Monday News Brief

For the first time this season, a pediatric death due to the flu has been reported in Erie County. No other information about the victim has been released, but the latest data from the state shows there were 322 cases of the virus in the county during the week that ended December 2nd. Concerns are growing in Monroe County, as well, with 274 cases reported there. That represents a 103% increase from the week before. The spread of the flu is considered prevalent in the area and also the rest of the Empire State; doctors report the spread of the virus is a bit quicker this year than it has been in the past. Folks who haven’t received their flu shot yet are urged to do so soon.

 

On 12/5/2023, Talia F Joubert (age 21) of Leroy, was arrested for DWAI Drugs. Joubert was charged after an investigation into traffic stop on 8/18/2023, where she was allegedly operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs. While at the Batavia Police Department, it’s alleged that Joubert struck two officers. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in court on 12/20/2023.

On 11/29/2023, Brian C Johnson (age 26) of Cheektowaga, was arrested for Harassment 2nd, Criminal Mischief 4th, and Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd. Johnson allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with staff at UMMC, while being treated in the emergency department. He then tried to flee when police attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 12/19/2023.

On 12/2/2023, Wayne D Potter (age 40) of Batavia, was arrested for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Harassment 2nd. Potter was arrested after an investigation into an incident on 11/4/2023, where he allegedly engaged in a physical altercation, with another person. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on 12/19/2023.

On 11/16/2023, Cornelius Welch (age 44) of Batavia, was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd. Welch was arrested after police stopped him on a bicycle, for a traffic violation. During the investigation, Welch was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on 12/5/2023.

In other news…

 

There is a new development in the ongoing investigation into a crash in Niagara Falls that took the lives of two people. Authorities say they’ve recovered the damaged data recorder from the vehicle involved in the accident on the Rainbow Bridge back on November 22nd. The vehicle slammed into a customs booth, killing both Kurt Villani and his wife Monica. Just what caused the tragedy is still being looked into.

 

According to Triple A this morning, the national average price of a gallon of regular gas is $3.15. The state average is at $3.48. In Batavia, we’re paying $3.54 per gallon; that’s down a penny from a week ago, down 13 cents from a month ago but up 7 cents from a year ago today. The price per barrel of oil has remained at $70 even with OPEC deciding to cut production. Demand is also down heading toward Christmas. More than half of all gas stations in the US are now selling gas for less than 3 dollars a gallon.

 

A brand-new consumer protection law is now in effect across New York State. This legislation protects credit card holders from losing any credit card rewards that they’ve earned. Companies have to take action to protect consumers from losing those points when any rewards programs are either changed or terminated. That means from the day a company issues a notice of any changes, people will have 90 days to redeem their points.

 

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has announced that he isn’t going to be running for Congress. A seat in the 26th District will be vacant in February once incumbent Democrat and Congressman Brian Higgins resigns so he can take over as president and CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. In a statement, Poloncarz said he’ll continue to work hard for the people of Erie County during what he has promised will be his final term. A special election for Higgins’ spot hasn’t been set yet.

 

The Buffalo Bills remain in the hunt for the playoffs after picking up a big win over the defending Super Bowl champions. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a touchdown and also had a rushing score as the Bills topped the Kansas City Chiefs 20 to 17 at Arrowhead Stadium yesterday. Buffalo’s record improved to 7 and 6. Their next game is Sunday at home against the 10 and 3 Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is at 4:25.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Mega Millions says two winning jackpot tickets in Friday’s drawing were both sold at the same Los Angeles-area location. A news release on the Mega Millions website said both winning tickets were sold at a Chevron station in Encino. The release did not say if that’s happened before or what the odds are of two jackpot winners coming from the same location. A jackpot of $395 million or a cash value of $189 million will be shared by the two winners. Friday’s jackpot is the tenth winner this year, the most since there were eleven jackpot winners in 2013. Meanwhile, The Powerball jackpot is still on the rise, and now starting to approach the $500 million mark. The lucky lotto player who picks the winning numbers for tonight’s drawing will receive at least $477 million. The last time someone correctly chose all six winning numbers was in October when a massive $1.7 billion prize was claimed. Tonight’s drawing will be streamed live online at powerball.com. Please play responsibly.

 

Former President Trump now says he won’t testify in his civil fraud trial today in New York. Trump posted his decision on Truth Social Sunday, noting that he has already previously testified. Trump was set to make his second appearance on the witness stand to be questioned by his own attorneys as the final witness for the defense.

 

 

 

Ukrainian President Zelensky is set to arrive at the White House on Tuesday. President Biden invited Zelensky for a meeting to “underscore” the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine. An aid package for the country remains stalled in Congress, with the visit coming less than a week after Senate Republicans blocked a bill to give aid to Ukraine and Israel in their respective fights against Russia and Hamas. Zelensky will also meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

 

A Japanese animated film that’s dubbed in English tops this week’s box office. “The Boy and the Heron” took in an estimated $12.8 million to finish just ahead of the “Hunger Games” prequel. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was second with $9.4 million. Beyonce came up short in her bid to join Taylor Swift in having a concert film top the box office for two straight weeks. Last week’s number one, “Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce,” dropped to sixth place this week.

 

 

Today is Monday, Dec. 11, the 345th day of 2023 with 20 to follow.

The moon is waning. Morning stars are Jupiter, Mars and Uranus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.

December 11 in history…

 

…In 1941, four days after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1951, Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from baseball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1972, Apollo 17 landed on the moon. It was the final Apollo lunar landing. Ron Evans was the command module pilot and Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt walked on the surface during the mission. Cernan was the last to re-enter their lunar module — the last man on the moon.

 

 

 

 

…In 1976, Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was nearly electrocuted during a concert in Lakeland, Florida when he touched a short-circuited light. The guitarist was carried from the stage but returned 10 minutes later to finish the show.

 

 

 

…In 2008, Simon Cowell said he was “very embarrassed” after contracts signed by this year’s “X Factor” contestants were leaked to the Daily Mirror newspaper. The 80-page document, which is enforceable “anywhere in the world or the solar system” was signed by all 12 finalists before the live shows began. It included a clause that prevents them from saying anything “unduly negative, critical or derogatory” about Cowell. Also the show claimed the prize as a “million dollar recording contract”, but the contestants’ contract said the prize money was $100,000.

 

 

…In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, the first given approval in the United States.