Morning News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on May 1, 2023
On May 11th the US will be ending its declaration of a National Health Emergency for COVID 19. That will also be the day the border will open to Canadians who wish to cross the border and are not vaccinated. Roughly 16.6 percent of Canadians are not vaccinated against COVID 19. About 31 percent of Americans are not fully vaccinated against COVID. Canada dropped all COVID-19-related entry restrictions on October 1st of 2022.
Lock up your ATVs and Dirt Bikes there is a rash of thefts across Western New York. People are driving up with u hauls and loading the bikes and off road vehicles in the back in the middle of the night. In one theft in Elma New York 7 people were caught on security camera stealing 2 ATVs from the back of a store. Other locations in and around Buffalo have experienced the same thing. One store is offering a reward of a free ATV for information leading to the arrest of the people who robbed their store.
The Batavia Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred in the 7-Eleven convenience store on East Main Street on Tuesday the 25th of April at about 3:34 am. The suspect was armed with a hammer when the robbery occurred. The suspect is described as being a black male, approximately 5’7”, and having a slim to average build. He was also described as wearing dark-colored clothing with a maroon-colored flat-brim hat. The male is believed to have left the area on foot. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at (585)345-6311, the Batavia Police Department at (585)345-6350, the Batavia Police Department’s confidential tip line at (585)345-6370.
A 13-year-old boy faces charges in Rochester after police said he stole a Kia, crashed into a tree and tried to flee before the vehicle rolled into a patrol car. An officer was driving on Lyell Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when he spotted the vehicle on Myrtle Street with no headlights on. Police said when the officer turned around, the Kia went into reverse and struck a tree. The driver allegedly ran from the vehicle but didn’t put it into park and it rolled into the patrol car, causing minor damage. Police arrested the driver following a brief foot chase. The investigation determined the vehicle was stolen earlier Saturday night on Atkinson Street. The driver was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Over 100 Students completed training at the Genesee County Fire Training Center in the Month of April. 20 students completed 79 hours of instruction in the Basic Exterior Fire Operation course. Students were trained in ropes and knots as well as first aid/CPR. They also received training in fire extinguishers, building construction, forcible entry, ladder deployment, incident command, drafting operations and hazardous materials operations levels. 50 personnel completed the Fire Sprinkler Systems for Fire Service training. 38 emergency response personnel completed the Fire Alarm Systems for Fire Service course.
The City of Buffalo plans to crack down on all smoke shops, but some business owners say it doesn’t make sense since they have permits from the state. The City of Buffalo is looking to make sure tobacco, hookah, and vape cannabis establishments are all regulated and licensed properly under the City of Buffalo. The city wants to sell licenses to shops in the city limits. Many smoke shop owners are saying they feel like they are getting taxed twice in order to operate. The vote is to take place tonight with the regulation to take effect June 1st.
