Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on July 7, 2023
An accused murderer has escaped from jail. Michael Burham, who is accused of killing 34 year old Kala Hodgkin in May in Jamestown was arrested in South Carolina and was being held in Warren County Jail in Pennsylvania. He had allegedly kidnapped a couple in Pennsylvania and forced them to transport him to South Carolina. He escaped the jail late on Thursday and may have traveled back to New York. He was last seen wearing a blue denim jacket. Police are saying people in the Jamestown area should lock their doors as he may return home. If anyone sees him they should call the police immediately.
Over 2000 dollars in merchandise was stolen from Target on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia on Thursday including a 500 dollar scooter. Police responded to the store just after noon to reports of a man walking out of the store with large amounts of merchandise. He walked toward the thruway and then headed down to the driveway behind Sally Beauty. Officers then were informed that he had climbed into a Black SUV and patrol units were able to catch him on 98 near the hotels. Near 1pm it was found that the merchandise was left near Target in the parking lot and it had since been returned to the store. Police are investigating the incident.
The cause of a fire that took the life of a member of the Buffalo Fire Department has been ruled an accident. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said yesterday the March blaze on Main Street that killed Jason Arno was sparked by a blow torch that accidentally ignited combustibles inside a building. The flames quickly engulfed the building and it took firefighters several hours to get things under control. It’s believed Arno died after being struck by collapsing debris.
Labor Daze in Oakfield in September will feature a bit of speed with a Box Car Derby. Organizers are looking for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 13 to drive in the race. Cars will be provided by the Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby Association 2 to 3 weeks ahead of time for customization. There will be a 7-10 division and a 11-13 division. Registration must be done by August 7th and the fee is 20 dollars per child. The Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby Association will conduct a clinic for children and adults to ensure a safe race and give the children some basic car-building skills. Participants will be required to install the outer shell and wheels on the chassis. Practice session will be held on Friday, September 1 to ensure a safe event. Trophies will be provided for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and all participants will receive a prize.
The Historic Batavia Cemetery will be holding several Tea and Spirits sessions through the summer this year. Each of these events will feature performers dressing and acting as people who are interred in the cemetery both famous and infamous. There will be savory snacks, sweet treats and fun chats with the deceased. On July 23rd Joseph Ellicott, Rachel Ellicot Evans and William Morgan. On August 20th Dean and Mary Richmond and Eli Fish. On September 17th Albert Brisbane, General John Martindale and Reverend John Yates. Each session will be at 2 pm at Holland Land Office Museum. Tickets are 25 dollars or 20 for Museum members and may be bought at the museum or by phone.
Crossroads House in Batavia has a new interim Executive Director in Tom Staebell. Staebell previously served as a Board Member, is a trained doula and volunteered at Crossroads House for 7 years. He says that one of his main foci while Executive Director is to bring more attention to what Crossroads House is and what it does in Genesee County. The free end of life care home only has 2 beds and doesn’t get funding through the government or insurance agencies and has been called a best kept secret. Staebell wants to change the secret part by getting the word out about what Crossroads House does for the community and how they can help.
