Thursday News Brief

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent homicide. The victim has been identified as 59-year-old Michael Poole of Olcott. The victim was located Tuesday afternoon, March 19th in the town of Alabama, during the investigation into a missing person out of Niagara County. No further details are being released at this time.

 

Law enforcement is providing a reminder that the move-over law will be expanding as of next Wednesday, March 27. The law will require drivers to change lanes for all stopped or disabled vehicles on highways, not just emergency vehicles or tow trucks. If a motorist cannot move into an adjacent lane, they are required to slow down when nearing that stopped vehicle. Those who don’t could be ticketed.

 

A Buffalo man is in serious trouble with the law after being accused of hurting a New York State Trooper. The incident involving 29-year-old Antonio Tucker started Tuesday when law enforcement pulled him over for a traffic stop in Lockport. He was asked to get out of the vehicle but instead put it into drive and dragged the Trooper about 15 feet. Tucker was eventually taken into custody following a pursuit that ended in Genesee County. He’s charged with multiple crimes including reckless endangerment and assault.

 

Budget negotiations continue in Albany today between state lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul. April First is the budget deadline and between now and then lawmakers and the governor will hash out a number of items including whether to raise taxes, the amount allocated to schools and how much to put toward the migrant crisis.

 

Multiple injuries have been reported after a tractor-trailer slams into a home in Brighton. The crash happened last night on South Clinton Avenue and caused extensive damage to the residence. First responders say two people inside the house and the truck driver needed treatment but all are expected to be OK. There was a snow squall happening at the time of the accident, which remains under investigation.

 

A former employee at Saint Amelia’s Church in Tonawanda has been arraigned after being accused of stealing $465,000. Authorities claim 43-year-old Lisa Noble took the money while working as the business manager at the church. The funds were stolen between April and September of last year and Noble ended up being fired. Noble also allegedly took $500,000 from a medical practice in Tonawanda where she served as an office manager between 2016 and 2021.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres take the ice tonight as they continue the Canadian portion of their current road trip. They’re set to take on the Edmonton Oilers as they try to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot; the puck drops at 9:00. The Sabres are set to take on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Buffalo is coming off a tough 3-2 loss on Tuesday night to the Vancouver Canucks but is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Face-off for this evening’s contest is scheduled for 9:00.

 

The Rochester Amerks overcame three different deficits before ultimately outlasting and beating the Hartford Wolf Pack last night with a final score of 6-5. The victory gives the Amerks at least one point in 18 of their last 26 games dating back to January 17, which includes four straight home wins. Next up for the Americans, the second of a three game homestand tomorrow night when they host the Toronto Marlies; the puck drops at 7:05.

 

ELSEWHERE…

Fitness guru Richard Simmons says he’s been diagnosed a form of skin cancer, after sharing a post in which he wrote “I am dying” on social media. The 75-year-old said he noticed this strange looking bump under my right eye” that didn’t disappear, which led to him calling his dermatologist. He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. He wrote: “Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. ‘You have cancer.'”

 

The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates unchanged. Speaking at a press conference, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the policy rate is “likely at its peak.” He also said the Fed is committed to its two-percent inflation goal, which is crucial to a “sustainably strong” labor market. Powell said that while inflation has eased, it’s still too high. Meanwhile, higher inflationary data haven’t changed its overall downward trend, despite major points — the consumer price index and personal consumption expenditure — rising in both January and February. Powell called it a “sometimes bumpy road toward 2%.”

 

The U.S. is no longer in the top 20 happiest countries in the world. It’s the first time that’s happened since rankings were started by Gallup back in 2012. Americans are now 23rd on the list. Happiness has fallen among all age groups, but particularly those under age 30, thanks in part to unaffordable housing and a growing sense of loneliness. Nordic countries top the list, with Finland at number one.