Thursday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on July 9, 2026
STORAGE BUILDING DESTROYED IN MASSIVE ALABAMA FIRE
Investigators are working to determine the cause of a massive fire that destroyed a storage building on Bloomingdale Road in the Town of Alabama Tuesday night.
The fire broke out just before 8:40 and quickly spread through the 80-by-200-foot building, triggering several explosions believed to have come from smaller propane tanks and equipment stored inside. Firefighters also had to protect nearby buildings and larger propane tanks, including a 1,000-pound tank outside the structure.
One person who tried to remove items from the building before firefighters arrived was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and released.
With no municipal water supply available, the fire escalated to a three-alarm response, bringing tanker trucks and firefighters from five counties. More than a dozen fire departments, along with law enforcement, EMS, emergency management officials and National Grid, responded to the scene.
The building was declared a total loss, but no other structures on the property were damaged. Fire crews cleared the scene shortly after midnight, with firefighters returning later to check for hotspots. The cause remains under investigation.
ICE TO EXPAND BATAVIA DETENTION CENTER BY 100 BEDS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to expand the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Batavia by adding 100 beds to the existing 650-bed facility.
Federal officials say the expansion is needed because New York State law limits counties from contracting with ICE to house detainees. The new hard-sided facility will be built within the existing Buffalo Federal Detention Facility on Federal Drive and will provide medical care, mental health services, legal access, religious accommodations and recreation for those in custody.
The cost and construction timeline have not been released. Because the project is on federal property, it is not expected to require local planning approval, though it will undergo a federal environmental review.
The Batavia facility has frequently operated above capacity in recent years, at times housing nearly 800 detainees, as ICE continues expanding detention operations across New York State.
SHOULDER WORK TO BEGIN ON CLEVELAND ROAD
Drivers and residents in the Town of Pembroke should expect road work to begin today on Cleveland Road.
The Town Highway Department will start milling road shoulders as part of an improvement project. Officials say any mailboxes that need to be removed during construction will be reinstalled by the town once the work is complete.
Residents with questions about the project can contact Highway Superintendent Scott Turner at 585-599-4848.
BYRON-BERGEN EXTENDS SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT
The Byron-Bergen Board of Education has approved a one-year contract extension for Superintendent Patrick McGee.
The extension gives McGee five years remaining on his contract after the board unanimously approved the agreement Tuesday night. Board President Debra List said the contract had already been signed by both parties in late June but still required formal board approval.
McGee thanked the board for its thoughtful approach during negotiations. He’s been with the district for about 20 years, serving as a fifth-grade teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, principal, and since 2021, superintendent.
The board also re-elected Debra List as president and elected Kimberly Carlson as vice president during its annual reorganization meeting.
U.S. LAUNCHES NEW STRIKES ON IRAN AS TENSIONS ESCALATE
The United States carried out another round of military strikes against Iran Wednesday, just hours after President Donald Trump declared recent Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz had effectively ended the ceasefire.
The U.S. military says the strikes targeted air defense systems, radar sites, missile positions and small military boats used to threaten shipping in the strategic waterway. Officials say the operation was intended to further reduce Iran’s ability to disrupt international commerce.
The latest exchange follows Iranian attacks on several merchant ships and retaliatory U.S. strikes earlier this week. Trump warned that more military action could follow if Iran continues its aggression, while also casting doubt on the future of peace negotiations.
Iran reported explosions in several southern cities and vowed it would not back down, raising new concerns that the conflict could expand and further disrupt global energy markets.
JUDGE CLEARS WAY FOR E. JEAN CARROLL TO COLLECT $5.8 MILLION FROM TRUMP
A federal judge has ruled that writer E. Jean Carroll can collect nearly $5.8 million from an escrow account funded by President Donald Trump after the U.S. Supreme Court let a 2023 civil verdict against him stand.
The award stems from a jury’s finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll following a 1996 encounter in a Manhattan department store. With accrued interest, the original $5 million judgment has grown to about $5.8 million.
Trump’s attorneys immediately asked a federal appeals court to block the payment while they continue their appeal, calling the case politically motivated.
Trump is also separately appealing an $83 million defamation judgment awarded to Carroll in a second lawsuit.
MUCKDOGS ROLL PAST RED WINGS, RETURN HOME TONIGHT
The Batavia Muckdogs stayed hot Wednesday night, rolling past the Geneva Red Wings 11-2 on the road.
Batavia’s offense broke the game open early and never looked back, improving to 21-6 on the season while maintaining its place atop the standings.
The Muckdogs return to Dwyer Stadium tonight as they welcome the Niagara Falls Americans. First pitch is scheduled for this evening as Batavia looks to keep its winning streak alive on home turf.
