Morning News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on July 25, 2023
The Buffalo Police Department is investigating the harassment of a female worker and vandalism at Cazenovia Park over the weekend. According to the Mayor’s office, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday unknown individuals harassed a female worker and broke glass bottles, broke a mirror in the park’s restroom, tore a sink from the wall, threw trash cans into the road and ripped plants from the ground. The vandalism continued on Sunday when, according to the Mayor’s office, around 6 p.m. vandals smashed two exterior glass windows on the park’s casino, kicked in its retaining walls, and threw garbage around the park. Damage is estimated at $5,000. The Olmsted Parks Conservancy said due to vandalism and safety concerns, the restroom building at Cazenovia Park will be open for limited hours and there will be a portable restroom available to visitors during full park hours.
Erie County is facing a lawsuit following an altercation between corrections officers and an inmate at Erie County Correctional Facility. In February 2022, Nathaniel Oyoyo was subdued by officers after they say he refused to be fingerprinted and became combative. Body-camera footage appears to show Officer Daniel Piwowarczyk kicking toward the head of Oyoyo. Piwowarczyk claims he kicked the inmate in the shoulder, according to a sheriff’s office internal report. However, internal investigators wrote the video suggests that the officer’s foot does contact Oyoyo’s head. Of nearly a dozen officers present, only one reported Piwowarczyk striking Oyoyo in a “Use of Force” report. Officer Naegely wrote that he observed a black boot come into contact with Oyoyo’s face. He later submitted a second report, omitting that statement. Oyoyo, then nineteen years old, battles mental health challenges. He’s now serving his sentence on a burglary and robbery charge at Washington Correctional Facility. He claims to have suffered hearing damage in the altercation. Oyoyo is now suing Erie County. A judge granted his request for a claim against the county last week — seeking over five millions dollars.
A Buffalo Public School principal remains on paid administrative leave after being accused of assault and sexual abuse. A lawsuit has been filed against the Board Of Education, the Doctor George E. Blackman School of Excellence, and also its principal, Greg Johnson. The lawsuit claims that Johnson abused a student on several occasions between November 2022 and May of this year. In a statement, the district said it takes these allegations seriously but will have no further comment.
The 3 day Christian Concert series has taken over Six Flags Darien Lake Amusement Park the beginning of this week. Starting Monday Kingdom Bound saw 3 stages set up in the park, Christian music piped over the loudspeakers in place of the park’s usual musical accompaniment, and Christian college and camp groups from New York and other states crowding into the park. Headliners at the main stage Monday were Matthew West and We Are Messengers. Tuesday will bring Anne Wilson and We the Kingdom and Wednesday will cap off the half week with Christian Superstars Skillet and Newsboys. Local groups like Thrive Worship and the Brothers McClurg perform daily at the worship tent and speakers preach between bands. Kingdom Bound is an annual event and the days of Kingdom Bound are usually the most crowded days at the park during the summer.
Gas prices remain steady in Batavia even with a rise in state and national prices. It is currently 3.59 for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Batavia area which is the same as it was last week and down a nickel from a month ago. The state average is 3.70 which is up 3 cents from a week ago. The national average is also up slightly at 3.60 which is 4 cents higher than a week ago.
A jet ski accident will keep one Buffalo Bill off the field this year. Running Back Nyheim Hines is expected to miss the entire 2023 season because of a knee injury. Hines was reportedly sitting on a jet ski when he was struck by another rider. Hines hurt his ACL and is likely going to have surgery in the next few days. Hines came to the Bills last season in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns during his time on the field. He was expected to serve as the team’s primary returner this season.
