Thursday Afternoon News Brief

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of a deadly fire last Thursday at a home on Vine Street in Batavia. Three young children, including a 10-year-old boy who eventually died from his injuries, were rescued from the fire. As of yesterday, the 12-year-old victim remains in critical condition at United Memorial Medical Center. The 4-year-old victim, who was also previously in critical condition, is now alert. Two police officers and one firefighter were treated for minor injuries and resumed working, according to police. Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6444.

 

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants to set a limit for how much you pay for your prescription medication and is backing something called the Capping Prescription Drug Act. Gillibrand said yesterday that prescription costs are up 40% in the past 10 years and shared a concern that insurance companies do not cover their share of the costs. She noted “Many (people) are on fixed incomes and are forced to choose between paying for their prescriptions or paying for their everyday, other essentials, from food to heat to rent,” she said. “By the time they turn 60, most Americans are taking at least one prescription medication, and many say it’s difficult to afford them.” The proposed bill would cap the yearly prescription costs per person to $2,000 and the cost for families at $4,000.

 

The Rochester City School District is looking into the assault of a student on a school bus. Video of that altercation shows at least two adults getting on the bus before being involved in a fight between two students. A woman says her 12-year-old cousin was the student who was attacked and the district said in a statement that this behavior is unacceptable and that the safety of students and staff is a top priority. No arrests have been made in the case.

 

State Senator George Borrello is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to fix the Farm Employer Overtime Credit in her 30-day budget amendments. Borrello says a loophole in New York’s overtime pay mandates for farm employees prevent many farmers from being eligible to claim the tax credit. “New York’s farmers have endured relentless regulatory and financial burdens, and this tax credit was meant to provide meaningful relief as they adjust to the state’s overtime mandate,” Borrello said. Governor Hochul previously vetoed a bill that would have corrected the loophole, promising instead to address it during the budget process.

 

Collins Correctional was placed on lockdown yesterday after an incident earlier in the morning. The decision was made after an inmate was found attempting to discard contraband, which resulted in the use of force and the recovery of two cellphones. One officer sustained minor injuries, no prisoners were hurt. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said the facility would remain on lockdown for a full facility frisk.

 

An Illinois man is facing several charges after entering the Charles R. Drew magnet school and assaulting a staff member on Tuesday. The school serves children in grades 3 through 8. Police say the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Shane Cronin, entered the school through the Buffalo Science Museum and approached a student. The school’s assistant principal intervened and was punched and shoved into a wall by Cronin. Police later found him hiding in the museum and arrested him without incident. Cronin’s charged with one count of Burglary in the Second Degree and one count of assault in the third-degree, among other things.

 

The trial of a Fairview, New Jersey man charged with the attempted murder of famous author Salman Rushdie is scheduled to continue today.   Prosecutors allege Hadi Matar stabbed Rushdie numerous times as he was about to speak in front of a live audience at an event in Western New York in 2022. A number of people who were there for the event are expected to testify at this trial. In a jailhouse interview after the attack Matar said he doesn’t think Rushdie is a very good person. Rushdie spent years in hiding after the leader of Iran put a bounty on his head in 1989 with Iran’s leader calling a novel of his an insult to Islam.

 

Two of the biggest names in country music are coming to Western New York this year. George Strait and Chris Stapleton are scheduled to perform at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Saturday, June 14th. Strait trails only The Beatles and Elvis when it comes to having the most gold and platinum albums in music history. Stapleton also has earned multiple Grammy Awards during his career.   Seats for the show go on sale next Friday and they can be purchased online.

 

The Down Syndrome Parent Support Group has scheduled their dine-out fundraiser for Wednesday, February 19^th at the Miss Batavia Diner. Mark you calendar, and join them from 4pm until 9pm to show your support.

 

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will offer free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets. To receive the vaccination, all animals must be at least 3 months old. It is important for all animals to be leashed, crated, and kept under control during the clinics. So you can plan ahead, the next drive-thru clinic is scheduled for Thursday, May 15^th from 4pm to 6:30pm at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. If you’d like additional information, please call 585-344-2580 (ext. 5555).

 

The cost of breakfast is skyrocketing; staples like eggs, orange juice and coffee are hurting customers’ wallets. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, egg prices were up over 50% year over year in January. They’re up over 7% month over month. Drinks like orange juice jumped 7.7% over the last year, and coffee is up just over 3%.