Monday News Brief

Negotiations are scheduled to resume today between officials at the University of Rochester and union employees. This will be the 32nd time both sides have met since their last contract expired earlier this year. Last week, union workers decided to walk off the job at Strong Memorial Hospital for 17 hours. The key issues in the way of reaching a deal include staffing levels and better wages and benefits.

 

An investigation is still underway into what caused a crash in Wyoming County that left two people hurt. Authorities say an RV collided with a tractor-trailer yesterday in the area of Routes 20A and 238 in Warsaw. There were a total of nine people in both vehicles, but just the RV driver and a three-year-old needed treatment. Witnesses are asked to contact police.

 

Jackson Street from Ellicott to Central Ave will be closed for the duration of this week due to construction on the Jackson Street Water project within the City of Batavia.

 

 

 

 

As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: Lawmakers in Albany are trying to force Chick Fil A to open on Sundays. The restaurant chain has a longstanding commitment to never being open on Sundays but lawmakers are saying this isn’t right now that they have locations on the Thruway; seven Chick Fil A’s have opened at recently renovated rest areas across the state. A bill has been introduced that would require restaurants at rest stops be open every day of the week so travelers can count on a meal when they stop by. The legislation says allowing for a retail space to go unused one seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas.

 

 

The state Division of Consumer Protection is calling for what it says is a dangerous toy to be removed from store shelves. The agency says the Speed Striker Remote Control car toy is often sold at Five Below locations. The car has more than double the allowable surface and paint coating lead level than the guideline established by the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. People who have purchased this product should get rid of it immediately.

 

The playoff hopes of the Buffalo Bills remain alive after the team picks up a huge win at home. Quarterback Josh Allen had only 94 yards passing and threw a touchdown as his team beat the Dallas Cowboys 31 to 10 at Highmark last night. Bills running back James Cook had 179 yards rushing and scored twice as Buffalo improved its record to eight wins and six losses. Up next for the Bills is a game Saturday night against the 5 wins – 9 losses Los Angeles Chargers. Kickoff is at 8:00pm.

ELSEWHERE…

 

Thrill seekers looking for a surge of adrenaline can now sign up for an event that’s happening in Buffalo next year. It’s called Over The Edge, and gives people the chance to rappel down the side of the Seneca One Tower. Proceeds will go to help Arc Erie County, an organization that helps out individuals with intellectual disabilities. More information on the June 28th event can be found at arceriecounty.org.

 

 

 

Australian authorities say a woman has been caught after stealing a truck filled with 10,000 doughnuts. An unmarked delivery truck had stopped for gas near Sydney when a woman allegedly hopped inside the vehicle and drove off with the Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Detectives followed leads of the woman and vehicle, and eventually tracked down the abandoned delivery truck to a suburban car park. The woman has been charged, and as for the doughnuts, they’ve all been “destroyed.”

 

A new study says Americans eat an extra meal each day just by snacking. Researchers at The Ohio State University studied data from over 20,000 individuals and found that Americans consume up to 500 calories daily from snacks alone, which is often more calories than breakfast but with less nutritional value. A senior author of the study said snacks are contributing “a meal’s worth of intake” to our diets without actually being a meal.

 

Conspiracy theorist and Internet talk show host Alex Jones is offering up a new proposal for Sandy Hook families who sued him. Jones has faced multiple lawsuits for calling the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut a hoax. He filed for bankruptcy last year as the Sandy Hook families were awarded nearly $1.5 billion. Jones’ latest plan would pay the families a minimum total of just $55 million over ten years. An attorney for the families says Jones’ new proposal “falls woefully short” of providing everything that the families are entitled to.

 

A major storm packing strong winds and heavy rain is threatening holiday travel as it barrels up the East Coast. Forecasters say strong winds; heavy rain and flooding are likely from the mid-Atlantic to New England. Hazardous driving conditions and possible flash flooding is expected across the region throughout the day.

 

Today is Monday, Dec. 18, the 352nd day of 2023 with 13 to go.

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

December 18 in history…

…In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery in the United States.

 

 

 

…In 1961, Britain’s EMI Records rejected the Beatles. They later signed them.

 

 

 

…In 1971, Jerry Lee Lewis and his second cousin Myra Brown were divorced. They were married in 1957 when she was 13 years old.