Thursday Afternoon News Brief

The City of Batavia Police Department has released their 2024-year in review. They handled 1120 domestic incidents; responded to 803 disturbance calls; investigated 920 reported larcenies and responded to 715 mental health incidents. 264 total warrants were processed and made 635 arrests, 22 of which were juveniles. City Police also investigated 493 automobile crashes, with 70 of the accidents resulting in personal injury. They conducted 3,207 traffic stops and issued 1,790 traffic tickets, and issued 1,729 parking violations. Batavia City Police also remember Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty on March 10, 2024 while working a security detail at Batavia Downs. They rendered aid immediately and then took over the criminal investigation. Both suspects were apprehended on location and charged with homicide. Both entered into plea agreements and have been sentenced. Sgt. Sanfratello was a dispatcher for City Police prior to becoming a Deputy at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

Two people have been hospitalized after a possible chemical exposure at the Attica Correctional Facility. Officials say a staff member opened an envelope, and an unknown powder spilled out. It resulted in the person becoming sick, and the police, EMTs and HAZMAT had to be notified. A nurse was also sent to the hospital. The incident remains under investigation.

State Police are revealing the results of their latest Saint Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. From Friday March 14th through Monday, March 17th 239 people were arrested for DWI, including 27 in the Finger Lakes and Western New York. There were over 11,000 tickets handed out statewide for traffic violations like speeding and distracted driving. During 2024’s enforcement campaign 8,800 tickets were issued and 217 DWI arrests were made.

The Erie County Department of Personnel sent a memo yesterday calling for fired corrections officers to be excluded from being hired for any civil service job in local government. This comes after Governor Kathy Hochul passed an executive order that bans those officers from being rehired in the state again. Peter Anderson, a spokesman for the county administration, said they follow the guidance of New York State Civil Service in these matters, and that if the state amends its guidance in the future, Erie County will adopt that amended guidance.

In response to a recent uptick in measles cases, Gov. Kathy Hochul has launched a new web portal aimed at improving access to vaccines and public health information for New Yorkers. The initiative comes as the state reports four measles cases this year, with three in New York City and one in Suffolk County. The new portal aims to support vaccination efforts, provide educational resources and engage health care providers. The state urges all residents to ensure they are up to date with their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunizations, especially as misinformation and vaccine hesitancy have contributed to declining vaccination rates. The New York State Department of Health is actively monitoring the situation and working with local health departments to investigate cases and distribute vaccines as needed. The department also combats vaccine fraud, which is a felony-level criminal offense in New York, by collaborating with schools, law enforcement and other stakeholders. Measles, a highly contagious respiratory disease, is spread through coughing or sneezing, and symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after infection.

The East Aurora School District is responding after claims of racism among their students. Superintendent of schools Brian Russ said in a statement that there have been several incidents of racial discrimination that have occurred within the schools. He added that racism has no place in their schools and everyone must be committed to creating a safe environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

An Ontario County firefighter is now in trouble with the law after being arrested on an arson charge. It’s alleged 19-year-old Joshua Musgrove intentionally set a dumpster on fire in the rear parking lot of the Foster Block Apartments on Crane Street in Clifton Springs Tuesday. Musgrove then responded to the scene with members of his fire department and helped knock down the flames. No one was hurt and Musgrove will be in court at a later date.

A driver has been ticketed following a crash in Parma that left a motorcyclist dead. Authorities say the motorcyclist was traveling near the intersection of West Ridge Road and Route 259 yesterday when a car turned in front of him. The man, whose name has not been released. was brought to a nearby hospital but couldn’t be saved. The person behind the wheel of the car was cited for failing to yield the right of way.

For the first time in franchise history, the Buffalo Sabres will be taking the ice in Utah tonight. The Sabres are set to battle the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Buffalo is currently on a two-game winning streak after beating the Boston Bruins three to two in overtime on Monday night. Face-off for their contest this evening is scheduled for 9:00.

Organizers have set the date for this year’s Rochester Pride Parade and Festival. The parade steps off on July 19th at the corner of South Avenue and Science Parkway before ending at Highland Park. Last year’s event drew a record crowd of roughly 20,000 people which made it the largest Pride celebration in Rochester’s history. Admission for the festival is five dollars but kids 12 and under are free. For more details, visit trilliumhealth.org.