Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on June 5, 2023
At least one Buffalo Sports team can win championships. Saturday night the Buffalo Bandits delivered on a moment 13 years in the making. Winning the franchise’s fifth National Lacrosse League championship in a 13-4 win over the Colorado Mammoth in a home game. Goaltender Matt Vinc recorded 46 saves on 50 shots. His four goals allowed has now set a NLL record for fewest goals against in the finals. Also Josh Byrne scored 4 goals after coming out of injured reserve. This win brings hope into Western NY that the Bills and Sabres might be next.
It is very dry outside. How dry? The sandwash caught on fire over the weekend. A brush fire started at the Dewitt Recreational Area around 4pm on Sunday. Batavia City Fire responded to reports of a burn spreading at the park. The brush truck was called out and by about 4:45 the fire was knocked down. The fire burned about 1 and a half acres. The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time. Another fire was reported at the McDonalds on West Main St Saturday at around 2:30pm when the outdoor drive thru speaker started sparking and smoking and set fire to the mulch on the ground nearby. Firefighters were able to put it out quickly.
Gas Prices Update: From AAA the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Batavia is 3.64 which is about a penny less than last week and 2 cents less than a month ago. A year ago it was a dollar and ten cents higher. The state average is 3.70 which is unchanged from last week and the national average is down a couple cents at 3.55. These prices take into account memberships and discount cards. Gas demand is down and the price of a barrel of oil dropped below 70 dollars. Prices at the pump could go down as we get into the summer according to AAA.
State lawmakers are expected to be back at the Capitol today to begin the final few days of this year’s legislative session. One bill that is still being debated is called the Clean Slate Act, which would allow some individuals who have completed their sentences to have their criminal records sealed after a specific period of time. There is also an ongoing push to pass good cause eviction legislation that’d limit the power of landlords to evict tenants. The legislative session is scheduled to end on Thursday.
The Muckdogs had their largest home opener in Dwyer Stadium history on Saturday night with over 3700 fans piling into the stadium to see their team play the Elmira Pioneers. The Muckdogs were looking for a better start to their season after a loss on the road to Elmira already. They came in with a nailbiter 5 to 4 victory in front of their fans. The night was also made more exciting by bands playing for the crowd, cheerleaders, and a fireworks display. The Muckdogs will be home again tomorrow night for a matchup against the Niagara Power at 6:35.
In local sports news the Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team beat the Gowanda Panthers 6 to 5 on Saturday at Frontier High School to become Far West Regional Champions. The Fighting Irish will next play Chatham of Section 2 on Friday at Maine-Endwell High School in the state semi-final. Chatham is the defending Class C state champion and is currently ranked #1 in Class C by MaxPreps. And the new Genesee County Spartans Semi Pro football team beat the New York Falcons in a shutout 13 to 0 game at GCC. After a scoreless first half Quarterback Alex Rood and halfback Jed Reese ran in touchdowns to win the game. It was the first official game of the season for the Spartans, a member of the Northern Football Alliance. Their next game will be on Saturday in Lockport.
The New York State Thruway Authority is holding a virtual public hearing later today to get feedback from Empire State residents on proposed toll hikes. The meeting is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and it will be streamed online through the Thruway’s website. Anyone who wants to take part in the hearing needs to register in advance. If these hikes are approved, E-ZPass holders would see a five-percent toll increase next year followed by another five-percent hike in 2027.
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver and the team have agreed to a four-year extension. The deal is reportedly worth 68 million dollars with a 45 million dollar guarantee. Last season Oliver racked up 34 total tackles, alongside two and a half sacks. Since being drafted 9th overall by the Bills in 2019, Oliver played in every game before the 2022 season in which he appeared in only 13 games. Oliver becomes the first defensive tackle signed through the 2024 season on Buffalo’s roster.
