Tuesday Afternoon News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on January 7, 2025

File photo of Casella truck
Two employees of Casella Waste Systems, Incorporated are hospitalized this afternoon with serious but non-life threatening injuries, following a car versus garbage truck accident this morning. 33-year-old Scott Shea and 39-year-old Michael Cowham were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Police say the initial investigation indicates the Casella employees were standing outside of the garbage truck, which was parked along the west side of Ellicott Avenue, for a normal pick-up. The operator of a passenger vehicle was northbound on Ellicott, crossed the street and drove into the side of the truck and also hitting both employees. The operator of the vehicle, 39-year-old Kimberly Przybysz was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure; police learned that she may have suffered a medical event and momentarily lost control of the vehicle. Anyone with information regarding the accident is asked to contact police at 585-345-6350.

Ahhh-chooooo!
The Erie County Department of Health says respiratory illnesses are on the rise across Western New York as people spent extended time with each other over the holidays. Dr. John Sellick, the Hospital Epidemiologist for Kaleida Health, noted that the holiday season typically sees people gathered with groups inside, which means more people get sick with RSV, COVID-19, whooping cough, and Influenza. Dr. Sellick said it’s reasonable for anyone seeing a rise in illnesses around them to go get a flu shot, COVID booster, and if appropriate, an RSV shot.

Gary White (also known as Gary Johnson)
A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, among other charges, after he repeatedly stole from the Walden Galleria. Between mid-January and mid-April 2023, 60-year-old Gary White, also known as Gary Johnson, allegedly burglarized the Cheektowaga mall on three separate occasions, attempting to steal over $5,000 worth of merchandise. He faces a maximum of seven years in prison when he is sentenced next month and remains held without bail.

File photo of Valu Home Center storefront
It didn’t just happen in Batavia: Valu Home Centers is now set to close down three of its stores this week. The locally owned and operated home improvement chain announced it’s closing its stores at 3129 Orchard Park Road in Orchard Park, 5900 South Transit Road in Lockport and 1841 Elmwood Ave. at Hertel Avenue. The company cited the move as a result of higher inflation, rise in competition and increasing operational and labor costs.
Buffalo Bills fans that want to see their team take the field for the playoffs this weekend can now buy tickets to do so. A number of resale seats are available for purchase for Sunday’s game between the Bills and Denver Broncos through Ticketmaster. These two teams last met on Monday Night Football back in 2023 and the Broncos came out on top 24 to 22. Kickoff for this weekend’s game at Highmark is at 1:00.

Photo provided by M & T Bank
New Buffalo Bills ‘Bill-ieve Together’ flags are available at M&T Bank branches just in time for the playoffs. The free banners are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one per person. M&T Bank gave out more than 20,000 banners to Bills fans during the playoffs last season.
The three-game losing streak of the Buffalo Sabres is over after the team earns a shootout win on home ice. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka had a goal each as the Sabres beat the Washington Capitals 4 – 3 at KeyBank Center last night. Buffalo’s goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced 28 shots in the contest and stopped 25 of them. Up next for the Sabres is a game Thursday in Ottawa against the Senators.