Midday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on March 7, 2022
Western New York drivers are going to have to dig a lot deeper into their wallets when it comes time to fill up their vehicles. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is $4.18. That’s up 39 cents in the past week. The state average is $4.21 a gallon while nationally it’s an even $4.00. In Batavia, the average cost per gallon is $4.23; up 10 cents from yesterday. Last Monday, the average price here was $3.75; a month ago, $3.52; and this time last year, $2.75.
Paying those high gas prices would get much easier for whoever wins one of the two big lottery jackpots up for grabs in the next couple of days. The prize available for this evening’s Powerball game is $90,000,000 and $126,000,000 is available in tomorrow night’s Mega Millions. The cost of a ticket for each game is $2.00. Both the Mega Millions and Powerball drawings will be streamed live online. Please play responsibly.
Sunnking, the household hazardous waste recycling company based in Brockport, is returning to Batavia for another large recycling event at Genesee County Department of Social Services, 5130 E. Main Street on June 25. More details will be released closer to the event but registration opens later this month.
The high wind warning lived up to its name yesterday, with downed branches, trees and power lines throughout the GLOW region. National Grid reports at the peak of the storm, nearly 2000 households were without power in Genesee County and as of this morning, a few hundred households were still without. National Grid has been removing downed trees and wires and also replacing broken poles as they work toward restoring power.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo blames “cancel culture” for ruining his career. In his first public speech since resigning amid sexual harassment claims, Cuomo told a church congregation in Brooklyn yesterday the Democratic Party chooses to cancel people with whom they disagree. Cuomo also continued to defend himself against sexual harassment allegations. He said, he never did anything illegal and that he didn’t realize his behavior was inappropriate by today’s standards of social norms in the workplace.
For the first time in weeks, all students at McKinley High School in Buffalo will be returning to their classrooms today. They’ve been learning remotely since early February after a violent incident at the school left a 14-year-old student and security guard hurt. Students were originally scheduled to return this Friday, but the district said over the weekend it was safe for them to return today. Until metal detectors are installed, there will be extra security measures in place such as students being checked for weapons and having their bags searched.
The Buffalo Bills have announced where they’ll be doing their preparations for the upcoming season. The team has reached a one-year deal to return to Saint John Fisher College after spending the last two years getting ready at Highmark Stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This’ll be the 21st time the school hosts the Bills for training camp. Fans will be allowed to watch the players in-person and the dates and times for each practice are going to be announced in the coming weeks.
The struggles of the Buffalo Sabres are continuing following a shutout loss on home ice. The Sabres failed to score a goal in yesterday’s three-to-nothing defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center. The Sabres have now been beaten in seven of their last nine games and are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with 44 points. During the third period, winger Alex Tuch suffered a shoulder injury after crashing into the goalpost. He had surgery last night and will require six months for recovery. Up next for Buffalo is another home game tonight against the Florida Panthers.
The Holland Land Office Museum will host its next trivia night on March 10. This month’s topic is Albert Einstein. Admission is $3 per person or $2 for museum members. All in attendance are required to wear face coverings. Contact the museum if you would like to attend (585) 343-4727. Those interested may also join via Zoom with links are available on the museum’s website and Facebook page.
Six Flags Darien Lake, Six Flags Darien Lake, Thrill Capital of New York, is planning to change their name from Splashtown Water Park to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, and launching a new, 60-foot tall slide for the 2022 season. Wahoo Wave will rank as one of the tallest water rides in the water park.
The new, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor additions will include the following features:
· Expanded seating and additional lounge chairs;
· Improved shaded areas;
· A ‘selfie’ photo spot featuring a 20-foot shark prop; and
· New, tropically themed wave pool mural.
The Wahoo Wave slide complex features:
· Near vertical motions on a four-person tube;
· Thirty-foot vertical plunge;
· Whirlpool bowl;
· Huge water wave wall, where guests will feel zero-gravity bliss; and
· Refreshing catch pool.
Construction on Wahoo Wave has begun and is expected to be complete when the water park opens this May.
