Thursday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on December 14, 2023
James Sauer – Provided photo
The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report on the deadly crash involving a Mercy Flight helicopter. The NTSB says the aircraft went down in Elba last April, and the cause of the accident was likely due to pilot error. The tragedy took the lives of pilot James Sauer and flight instructor Stewart Dietrick. The two were on a training exercise when the accident occurred.
44-year-old Thomas Culver, Jr. of Batavia has been arrested. He’s charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and traffic violations. It’s alleged that during a traffic stop, Culver was arrested for unrelated charges stemming from a separate incident and was found to be in possession of cocaine and Fentanyl. He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled for Batavia Town Court on January 9th, 2024.
Matthew Grant is safe
Weeks after his disappearance, a missing Rochester Institute of Technology student has finally been found. Officials say 22-year-old Matthew Grant walked into a police station in Pennsylvania yesterday, saying there may have been a missing persons report filed for him. He was right; Grant is the Rochester Institute of Technology student reported missing to police a few weeks ago. His vehicle had been located Tuesday in a parking lot used by people who hike the Appalachian Trail. Grant’s mother ended up going to the police station so she could pick him up and bring him home.
Le Roy Junior-Senior High School – photo from the school district’s website
An English teacher at LeRoy Junior-Senior High School has resigned. According to Superintendent Merritt Holly, John Becker is the subject of police investigation after he sent texts and used social media to message students about things unrelated to school. This is a violation of the schools anti-fraternization polices. No additional information has been released on what the communications were about or whether or not criminal charges will be filed.
In this still photo from security cam footage, William Collins is seen damaging a tire
A member of the Niagara County Legislature has been arraigned for allegedly slashing a person’s tire. According to prosecutors, William Collins damaged the tire outside of the Attitudes Bar and Grill on West Avenue in Lockport this past October. If he’s found guilty, Collins is facing the possibility of having to spend up to a year in jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 10th.
Matt Araiza (NBC News Photo)
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza is being dropped from a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleged she was raped by San Diego State University football players in 2021. The woman agreed to dismiss Araiza from the lawsuit she filed last year while Araiza agreed to dismiss his defamation counter suit against her, and no money will be exchanged. Araiza says he wants to return to the NFL after he was released from the Bills over the lawsuit. Earlier this year, the New York Jets hosted Araiza for a workout at the team’s facility, six days after a San Diego State investigation found no wrongdoing by him in connection with the alleged rape.
Elderly man in dramatization of his receiving a scammers call
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning to residents about an ongoing scam. The agency has received reports from people across our region saying they’ve been contacted by scammers who says a warrant has been issued for them. The scammers use the name Sergeant Franklin and claim to be from warrants and citations. Anyone who gets a call like this should never give out any personal information over the phone.
With a lot of people traveling for the holidays, police across the state will be doing their part to keep them safe on the roads. The latest Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is now underway and runs through January 1st. Law enforcement is going to keep a close eye out for drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs while they are behind the wheel. Travelers who see suspicious activity are asked to report it by dialing 911 immediately.
Unidentified mailman making deliveries in an undated file photo
The United States Postal Service is reminding people about upcoming shipping and mailing deadlines for cards and packages. To ensure delivery by December 25th, items in states other than Hawaii and Alaska need to be sent via USPS Ground Advantage and First Class Mail by December 16th, Priority Mail by December 18th and Priority Mail Express by December 20th. There also won’t be any holiday surcharges this year. More details can be found at usps.com.
ELSEWHERE…
Hmmm…
Doritos lovers can now enjoy a nacho-flavored alcohol. Doritos has teamed up with Empirical to create an alcohol that tastes like the chip’s classic nacho cheese flavor. It’s made by using actual Doritos chips. It’ll be available for a limited time. They say it can be used in cocktails or sipped neat over ice. Doritos recommends using it make a bloody Mary or margarita. The drink will be sold online for $65 a bottle.
Andrew Miller
A nine-year-old Conesville, Ohio boy who is battling cancer is sending thanks after he received thousands upon thousands of cards and gifts. Andrew Miller is battling two types of stage-four cancer, and for his birthday and Christmas he had a goal of receiving 2,000 cards, as he said he loves getting mail. Over the last few weeks, Andrew has received more than 13,000 cards and gifts from all across the country. His parents say they cannot believe how much this has lifted Andrew’s spirits while Andrew says, “it shows how much people appreciate me.”
It’s back-to-school for whole milk.
Whole milk could soon be headed back to school lunchrooms. House lawmakers on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would allow the National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk. Whole milk was phased out more than a decade ago as part of an effort to fight childhood obesity.
Today is Thursday, December 14, the 348th day of 2023 with 17 to follow.
The moon is waxing. Morning stars are Jupiter, Uranus and Venus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.
December 14 in history…
…In 1968, Marvin Gaye scored his first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Gaye’s rendition of the oft-covered tune remained at the top spot for five weeks.
Michael shakes Ed’s hand during the family’s first appearance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’, today in history.
…In 1969, The Jackson 5 made their first network television appearance in the US when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. During their performance, the family group sang Sly and the Family Stone’s “Stand,” Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Loving You,” and their first hit single, “I Want You Back,” as well as “ABC.”
In a photograph taken by Shannon Hicks, police and teachers lead children away from Sandy Hook Elementary.
Close-up shows Officer William Hull covering for the children, parents and staff as they leave the school.
…In 2012, a gunman killed 27 people, including 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., then killed himself. Police said the black-clad attacker, Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother before going to the school. The close-up photo shows Officer William Hull in the background, providing cover for the students, parents, and school staff as they leave the building.
…In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission repealed Obama-era net neutrality rules, loosening regulations on Internet service providers.
