Morning News Brief

The Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls has reopened after two people were killed in a crash and vehicle explosion on Wednesday.  Just before 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into a median on Niagara Street, went airborne, and crashed into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection booth at the bridge and the vehicle and booth exploded.  On Wednesday evening the governor said: “At this time, there is no indication of a terrorist attack. Let me repeat that, at this time there is no indication of a terrorist-involved attack here at the Rainbow Bridge.”  The FBI has said there were no explosive materials or terrorism nexus identified.  Two people in the vehicle died.  The two people killed in the crash were a couple from Grand Island. Investigators are not releasing any information on the victims at this time.  The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer suffered minor injuries, went to the hospital out of an abundance of caution and was treated and released.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Wednesday at 11:12 am, they began an investigation into a two car motor vehicle crash on State Route 31A in the Town of Clarendon. Two people from one vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.  The dead are identified as 22 year old Autumn Dercqu of Medina and 32 year old Justin Christmas of Rochester.  The female operator from the other vehicle was transported to Strong Hospital in Rochester with multiple injuries. The preliminary investigation indicates that the east bound vehicle attempted to pass a vehicle that had slowed to make a right turn into a private driveway. The eastbound vehicle then collided with a west bound vehicle. This portion of Route 31A is a no passing zone, with a double solid line, on a curve.

The town of Bethany has been suffering from an extreme drought which is causing residents to be completely without water in their wells.  The town released a statement advising that all activities at the Town Hall are canceled because of the lack of access to water.  On Wednesday a Tanker truck full of water arrived in Bethany from the New York State Office of Emergency Management.  Residents can call the Town hall at 585 343 1399 extension 202 to make an appointment to get water.  

Assemblyman Steve Hawley recently received an excellent ranking in the New York State Conservative Party’s legislative session ratings report, which was released Tuesday. Hawley received a conservative rating of 92 out of 100 with the average score for Assembly Republicans being 88.  The report took into account members’ positions on issues such as criminal justice, Second Amendment rights and tax policies. Hawley said he is proud to have received this high rating and is committed to supporting pro-business policies and working to lower the cost of living across the state.

Lawsuits filed under New York State’s Adult Survivors Act allege sexual contact by eight Catholic priests and two religious brothers in Western New York.  Those accused are Frs Lawrence Connors, Donald Joyce, Paul Keeling, Joseph Rogliano, Arthur Smith, James Spielman, Kennth Ward, William White, Brothers Augustine Towey and Richard Prange. The dates of alleged sexual misconduct range from 1964 to 2010.  The suits were made possible by the year-long suspension of the legal time limit to sue over sexual assaults against adults in New York. The lookback window closed Thursday.  Of the accused only Keeling and Rogliano are living.  More than 250 priests and nuns in the Buffalo Diocese have been accused of sexual misconduct. Over 1,000 Child Victims Act lawsuits were filed in Western New York, with the majority being against the Diocese of Buffalo.

Police in Buffalo are warning shoppers to be on their guard against crimes of opportunity while they go about their Christmas shopping.  Some tips for being on guard while shopping.  Don’t leave your purses or wallets in your carts while you are away from them.  Don’t leave items visible in the car while you go into the store.  Out of sight out of mind works with car windows and thieves.  Try to put things in the car between stores and not carry all your purchases at the same time when you can’t be in control of them.  Officials also encourage people to shop local and support small businesses.

Ruby Gordon Home, the beloved family-owned furniture store with locations in Greece and Henrietta, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  According to Furniture Today, as cited in the Rochester Business Journal, Ruby Gordon filed for bankruptcy on Monday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of New York.  The filing comes as Ruby Gordon is marking 87 years in business. Founder Frank Ruby established the business in 1936 and, years later, partnered with Ted Gordon to expand. In addition to furniture, the store also sells beds, dining sets, and kitchen storage.  In July, President Janetta Ruby and CEO Aaron Ruby said that the Ruby Gordon in Henrietta was closing temporarily because of supply chain and shipping issues since the pandemic.

The Buffalo Sabres will be back on their home ice tonight at 6pm to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Sabres lost to the Capitals at the Capital One Arena on Wednesday night 3 to 4.  The Sabres started the game with a quick 2 goals by JJ Peterka and Dylan Cozens and then a third goal which Cozens put in.  The Capitals tied the game and pushed it into overtime where they scored with 8 seconds left to win.