Morning News Brief
Written by Michael Baldwin on May 17, 2021
State Police continue to investigate after several people were injured following a crash on the New York State Thruway. The car vs. motorcycle crash happened just before 1 p.m. Sunday in the westbound lanes, east of Exit 48 in Batavia. State Police say at least three people were hurt, one seriously. They say one person airlifted to a hospital. The crash remains under investigation.
A man surrendered to Batavia police after learning he was wanted. Police arrested 34-year-old Jonathan Golden for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Golden is alleged to have taken a vehicle while employed at a local car dealership, and kept the vehicle for an extended period of time without the vehicle owner’s knowledge or consent. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance.
50 percent of all New Yorkers have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series. All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot.
A registered sex offender from Le Roy is in trouble with the law. Sheriff’s deputies say they arrested 30-year-old Kyle Samuel Barnhart of North Road. He was charged with failing to register internet accounts. He was issued an appearance ticket for Le Roy court returnable June 15th.
Two people from Erie County are facing multiple felony counts for alleged crimes in the Town of Pavilion. Genesee County deputies arrested 39-year-old Joseph Ayer of Buffalo and 32-year-old Maris Lenk of Cheektowaga. Each was changers with felony burglary and felony grand larceny. According to a press release, the pair allegedly forced their way into a home on River Road and made off with more than $1,000 in property. Both were arraigned virtually…Lenk was released on her own recognizance while Ayer was held without bail. Both will appear in court next month.
New York’s statewide ban on outdoor residential brush burning has now been lifted. In 2020, DEC Forest Rangers extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres.
Local government sales tax collections in New York in April grew by 45.7 percent over the same month in 2020. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says collections totaled $1.5 billion, up $464 million from April of last year. Much of this spike in monthly statewide local sales taxes over last year reflects the extremely weak collections experienced by every region of the state in April 2020, when many businesses were closed.
The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, May 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 E. Main St., Batavia). Health department officials encourage all Genesee County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit four pets per car maximum. Face coverings are required and please follow all social distancing requirements. Registrations are requested.
