Monday Afternoon News Brief

A Batavia woman was killed after losing control of her vehicle. 54-year-old Anya Rambuski was driving her 2016 Buick Encore northeast yesterday on Alexander Road when she went into the southwest lane and hit a 2021 Jeep. Rambuski was pronounced dead at the scent of the noon crash, which closed Route 98 between Pike and Dodgeson Roads. The driver of the Jeep sustained minor injuries. The crash was one of many accidents reported throughout the GLOW region over the course of the storm that moved through yesterday.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, in effect until 6:00pm this evening. Sustained west winds of 20 to 30 mph are predicted, with gusts up to 50 mph. Bitterly cold wind chills will result, and make it feel as low as 20 degrees below zero. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.   With all of this in mind, a cold weather advisory is also in effect through 10:00am tomorrow morning. The bitter cold will cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin.

 

The Ontario County District Attorney’s Office says there’s no evidence to suggest the murder of a transgender man was a hate crime. Sam Nordquist was reported missing by his family February 9th and his body was found three days later in Yates County.   It was later determined Nordquist was killed in Ontario County before his remains ended up being moved. Five people have been arrested in connection with this case.

 

73-year-old Robert Smith of Blasdell has been arrested by the Genesee County Sheriffs. He’s charged with second degree menacing with a weapon after pulling a box cutter knife on a worker of Eagle Star Housing in Batavia. Smith was arraigned in CAP Court.

 

Governor Kathy Hochul and other state officials are warning residents of an E-ZPass text message scam attempting to collect tolls. The fake texts are sent from an international phone number and request the recipients to reply with “Y” to receive a link, which contains an unofficial website. Officials said E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail would never send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information. Anyone believed to have been scammed can call E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail.

 

The frisk of the Collins Correctional Facility in southern Erie County ended over the weekend. The prison was put on lockdown Wednesday after a prisoner was found attempting to discard contraband, which resulted in the use of force and the recovery of two cellphones. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says the frisk resulted in the recovery of 23 weapons, two minor uses of force resulting in no injuries and no assaults.   The facility will “begin the reopening process in a slow and controlled manner with visitation.”

 

Dozens of people are going to be losing their jobs due to the closure of a store at The Mall at Greece Ridge. Macy’s has told its 50 employees that their final day of work is expected to be April 11th. Last month, the retail chain announced plans to shutter over 60 stores nationwide, including the one at Greece Ridge. The Macy’s located at Eastview Mall in Victor is staying open.

 

A bird flu vaccine for chickens now has the green light. The Department of Agriculture gave conditional approval Friday to Zoetis, a company which started updating its vaccine in 2022. Millions of chickens have been killed to stop the spread, causing a massive spike in egg prices.

 

A new flavor will soon be available for Wendy’s Frosty lovers. On Friday, February 21st, Wendy’s will start selling Thin Mint-flavored Frostys.   Last year, Wendy’s sold an average of 500 Frostys a minute across the United States.