Morning News Brief

The national weather service has issued a warning for Genesee and Orleans Counties for dense fog in the area.  Visibility will be limited to less than a quarter mile.  Motorists are urged to drive slowly and not overtake how far they can see.  Be ready to make sudden stops and for visibility to change rapidly.  The fog should lift by 7am. 

The race to be New York’s next governor could be turning into a toss-up.  Republican Lee Zeldin is closing in on incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul and pollsters say this election is going to come down to voter turnout.  Now two polls show Zeldin slightly ahead of Hochul while another has him slightly trailing her, though most polls still show Hochul with a wider lead, yet much slimmer than weeks ago.  The candidates have been bringing political heavyweights on the campaign trail as Election Day nears.

The city of Rochester is letting people on North Clinton Ave know that they are being watched.  Bright pink enveloped are being sent to people who have been observed buying drugs.  They aren’t being charged, they are being told they have been seen and the envelopes contain an account of where they were observed buying the drugs, a list of safety risks and possible criminal activities.  The city is hoping this will scare people into seeking help or make them wary knowing their deeds aren’t going unnoticed.

A man already facing charges of domestic violence has been arrested again for 2 new warrants.  43 year old James Santiago Jr. was arrested Monday for kidnapping, strangulation and assault.  Batavia Police say Santiago was involved in a domestic assault in a car involving a woman, he wouldn’t let her out of the car and then drove her to a residence in Rochester where she got away.  Santiago has already served 3 sentences for kidnapping, sex with a minor, and robbery and assault.  He is in Genesee county jail without bail.

And he would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for those darn police.  33 year old Shawn Wisniewski, a man with no permanent address, is accused of stealing a vehicle from a parking lot on Bank Street and then fleeing from police when they tried to stop him.  Around 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 25, police received a report of a suspicious person in a parking lot on Bank Street. A male was reportedly trying to get into vehicles. A short time later, police received a report of a vehicle being stolen from the parking lot. A vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle was spotted traveling westbound on West Main Street in the area of Denny’s. The vehicle failed to stop for patrols.  He was caught in East Pembroke.  He was also accused of breaking into an office on Washington Ave.  Wisniewski is being held on bail.

Gov. Hochul and Congressman Brian Higgins announced Tuesday federal funding to further the state’s efforts in combatting targeted violence and domestic terrorism.  The funding, $500,000, was awarded from the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant program.  The funding will help support threat assessment and management teams in Buffalo, Troy, Niagara County, and Monroe County.  The creation of the threat assessment and management teams was a part of Hochul’s Executive Order 18, issued in the wake of the May 14 Tops shooting.

The city has asked Zoom Buffalo to take down their tribute to Josh Allen’s leap over Kansas City’s defensive line that was posted above the Hertle Ave sign.  Instead the image of Allen hurtling will be attached to the outside of Fairy Cake Cupcakery.  The cakery is holding a photo competition to celebrate, take a picture with Allen and tag the bakery in it to get entered to win a cookie cake and Josh Allen Earrings. 

Buffalo police say reports that have been circulating on social media involving tainted candy that was handed out for Halloween aren’t true. Claims were made that kids died due to fentanyl-laced candy, but neither the police or fire department have responded to any reported incidents. Adults should still check all candy to make sure that it’s safe for children to eat. Any candy that looks like it may have been contaminated should be thrown out immediately.

The former United Methodist Church in Alexander has a new name and is no longer part of the Methodist denomination.  It will now be known as The Church in Alexander.  7 other UMC churches in the area announced they would become independent at the October 6th Upper NY UMC Annual Conference.  The church is looking for a full time pastor.  Their mission is to connect with others, lead them to Christ, and prepare God’s people for works of service that the Body of Christ may be built up.

The Buffalo Sabres will be finishing up their current homestand tonight and they’re hoping to end it with a third straight win. The Sabres are hosting Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is coming off of a dominating eight-to-three victory over the Detroit Red Wings Monday night and have 12 points already to start the season. Face-off for this evening’s contest is scheduled for seven-30 p-m.

The Buffalo Bills did not let having the best record in the AFC stop them from making moves at the NFL trade deadline. Buffalo acquired running back Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for running back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Hines adds some veteran depth to the running backs room and also presents Buffalo with a potential punt returner. The Bills also traded for Dean Marlowe in a deal with the Falcons. Buffalo sent Atlanta a 2023 seventh-rounder for the safety.