to a worker at the travel center off Interstate-Ten in the town of Roanoke. The military says it’s not theirs.

Dimes on the parking lot in Philadelphia

Police are investigating after thieves stole $100,000 in dimes off a truck in Philadelphia. Authorities say the Florida bound truck had picked up $750,000 in dimes from the United States Mint and had stopped overnight in Philadelphia. On Thursday morning, police found the trailer broken into and coins scattered across the parking lot. No arrests have been made. (NBC News photo)

Both the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are still on the rise and are now sitting at a combined $695,000,000 (million). The prize for Mega Millions tonight is $476,000,000. And anyone lucky enough to win the Powerball tomorrow night will find themselves $219,000,000 richer. Both drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.

FROM THE GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF: 39-year-old Jennifer Lee of Rochester is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia while inside the Genesee County Jail. Lee was held pending a CAP Court arraignment. ALSO: 31-year-old Allison Forsha of Nunda is charged with petit larceny after she was observed at Dick’s Sporting Goods allegedly stealing various items from the store. She was issued an appearance ticket to return to Town Court later this month.

Unidentified family in undated file photo; whomever they are, they sure do look happy!

The results of a new poll show that a lot of New Yorkers are happy living in the Empire State. According to the Siena College Research Institute, 70% of folks surveyed said they’re glad to be in New York, while 30% said they wish they were somewhere else. Data also showed that 71% of respondents are planning to be living in New York in 5 years. The state received high grades for things including education and healthcare but low grades for politics, safety, and affordability.

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.

Aftermath of helicopter crash in Mendon – 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for increased safety measures following deadly crashes involving helicopters. Back In 2021, three soldiers lost their lives in an accident that happened in Mendon; and just a few weeks ago, nine people were killed during a training exercise in Kentucky. Schumer says the Government Accountability Office has finished its investigation into both tragedies and made recommendations. They include improving efforts to ensure pilots get the required number of training hours and creating a database to track incidents and the implementation of post-crash recommendations.

Sheriff William Sheron

The Genesee County Legislature has approved an additional expense of $23,094 for unexpected costs related to the capital project for dispatch center console furniture. The project initially was for $320,000 in February 2022 and was adopted last July for $380,000. The director of Emergency Communications requested the latest additional funding to complete the project, which was estimated to be 95 percent finished. Individual monitors are to be installed within the next week or so. The outdated communications monitor that was several years old was removed at no charge. Joanne Beck provided the comprehensive story to our news partner, The Batavian. Here is a direct link to the story:

https://www.thebatavian.com/joanne-beck/out-with-the-old-in-with-a-new-400k-dispatch-console-revenue-from-inmate-communications

36-year-old Nathan Follett of Rochester has pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography, which requires a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine. Follett had engaged in sexually explicit communications with 11 minor victims, knowing that each was under the age of 18. During the conversations, he coerced them to produce images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct and send the images to him. Sentencing is scheduled for August.

A Juul pod system “starter kit”

Juul is paying $462,000,000 (million) in a multi-state settlement and New York is getting its share. New York will receive nearly $113,000,000 in the lawsuit that claimed Juul was partially responsible for the rise in vaping among young people. The settlement also requires retailers to keep Juul products behind counters and also ID customers trying to purchase vaping products. The company must also stop using people under the age of 35 in their marketing campaigns. New York Attorney General Letitia James says much of the settlement will go towards programs that deter underage smoking.

Tushaun Glenn

A California man who was wanted in connection with a robbery in West Virginia has been captured in Western New York. Orchard Park police say a vehicle associated with 45-year-old Tushaun Glenn was pulled over for a traffic stop Monday. Glenn lied about his identity, but police eventually determined who he was and took him into custody. Glenn is being held in the Erie County Holding Center and is awaiting extradition.

File photo of a memorial for victims, from July 2022, outside of Tops in Buffalo

Plans have been announced for the memorial events that will be held to honor the victims of a deadly shooting at a Tops store in Buffalo. Yesterday, Mayor Byron Brown revealed plans for what is being called the “5/14 Remembrance Weekend of Reflection, Healing and Hope.” Events will start Friday, May 12th and continue until Sunday, May 14th, which will be the one-year anniversary of the shooting on Jefferson Avenue that left 10 people dead and three others hurt. The shooter, Payton Gendron has already been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.

A still shot from police officer body cam video – street sweeper tipped over on I-290

A Town of Tonawanda employee charged with DWI is no longer on the job following his involvement in a crash. According to officials, Roger Murphy was operating a street sweeper on the Interstate 290 expressway last week when it ended up tipping over. Town Supervisor Joseph Emminger tells The Buffalo News street sweepers don’t clean the highway, but drivers do use the road to get across town quickly. Murphy claimed the accident happened when he was cut off by another driver but an investigation revealed that wasn’t the case. (Provided photo)

Aerial file photo of a Sabres game at KeyBank Center

Even though they are eliminated from the playoff race, the Buffalo Sabres have one final chance to play in front of their home crowd tonight. The Sabres are hosting the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off a 6-2 loss on the road to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night that extended their postseason drought to 12 seasons. Face-off this evening is scheduled for 7:00.

ELSEWHERE…

Disneyland Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain at Disneyland will make its final run on May 30th, right after Memorial Day weekend. The log flume ride is based on the 1946 movie “Song of the South” and is shutting down after complaints of racist imagery. The attraction will reopen in 2024 as “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.” The new theme is based on the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog.”

Former President Trump displays confidence this morning prior to deposition – 4/13/23

Former President Donald Trump is in New York today for another deposition in the civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James. James has filed a quarter-billion-dollar lawsuit against Trump and his company, accusing the former president and his businesses of misleading banks by misstating the value of many of his properties.

Flooding in Broward County, Florida

Forecasters are calling the torrential downpours in southern Florida a “particularly dangerous situation.” The National Weather Service in Miami used exclamation points Wednesday night to warn people living in Broward County to “move to higher ground now,” as a flash flood emergency was issued for the area. Over a foot of rain has fallen in the region and rescue officials say Fort Lauderdale is “experiencing severe flooding in multiple areas of the city.”

Rat appears worried while listening to Kathleen Corradi, 4/13/23

New York City is hiring a full time person to try and tackle the city’s rat problem. Kathleen Corradi is the city’s new rat czar, and will oversee the multiple strategies being used by the city to try and reduce the rat population. Corradi says she will bring science to a systems-based approach with a strong focus on cutting off food, water and shelter for rats.

File photo of Genesee County Sheriff’s car

FROM THE GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF: 31-year-old Justin Nadrowski of Batavia is charged with unlawful surveillance after allegedly placing a camera inside the bedroom of another person without their knowledge or consent. He was held at the Genesee County Jail until his arraignment. ALSO: 34-year-old Anthony Armstrong, Jr. of Rochester is charged with possession of contraband at the Genesee County Jail. In response to these allegations, he was issued an appearance ticket, returnable to Batavia City Court later this month. ALSO: 27-year-old Joshua Ruffin of Rochester is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

On Saturday, April 22, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, law enforcement agencies across Genesee County will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. There will be three locations across the county where citizens can dispose of their medications.

-The Batavia Police Department, in conjunction with United Memorial Medical Center, will be accepting prescription drugs and sharps in the Alva Place parking lot across the street from Batavia Showtime (located in the Genesee County Mall), Batavia.

-The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office will accept prescription drugs ONLY at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Rd. Corfu.

-The LeRoy Police Department will be accepting prescription drugs ONLY at their headquarters located at 3 West Main Street, LeRoy.

Sharps will only be accepted at the Batavia location. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

13 pounds of marijuana

A Rochester resident has been arrested after accidentally making a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge. Officials say the 25-year-old man gave a false name to Customs and Border Patrol Agents Sunday, and a search of his vehicle led to the discovery of 13 pounds of marijuana with a street value of roughly $33,000. The man was taken into custody and turned over to Buffalo Police. He was later charged with cannabis possession. (Provided photo)

File photo of unidentified teenager receiving a Covid-19 booster shot

The State University of New York has announced that students will no longer have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be on campus. The end of the mandate comes after President Biden signed a bill declaring the coronavirus was no longer a national emergency. SUNY is still encouraging people to get immunized against the illness so that it doesn’t spread. Chancellor John King Junior says SUNY will continue to monitor the number of cases and make adjustments as needed.

File photo of Buffalo Police car

Two detectives with the Buffalo Police Department are recovering after being hurt in the line of duty. The department says they were attempting to apprehend a burglary suspect in the area of Herkimer Street and West Ferry Street yesterday. The detectives ended up getting involved in a fight with the suspect and all three individuals ended up suffering non-life-threatening injuries. The names of the people involved in the incident haven’t been released.

The sign in front of the new Whole Foods Market

After a long legal battle, the Whole Foods Market in Brighton will be opening up its doors today as scheduled. Yesterday, a judge rejected a motion filed by a group called Brighton Grassroots that was aimed at preventing the business from being able to welcome customers. Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle called the judge’s decision an exciting day for the community. A representative for Brighton Grassroots says members are already planning an appeal.

It’s almost time…

With tax day less than one week away, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is reminding Empire State residents about the resources that are available to them. The agency says people who are eligible can use Free File to send in both their state and federal returns. Also, anyone who needs help can get it by using the Taxpayer Assistance Program, which can be found online at tax.NY.gov/TAP. The deadline to file returns is next Tuesday, April 18th at 11:59 p.m.

A disappointed Sabres team – following loss that eliminated them from the playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres have been eliminated from the NHL playoff race following a disappointing loss in the Garden State. Mattias Samuelsson and Jeff Skinner had the lone goals for the Sabres as the New Jersey Devils beat them by a final score of 6-2 at the Prudential Center last night. Buffalo goaltender Devon Levi was able to stop 24 of the 28 shots he faced in the contest. Buffalo’s next game is at home tomorrow against the Ottawa Senators with face-off at 7:00.

ELSEWHERE…

Post Office logo through the years

The U.S. Postal Service is raising the price of stamps to offset inflation. The USPS recently announced it’s planning to bump up the price of first-class-mail stamps by three cents, to 66-cents. The Postal Service says the price hike is needed to offset higher operating expenses. The latest price hike will go into effect in July.

Earl Tupper made it so burping in the kitchen was acceptable

Famous food storage company Tupperware says it’s struggling and has hired advisers to help turn things around. The company announced last week its experiencing financial problems, and there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue. Earl Tupper started the company in 1946 in Massachusetts, and five years later, he moved it to Kissimmee, Florida.

Scientists say they’ve discovered a “hidden chapter” from the Bible. Researchers in Vienna have been studying a parchment they believe dates back to the 3rd century, which contains two chapters from the Book of Matthew. Using ultraviolet photography, they found a third chapter written beneath the text, which the scientists believe is an earlier translation of the chapter.

An animal tranquilizer could worsen the nation’s ongoing drug crisis. The Biden administration today declared that illicit fentanyl mixed with an animal tranquilizer known as xylazine is an “emerging threat” and is linked to a rising number of fatal overdose deaths in the U.S. The designation now requires the federal government to coordinate a national response.

Jodie Foster

Oscar winning actress Jodie Foster is going to be adding another prestigious honor to her already long list of accomplishments. Foster is set to receive the George Eastman Award, which is given to people who have made extraordinary contributions to cinema. The award ceremony is set for May 25th at the Dryden Theatre. There will be screenings of several of Foster’s films such as Taxi Driver and Panic Room throughout the month of May. For more information, go to Eastman.org.

The $2.2 million dollar sneakers

A pair of signed, game-worn Michael Jordan sneakers are breaking the bank. Fine arts company Sotheby’s announced that the shoes worn by MJ in the second half of Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals recently sold for more than $2,200,000 (2.2 million). That’s the highest price ever paid at auction for a pair of sneakers.

The Mega Millions jackpot is getting close to the $500,000,000 (million) mark. Tuesday night’s drawing failed to produce a grand prizewinner, so that puts $476,000,000 on the line when numbers are announced for next Mega Millions drawing this Friday. The cash option on that jackpot works out to $256,000,000. Please play responsibly.

Josue Lubala

A Cheektowaga man has been sentenced to prison for his role in two separate carjacking-related crimes; one of the car-jackings involved a woman and a two year old child. Yesterday, a judge ordered 18-year-old Josue Lubala to spend the next 8-1/2 years behind bars. Lubala pleaded guilty last month to several charges including robbery, kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. No one was seriously hurt in either of the incidents that happened last year. Once he’s released from custody, Lubala will be on probation for six years.

Chief Joshua Graham

City of Batavia Fire Chief Joshua Graham has announced conditions are in place that creates an elevated fire weather risk. Today and through the remainder of the week, the combination of above normal temperatures along with gusty winds, dry dead brush, a dry air mass and relative humidity lowering to 25% creates a prime situation for potential wild fires. The annual statewide burn ban is in effect until May 14th.

File photo of Medina Police car

A recent parolee in Medina was jailed after he allegedly stabbed his father in the buttocks. This happened during an altercation on Sunday. Officers were called to a residence on South Main Street about 8:00pm for a report that a man had been stabbed. 23-year-old Jakob Bishop had ingested a large amount of drugs prior to the incident.

613 Main Street, Medina – 4/7/23

Firefighters in Medina used at least 7.5 million gallons of water to put out the fire at 613 Main Street. That doesn’t count the water drawn in two spots from Oak Orchard Creek. Medina Mayor Mike Sidari has been a Medina firefighter for about 40 years, and he said the blaze was the biggest he’s seen in the village. He thanked firefighters, about 150 in all, and other responders for getting the fire under control without spreading. A structural engineer has deemed the building is in no danger of immediate collapse after the roof and floors caved in. The building is fenced off and the village has an agreement from building owner Jeff Fuller to stabilize the site. There weren’t any injuries from the fire, and one of the residents was safely rescued from a second-floor window. Fire investigators from the county and state continued their work today on determining the cause of last Friday’s blaze. (Provided photo)

A free, anti-rabies immunization clinic is scheduled for Thursday, May 18th from 4pm until 6:30 pm. It will be held 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.

Ahhhh….CHOOOO!

Some brand-new data from the New York State Flu tracker shows the spread of the virus is holding steady in our region. During the week ending April 1st, the area with the highest number of infections was Erie County with 40; Monroe County had 32. Ontario County had the next highest total during that time period with 5; Genesee and Niagara Counties each had 4 and Wayne County had three. Statewide, more than 327,000 New Yorkers have contracted the illness since flu season began. County Health Departments continue to encourage residents who have not yet gotten their flu shot to roll up their sleeves because it is never too late in the season.

Members of the Legislature have voted to approve another budget extender that will keep the state government running for the next several days. This new extender will be in effect until Monday, April 17th and will ensure that thousands of state workers get their next paychecks on time. Lawmakers have been trying to strike a budget deal with Governor Hochul, but there are issues that still need to be worked out including bail reform, minimum wage, and affordable housing. The original deadline for an on-time budget was April 1st.

Whole Foods store at Monroe Avenue, Brighton

The battle over the Whole Foods project in Brighton is the subject of a court hearing today. An organization called Brighton Grassroots wants a state appeals court judge to delay the store from opening its doors. Recently, a state Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of the project, allowing it to move forward. The Whole Foods is currently scheduled to start welcoming customers tomorrow.

Jeff Skinner, center, celebrates with teammates his game-winning overtime goal last night.

The Buffalo Sabres are still in the hunt for a playoff spot after picking up a huge win in New York City. Casey Mittelstadt and JJ Peterka had a goal apiece as the Sabres defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 in a shootout at Madison Square Garden last night. Sabres rookie goaltender Devon Levi faced 28 shots in the contest and stopped 26 of them. Three games remain for the Sabres and tonight Buffalo visits the New Jersey Devils, with face-off at 7:00.

Please play responsibly.

It has been a few weeks since someone won the Mega Millions jackpot, but lottery players are hoping they’ll have luck on their side tonight. The top prize up for grabs is $441,000,000 (million) after no one correctly picked all the winning numbers for Friday’s drawing. Anyone who wants to watch this evening’s drawing live can do so online at megamillions.com. Please play responsibly.

ELSEWHERE…

Hannah Zwerner welcomes students on the first day of school

Deja Taylor, mother of six-year-old shooter; provided photo

There are new developments in the case of a Virginia teacher shot by a six-year-old student. The boy’s mother, Deja Taylor, is now facing charges and is expected to turn herself in later this week. She was indicted by a grand jury yesterday for child neglect and not locking up her loaded gun. Police say the boy opened fire three months ago in his first grade classroom at Richneck Elementary in Newport News, hitting Abigail Zwerner in her chest and hand.

Former President Trump in a still photo from a video of his deposition from last year

Former President Trump is heading back to New York City this week for a deposition. The New York Post reports that New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is investigating the Trump Organization’s business practices, will grill Trump, for the second time. Sources say he’s expected to plead the Fifth, as he did when he was questioned by the AG’s office last year.

File photo of striking Writers Guild of America workers, from 2007-08

Writers Guild of America members will begin voting today on whether to authorize a strike. A strike could seriously affect film and television production across the nation. The WGA has been negotiating a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since March 20th. The Alliance represents the nine largest studios in Hollywood.

Covid-19 National Emergency ends next month

President Biden has signed a bill ending the national COVID emergency. Most Democrats in the House opposed the GOP-led resolution, but the White House has said it would not veto the measure if it made it to Biden’s desk. The White House wanted to wind down the national emergency on May 11th. The measure gives states the go-ahead to start winding it down now.

Jason Anderson

41-year-old Jason Anderson of Batavia has been indicted on charges of robbery, menacing, criminal mischief and criminal possession of a weapon, which he displayed when attempting to steal items from Walmart in Batavia. Charges also include that he intentionally placed or attempted to place another person in reasonable fear of serious physical injury.

Raymond Amaro

36-year-old Raymond Amaro of Batavia is charged with robbery, grand larceny, reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. It’s alleged he forcibly stole car keys from an acquaintance and then struck her with the vehicle while fleeing the scene. Amaro was arraigned in Batavia City Court and held on bail.

Robert Drennen, Sr.

41-year-old Robert Drennen Sr. of Brockport is charged with grand larceny after allegedly stealing an acquaintance’s debit card and withdrawing money without permission. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance to reappear tomorrow.

The inside of the building roof and floors caved in

The big fire on Main Street in Medina is now completely extinguished. A total of 150 firefighters from four counties battled the blaze Friday afternoon, and Medina firefighters worked over the weekend putting out hotspots. A structural engineer toured the site with village officials and determined there were no signs of imminent collapse of the building, despite the roof and floors caving in. The building owner is one of two residents in the site and both got out safely. There also was a carpet business on the first floor. The investigation continues into the cause of the fire. (Provided photo)

35-year-old Andrew Taylor of Batavia has been arrested and charged with arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, in connection with an incident on West Main Street. Taylor was issued appearance tickets returnable to Batavia City Court.

37-year-old Rosemary Waters of Batavia (homeless) has been arrested and charged with petit larceny. It’s alleged she stole merchandise from a store on Veteran’s Memorial Drive. She’s scheduled to return to the Town of Batavia Court later this month.

Senator Borello

Senator George Borrello will be in Batavia for a Town Hall Meeting early tomorrow evening, April 11th, from 6 until 7. Everyone in the community is welcome to hear the latest updates on state and local issues, ask questions and offer comments. The event will be held at City Hall, One Batavia City Centre.

Thruway traffic cam of backed up traffic – Saturday morning, 4/8/23

New York State Police are still looking into a crash on the Thruway that resulted in one person being killed. Troopers say the accident happened Saturday morning in West Seneca and involved a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer. The victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was pronounced dead shortly after first responders got to the scene. Witnesses to the crash are asked to call State Police.

According to Triple A today, the average national cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.60. That is up six cents in the past week and is 14 cents higher than this time one month ago. Currently, the state average is sitting at $3.54 and in Batavia; we’re paying $3.51 per gallon. That’s an increase of a nickel from a week ago and 15 cents from a month ago.

New York State Capitol building

Governor Hochul says it might be a few more days before she and lawmakers finally have an agreement in place on a new state budget. Over the weekend, the governor said one of the main sticking points in reaching a deal continues to be changes to the state’s bail reform law. The legislature is expected to be at the Capitol today to pass another budget extender that will keep the state government running. The original deadline to pass the state budget was back on April 1st.

Tage Thompson scored the go-ahead goal in Saturday’s win (file photo)

The Buffalo Sabres will be in the Big Apple tonight as they try and keep their hopes of making the playoffs alive. The Sabres are set to take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Buffalo is coming off of a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday that kept them in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Face-off this evening is scheduled for 7:00.

Jon Rahm Master’s Open winner, 2023

Jon Rahm is on top of the world after winning this year’s Masters golf tournament. He secured the green jacket at Augusta National Sunday, finishing 12-under par. Rahm is now the number one ranked golfer in the world.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth $192,000,000 (million). That’s after there was no grand prizewinner over the weekend. The cash value on that works out just shy of $105,000,000. Please play responsibly.

Red Cross – Snoopy t-shirt

The American Red Cross is offering a new incentive in hopes of getting people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Anyone who donates until April 23rd will get a Red Cross t-shirt featuring the popular Peanuts character Snoopy. They will also be entered to win a trip for two to Sonoma County, California that’ll include a $1,000 gift card, flights and hotel. To set up a donation appointment, dial 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

ELSEWHERE…

Velella, or “By the Wind Sailor”

Strange jellyfish-like creatures have been washing up on several of Southern California’s beaches in recent days. Hundreds have been seen near Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Salt Creek Beach. They look quite a bit like the poisonous Portuguese Man O’War, but experts say they’re a cousin of the jellyfish called Velella.

Henry Spoon, Jr.

Police tape at the Carlton orchard scene of murder-suicide

Orleans County law enforcement is still trying to determine why a father from Lockport killed his son and then took his own life. On Sunday, 39-year-old Henry Spoon Jr., a Marine Corps veteran who had served in the Iraq War, shot his 14-year-old son Shawn Spoon in the head and then cut his throat. He then cut his own throat and shot himself in the head. Family members say they are surprised by the incident, noting that Spoon, who was diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, loved his son and they hadn’t seen any signs that he was a threat of such violence. Officers have recovered cell phones that Mr. Spoon had thrown out of the vehicle prior to arriving at the scene of the incident, an orchard in Carlton. They also plan to look at a tablet and computer owned by the elder Spoon in hopes of determining what was going through his mind. Shawn Spoon was a student at Lockport High School. The district is making grief counseling available next week when students return to school. (Provided photos: Henry Spoon, Jr.; There is police tape up in an orchard on Kendrick Road in Carlton while an investigation continues into a murder and suicide on Sunday, April 2, where Mr. Spoon killed his 14-year-old son before taking his own life.)

Lawmakers are in danger of missing a second state budget deadline as negotiations on a final fiscal plan continue. Governor Hochul says it is unlikely a deal will be reached until issues such as bail reform, minimum wage, and affordable housing are worked out. Lawmakers have already passed a budget extender that gives them until the end of this coming Monday to approve a budget so that the government remains funded. The original budget deadline was back on April 1st.

Mabel Rosado-Delgado

The woman who was arrested for her role in the death of her three-month-old daughter will be spending a lot of time behind bars. Yesterday, a judge sentenced Mabel Rosado-Delgado to 25 years in prison. Prosecutors say the child was brought to Rochester General Hospital in June 2021 and that she suffered severe trauma before passing away. Once Rosado-Delgado is out of prison, she’ll be on probation for five years.

Jerry Lovett

An inmate at the Ontario County Jail is facing charges after being accused of conspiring to kill someone. Officials say 32-year-old Jerry Lovett conspired with a person who was not in custody to kill another individual for financial gain. Lovett was already in custody on an attempted murder charge following a violent incident earlier this year. He’s scheduled to appear in Hopewell Town Court at a later date.

View from the drone used to catch a suspect

A man who was already on parole is in some more legal trouble after being involved in a police pursuit in Niagara County. A deputy spotted a vehicle driven by Milton Daniels, IV traveling quickly south of Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield yesterday. The deputy tried to pull Daniels over, but he refused to stop, triggering a chase. The officers launched a drone and the suspect was spotted in the trees along Lemke Drive. Law enforcement was guided there, and Milton Daniels IV surrendered, and was taken into custody. He’s facing several charges and was released on an appearance ticket. (Provided photo)

February 2022 file photo – The Bills training camp

It looks like the Buffalo Bills are going to be preparing for the upcoming NFL season at Saint John Fisher University. According to WROC-TV, the Bills are going to hold their summer training camp there this year. The Bills trained at the school from 2000 until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Their 2021 camp was in Orchard Park but last year’s was at Saint John Fisher. An official announcement is expected in the next few weeks.

Dylan Cozens – file photo

The Buffalo Sabres have kept their chances of making the playoffs alive after picking up a much-needed win on the road. Dylan Cozens scored twice and Tage Thompson, Zemgus Girgensons, and Jordan Greenway had a goal each as the Sabres defeated the Detroit Red Wings 7-6 in a shootout last night. Buffalo goaltender Devon Levi stopped 26 of the 32 shots he faced in the contest. Up next for the Sabres is a home game against the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow with face-off at 12:30.

I don’t have the heart to tell them they need to play the winning numbers before the drawing

The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots continue to grow and are now sitting at a combined $600,000,000 (million). The prize up for grabs in Mega Millions tonight is $414,000,000. And whoever is lucky enough to match all six winning numbers for Powerball tomorrow night will get at least $186,000,000. Both drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.

The spring break travel period is underway, and the Transportation Security Administration has issued some tips to make the airport experience easier for people who are flying. The agency recommends folks get to the airport at least two hours before their scheduled flight so they can get through security screening in time. Travelers should also make sure they do not have banned items like explosives, firearms and razors in their luggage. In order to avoid issues, people can check out the “What Can I Bring?” page that’s on the TSA website before packing: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

ELSEWHERE…

Christian Mansoor

A Michigan man is behind bars for allegedly impersonating law enforcement after pulling over an off-duty police officer. Cops say 18-year-old Christian Mansoor was driving a silver BMW equipped with red and blue lights near Detroit when he unknowingly pulled over an off-duty Waterford Township police officer. When the ‘real’ officer asked to see his identification, Mansoor told her he was a Detroit police officer from the 12th Precinct. When she asked a second time, he told her his identification was in his vehicle. When Mansoor went back to his vehicle, he drove off. The officer followed Mansoor into a mobile home park where deputies found him trying to switch license plates between his two cars. He tried to run off but was taken into custody after a short foot chase and arrested.

The monthly jobs report shows the U.S. economy added 236-thousand jobs in March. That brings the unemployment rate down to 3.5%, below analyst expectations of 3.6%. The Labor Department report says employment continued to trend upward in hospitality, government, professional and business services.

Jeremy Renner before and after snowplow accident

Actor Jeremy Renner says he now has a metal plate in his head after being nearly crushed to death by a snowplow. Renner was severely injured in January when he was accidentally run over by a snowplow near his Nevada home. In a new interview, Renner says he broke over 30 bones in the accident, and that metal parts were holding together his eye socket, his leg and his rib cage.

Eric Cushman

A Wyoming County man is going to be spending some time in prison after pleading guilty for his role in a deadly home invasion. Prosecutors say 52-year-old Eric Cushman entered a home in Silver Springs last September and attacked one of the residents inside. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but died a few weeks later of their injuries. Because Cushman is a repeat felony offender, he’s facing 12 years to life behind bars when he’s sentenced in May.

STATE POLICE REPORT: 22-year-old Isaac Abrams of Alabama is charged with robbery. State Police arrested him in connection with an incident reported early last month. Abrams was held in jail on cash bail. No additional details were available. ALSO: 35-year-old Andrew Taylor of Batavia is charged with criminal mischief; he’s accused of damaging a metal bed frame in the Genesee County Jail earlier this week. Taylor was issued an appearance ticket. ALSO: 36-year-old David Brege of Medina is charged with criminal impersonation and identity theft. State Police have arrested him in connection with an incident reported late last month in the Town of Batavia. Brege was issued an appearance ticket; the police released no other information.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney toured the City of Batavia Water Treatment plant. Genesee County has undertaken a large-scale, countywide water project to provide water security and resilience to its residents, farms and industries. This project will improve the quality of drinking water, increase the capacity to supply hydrants for emergency response and help to guard the county against water insecurity. Yesterday, Congresswoman Tenney took a first-hand look at this initiative. The water project is now in its second of three phases. (Provided photo)

Senator Charles Schumer with students at Brockport High School – 4/5/23

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has unveiled his plan to put an end to swatting calls that have been affecting schools across New York State. In Brockport yesterday, Schumer said he is calling for the FBI to utilize all of its available resources to launch a full investigation into these calls. He also wants the FBI to get additional funding that would be used towards buying the necessary equipment to help bring people who make swatting calls to justice. On March 30th alone, there were dozens of false reports of mass shooting incidents that caused police to respond to more than 200 schools statewide. (Provided photo)

Rochester police have taken a teenager into custody following two smash and grab robberies that happened in their city. According to investigators, a vehicle was purposely slammed into the front of a gas station on North Goodman Street around 2:15 a.m. yesterday. A short time later, a vehicle was also crashed into a building on Chili Avenue. The 17-year-old was a passenger in a vehicle that later hit a wall the corner of Mill Street and the Inner Loop. Anyone with information on this case can call 911.

Vandalism at the Patriots and Heroes Park

An arrest has been made in connection with a recent vandalism spree at Russell Salvatore’s Patriots and Heroes Park in Williamsville. According to officials, 20-year-old Michael Stasiuk damaged multiple displays as well as flags and light fixtures at the park last month. Stasiuk has been arraigned on multiple charges and is due back in court again next month. The Patriots and Heroes Park was created years ago to honor veterans and other individuals who have served our country.

Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson – file photo, October 2022

The Buffalo Sabres take the ice in the Motor City tonight as the team looks to keep its postseason hopes alive. The Sabres are playing the Detroit Red Wings. Buffalo is coming off a tough 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Face-off for this evening’s contest is set for 7:00.

Accidental gas line break

April is National Safe Digging Month and National Grid is urging its customers to make an important call before starting any outdoor projects. The utility company wants people to dial 811 before digging so they know what’s below ground. National Grid says not only will that information help keep folks safe; it will also prevent damage to underground utilities. There’s no cost to have a professional locator visit a dig site before a project begins and more details can be found online at 811beforeyoudig.com. (Photo provided by National Grid)

ELSEWHERE…

Babe Ruth hitting 500th home run – 1921

Probably won’t be used during a Little League game anytime soon…

An auction house in Pennsylvania has broken a record by selling an old baseball bat for nearly $2,000,000 (million). The legendary Babe Ruth used the bat, and the sale was unique in that it offered photo evidence to back up the claim. The bat’s value shot up after an analyst was able to match markings on the bat to a photograph of Ruth swinging it in New York in 1921.

Final test results show Pfizer’s experimental RSV vaccine was 82-percent effective in preventing severe infections in infants when given to expecting mothers in the second half of their pregnancy. The drug maker said trial details published on Wednesday confirm preliminary data from the study. Pfizer released initial trial results on the vaccine to fight the respiratory virus in November.

Scottie Scheffler – 2022 Masters winner – his first major win

The Masters opens today at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club. Tiger Woods is scheduled to tee off at 10:18 a.m. Eastern Time and will play alongside Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will be paired with Max Homa and amateur Sam Bennett.

Bed, Bath and Beyond is announcing a $120,000,000 (million) lifeline to stock its bare shelves. The chain hasn’t had the funds to stock shelves as it works to avoid bankruptcy. Its CEO said in a statement in January that while Bed, Bath and Beyond worked quickly to try to attract shoppers back with new merchandising and marketing strategies, lack of inventory is why it failed to achieve its goals. ReStore Capital is putting up that money to increase stock at Bed, Bath and Beyond as well as BuyBuy BABY.

A child may have been injured in an accident in Corfu around 6:30pm on Tuesday.  At the site of 8966 Alleghany Rd a Chevrolet sedan left the road and hit a driveway where it went airborne and then rolled 3 to 4 times before it came to a stop.  The driver may have fallen asleep.  There was a child in the car who was taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight with a possible back injury.  The father was transported to the hospital by ground ambulance with a head injury.  

Medaille University is closing.  After 80 years of operation Medaille University will be merging with Trocaire College and no longer existing as it’s own entity.  The interim president of Medaille, Dr Lori Quigley, said that the reason for the closure is that fewer students are attending college since the Pandemic.  Classes will remain at our Agassiz Circle campus. Trocaire would use Medaille campus to provide the academic programs currently offered by Medaille.  The university will close on July 31.

Each year in April, the Office for Victims of Crime helps lead communities throughout the country in its annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which will be observed April 23- 29. This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”  In Genesee County, the annual observance will include an event open to the public on April 24 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Genesee Community College. It will feature a morning full of presentations and speakers on various topics, including those surrounding crime victims’ rights. It will be held inside the Conable Technology Building at Genesee Community College.  The cost is $10 per person or $5 per student or senior. Register by April 14 by calling Sharon Burns at 585-344-2550 ext 3929.

One step closer towards a new chapter for the Buffalo Bills franchise.  All parties involved in talks for a new Bills taxpayer-funded stadium have now completed their negotiations.  All documents involving the development of the stadium have now been signed and will be submitted to Erie County lawmakers for review.  The plan includes $600 million in state funding, $250 million from Erie County and $550 million from the Bills.  The 62,000-seat open-air stadium will be located across the street from the team’s current stadium in Orchard Park, which opened 50 years ago.  The plan is to complete construction on the new venue by 2026. Early work on the stadium is slated to begin next month

The Sabres lost their game against the Florida Panthers 2-1.  The Panthers have won four in a row to move into a tie with the New York Islanders for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who lost 5-1 to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.  Devon Levi made 34 saves and Dylan Cozens scored the lone goal for the Sabres.  Alex Tuch had a goal overturned in the first period for offsides.  Buffalo will next be playing at 7pm on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit.  

On Tuesday the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park began a year-long celebration of the 80th anniversary of the christening and launch of USS The Sullivans.  The ship launched on April 4, 1943, and was named in honor of George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan. They were five brothers who lost their lives when their ship, USS Juneau, was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. When it launched in April 1943 it was sponsored by Alleta Sullivan, the mother of the five brothers.  A “re-christening” of USS The Sullivans took place Tuesday and continued a family legacy, with Albert Sullivan’s great-granddaughter, Kelcie Loughren, named as the ship’s sponsor.

Jose DeJesus

39-year-old Jose DeJesus, a Buffalo firefighter, has been indicted and charged with one count of promoting and possessing a sexual performance by a child; he’s accused of having videos and images of child pornography and sharing the images online. DeJesus will return to court on May 26. If convicted he faces up to 7 years in prison.

Medina and Lyndonville school districts were among about 50 in New York State that received a generic, non-specific bomb threat through email this morning. The threats were investigated by law enforcement and deemed not credible. The Medina Police Department was able to quickly determine there was no threat in Medina, so the schools didn’t need to be cleared out. Both districts are currently on break anyway but some students come to school daily for spring sports. Lyndonville cancelled athletic practices and sent staff home. Their offices will be open and activities will resume tomorrow.

State lawmakers have agreed to pass a stopgap-funding bill as negotiations on a final state budget plan continue. The measure is scheduled to expire on April 10th, but it will allow more than 50,000 state workers to get their next paychecks on time. However, members of the legislature won’t get paid until a budget is passed. The deadline to reach a budget deal was April 1st. There are still discussions ongoing involving several topics such as bail reform, minimum wage and affordable housing.

The New York State Cannabis Control Board has voted to approve a laboratory permit in Rochester. That lab will be used to test the safety of certain products before they become available to the public. The board also approved four provisional dispensary licenses that’ll be available to people and organizations in Western New York. There currently aren’t any licenses being awarded in the Finger Lakes region due to an ongoing lawsuit.

Wanda Lee Walkowicz – victim of unsolved homicide from April 1973

State Police are again reaching out to the public for help with solving the murder of a Rochester girl that happened 50 years ago. Troopers say 11-year-old Wanda Walkowicz left her home on Avenue D in April 1973 to get some things for her mother at a store, but disappeared while walking back. Her body was later found in the Town of Webster. Anyone with information on this case can call 585-398-4123.

Patrick DeLuca

Matthew Figura, Jr.

The man accused of shooting and killing a coworker in Niagara Falls almost two years ago has pleaded guilty to committing that crime. Prosecutors say Matthew Figura, Jr. shot Patrick DeLuca at Niagara Metals back in June 2021. Figura was taken into custody after opening fire and charged with murder. He’s now facing 20 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced in June.

The Buffalo Sabres will be in the Sunshine State tonight as their push towards possibly securing a spot in the postseason moves forward. The Sabres are set to battle the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena. Buffalo is coming off a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday, and currently sits outside of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Face-off this evening is scheduled for 7:00.

Starting today, people who are interested in playing the Mega Millions lottery game will have a little bit less time to buy a ticket. That is because sales on draw days, which are Tuesdays and Fridays, will end at 10:00pm instead of 10:45pm. The change is being made so the New York Lottery can have more time to conduct its closing procedures for each draw. Tonight’s jackpot is $385,000,000 (million). Please play responsibly.

The All American Rejects

The All-American Rejects are going on tour for the first time in years, and local fans of the group are getting the chance to see them in-person. The band will be at the Darien Lake Amphitheater for a show on Monday, August 21st. The group is known for several smash hits such as “Move Along,” and “Dirty Little Secret” and will be joined at the concert by New Found Glory, The Starting Line and The Get Up Kids. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00am through Live Nation.

OF REGIONAL and NATIONAL INTEREST…

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader was shot to death at the age of 39 on a balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. He left behind his wife, Coretta Scott King, and four children.

Former President Donald Trump

The legal process following former President Trump’s arraignment could take months or even years to play out. After his arraignment today, the prosecution must turn over all evidence gathered as part of its investigation to the defense team. Some experts say it could take more than a year before the case makes it to trial.

Kenneth Bianci, one of the main suspects, was never charged

On April 2, 1973 at about 5:15 pm, 11-year-old Wanda Walkowicz (middle child in picture) went to the grocery store for her mother. She made it to the store, purchased several items and was last seen walking home, but did not return home. On April 3, 1973, at 10:15 am, a New York State Trooper, while on patrol, located Walkowicz’s body at a rest area off State Route 104 in Webster. This homicide and two other unsolved homicides were dubbed the Alphabet Murders and Double Initial Murders by the media, as all three cases occurred in the Rochester area. Pictured, from left to right: Carmen Colon, age 10, was found on November 16, 1971 in the Town of Riga, and Michele Maenza, age 11, was found on November 28, 1973, in the Town of Macedon. These cases have not been officially connected; however, all three cases remain open.  If you have any information, please call: New York State Police,  Troop E, Major Crimes Unit, Canandaigua, New York  (585) 398-4100

Erie County District Attorney Flynn announced Monday that a Buffalo firefighter was indicted and charged with one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child and four counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child.  On Jan. 4, 2022, the defendant, 39-year-old Jose DeJesus, allegedly possessed with intent to view, images and videos of child pornography.  DeJesus is also accused of sharing images that depict sexual conduct by a child with another user through a website. At the time of the crime, DeJesus was employed as a firefighter by the Buffalo Fire Department.  DeJesus will return to court on May 26 for motions.  If convicted he faces up to 7 years in prison.

A former colleague of Anthony Mazurkiewicz, the RPD officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty last year, is now embarking on a grueling journey to honor his fallen friend.  Retired police Sgt. Brett Sobieraski is planning a two-month running journey across eight states in April.  He hopes his time on the road can help him process the loss of his friend, while supporting the grieving family of Mazurkiewicz.  A husband, a father, and a grandfather, Mazurkiewicz was a Rochester police officer for 29 years.  Maz, as his friends knew him, was shot and killed while conducting surveillance on Bauman Street, as part of a murder investigation this past July.  Sobieraski hopes to raise $100,000 for the Mazurkiewicz family. Donations can be sent to the Rochester Police Locust Club on Lexington Avenue.  The public can join the run for the last 3 miles, finishing at the Monroe County Hall of Justice in Rochester.  To sign up to run, follow the link at WBTAi.com.

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Rochester/8StatesforMaz

5 years ago Leroy made a move to change the requirements to graduate Summa and Magna Cum Laude away from simply maintaining a high GPA to also taking challenging courses and now they are doubling down on that policy change.  High School Principal David Russell, who was hired after the 2018 revisions, introduced modifications to the Laude System to the Board of Education at its last meeting that would further encourage students to aim for high achievement instead of competing with classmates.  The proposed revisions would be based on the total number of credits a student takes and a cumulative GPA.  Each course would be valued the same as the number of credits the course is worth on a transcript. Students taking AP courses and CTE courses that have college credit would continue to receive an additional five points added to their average for that course.  The maximum possible score would be 36 total credits with a 100 GPA. To achieve Summa Cum Laude, a student would need at least 32 credits and a 95 GPA.  Magna Cum Laude would be 30 credits and a 90 GPA.  Cum Laude would be 28 total credits and an 85 GPA.  Cum Laude is Latin for “with distinction.”  Magna Cum Laude means “with great distinction,” and Summa Cum Laude means “with highest distinction.”

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it has updated and expanded the Barn Quilt Trail of Le Roy, in cooperation with Le Roy Historian Lynne Belluscio and the Le Roy Historical Society, by launching a new website and new self-guided trail brochure.  The trail features a collection of over 100 hand-painted barn quilts along four driving tours in and around LeRoy. Explore the scenic countryside while spotting each unique barn quilt that’s displayed on an array of barns, garages, homes and other outbuildings. Each quilt pattern has a story to tell, and these stories, along with full size images, can be found on the new LeRoyBarnQuilt.org website.

Gas prices are up this week and AAA has announced the reason.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus announced on Sunday that they would be cutting production of oil by a billion barrels a day.  This is expected to last for the rest of the year.  As of Monday, AAA WCNY said the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.50, which is up 6 cents since last Monday and the New York State average is $3.47, which is up 5 cents since last Monday.  An increase in gas demand and a decrease in total domestic gasoline stocks are all leading to higher prices at the pump.

After being blocked by a lawsuit and months of waiting, four licenses have been approved for dispensaries in WNY.  These licenses are given out to people with prior cannabis convictions, they’re the first to get licenses statewide. The goal is for licensing to open up to everyone by the end of the year.  The Licensees are Arron Van Camp in Buffalo, Flower City Shop LLC in Rochester, Premier Earth Corp in Buffalo, and AMSM LLC in West Seneca.  99 licenses were approved total, 13 in areas previously blocked. These shops can open by the end of this month. A lab in Rochester also received approval.  The Cannabis Control Board also doubled down efforts to crackdown illicit cannabis shops, encouraging people to shop legal.