A 16 year old boy is on probation after making a terrorist threat against the Albion School District on Snapchat.  Around 6:30 in the morning on Tuesday the School Resource officer received an alert that there was a threat posted on social media.  Investigators quickly located the student who had posted the threat and arrested him.  He said he was just joking around.  He was arraigned for felony making a terrorist threat and then reported to Orleans County Probation for electronic monitoring.

The City Council in Batavia voted 6 to 2 in favor of overriding the tax cap and passing the 33. 5 million dollar budget.  The tax cap override means that the city will be able to collect a $6.6 million tax levy for the $19.4 million general budget. City taxpayers won’t see an increased tax rate, as that will remain flat at $8.94 per $1,000 assessed value.  Council was unanimous in its vote to approve the 30-cent water rate increase, which, along with an increased water meter rate and capital improvement fees, will tack on about $60 more for an average home of four people.  City Council members said they were happy with the cities financial status and their ability to get a new zamboni and ice chiller for the ice arena, put up the new police station, change over the streetlamps to LED lights, and 3 major water and sewer projects.

Volunteer firefighters will be able to claim a tax exemption for their service and with 585 volunteers across the county, the savings they get will be charged to everyone else.  Firefighters get to claim the exemption if the law is passed which adds up to about 134 dollars in tax savings per volunteer firefighter, paid firefighters don’t get to claim it.  All those firefighters means the taxes, about 78 thousand dollars worth, they aren’t paying get passed on to other county residents for a tax raise of about 3.30 cents per resident.  County legislators want to look at this again before signing it.  And, if passed, the earliest it would go into effect would be 2024.

Work for the South Lyon Street Bridge over the Tonawanda Creek project will resume Friday, March 17, 2023, as the work on the bridge had been paused due to seasonal weather conditions. A small portion of South Main Street in Batavia will be closed to traffic over the upcoming months.  The bridge replacement project began last September and consists of two 11-foot lanes with 2-foot shoulders and a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side of the truss. The alignment of South Lyon Street will be modified to improve the intersection with South Main Street and approach work includes a seamless transition to the relocated intersection, existing roadway, and sidewalks.

St Patrick’s day weekend is also a STOP DWI weekend for Batavia, Leroy and Genesee County.  The statewide STOP-DWI efforts start Thursday, March 16, and will continue through Sunday, March 19.  St. Patrick’s Day weekend is a notoriously deadly period for impaired driving due to the number of celebrations and drivers on the road.  New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies will be out in force during this across-the-board effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths.  While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have made great strides in reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers.

The Muckdogs are holding an XTreme International Ice Racing event at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on March 31st at 7pm.  XTreme Ice Racing is a motorcycle tour in Ice.  The racers add metal studs to their tires and compete with bikes and quads with no brakes.  This event will be the world championships of the sport and tickets can be bought by calling 814 504 9979 or going to the ticket office at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.

BATAVIA CITY POLICE BLOTTER: 40-year-old Sarah Malone of Batavia is charged with theft of services and criminal impersonation. It’s alleged she dined at a local restaurant and left without paying her bill. Once located by police, Malone provided the officer with a false name and date of birth. She was issued an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court. ALSO: 48-year-old Douglas Ashworth of Batavia is charged with menacing, following an incident during which it’s alleged he pointed a hunting rifle at two juveniles, which placed them in reasonable fear of injury or death. Ashworth was issued an appearance ticket and scheduled to appear in City Court at a later date. ALSO: 32-year-old Phillip Byford of Sweden, NY has been arrested on Batavia City Court bench warrants. The first stemmed from an incident at a West Main Street business charging him with petit larceny. Byford was issued an appearance ticket and failed to appear, which led to a second warrant. The third was linked to criminal trespass; he was issued another appearance ticket and once again failed to appear. Byford was arraigned in Batavia City Court and is to return to court at a later date. ALSO: 19-year-old Myia Sobus of Oakfield and 18-year-old Timothy Alis of Batavia are each charged with petit larceny. It’s alleged that they filled a shopping cart with $897 worth of items and left the story without paying. They were released on an appearance ticket and scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court this afternoon. ALSO: 38-year-old Shawn Sloan of Batavia is charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass. It’s alleged he entered an apartment on Bank Street and stole a kitchen utensil. Sloan was released on an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in City Court a later date.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for the entire GLOW region until 8:00am tomorrow. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected with occasional wind gusts of 40mph. This combination will create periods of difficult travel due to poor visibility and blowing and drifting snow. Some parts of the state are anticipating up to two feet of snow. It’s those areas where Governor Hochul is urging people to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel; and in fact, she declared a state of emergency for some downstate counties. However, Erie, Monroe, Livingston, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming counties are not included in the declaration.

Democrats in the State Senate will attempt to prevent Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to raise yearly tuition at the state’s public college and universities by creating a plan that would tie tuition to the Higher Education Price Index or 3%. The tuition proposal from the Governor would affect campuses at the State University of New York as well as the City University of New York. The debate over SUNY and CUNY tuition is coming as public higher education has faced financial squeezes over the last several years amid the ongoing challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, growing costs and in some instances declining enrollment. The state Senate is set to unveil its budget resolution this week alongside the Democratic-led state Assembly. The Senate budget proposal will not include the tuition proposal from Hochul. Legislative budget resolutions are non-binding documents, but provide a roadmap for where lawmakers would like to take the negotiations over the next several weeks with the governor in the budget talks.

Governor Hochul

Governor Hochul has announced that a dedicated outreach team is going to be helping connect East Buffalo residents with necessary services. This effort is part of larger investments to help people in that area recover from the deadly mass shooting at a Tops store on Jefferson Avenue last May. The team will be going door-to-door in several zip codes to identify the specific needs of individuals. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says he’s looking forward to seeing positive results.

The latest data from the New York State Flu Tracker shows there are still a low number of flu cases being reported in our region. During the week ending March 4th, the area with the highest number of infections was Monroe County with 38; Erie County had 19; Niagara County, 12; Ontario County had 4; Wyoming and Orleans Counties each had 2, and Wayne and Genesee Counties reported no cases of the flu. County Health Departments tell us it’s not too late in the season to get a flu shot. You can find a clinic by going to vaccines.gov.

A former employee with the East Irondequoit Central School District is in some serious legal trouble after being arrested on child pornography charges. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 20-year-old Leonard Ortiz, Jr. was working as a teacher’s aide when officials received a report he was trading child porn online through social media. A search of his home led to the discovery of hundreds of disturbing images and videos. School district administrators say he was fired immediately in December when they learned he was under investigation. Authorities noted he was previously investigated for possession of child pornography in 2019 when he was 17. He was not federally prosecuted because of his age. The district said he did undergo a background check and there were no reports of any questionable behavior during his employment. Ortiz is now facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Jason Arno with his daughter

The investigation has been completed into the 4-alarm blaze that took the life of Buffalo Fire Department member Jason Arno. The results of the probe are now going to be in the hands of the Erie County District Attorney’s office. The fire happened on March 1st, and the 37-year-old Arno died at the scene. The fire caused more than $2,000,000 (million) worth of damage. While demolition work at the site is happening, streets in the area will be closed to traffic.

File photo of one type of steering wheel lock.

Rochester police are taking action to prevent owners of certain Kias and Hyundais from having their vehicles stolen. The department is handing out steering wheel locks on a first come, first served basis at neighborhood centers on Dewey Avenue, Norton Street, Genesee Street and North Goodman Street. The locks are only available to city residents who own Kia’s and Hyundai’s from the 2010 to 2020 model years. Those vehicles have been targeted by thieves after a viral video showed how easy it is to steal them.

Alex Tuch, after last night’s win.

The Buffalo Sabres have snapped their 4-game losing streak after picking up a much-needed win on the road. Alex Tuch scored twice and Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn had a goal each as the Sabres defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at Scotiabank Arena last night. Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson was able to stop 25 of the 28 shots he faced in the contest. Buffalo’s next game is tomorrow against the Washington Capitals; face-off is at 7:00.

Happy ‘Pi Day’ – 3/14/23

Today is Pi Day, the annual celebration of the mathematical constant Pi. Pi is commonly rounded to 3.14. And while Pi Day is not to be confused with National Pie Day, there’s sure to be deals on pizza today as well. Pi is an irrational number, which means it cannot be represented as a simple fraction, and those numbers cannot be represented as terminating or repeating decimals. Therefore, the digits of pi go on forever in a seemingly random sequence. Photo credit: James Meier

I don’t have the heart to tell them they have to pick the winning numbers first…

The Mega Millions jackpot is still on the rise and the prize up for grabs ahead of tonight’s drawing is $229,000,000 (million). Anyone who wants to watch the drawing can visit megamillions.com. Please play responsibly.

Styx – file photo from a 2022 concert

A popular rock band has joined the list of groups that are going to be performing at the Artpark Amphitheater in Lewiston this year. Styx is scheduled to take the stage on Friday, June 2nd at 7:30pm. The group is known for several hits including “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” and “Babe.” Tickets for this concert will go on sale this Friday at 10:00am. Other artists who are coming to the Amphitheater include Barenaked Ladies and The Avett Brothers.

The Genesee County Health Department has been given a 5 year grant to give out free Radon testing kits to Genesee County residents. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that comes naturally from the soil and can cause lung damage that can lead to cancer. New homes and older homes both can get a buildup of this gas. Tests are available for free to Genesee County residents if they request a kit from the Health Department but there is a finite supply. If you live outside Genesee County you can buy one at a hardware store for about 15 to 20 dollars. If you have high Radon you can get a contractor to install a Radon mitigation unit at your own expense. To contact the Health Department call 585-344-2580 Extension 5555.

The rest of the state is getting plenty of snow, we may get a couple of inches. Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties are under a winter weather advisory with 4-7 inches of snow expected between 6am today and 8am Wednesday. Gusts of up to 35 miles per hour could blow snow over roads and cause reduced visibility.   The rest of the state is expecting a storm that could bring up to two feet of snow for some areas.  Gov. Hochul is urging people to stay home and avoid any unnecessary travel.  Hochul declared a state of emergency at 8 p.m. in anticipation of the developing Nor’easter.  This state of emergency does not include Monroe, Livingston, Orleans, Genesee, or Wyoming counties.

Governor Hochul’s 2024 budget includes a demand that Municipalities increase their housing by 1 percent annually and that New York State will build 800,000 new homes in the next 10 years.  The city council in Batavia is putting together a resolution to send to Albany to urge Hochul to reevaluate the plan based on the impact it will have on communities.  Batavia may be stripped of any local zoning, planning or land-use regulations powers if housing targets are not met and allow mixed-income multi-family projects to take advantage of a fast-track housing approval process, city leaders say.  Other concerns are that there isn’t enough demand for affordable housing in Batavia but there is a demand for housing for those making 50-75 thousand dollars a year.   County and city officials agree that housing must remain with local municipal comprehensive plans. 

The Rochester Fire Department has reported  battling a large warehouse fire on the city’s West Side.  Fire crews responded to a call on Otis Street at around 5:45 p.m. on Monday.  When firefighters arrived, units found pallets that had caught fire, which resulted in the fire spreading rapidly and consuming the entire warehouse.  The department has said that three walls and the building roof collapsed in the fire.  One firefighter was injured at the scene and is receiving treatment at the hospital. He is expected to survive.  All residents in the area were evacuated due to concerns of heat exposure.  Fire units installed hosing systems outside some nearby homes to prevent the fire damage from spreading.  No cause for the fire has been determined at this time.

Those fluffers are worth their weight in gold!  Or at least people gave generously to keep them fed and cared for.  The March 4th Fur Ball Gala Fundraiser at Batavia Downs raised 20,000 dollars for our furry friends.  The benefit raised money for the Volunteers for Animals, The Animal Shelter of Genesee County, SPCA of Wyoming County and the SPCA of Niagara County.  Thurman Thomas was on hand to take pictures and sign autographs.  70 baskets were raffled off.  Monies from the gala will be used by the charities to feed and support the hundreds of animals in their care.

The Genesee County Health Department has been given a 5 year grant to give out free Radon testing kits to Genesee County residents.  Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that comes naturally from the soil and can cause lung damage that can lead to cancer.  New homes and older homes both can get a buildup of this gas.  Tests are available for free to Genesee County residents if they request a kit from the Health Department but there is a finite supply.  If you live outside Genesee County you can buy one at a hardware store for about 15 to 20 dollars.  If you have high Radon you can get a contractor to install a Radon mitigation unit at your own expense. To contact the Health Department call 585 344 2580 Extension 5555.

FROM THE SHERIFF’S REPORT: 20-year-old Beglervoic Ikonic of Rochester has been charged with petit larceny, after allegedly stealing merchandise from a store on Veteran’s Memorial Drive. Ikonic will appear in the Town of Batavia Court on March 23rd. ALSO: 31-year-old Tiffany Walter of Bethany is charged with petit larceny after she allegedly stole merchandise from Walmart in Batavia. Walter was released on an appearance ticket and will be in Town of Batavia Court tomorrow.

A winter weather advisory will go into effect for the entire GLOW region starting at 6:00am tomorrow morning and will be in place until 8:00am Wednesday. Snow is expected with total accumulations of 4 to 6 inches predicted. Winds will gust at times to 35 miles per hour. Travel will periodically be difficult with the combination of poor visibility and snow-covered roads.

File photo of Gendron during sentencing

The next court date has been scheduled in the federal case against Tops supermarket shooter Payton Gendron. His lawyers and prosecutors are set to appear in front of a judge again on June 8th. Gendron could have gone on trial this summer, but that is not going to happen because his attorneys have been granted more time to look at evidence. Gendron has already pleaded guilty to state charges for killing 10 people and injuring three others at the Jefferson Avenue store last May. He could face the death penalty if convicted in the federal case.

Mark Trykowski

43-year-old Mark Trykowski of Kenmore has been sentenced to spend 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Buffalo. He’ll be under 20 years of post-release supervision after that. In addition, the judge issued an order of protection on behalf of the victim until March 2069.

File photo of Main Street Armory, Rochester

The Main Street Armory in Rochester has released a statement several days after a deadly stampede at the venue. The statement says the Armory’s owner is devastated that three people lost their lives and several others were hurt following a concert, and that the Armory is confident that once the investigation concludes, it will show that all proper rules were followed for the event. Last week, the Armory’s license to hold events was denied. A potential reopening date hasn’t been announced.

According to Triple A this morning, the national average price per gallon of gas is $3.47. In New York State, the average is a penny less at $3.46. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.38, up 4 cents from a week ago but down $1.01 from one year ago today.

Jim Whitesell

The University at Buffalo has announced that men’s basketball coach Jim Whitesell has been relieved of his duties. Whitesell’s firing was made official over the weekend, with UB athletic director Mark Alnutt saying that the school believes it is necessary to make a change in leadership. Whitesell spent the last four seasons as the head coach of the Bulls. There’s no word yet when a new coach might be hired.

The Buffalo Sabres are on the road north of the border tonight as they try and snap their four-game losing streak. The Sabres are visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Buffalo is coming off of a tough 2-1 loss in overtime against the New York Rangers on Saturday. Face-off this evening is set for 7:30.

Matt Milano

The Bills have locked up a key part of their defense. They’ve signed linebacker Matt Milano to a two-year extension on Sunday. The deal is reportedly worth $14,000,000 (million) per season. Milano had previously been under contract through 2024, but now will stay with the Bills through the 2026 season. The 28-year-old racked up 99 tackles, one-and-a-half sacks and three interceptions last season. Buffalo originally drafted Milano in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Daylight Saving Time is back. Clocks sprung forward in most of the United States at 2:00am on Sunday. With a disruption to the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock, the shift could have negative health impacts. Sleep researchers say between a quarter and a third of the population feels a little “down” for the first few weeks. Emergency rooms typically see an increase in cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, stroke and fatal car accidents in the week following the time change.

A lot of New Yorkers will be flying over the next few weeks for spring break, and the Transportation Security Administration says it is prepared to handle a high number of passengers. But, the agency is recommending folks get to the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time so they can be screened without having to worry about missing their flight. Travelers are also being asked to make sure they don’t have any banned items in their luggage such as explosives, knives, and firearms. And to avoid issues, people can check out the “What Can I Bring?” page that’s on the TSA website before packing.

Main Street Armory has issued a statement for the first time since the deadly stampede at a concert 2 Sundays ago.  The Armory’s attorneys put out a press release saying that the Armory had followed every code, regulation, and law.  They also said that the city took action to not renew the Armories license after scheduling a meeting when Scott Donaldson, the owner of the armory, was unable to appear because of another legal matter and then put out their own press release saying he had simply failed to appear.  They said that the Armory would continue to cooperate fully with the investigation into the stampede. 

University At Buffalo has fired their men’s basketball coach, Jim Whitesell, after losing his first season after 4 years on the job.  Whitesell was under contract through the 2024-25 season and is due to receive a $500,000 buyout under terms of his deal for being fired before April 5.  The move comes two days after the sixth-seeded Bulls were routed 101-77 by third-seeded Akron in the quarterfinal round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. It marked the Bulls’ third quarterfinal loss under Whitesell.  He finished with a 70-59 record at Buffalo and led the team to one postseason appearance, a 2021 NIT berth, which ended with a first-round loss to Colorado State.

Rochester Police are investigating an alleged attempted robbery on the city’s northwest side on Saturday afternoon.  Officers responded to Primrose Street and Flower City Park for the call around 5:15 p.m.  Police say an elderly couple was leaving a church parking lot, when three suspects on foot blocked the couple’s car, and began hitting it.  A bystander that was leaving the church parking lot observed the incident and intervened.  Officers say the three suspects then attempted to rob the helpful individual, before fleeing the scene.  No injuries were reported from the incident.  Three suspects have been located by police, but no charges have been filed at this time, as the investigation continues.

Gas prices are up by a few cents this week in Batavia.  According to AAA the average price for a gallon of regular in Batavia is 3.37 which is up a penny from a week ago and down a dollar from last year at this time.  The State average is 3.46 which is up 3 cents from last week.  The US average is 3.47

The Buffalo Sabres marked down their 4th straight loss.  Despite an overall complete game from start to finish, including solid goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen the Sabres fell 2-1 to New York.  The Sabres lone goal of the evening was scored by Jeff Skinner. His 29th of the season.  They’ll head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs Monday. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

The Bills are locking up a key piece of their defense.  Buffalo announced it signed linebacker Matt Milano to a two-year extension on Sunday.  The deal is reportedly worth 14-million dollars per season.  Milano had previously been under contract through 2024, but now will stay with the Bills through the 2026 season.  The 28-year-old racked up 99 tackles, one-and-a-half sacks and three interceptions last season.  Milano was originally drafted by Buffalo in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

A man is heading to prison after being convicted of kicking a deputy from Wyoming County who was searching him for drugs during a Jan. 26, 2022 traffic stop.  Prosecutors said 54 year old Paul Durinko of Girardville, Pennsylvania, was already resisting a frisk when Undersheriff Colin Reagan felt a “rocky substance” in Durinko’s pocket — leading Durinko to turn toward Deputy John Button and repeatedly kick him in the ribs, breaking multiple ribs, until police used a Taser.  After calling for backup, Reagan said he asked Durinko to exit the vehicle and began frisking him.  Police said they found a “softball sized” amount of methamphetamine in Durinko’s pocket.  

Monroe County Sheriffs are trying to prepare people with tips on what to do if they are caught in a crowd that stampedes just like at the Main Street Armory.  Deputy Brendan Hurley says the main things to do in any crowded situation is to “know your exits, know your surroundings and pay attention.”  You need to know how to get out if the crowd gets too tight.  If you do get knocked off your feet, protecting the head and vital organs is the most important thing.  Crowd crushes can happen anywhere, and in the open as well.  159 people were crushed to death and 196 people were injured in Seoul South Korea on Halloween last year in a city street at a festival got too crowded.  More than 2400 were killed in a stampede in the Saudi Arabian City of Mina in 2015 as crowds converged on pilgrimage to a holy site on a highway.  No matter where you are, know the way out and don’t get trapped.

The 105th PGA Championship is coming to Rochester and crews are working through the snow to get the Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford ready for it.  Course preparations began last fall, with crews trying to get as much work done as possible before the winter weather hit Western New York.  This year’s event will be the PGA’s first visit to Oak Hill in 10 years. It will mark the earliest in the year that the club has ever hosted a major tournament.  Past major events at Oak Hill have been held during the summer months, except for the 1995 Ryder Cup which was held in late September.  The championship takes place May 15-21st.

Genesee County Legislature members this week recognized the importance of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is observed throughout March as a nationwide event. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and address the barriers that those with disabilities face. Inclusion is necessary, advocates say, since about 15 percent of the world’s population lives with a disability.  March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987, when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Undated file photo of a brush fire

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced this morning that the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and will be in place through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush-burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires. Even though some areas of the state remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State.

Aisha Stephens (also known as Aisha Haskins)

A Syracuse woman has become the third person to die following a stampede at a concert in Rochester. Officials say that 35-year-old Aisha Stephens, who also goes by Aisha Haskins, passed away due to her injuries Wednesday. She and two other women ended up losing their lives after a large crowd of people stormed the exits of the Main Street Armory last Sunday night after there were reports of gunshots inside the venue. Several other people were also hurt but are expected to recover. Police have not verified that gunshots went off; city officials in Rochester have announced that the Armory is shut down after having the pending renewal of its entertainment license denied. (Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo, was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. Brandy Miller, 35, of Rochester, died Monday night. Police said Stephens was the last remaining hospitalized victim from Sunday’s stampede.)

Daylight saving time officially begins at 2:00am Sunday, and the Firefighters Association of the State of New York says the clock change should serve as a reminder for people to test the batteries in their smoke alarms. Experts say doing so can help prevent a tragedy in your home if there is a fire. It is also recommended that everyone practice their fire escape plan to make sure they know a way out of their residence in case of an emergency. For more life-saving tips, go to fasny.com.

Undated file photo of man digging his car out of the snow

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the entire GLOW region until 7:00am tomorrow morning. Snow is expected, with total accumulations of 3 to 6 inches predicted. Winds could gust to 35 miles per hour. Plan ahead for snow covered and slippery road conditions with poor visibility. Road conditions will quickly deteriorate around sunset.

Orleans County Courthouse, Albion (file photo)

A Medina man has admitted in Orleans County Court that he was in possession of two vehicles and also broke into a barn. 28-year-old Brandon Fuller pleaded guilty to criminal possession of stolen property and third-degree burglary. He could face 2 to 6 years in state prison when he is sentenced in May. Fuller’s plea agreement also satisfies other misdemeanor charges he faces, as well as violations of probation.

Gas tax relief in Buffalo

Erie County is extending their gas tax relief through the remainder of 2023. The extension limits the county taxes on gas and diesel to a maximum of the $2 rate. The sales tax rate in Erie County is 4.75%, so the gas sales tax there is ten cents per gallon. Legislator Frank Todaro said this is the county’s way of saving people money when it seems like the price of everything keeps going up.

Antonio Lee

A Buffalo man has found out his punishment for killing a woman inside of his apartment more than three years ago. Yesterday, a judge ordered 33-year-old Antonio Lee to spend the next 13 years in prison. Lee pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge for stabbing 53-year-old Marguerite Reading to death at his residence back in January 2020. The victim’s body was later discovered in the area of the Buffalo Central Terminal.

West Seneca, NY (undated file photo)

The West Seneca Central School District has sent a letter to families of students at Winchester-Potters Elementary School to inform them a fifth grade student brought THC-laced candy to school and offered it to classmates. The district also said it is planning an event with one of their School Resource Officers and school social worker to have an open dialogue to address questions and concerns with parents and guardians. A specific date and time will be announced at a later date.

Jordan Greenway during last night’s game

The losing streak of the Buffalo Sabres has reached three games after the team suffered a blowout loss at home. Victor Olofsson, Kyle Okposo, Jeff Skinner, and Jordan Greenway had a goal each but their team still fell to the Dallas Stars by a final score of 10 – 4 at KeyBank Center last night. Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie gave up all 10 Stars goals on the 49 shots he faced in the contest. Buffalo’s next game is tomorrow afternoon against the New York Rangers; the puck drops at 5:00.

Please play responsibly.

The Mega Millions jackpot is continuing to grow and has now surpassed the $200,000,000 (million) threshold. Whoever correctly picks all 6 winning numbers ahead of tonight’s drawing will receive at least $203,000,000 (million) because no one won the game on Tuesday. Anyone who wants to watch the drawing live can do so at megamillions.com. Please play responsibly.

Notre Dame High School, March 2022

Notre Dame’s Running with the Irish 5k Run/Walk, scheduled for tomorrow morning, 3/11, is postponed due to lack of registrations. A new date will be determined.

Nearby St. Patrick’s Events: Some streets in Rochester are going to be lined with people clad in green this weekend during the city’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade steps off at 12:30 tomorrow at East Avenue and Alexander Street. City officials are expecting big crowd and they are asking drivers to keep that in mind when traveling near the parade route. For more information, visit rochesterparade.com. AND in Buffalo:
Saint Patrick’s Day is still one week away, but some Buffalo residents will be participating in a holiday-themed event this weekend. The 45th Shamrock Run is happening tomorrow in the city’s Old First Ward. Organizers are expecting roughly 46-hundred runners to take part in the 8K race. A virtual run is also being held for people who aren’t able to attend. Additional information can be found online at buffaloshamrockrun.com.

Rochester City Officials confirmed Thursday that the woman who was in critical condition after the stampede at Main Street Armory has died.  Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, died Wednesday night, according to police.  Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo, was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. Brandy Miller, 35, of Rochester, died Monday night.  Police said Stephens was the last remaining hospitalized victim from Sunday’s stampede. Seven other people had non-life-threatening injuries.  The announcement of Stephens’ death comes one day after the city announced the Armory is effectively shut down after having the pending renewal of its entertainment license denied.

There is a winter weather advisory for Wyoming County from Friday at 9am to Saturday at 7am.  4 to 8 inches of snow is expected with the most snow falling across higher elevations.  Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited visibility. Slow down and use caution while driving.

Erie county is extending their Gas tax relief through the rest of the 2023 year.  The extension limits the county taxes on gas and diesel to a maximum of the 2 dollar rate.  The sales tax rate in Erie County is 4.75%, so you’ll pay ten cents per gallon in Erie County sales tax at the pump.  Legislator Frank Todaro said this is the county’s way of saving people money when it seems like the price of everything keeps going up.

On March 8, the LeRoy Wrestling Club won the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League Championship for the second year in a row.  The LeRoy Knights avenged two regular season losses to keep the cup in LeRoy.  In a tough semi-final bout against HFL, the Knights came back from a deficit to win 33-32.  The Knights beat a tough Hilton team in the Championship bout 44-28 to maintain their champion status.

The West Seneca Central School District recently sent a letter to families of students at Winchester-Potters Elementary School to inform them a fifth grade student brought THC-laced candy to school and offered it to classmates.  The district also said it is planning an event with the school SRO and school social worker to have an open dialogue about concerns and questions with parents and guardians. A specific date and time will be announced at a later date.

The Sabres dropped their 3rd game in a row against the Dallas Stars in a high scoring game 10 to 4 Thursday night.  Jordan Greenway, Tage Thompson, Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner scored a goal each.  Eric Comrie made 39 saves.  The Sabres play next against the New York Rangers at the Keybank Center on Saturday at 5pm.  

Jason Arno kissing his daughter

Memorial services will begin today for the member of the Buffalo Fire Department who was killed in the line of duty. Calling hours for 37-year-old Jason Arno are today from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at the Amigone Funeral Home. His funeral will take place tomorrow at 10:00am at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral. Arno passed away last week while he was at the scene of a four-alarm blaze on Main Street. There’s still no word yet just what caused that fire.

Attica Correctional Facility – file photo

Multiple staff were injured at Attica Correctional Facility in two separate attacks that sent two officers to a local hospital for treatment. At least 8 officers sustained injuries when trying to subdue an inmate who attempted to move in the opposite direction from others. The 40-year-old inmate is serving 50 years to life for murder in the first degree and attempted murder. In a separate incident, another inmate had braided a sheet and gave the appearance of being deceased, as officers were conducting an inmate count. When the cell door opened, they realized the setting was staged so that he could attack them.

A new maximum speed limit of 70 mph could be the reality for New York state drivers this year. If that turns out to be the case, we’ll align with 43 other states across the nation that have already raised the speed limit to above 65 mph. State Senator Thomas O’Mara (R-NY 58) is sponsoring the bill in the Senate, and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-NY 111) is sponsoring the Assembly bill. Santabarbara said according to The Institute of Transportation Engineers, speed limits could and should be revisited and restudied as new changes appear on the roads. The New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation would have to give the final approval, but some argue that this is not the time to raise speed limits. A 2019 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that rising speed limits over the last 25 years have cost nearly 37,000 lives. If the bill goes into law, more than a dozen roadways would be impacted, including most of the Adirondack Northway, Interstate 88, Interstate 90 and more. The speed on most New York state highways has been 65 mph since 1995.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 9:00am tomorrow morning through Saturday morning at 7:00am, for Wyoming County, Southern Erie County and the Southern Tier. Snow is expected with accumulations of 4 to 7 inches, with the highest amounts across the higher terrain. Travel will be difficult at times on snow covered roads and reduced visibility. At this time, 2-4 inches for the remainder of the GLOW region are predicted.

The latest data from the state shows that fewer people in our region are testing positive for the coronavirus. Right now, the 7 day average infection rate is sitting at 5.85%. At this time one week ago, that infection rate was at 6.06%. County Health Departments continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the virus and to stay current with booster shots (you can find a clinic in your area by visiting vaccines.gov).

File photo of unidentified woman donating blood

The American Red Cross is making an effort to increase the number of people who roll up their sleeves and donate blood. The Red Cross says anyone who donates through March 31st will have a $10 prepaid gift card sent to his or her email. They will also be entered for a chance at winning a $3000 prepaid Visa gift card that can be used for things like groceries and gas. Locally, you can donate blood tomorrow (3/10) at the Social Services Building, 5130 East Main Street Road from 9:00am until 3:00pm; or on Monday, March 13th, at Robert Morris School, 80 Union Street from 8:00am until 1:00pm. To schedule a donation appointment, go to redcrossblood.org.

Main Street Armory, Rochester

The City of Rochester says the Main Street Armory has been shut down following a stampede over the weekend that left two people dead. A large crowd ran towards the exits during a concert Sunday night after there were reports of gunshots inside the venue. The women who lost their lives have been identified as Rhondesia Belton and Brandy Miller and other victims are still recovering. The police chief said yesterday there’s no word yet when the investigation into the tragedy will be complete.

Holland Land Office Museum – file photo

Holland Land Office Museum is looking for volunteers to work in many positions at the museum. They need help with cleaning, gift shop, tour guides, and artifacts documenters, help with setup and maintenance of the displays, landscapers, and more. Volunteer hours would be during the normal hours of operation of the museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. If you have an interest in volunteering with the Holland Land Office Museum, get in touch with Director Ryan Duffy at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Undated photo of Michael Knowles

A speaker who has stirred up controversy is scheduled to make an appearance at the University at Buffalo tonight. Michael Knowles, who works for the conservative news site The Daily Wire, will be attending an event hosted by the UB student chapter of Young Americans For Freedom. Knowles made headlines recently when he said that transgenderism should be eradicated but has said his intentions were misunderstood. The school president says so long as a student group follows the proper rules, they cannot be disallowed from having a speaker of their choice on campus.

The Buffalo Sabres are hoping the support of their home crowd will help them snap a 2 game losing streak tonight. The Sabres are hosting the Dallas Stars at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off of a controversial 3-2 road loss to the New York Islanders, but the team is still in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Face-off tonight is set for 7:00.

Governor Hochul is calling on New Yorkers to support relief efforts more than a month after deadly earthquakes affected Turkey and Syria. The New York-based Turkish Philanthropy Fund has raised $10,000,000 (million) for relief efforts and already disbursed $2,000,000 (million). The governor is encouraging people to do their part by donating their time or resources to support survivors. The earthquakes have killed an estimated 47,000 people and destroyed over 200,000 buildings. New York is home to more Turkish people than any state in the country.

Conspiracy and twists and turns surround the attempt to get Whole Foods out of Rochester according to the latest court developments.  The Whole Foods store in Brighton has been planned for and under construction for 4 years but has yet to open due to multiple legal challenges and campaigns to stop it.  The Brighton Grassroots and Save Monroe Avenue organizations have challenged every step leading up to the grocery store having a location in the city and according to testimony in the latest court session, it’s been orchestrated by their competitors.  Wegmans has apparently been paying the local supposedly grassroots organizations millions of dollars to stop Whole Foods from opening.  The latest lawsuit, which was about a nature trail that is behind the property, was decided in Whole Foods favor after a member of the local organizations admitted on the stand that they were being paid and that the lawsuits were attempts to stop Whole Foods from competing with Wegmans.  Whole Foods is expected to open in the spring although an appeal is expected.

Main Street Armory can no longer host events.  The Rochester Police Department held a press conference Wednesday regarding the Main Street Armory concert stampede that took the lives of two women.  Prior to Wednesday’s press conference, a meeting was scheduled between the owner of the Armory, Scott Donaldson, and members of the City Corporation Counsel’s Office and the Rochester Police Department’s Licensing Unit.  When Donaldson failed to show up to the meeting, Rochester Police Chief David Smith denied the Armory’s renewal application. The denial now prohibits the Armory from hosting “any public entertainment, which includes concerts, amplified music, and athletic events or games, including volleyball or cheerleading.”

Amazon is attempting to get the ability to deliver alcohol to people’s homes in New York and small liquor stores say this is a threat to their business.  Currently New York liquor laws only allow an owner to operate one store. With multiple warehouse locations across NY, the law would have to change in order for Amazon to be able to deliver directly.  The New York State Liquor Store Association, the Metropolitan Package Store Association, and the Retailers Alliance met in Albany on Wednesday, saying that purchasing alcohol online is not only unsafe, but bad for business.  They claim that there aren’t enough safeguards in place to stop minors from ordering alcohol.  UPS and Fedex already deliver alcohol from some retailers and say they are trained to ID upon delivery.

Interested in getting into collage art?  GO ART! Is hosting Karen Crittenden on Tuesday March 14th to demonstrate hands on Collage Multimedia.  All materials are provided at no charge.  Karen is a lifelong artist who has had a love of all things colorful and accessible.  Her current work has been based in collage/mixed media and photography.  Non-members’ tickets are 5 dollars.  Tavern 2.0.1 will be open for cash purchases. 

Holland Land Office Museum is looking for volunteers to work in many positions at the museum.  They need help with cleaning, gift shop, tour guides, artifacts documenters, help with setup and maintenance of the displays, landscapers, and more.  Volunteer hours would be during the normal hours of operation of the museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.  If you have an interest in volunteering with the Holland Land Office Museum, get in touch with Director Ryan Duffy at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Musicians of Note, a wall of fame to honor past Batavia High School graduates in music, will host its 4th annual ceremony on March 17 in the Batavia High School auditorium at 7 p.m.  Nominations were accepted until November when the committee followed through with selecting talented and deserving recipients.    Nominées will be recognized with a video presentation. They will also have High School ensembles perform to celebrate those specific honorees.  A plaque featuring their accomplishments will be displayed on the new Musicians Of Note wall at the High School.   The 2023 honorees include Diana Dipson, 1929; Gloria McLaughlin, Retired BCSD music teacher 1970-1989; Brian Isaac, 2001; Deanna Spiotta, 2005; and Melzie Case, 2012.