Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on January 8, 2023
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is posting to Twitter and Instagram and held a facetime call with his team before their game on Sunday. He posted that “The love is felt, & extremely real. No matter race or religion everybody coming together in prayer!” The Bills also released the following in their update. “Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition.” Hamlin also announced right after the Bills game that he is selling Did We Win? T-shirts and tweeted that all proceeds are going to support first responders and the UC Trauma Center where he is being treated. The T-Shirts are 33 dollars.
37 year old Nicolas Turnquist is already sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for sex crimes and just pleaded guilty to a rape in 2014 at the Darien Lake Amusement Park. He accepted a plea deal that allows him to serve his sentences at the same time if he copped to the charge. A decade ago, Turnquist, who most recently lived in West Falls, reportedly engaged in sexual activity with a minor in multiple jurisdictions, including Genesee County, Wyoming County, Erie County, Pennsylvania and Canada. The course of rapes involving a single victim started in 2012, when the victim was 14, according to prosecutors, and continue for at least two more years. He will be on parole for 15 years following his federal prison term.
The new president of the Chamber of Commerce is a world traveler and experienced at working with large numbers of people. Brian Cousins most recently worked for Six Flags Darien Lake as director of Accommodations. He also loved to travel with his wife, going to over 40 countries. Initially thinking he would work the mic for a radio station after testing the waters at Genesee Community College and then pursuing Communications at Fredonia State College, Cousins eventually followed the trail that led to a steady job. And then to a successful career at Darien Lake, where he comfortably remained for 25 years. Cousins filled the vacancy left by former President Erik Fix, who is now Batavia’s Assistant City Manager. He says he believes in systems and will address issues and operational elements systematically while keeping an open door to service the community and any visitors whether from out of town or out of country.
Batavia Downs hasn’t hosted a winter race meet for decades. Starting today that changes as they will be holding a 15 day session. Races start at 3pm and run Mondays through Thursdays all the way up to February 27th. All the local drivers and trainers will be back in action along with out of town talent. The wagering menu remains the same and will feature five Doubles, 13 Exactas, 13 Trifectas, 12 Superfectas, two Pick-3s, two Pick-4, one Pick-5 and one Jackpot Super Hi-5 Pentafecta.
The Buffalo Sabres won against the Minnesota Wild Saturday night in Overtime 6-5. Victor Olofsson, Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres with Dahlin and Olofsson scoring twice. Olofsson put the puck in with less than 1 minute left to win the game. The Sabres are back in action at the KeyBank Center, Monday night against Philadelphia. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. est.
The Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots 35 to 23 Sunday afternoon at Highmark stadium. It started with a bang when Nyheim Hines ran the kickoff back for a 96 yard touchdown. A feat he repeated in the 2nd half of the game. It’s been three years and three months since the last kickoff return made a touchdown for Buffalo. This victory sets the Bills to have the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs. #1 goes to the Kansas City Chiefs.
