Morning News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on July 18, 2023
Multiple police agencies conducted a joint ATV enforcement detail in the city Sunday that resulted in 22 ATVs and dirt bikes being towed. Members of the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police took part in the effort, using marked and unmarked patrol vehicles and a helicopter. Police issued more than 70 traffic citations. Four people were charged with misdemeanors and a 17-year-old male was found in illegal possession of a loaded handgun, according to police. The seized vehicles were taken to the Auto Impound on Colfax Street.
One person faces charges following a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian on the city’s north side last month. Police said 61 year old Evellin Santos was hit June 30 by a red Ford Explorer on Midland Avenue. She died three days later at Strong Memorial Hospital. Investigators found the vehicle during a traffic stop July 4 and arrested 21 year old Marcheri Spencer July 12. Spencer is charged with leaving the scene of an incident involving death. He was taken to the Monroe County Jail and released without bail. The family of Evellin Santos have started a gofundme due to the unexpected costs including medical expenses.
2 of the new board members of the Western Regional Off Track Betting are high ranking members of the Erie County Democratic Committee. Jennifer Hibit is the Secretary and Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney is the Vice Chair of the ECDC. The board was disbanded in May by New York State Assembly and Senate leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul in response to a proposal by Democratic State Sen. Tim Kennedy of Buffalo to reconfigure the voting method from one municipality/one vote to a weighted system based on population. As a result, the majority of the 100 votes are in the hands of directors from Erie and Monroe counties and Buffalo and Rochester. The weighted voting system gives Erie County 24 votes, followed by Monroe County (20), Buffalo (10) and Rochester (eight). Niagara County also has eight votes, while Chautauqua has five; Oswego, four; Steuben, Wayne, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, three each; Livingston and Genesee, two each; Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, one each. The directors will serve four-year terms.
The New York State Thruway Authority announced yesterday that the new Pembroke Service Area in Corfu is now open to the public. The location is the tenth new service area to open to Thruway customers as part of the $450 million project to redevelop and modernize all 27 Thruway service areas. The New Baltimore, Clarence, Ardsley, Plattekill, Clifton Springs, Iroquois, Indian Castle, Chittenango and Junius Ponds Service Areas have reopened. The service area has Burger King, Popeyes, Panera Bread which will open later in the year, Dunkin Donuts, Evergreen convenience store and Taste NY.
Wyoming County is looking for a good burger. And to find it, they are opening voting of the best hamburger in the county. 15 local businesses have been nominated as the best burger in Wyoming county and now residents can vote on which is really number 1. You can vote at the Wyoming county chamber of commerce website till July 31st at midnight. The winner will be announced the next day and will receive a plaque and bragging rights. Restaurants such as Bliss Bar and Grill, McDonalds in Warsaw, Main Street Grill in Arcade and Daryl’s Pizzeria in Perry are on the list along with 11 others. Follow the link at WBTAI.com to vote.
https://www.wycochamber.org/links-and-resources/vote-for-your-favorite-burger
It still can’t be sold in grocery stores but Finger Lakes Wines will now be available in Puerto Rico. A new partnership announced Monday between the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism, distributor Serrallés Imports and Steuben County-based Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery will make a selection of wines produced in the Finger Lakes region available in Puerto Rico, Governor Hochul’s office announced. Dr. Konstantin Frank is New York’s most awarded winery. The winery will be providing its Riesling varieties and Rosé for export. There is already a Taste Of New York Store in San Juan. The governor’s office said the state hopes to expand the selection of wines and wineries participating in the future.
