Monday Afternoon News Brief

An 18-year-old graduate of Pembroke High School, who recently made the Dean’s List at the University at Albany, was critically injured in a four-vehicle accident on the Thruway in the Town of Salina. According to State Police, Anneka Pray of Corfu was a front-seat passenger in a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by 22-year-old Christopher Baker of South Glens Falls. Investigation into the accident suggests the driver of a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado lost control and swerved, causing a Ford F-550 to brake and exit the north shoulder of the roadway to avoid a collision. The Jeep rear-ended the Ford and partially entered the passing lane, where it was struck by a westbound Freightliner tractor-trailer operated by 35-year-old Sarjo Drammeh of Wisconsin. The tractor-trailer fled the scene but was later located at the Seneca Service area on the Thruway. Pray, who has been blind since birth, participated in cross-country at Pembroke and was praised by her teachers for knowing what she wanted and going for it. Pray is listed in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital. Baker is hospitalized in serious condition. The investigation into the accident continues today.

 

A teenage bicyclist from Corfu was killed in a vehicle crash in the Town of Alabama. According to Sheriff’s, 17-year-old Arthur Breton the Third was riding his bicycle north in the northbound lane of Tesnow Road when he collided with 37-year-old Daphne Sundown of Basom, who was also traveling northbound with her son. Sundown reportedly was unable to see Breton when she struck him, ejecting him from his bicycle. Both Sundown and her son attempted to administer aid to Breton and called 9-1-1. Alabama and Pembroke Fire Departments responded and attempted to save Breton’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Drugs and alcohol were ruled out as factors. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash with the assistance of its own Crash Management Team. Alabama and Pembroke firefighters, Mercy EMS and several bystanders also assisted at the scene.

 

A proposal aimed to protect children is up for a vote in Albany. The proposal comes from State Senator Pam Helming from suburban Rochester. She wants to require the Office of Children and Family Services and the Department of Corrections to alert both school districts and local police when a felony offender under 18 is released.  Helming said the bill would protect not only school communities but young offenders as well.  The Republican argues that the bill would help law enforcement can prepare and implement their required informed assessments to ensure the safety of the school community, as well as the safe transition for the juvenile. Under current state law, the Department of Corrections has to tell law enforcement when felony offenders are released from custody, but not when minor felony offenders are released.

 

Two more arrests have been made in connection with the murder of a transgender man. Officials say one of these latest suspects is the son of a woman who is already charged following the death of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist. Nordquist was found dead in Yates County earlier this month, and an autopsy revealed he suffered months of torture before passing away.   Nordquist was reported missing in Oneida County and the DA says it’s possible more people could be taken into custody.

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Dozens gathered in Niagara Park on Saturday to remember a 24-year-old man tortured and killed in Canandaigua this month. State police said Sam Nordquist, a transgender man, was tortured for more than a month and then eventually murdered by a group of people. Seven people have been charged in his death. Another community gathering for Nordquist will be held on March 7th at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on Delaware Avenue.

 

Flags statewide were lowered to half-staff today to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those flags will be down from sunrise until sunset before landmarks are illuminated in blue and yellow, which are the colors of the Ukrainian flag.   In our area, those landmarks include Niagara Falls and Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal. Governor Hochul says New York proudly stands with Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s assault.

 

Folks from the New York State Lottery tell us that one top-prize winning ticket for the February 23^rd Take 5 Evening drawing was sold at Tops in Batavia. The ticket is worth $28,737.50. The winning numbers were 2-9-12-29-31.

 

The Rochester Fringe Festival is coming up this fall, and tomorrow performers interested in taking part can submit their applications. Artists are encouraged to create production plans that could be used at multiple venues during the festival, which runs September 9th through the 20th. An information session called “Rochester Fringe 101” is going to be taking place today through Zoom from noon until one p-m. For more details, head to backstage.rochesterfringe.com.

 

The Professional Women’s Hockey League made a stop in Buffalo over the weekend. Over 8,000 fans came out to KeyBank Center last night to watch the league’s Boston Fleet and New York Sirens. The game was part of the league’s “Takeover Tour”, which is designed to increase the league’s footprint and identify cities that could be considered for a possible expansion.   Boston won last night’s game 3-2.