Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on December 1, 2023
A man in Gainesville was arraigned Wednesday on allegations of child sexual abuse against a child under 11 years old. Robert Evans is accused of sexually abusing a child from August of 2017 to May of 2023 and is charged with one count of Sexual Conduct Against A Child in the 2nd Degree. Based upon the fact that Mr. Evans has a prior felony child abuse conviction out of the state of Virginia, the maximum sentence he faces on this new indictment is 7 years in prison followed by up to 15 years of Post Release Supervision. This indictment stems from an 8-month investigation led by members of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department and members of the Wyoming County Child Protective Services.
Buffalo Bills player Von Miller is in trouble after allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend. The linebacker turned himself in to police in North Texas yesterday. Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA reported that Miller posted a $5,000 bond and was released from a Texas jail. In an arrest warrant affidavit the victim accuses Miller of choking, pushing and grabbing her and in the 911 call said she was bruised, he had choked and hit her and pulled her hair out but in a text to the news station in Dallas she said it was taken out of context and they were “fine”. The Bills said they are aware of the incident and are gathering information. Miller is listed as active on the Buffalo roster.
New York State police are investigating a deadly crash on I-90 near the Silver Creek exit. The crash occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Police said a tractor-trailer traveling east drifted from its lane and struck a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder to switch drivers. According to police, the tractor-trailer that was traveling east jackknifed and overturned multiple times before it became engulfed in flames. The driver of the tractor-trailer that overturned was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the tractor-trailer that was stopped were not injured. The crash caused the closure of the eastbound I-90 for some time overnight.
New York authorities continue to crack down on unlicensed Cannabis operations with a raid on a store in Canandaigua Thursday. Authorities say Jaydega was selling cannabis without a license. The shop was issued a violation notice earlier this year. Authorities say they seized large quantities of cannabis flower, edible products and cannabis concentrate. Estimates are that several hundred thousand dollars worth of illegal cannabis was seized. Authorities say the shop owner is not facing criminal charges. However, the store is closed while the owner awaits a court hearing.
New York is taking charge of maintaining mental health for students across the state. Governor Hochul announced on Thursday that school districts are receiving more than $5 million to boost mental health programs. This will help enhance the role of guidance counselors and train other staff. Mental health in kids has become a concern since the COVID pandemic. The governor cites a loss of social connection during the pandemic as one of the root causes in mental health issues over the past few years.
The unions representing more than 1,800 caregivers and service workers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are moving forward with plans to strike. They have set a date and time for the strike: December 13th from 6am to 11pm. Negotiations have been ongoing since August 2022. The unions are seeking higher wages and better staffing. Union leaders say they are prepared to return to the bargaining table.
ConnectLife announced it is teaming up with the Buffalo Sabres and all blood donors in December will receive a voucher to redeem online for two tickets to an upcoming Sabres home game. According to ConnectLife, it’s a partnership to bring in donors at a time when blood supply is hit hard. In addition, ConnectLife also said all donors in December will also be entered into a raffle for a Sabres Game Day Experience — which includes four 100-level tickets and passes to the hallway where the players walk out, two Zamboni rides, and a prize pack including an autographed mini helmet.
The Buffalo Sabres fell to the St Louis Blues 6 to 4 Thursday Night. JJ Peterka scored 1 goal and Rasmus Dahlin, Peyton Krebs and Zach Benson each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres who are now 10 and 11 and 2 on the season and were 3-1-1 their previous five games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed six goals on 20 shots after allowing a total of five in his previous three starts. The Sabres started off down by 3 and then rallied but it wasn’t enough. The Sabres will be on the Hurricane’s ice Saturday at 7pm.
