Monday News Brief

Governor Kathy Hochul is warning of high volumes of traffic throughout New York, with thousands of visitors coming to the state. Hochul recommends allowing extra travel time and packing plenty of food and water while traveling through the state. She also advises to have a full tank of gas in anticipation of long traffic jams. The state of New York has been preparing for today’s eclipse for 18 months. This will be the first total solar eclipse over New York in 99 years.

 

The Genesee County Sheriffs have made three arrests during a traffic stop. 40-year-old Donald Ryan of Pembroke, 28-year-old Brandi Hough of Elba, and 52-year old Eddie Miles of Batavia each face various charges, including tampering with evidence and criminal possession of a controlled substance. A traffic stop was conducted in the Park Road area, of the vehicle that Ryan was operating. It was discovered that they possessed a controlled substance and there were also attempts to conceal drug paraphernalia from deputies. They were ticketed and scheduled for Batavia Town Court on April 23rd.  ALSO: 29-year-old Kathryn Reinard of Pensacola, Florida has been arrested by Genesee County Sheriffs. She’s charged with criminal trespass. It’s alleged Reinard knowingly entered and remained unlawfully in a dwelling located in the Town of Pembroke. She was transported to the Genesee County Jail and scheduled for CAP Court. ALSO:  The Sheriffs have arrested two people following an investigation into two people reported to be slumped over in a vehicle in the Target parking lot. It’s alleged that 31-year-old David Eck, Jr. of Attica and 29-year-old Ashley Rzemek of Lancaster possessed cocaine and other substances; while in custody, Eck allegedly ate a quantity of a suspected narcotic in attempt to conceal it. Eck and Rzemek were both issued appearance tickets for Batavia Town Court for April 23rd.

 

A man is recovering after falling into the gorge at Maplewood Park in Rochester. Emergency crews were called to the area near Maplewood Avenue yesterday afternoon. Firefighters and law enforcement officers assisted in the rescue effort. Officials say the man suffered minor injuries and is expected to be ok.

 

 

 

Journalists at the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle are striking through today. Leaders of the union that represents the paper’s writers have extended their work stoppage after the Gannett company did not agree on a contract on Friday. The union claims Gannett is paying out large salaries for corporate executives, but they are not paying reporters a living wage. Picketers gathered outside the Democrat & Chronicle offices for a demonstration on Saturday.

 

Pet owners are being warned that today’s solar eclipse could have an effect on animals. Experts say wildlife may think it’s already nighttime when the moon blocks the sun, possibly leading to nocturnal animals coming out of their burrows, owls and frogs calling and vultures coming to roost. The eclipse could also be confusing and stressful for pets. Experts recommend pet owners stay calm during the eclipse, maintain your pet’s routine and keep them indoors. They also suggest you avoid taking them to eclipse parties or covering their eyes with eclipse glasses.

 

A man has been taken into custody by Medina Police after allegedly threatening an ambulance crew from Medina Fire Department. The call came in yesterday afternoon and the ambulance dispatched to what was anticipated to be a non-emergency, basic life support call for service. Upon their arrival, the crew was met by a person with a gun making threats to them as well as a neighbor. Police were called; the man went back inside and then came back out without the weapon. The crew was able to restrain the man until police arrived and took him into custody. The incident remains under investigation.

 

Buffalo State University is among several places hosting eclipse events today. The university will host Eclipse Fest from 1pm until 5pm at the Sports Arena and Coyer Field. General admission is $40 and includes an eclipse swag bag, a kid’s zone, and eclipse demos. Eclipse totality is expected to happen around 3:18 pm in Western New York.

 

It wasn’t meant to be in Detroit. The Red Wings jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and then cruised to a 3-1 win over Buffalo; tomorrow night the Sabres play in Dallas against the Stars.

 

ELSEWHERE…

Seismologists say aftershocks could continue for another week following Friday’s earthquake in New Jersey. The U.S. Geological Survey says the 4.8 magnitude earthquake was the strongest on the East Coast in 100 years, and shook buildings across the Northeast. The quake was followed by 32 aftershocks, and seismologists expect more aftershocks in the coming week, especially near the epicenter in northern New Jersey.

 

Today’s solar eclipse will briefly block out the sun, but it’s expected to shine some light into the economy. As millions prepare to witness the rare celestial event, experts are forecasting upwards of a $1.5 billion boost to businesses within the eclipse’s corridor. Lodging and travel, such as Airbnb, hotels and airlines, will be the major beneficiaries with an estimated four million travelers on the move along its path from Texas to Maine. Retailers are also expected to continue seeing an uptick in sales for eclipse-related products, from viewing glasses to portable chairs. History shows the stock market is likely to have a positive response with the Dow finishing the year with notable gains 10 times out of 13 total solar eclipse events since 1900.

 

Totality at 2:40 p.m. in Dallas, Texas Totality at 2:45 p.m. in Idabel, Oklahoma Totality at 2:51 p.m. in Little Rock, Arkansas Totality at 2:56 p.m. in Poplar Bluff, Missouri Totality at 2:59 p.m. in Carbondale, Illinois Totality at 3:00 p.m. in Paducah, Kentucky Totality at 3:02 p.m. in Evansville, Indiana Totality at 3:13 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio Totality at 3:16 p.m. in Erie, Pennsylvania Totality at 3:18 p.m. in Buffalo, New York Totality at 3:26 p.m. in Burlington, Vermont Totality at 3:27 p.m. in Lancaster, New Hampshire Totality at 3:32 p.m. in Caribou, Maine.

 

Somebody won the billion-dollar Powerball jackpot. Lottery officials say a single ticket in Oregon matched all six numbers in Saturday’s drawing, and is worth an estimated $1.3 billion. Powerball says it’s the fourth-largest jackpot in the history of the game. The winner has the option of getting the full amount, before taxes, spread out over 30 years, or getting a lump sum payment of about $620 million. If you didn’t buy your ticket in Oregon, don’t throw it out — seven tickets worth a million dollars were sold in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan and Wyoming.

 

The IRS is waiving failure-to-pay penalties for eligible taxpayers. Mark Steeber with Jackson Hewitt’s tax services says it’s due to the collection notice pause during 2020 and 2021 COVID years. So they are waiving “failure to pay” penalties for those years. This penalty relief will benefit about five-million taxpayers and provide an estimated one-billion in tax relief. The relief is automatic for those eligible, so no action is required. A refund or credit payments toward outstanding tax liabilities will be issued to taxpayers who qualify. An IRS spokesman says the government should be looking out for taxpayers, and this penalty relief is a common-sense approach to help people in this situation.