Midday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on February 16, 2022
Duane Hamill
New details specific to the burglary and gunpoint robbery of a business in Pembroke… We reported yesterday that 65-year-old Duane Hamill of Warsaw faces numerous charges and the case remains under investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. WBTA news has learned that Hamill was a former employee of the business he is accused of burglarizing. A un-named current employee of the business arrived to work about 6:30am and found Hamill had broken in and was stealing items. Hamill fled and the employee pursued him into Darien where both vehicles stopped and a fight ensued. Hamill was able to steal the employee’s rifle and his car keys before getting back into his vehicle and taking off. Deputies in Wyoming County were able to stop him and Hamill was turned over to Genesee County Deputies. The most serious charge against Hamill is second-degree robbery, a class C felony, punishable by up to 15 years in state prison.
With our warmer temperatures and rain expected tomorrow, a flood watch is issued for the GLOW region. The snowmelt will combine with possible rainfall exceeding an inch to bring the potential for flooding from high flows, ice jams, or combination of both Thursday into Friday. As always, stay with WBTA. 13 WHAM meteorologists will keep us up to date.
Wegmans is now offering N95 masks to customers in an effort to protect them against COVID-19. They received the masks as part of a federal program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Shoppers are eligible to receive up to three adult-sized masks, however the locations of the masks in stores and the times they’ll be distributed vary by location. Anyone who is interested in getting a mask should contact their nearest Wegmans for more information.
State Police have released the results of their Super Bowl Weekend STOP-DWI campaign. Troopers say between Friday and Monday, they handed out nearly 9978 tickets which is an increase of just over 1000 from last year. Many of the violations were for speeding, but 180 people were also arrested for DWI. Police also investigated 529 accidents that resulted in 64 injuries but no deaths.
The demolition of the Great Northern grain elevator in Buffalo is still on hold thanks to a court ruling. Preservationists have been trying to prevent the building from being taken down after it was severely damaged during a windstorm in December. The city issued a demolition order less than a week after the storm, but it has been challenged in court. Preservationists say the grain elevator can be saved and they’re asking the owner of the building to repair it. The grain elevator was built back in 1897 and is the last of its kind in North America.
The Buffalo Sabres have won their second straight game following a third-period rally in front of their home crowd. The Sabres scored three times in the final frame on their way to a six-to-three victory over the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center last night. Victor Olofsson had a pair of goals Buffalo while Tage Thompson, Kyle Okposo, Alex Tuch and Henri Jokiharju also scored. Up next for the Sabres is a home game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.
Municipal and baseball club executives around the state, including Batavia, are asking Governor Hochul and the state to set aside some money in the state budget for improvements to municipally owned stadiums. The letter included signatures from Muckdogs owner Robbie Nichols and Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League President and General Counsel, Robert Julian. In the letter, officials requested that about $250 million in capital funds for improvements should be earmarked as the money will be needed for many facilities across the state, including Dwyer Stadium.
