Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on August 10, 2023
Security Camera Photo of Person of Interest
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a rash of stolen vehicles in the area of Broadway Road and Sumner Road in Darien. According to the Sheriff’s Office, there was a gray F150 pickup truck stolen Wednesday morning on Sumner Road. Deputies recovered a stolen truck/trailer Tuesday afternoon in the Seven Day and County Line Road area that was originally stolen from Broadway Road Tuesday. A red Mahindra tractor with enclosed cab was stolen from the area of 1682 Broadway Road Tuesday afternoon about 1:30PM. Residents say a male subject was seen driving away in it at about 2:20PM. It has not been found. Police are asking anyone with information about the thefts to call 911 or 585 345 3000.
A new pilot program is offering support to families at risk of poverty-related neglect. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services is launching a pilot program that will help approximately 150 households across three counties: Monroe, Onondaga and Westchester. The Direct Cash Transfer program will help 50 families in Monroe County, providing them with $500 per month, without conditions, for one year, totaling $6,000. Local leaders said the program will track and gauge how a universal cash stipend can impact and potentially decrease families’ future contact with the child welfare system. Monroe County legislators say that direct cash payments will stop violence. Critics say that direct cash payments make people dependent on the government, is unfair to taxpayers and will increase crime as people will be idle since they don’t have to work.
Three months since construction began on their new stadium, the Buffalo Bills are already facing a potential cash crunch with the latest projections having the team on the hook for as much as $300 million in cost overruns. What was initially estimated to cost $1.4 billion in March 2022, and increased to $1.54 billion months later, is now projected to have jumped to $1.65 billion and approaching $1.7 billion. The rising price tag is notable because the Bills are contractually required to cover any overruns beyond the then-agreed to cost of $1.4 billion as part of the tentative deal the team reached with the state and Erie County 16 months ago. The Bills are funding their share through the NFL’s G4 loan program. The rest of the money is being raised through a first-time seat licensing fee for season-ticket holders. It’s unclear how the Bills would make up the difference, and what cost-cutting measures they can make to the design of a 60,000-plus seat facility being built across from their current home in Orchard Park, New York.
A deputy resigning is costing the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office 2 deputies. Deputy Andrew Mullen is resigning and moving out of state and is taking his k9 unit, Frankie, with him. Mullen has been Frankie’s handler for about 3 years and the dog has bonded with him. The dog will become Mullen’s pet and will not continue with any kind of police work in the future. Sheriff William Sheron said that Frankie has anxiety and separation issues when not with Mullen and it was very expensive even when Mullen went away on vacation for a few weeks. Committee members agreed with the request, and it will be passed on to the Ways and Means Committee and to the county Legislature for final approval.
The Buffalo based seasoning company Que42 has announced that Bills Long Snapper Reid Ferguson is joining their team as the CGO or Chief Grilling Officer. The company, founded in 2021 with Eammon Azizi as CEO and Bridget Thornton as COO, makes BBQ sauces and rubs. They specialize in making products they say are inspired by specific regions in the US such as a Carolina mustard based BBQ sauce and a Kansas City sauce and rub. Ferguson, now on the ownership team, is set to release his own style sauce and rub in the future.
The National Buffalo Wing Festival will return to Highmark Stadium on September 2 and September 3. Organizers say there will be 23 local, regional, national, and international eateries serving more than 100 styles of chicken wings. Other activities include: Live music, Baby wing pageant, Amateur and XXXHot Wing Eating Contest, Celebrity influencer sauce-off competition, Bobbing for wings and Wing It On! United States Buffalo Wing Eating Championship. This is the third consecutive year the festival will be held at Highmark Stadium. General admission will be $20 per person/per day and all tickets are sold at the gate cash only, kids 8 and under are free. Parking is also free. Food tickets are an additional fee and are also cash only.
