Morning News Briefing
Written by WBTA STAFF on January 31, 2020
Two Rochester residents are facing felony drug and weapons charges after fleeing from Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies last night, first by car then on foot.
A pursuit ensued as deputies tried conducting a traffic stop near Ellicott and Otis streets, with the suspects driving through a residential backyard of South Swan Street address.
The occupants then ditched the car and split up on foot for a brief chase before both being taken into custody.
27 year old Denzell Johnson, the driver is facing two felony counts of Possessing a Weapon, one for having a firearm on school property, along with a litany of misdemeanor drug and traffic charges after he was allegedly found with a handgun and drugs running across Jackson School property.
The other suspect, 26 year old Shafatiah Miller was allegedly in possession of drugs and was charged with counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Promoting Prison Contraband.
Both suspects were released with appearance tickets due to the current bail reform laws, returnable to Batavia City Court on February 18.
An Attica woman arrested after nearly striking a Sheriff Deputy’s patrol car.
37 year old Tamera Beitz of North Pearl Street was arrested on counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs, along with both vehicle and traffic violations after investigation into an incident in Bethany back in November of last year.
Beitz was allegedly impaired by drugs when she nearly struck a Sheriff Deputy’s vehicle on Bethany Center Road.
She was issued an appearance ticket for February 13th in Town Court.
Another Democrat has entered the race for the 61st State Senate District seat.
Jacqualine Berger is a member of the Amherst Town Board, she’s officially declared her candidacy for the seat of retiring Republican Michael Ranzenhofer.
Berger was elected to the Amherst Town Board in 2017 and appointed the town’s deputy supervisor this month.
In a statement announcing her run for State Senate, Berger says she’s a life-long teacher and a life-long advocate for individuals with special needs.
Nate McMurray is getting another boost in his bid to represent the 27th Congressional District.
He’s earned the endorsement of the Erie County Democratic Committee ahead of a special election in April.
McMurray came up short in his first bid to represent the area in Washington when he narrowly lost to ex-Republican Congressman Chris Collins.
He left office last year after pleading guilty to federal insider trading charges.
Republicans have chosen Chris Jacobs as their party’s nominee.
Ward Six Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian will be hosting a neighborhood meeting next Tuesday.
Christian said the meeting will focus on establishing volunteer leaders to watch over their streets in order to help keep the neighborhood safe.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 4th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall with the City Manager and both City Police and Fire Chiefs to be in attendance.
The Buffalo Diocese is in tough financial shape and a bankruptcy filing is reportedly imminent.
According to a financial report published in the Western New York Catholic newspaper, the Diocese ended 2019 five-million dollars in the red.
The diocese is facing several lawsuits from people claiming they were sexually abused by members of the clergy and has already paid out settlement money in some cases.
Bishop Edward Scharfenberger has said repeatedly it’s likely the diocese will have to file for bankruptcy.
