Monday Afternoon News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on February 10, 2025
56-year-old Kenneth Muckle of Batavia has been arrested. He’s charged with petit larceny and conspiracy. It’s alleged Muckle stole merchandise from a store on Veteran’s Memorial Drive. He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to return to Batavia Town Court on February 18th.
A Tonawanda man has been convicted of possession of child pornography. 62-year-old Neil Stuckey will serve 24 months in prison and has also been ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution to four victims in this case. Initial investigation revealed approximately 600 images and 200 videos that he had uploaded to the Microsoft Bing server.
Tax season is underway, and New Yorkers are being reminded they can file their returns for free. Thanks to the Direct File program, both state and federal returns can be sent in online at no cost. It’s estimated that more than 3 million people will either use their Smartphone or laptop computer to take advantage of this offer. For more information head to tax.ny.gov. Another option, the Richmond Memorial Library is once again partnering with volunteers from the New York State Department of Tax and Finance to offer income-eligible citizens assistance with filing their taxes online this tax season. The next session will be offered this Thursday, February 13th. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 585-343-9550, Extension 3. You can also find the library online at batavialibrary.org. The deadline for sending in returns is April 15th.
The nine suspects accused of being involved in welfare fraud schemes in Orleans County are due in court this week. The individuals are expected to face a judge tomorrow following an investigation into the theft of public funds. The suspects allegedly filed false information in order to get thousands of dollars in benefits assistance they weren’t entitled to. They were all issued appearance tickets following their arrest and released.
Western New York motorists are seeing consistent prices when they head to the gas station to fill up their vehicles. According to Triple A this afternoon, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel right now is sitting at $3.14. The state average is slightly higher at $3.18. In Batavia, the average also calculates out to $3.18; the same as it was a week ago, a penny higher than it was a month ago, and six cents more than it was a year ago today.
Another wave of the flu has hit the nation. Health officials say the rapid rise in cases is causing doctor visits for flu related symptoms to reach their highest in 15 years. Visits to providers for respiratory illnesses were close to 8% last week, which is the highest since the swine flu outbreak, in 2009. The CDC estimates there have been 24 million cases of the flu this season causing more than 300,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths. Recent data shows that 45 states remain in the “high” or “very high” category for flu activity. For the week ending February 1, leading the pack regionally, was Monroe County with 1,660 confirmed cases of the flu; followed by Erie County with 741; Niagara County reported 159; Livingston County had 148 and Genesee logged 56 confirmed cases of the flu.
Matthew Smiley (Associated Press photo)
The Buffalo Bills are parting ways with special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. The move comes a little more than a week after head coach Sean McDermott said he planned to keep Smiley on his staff for the 2025 season. He joined the team back in 2017 as the assistant special teams coach before eventually being promoted to special teams coordinator ahead of the 2022 season.
Dick Jauron
In case you missed it over the weekend, College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL coach and player Dick Jauron has died. Jauron gained nearly 3,000 yards rushing in three seasons at Yale, but was converted to defensive back after the Detroit Lions picked him in the fourth round of 1973 NFL Draft. Jauron was the top punt returner in the league in his second season and was selected to the Pro Bowl. After a combined eight seasons in the league with the Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, Jauron began a 28-year coaching career in 1985. He had head coaching stints with the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, and his greatest success came in 2001 when he led the Bears to a 13-and-three record and NFC Central Division title. Jauron had a connection with both Super Bowl 59 teams, having served as the Philadelphia Eagles’ senior assistant and defensive backs coach in 2010 under current Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Jauron’s daughter posted on Facebook that he died shortly after being diagnosed with brain cancer. He was 74.
Egg prices are on the rise. With costs soaring, many people are looking into purchasing backyard chickens as an alternative way to get their eggs. A bird flu outbreak has increased egg prices across the country, including here in Western New York. Prices have gone up by more than 50% in cities nationwide. Now some people are taking matters into their own hands, wanting to raise chickens in their backyard. However, it may not be as easy to take care of them as you might think. And depending on where you live, there are also rules and regulations around owning chickens, so it’s important to do your research beforehand.
