Tuesday Afternoon News Brief

A 22-year-old Batavia man has died in what state police describe as a tragic snowmobile accident. The crash was reported just before 3:00am on Fourth Lake off Route 28 in Herkimer County. Initial investigation indicates Spencer Schmidt was among five friends riding together and died at the scene. The crash could have involved a disabled, unoccupied snowmobile registered to Eric Butler, which had been left on the lake. Evidence also suggested that Schmidt and four friends, Cole Phelps, Carl Stephens, Joshua Boyle and Zachary Dusky, all 26-years-old, collided with one another and/or the stationary snowmobile. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have been a factor and there was no indication of criminality. The investigation by State Police continues today.

 

A Texas man has been extradited to Lockport following an investigation suggested that he coerced a minor into sex last August. State Police say 22-year-old Javier Vasquez was arrested for six counts of rape and criminal sex acts, along with promoting a sexual performance by a child and criminal obstruction of breathing. It’s alleged that in August 2024, Vasquez coerced a girl under the age of 17 using drugs, into sexual relations. He was indicted on the multiple felony charges in Niagara County and remanded to Niagara County Jail.

 

Work is underway to celebrate and remember the past two centuries of the Erie Canal. The Erie County Historical Commission has been working to prepare for the year ahead, all leading up to a grand finale celebration to mark the exact 200^th anniversary of the canal’s completion. Organizers said this is all just the beginning as the nation as a whole prepares to honor America’s 250^th birthday. For more information on events at the Erie Canal, visit https://eriecanalway.org/explore/events

 

Congressman Joe Morelle is criticizing some of the executive orders issued by President Trump. Morelle, a Democrat who represents the 25th District, says that Mr. Trump isn’t focused on fulfilling his campaign promises but is instead handing down unconstitutional orders. He went on to say that he and fellow Democrats are willing to work with Republicans on issues like inflation, public safety and border security. However, he wants those problems solved legally.

 

A ten-year-old girl from the Tonawanda Reservation is being featured on the cover of a special edition of Sports Illustrated. Honor Smoke, a fifth grader at Akron Elementary School, has made waves competing in the typically male dominated sport of wrestling.   She is now gracing the cover of the first-ever Sports Re-Illustrated, which tells the stories of young female athletes from around the country. Smoke is the youngest athlete ever to appear on a Sports Illustrated promotional cover.

 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says community health centers are being caught in the middle of a fight involving a federal funding freeze.   Schumer noted that local health centers can’t operate under such uncertainty and that the health of families across the state is at risk. Community health centers rely on federal funding and many of them across the country have laid off staff. Schumer’s calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to help them secure needed money.

 

Three Western New York communities are getting state funding for downtown revitalization projects. Canandaigua, Phelps and Brockport were all picked as the winners of the Finger Lakes Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Program. Canandaigua will receive $10 million while Brockport and Phelps are getting $4.5 million bucks each. It’ll be up to each community to decide how the money is spent.

 

Once again, the Rochester Red Wings are offering a 50 degree guarantee to their fans. General Manager Dan Mason says if the temperature doesn’t reach 50 degrees on Opening Day at Innovative Field, fans in attendance can use that ticket for any other home game during the season.   The Red Wings play their first home contest on April 1st against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Seats are still available and can be purchased online.

 

The Batavia City School District is now accepting registration applications for universal pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs for the 2025-26 school year. For more information, call 585-343-2480 or visit bataviacsd.org/registration. The deadline to register is May 1^st.