Thursday News Brief

From the Genesee County Sheriff: 47-year-old Duane Andrews of Niagara Falls was arrested in Batavia and charged with Criminal Contempt and Aggravated Family Offense. It’s alleged he struck another person on Park Road, in violation of an order of protection. Andrews will return to court at a later date. ALSO: 63-year-old Thomas Tacito of Batavia is charged with Arson for intentionally damaging property by fire. He was arrested and it’s alleged that he burned items belonging to the Relax Inn. Tacito was transported and held at the Genesee County Jail following his arraignment in CAP Court.

 

Fairmont Avenue, Hart Street, and Norris Avenue (between State and Bank Streets) will be getting paved today, which means they’ll be closed to through traffic until 5:00 this afternoon. Residents and businesses are asked not to park on the street during this time. Contact the Bureau of Maintenance and ask to speak to the Streets Supervisor or the Superintendent at 585-345-6400 opt. 1 if you have any questions. (This is weather dependent work and will be scheduled for tomorrow, if necessary.)

 

Attorneys for the man who pulled the trigger in a mass shooting at a Tops store in Buffalo will be meeting with the U.S. Department of Justice soon. The lawyers for Payton Gendron will talk with DOJ officials in September as they attempt to spare their client from the death penalty. Gendron has already pleaded guilty to killing 10 people and injuring three others at the Jefferson Avenue supermarket in May of last year. He was sentenced to life in prison on state charges.

 

The New York State Department of Health has issued a warning about a recent uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases. The latest data from yesterday shows there’s been a 22% rise in hospitalizations statewide due to the illness compared with the previous week. Reported cases have also gone up 55% during the same time period. Doctors are asking anyone who has symptoms of the coronavirus such as fever, headache and breathing trouble should be tested immediately.

 

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office says an anonymous tip played a role in helping law enforcement make a massive drug bust in Buffalo. Deputies executed a search warrant at a warehouse and uncovered roughly 70 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, and concentrated cannabis. The 45-year-old suspect, Mohamed Boukadida, has been arrested on felony charges. After being taken into custody, Boukadida was sent to the Erie County Jail.

 

 

 

Rochester’s Puerto Rican Festival is set to kick off at Innovative Field in the city later today. The event is happening through Saturday, and attendees will have the chance to try some delicious food, check out cultural events and even watch a parade. This is the longest-running ethnic celebration in all of Monroe County and organizers say kids 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, go to Prfestival.com.

 

Von Miller of the Buffalo Bills says his comeback from a serious knee injury is still on track. Yesterday, the star defensive player shared an Instagram story with a caption on it saying “I’m close.” Miller tore his ACL during Buffalo’s game against the Detroit Lions back on Thanksgiving Day. Miller has expressed optimism that he might be able to suit up early in the upcoming season instead of missing several weeks. The Bills begin their regular season September 11th against the New York Jets.

 

ELSEWHERE…

The start of the New York State Fair is under three weeks away, and today people will have the chance to get all-day ride passes for $20. The sale goes until 11:59 p.m. and wristbands will be good for use on any day during the fair. It’s important to note that only 20,000 of these wristbands will be sold, and they’ll be available online at NYSfair.NY.gov/midway. The fair begins on August 23rd and runs through September 4th.

 

Following additional construction, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Jeffrey E. Gundlach Building is finally going to reopen to the public today. The building first reopened last month, but it was quickly closed down once again so work on curved sliding glass doors in the basement could be finished. The $195 million expansion at the museum, formerly known as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, began in 2020. For information on events and to buy tickets, visit buffaloakg.org.

 

An actress and one-time Scientologist is suing the church. Former ‘King of Queens’ co-star Leah Remini sued the Church of Scientology yesterday. She claims the church has stalked, harassed, threatened and intimidated her going all the way back to 2006. She’s asking for a jury to award her damages for economic and psychological harm.

 

July was hotter for four in every five people on Earth than it would have been without the effects of climate change. That’s according to research from Climate Central. The nonprofit looked at the climate in July for over 4,700 cities around the world. It found that for over 80% of the world population, at least one day in the past month had a weather shift that the group calls not normal.

 

The microphone tossed by Cardi B at a fan during a recent Las Vegas show is hitting the auction block. Cardi was seen on video throwing the mic at a fan after liquid was thrown in her direction. Scott Fisher owns the production company that provided the microphone for the performance and he told TMZ the profits from the auction will go to two different charities. The mic retails for around $1,000 and is currently listed at over $90,000 on Ebay. Cardi has been listed as a suspect for battery because a woman who says she was hit with the mic reported the incident to police.

 

Florida is no longer the best state to retire in. A study by financial services company Bankrate named the Sunshine State the best place for retirees last year. However, the state didn’t even make it into the top five for 2023. Researchers compare the affordability, overall well-being, and quality of health, weather and crime among each state before making the list. The best places were Delaware, West Virginia, Missouri and Mississippi. Florida was able to secure the 8th spot.

 

Today is Thursday, August 3rd, the 215th day of the year.

August 3 in history…

…In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail aboard the “Santa Maria.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1914, Germany declared war on France. The declaration started World War I. It became known as the “war to end all wars.”

 

…In 1963, the Beatles made their last appearance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1971, former Beatles member Paul McCartney formed a new group called Wings.

 

 

 

 

…In 1981, 13 thousand air traffic controllers in the U.S. went on strike, defying an order by President Reagan. The strike went on, causing cancellations of nearly 15 thousand flights. Reagan fired those who defied his order after 48 hours of striking.

 

 

 

 

…In 1984, Olympic U.S. gymnast Mary Lou Retton scored a perfect 10.00, accomplishing what no American woman gymnast ever had. She captured the gold medal in all-around gymnastics. She had to score a perfect 10.00 because her Russian competitor had just landed a 9.9.

 

 

 

…In 2004, the Statue of Liberty Pedestal reopened for the first time after 9/11 attacks.