Thursday News Brief

A pediatrician who was accused of inappropriately touching a child has reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Adam Weis of Webster admitted yesterday to touching the nine-year-old girl last November. Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sunderland said the victim was neither a patient nor a relative and there is information that suggests Weis victimized other children. Weis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment and will surrender his medical license and spend three years on probation. A five-year, no-contact order with the victim is also in place. He’s expected to be officially sentenced in August.

 

18-year-old Madison McKenzie of Batavia has been arrested and charged with criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child. It’s alleged she messaged a protected party under the age of 15, sending explicit texts and photos on Snapchat. McKenzie was arraigned in CAP Court and is scheduled to return to Pavilion Town Court later this month.

 

 

An air quality health advisory is in place for all of Western New York through 11:00pm this evening, due to concerns with high levels of ozone. Residents are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) has been established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation.
Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC’s website and on DOH’s website. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up for DEC Delivers: DEC’s Premier Email Service.
The Thursday, June 1 Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of the following: New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties; Eastern Lake Ontario, which includes northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne counties; and Western New York, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

 

The Cannabis Control Board approved a measure giving a law extra strength that Governor Kathy Hochul signed in May. The law increases civil and tax penalties for unlicensed and illegal sales of cannabis in the state. Businesses caught illegally selling cannabis by giving a “gift” with the purchase of a different product could face fines of up to $20,000 per day. Many shops in the Buffalo area are closing down because that was their way of doing business but those who are doing it legitimately are praising the decision. They say that this will create a better market and better customer consistency.

 

A now 18-year-old man charged in connection with a 2021 homicide in Buffalo has been sentenced for his role in that crime. Prosecutors say the suspect, who was 16 at the time of the murder, and his co-defendant 20-year-old Calvin Clemons, lured Trenten Sink to an address on C Street and intended to rob him. Clemons shot Sink who later died of his injuries. The 18-year-old defendant was ordered to spend 18 years to life in prison.

 

 

The Diocese of Buffalo has announced that a priest is being allowed to return to active ministry. The Diocese says that Father F. Patrick Melfi was involved in a consensual sexual relationship with an adult woman in 2007. Due to the circumstances of the relationship and Melfi’s behavior since it ended, he can now resume his ministry. Melif was serving as a temporary parish administrator in Belfast, Cuba, and Fillmore when he was put on leave.

 

 

 

The Rochester Americans are still alive in hunt for the Calder Cup after saving their season with a big victory on the road. The Americans were able to defeat the Hershey Bears by a final score of four-to-one at the Giant Center in Pennsylvania last night. Americans goaltender Malcolm Subban stopped 32 shots for his team, which is now trailing in the best-of-seven series three games to two. Game Six will be tomorrow night in Rochester and tickets are available for purchase online: https://www.amerks.com/tickets

 

The deadline for people to apply for the upcoming Buffalo Police Department entry exam has been extended again. Anyone interested in taking the test now has until tomorrow to sign up. This latest deadline change is due to what the department is calling Internet issues; however, the date of the exam is still set for Saturday, June 17th. The cost to take the test is $25 and more information can be found at buffalony.gov.

 

 

Organizers of the 2023 Taste Of Buffalo have revealed the restaurants that are going to be participating in this year’s event. Those businesses include BW’s Barbecue, the Water Lily Cafe, Stack Burger and Osteria 166. The 40th annual celebration is taking place on July 8th and 9th along Delaware Avenue. The Taste of Buffalo has been recognized by USA Today as one of the top city food festivals in the country.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

A man who was a contestant on “Family Feud” is going to prison after killing his wife during a divorce and custody battle. Timothy Bliefnick was convicted on Wednesday for the murder of Rebecca Postle Bliefnick. He broke into the second-story window of her Illinois home in February and shot her 14 times.

 

 

Police are searching for the man accused of leaving a dead fish at the Goonies house in Astoria, Oregon then stealing and capsizing a boat. Police say a warrant is out for Jericho Labonte for failure to appear. In February, the 35-year-old was accused of leaving a dead fish on the porch and dancing around the property of the famous Goonies house in Astoria. Less than 48 hours later, police say Labonte stole a 35-foot yacht, got stuck in the rough waters at the mouth of the Columbia and the yacht capsized. That was caught on camera and the United States Coast Guard rescued Labonte. He faces a list of charges including first-degree theft and third-degree criminal mischief.

 

The actor who played Steven Hyde on “That ’70s Show” has been found guilty of raping two women. A Los Angeles jury convicted Danny Masterson on Wednesday of forcible rape. The jury said it was deadlocked on a charge related to a third accuser. Masterson could get 30 years in prison when sentenced.

 

 

A teenager who was hit by a train in Upstate New York was wearing noise-canceling headphones when he was killed. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office says the 17-year-old was struck and killed Tuesday morning about 75 miles south of Syracuse. Investigators determined the teen couldn’t hear the train approaching because of the headphones.

 

 

The owner of the six-story building that partially collapsed in Iowa is being fined $300. Owner Andrew Wold is due in court next week in Davenport to pay a city fine for failing to keep the apartments safe, and also has to pay court fees. Demolition of the building has been put on hold, as five people remain unaccounted for after Sunday’s collapse.

 

 

 

Disney has met its goal of laying off 7,000 employees. Variety is reporting that notices to employees impacted during the third round of cuts were sent out last Friday. The layoffs focus mostly on the media divisions, while the parks themselves remain untouched for the most part.

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce Springsteen is said to be ok after falling on stage while performing in Amsterdam over the weekend. The singer took a spill while going up a set of stairs. E Street Band members helped Springsteen back to his feet and the 73-year-old was able to finish the concert.

 

 

Today is Thursday, June 1st, the 152nd day of the year…

June 1 in history:

…In 1869, Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric voting machine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1944, the government of Mexico abolished the siesta.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1968, blind and deaf author and teacher Helen Keller died in Westport, Connecticut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1980, the Cable News Network, also known as CNN, made its debut.

 

 

 

 

…In 2007, controversial assisted-suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian was paroled from a Michigan prison after spending eight years behind bars. Kevorkian, who was labeled “Dr. Death,” claimed to be responsible for helping more than 130 people commit suicide. While he vowed not to participate in any more assisted suicide procedures upon his release from prison, Kevorkian said he planned to continue working toward the legalization of assisted suicide.

 

 

…In 2009, General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

 

 

 

…Also in 2009, Conan O’Brien made his debut as the fifth host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” replacing longtime host Jay Leno who stepped down from the position just three days earlier. His “Tonight Show” stint was short-lived, however, lasting just several months. Conan was forced to vacate the post when Leno decided to return to the late night slot.