Tuesday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on March 24, 2026
Multi-Vehicle Crash in Batavia Leaves One Critically Injured
A serious multi-vehicle crash in the City of Batavia has left at least one person critically injured.
The accident happened at Main and Oak streets and involved at least seven vehicles. When crews arrived, one vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.
Three people were transported to area hospitals. One was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight with critical injuries, while two others were taken by ambulance to Strong and ECMC. A child was involved in the crash but is not believed to be injured.
Police say the crash appears to have started when a vehicle struck an SUV before triggering a chain reaction involving multiple cars stopped at a red light. However, all details remain preliminary.
Traffic was heavily backed up in the area, and drivers were urged to avoid Main and Oak as crews continued their investigation.
Elba Page Turners Win Division Title, Advance to Regionals
A big win for young readers in Genesee County—Elba’s Page Turners team is headed to regionals.
Seven students from Elba Central School captured the Northwest Division title in this year’s competition, showcasing their reading knowledge and teamwork against teams from Pembroke, Oakfield-Alabama, and Batavia.
It marks the program’s first division championship since 2011.
With the win, Elba now advances to the regional finals, set for April 15th at Pavilion High School.
Markets Rally as Hopes Rise for Iran Conflict De-Escalation
Financial markets are rebounding Monday as hopes grow for a possible end to the war involving Iran.
Oil prices dropped sharply, with Brent crude falling about 10% to just over 100 dollars a barrel after President Donald Trump said the U.S. held productive talks with Iran over the past two days.
Stocks also surged, with the S&P 500 up around one and a half percent and the Dow jumping hundreds of points in early trading.
However, gains pulled back slightly after Iranian officials denied that any talks took place.
The market reaction follows days of volatility tied to concerns over oil supply disruptions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says he’s delaying potential strikes on Iranian power plants for five days to allow diplomacy to continue, as uncertainty still hangs over global markets.
Multiple Arrests Made in Genesee County Investigations
Authorities in Genesee County are reporting several arrests following recent investigations.
On March 20th, the Genesee County Drug Task Force executed search warrants at apartments on East Main Street and Central Avenue in Batavia. Bennie Wright, 41, and Iris El-Amin, 54, were both charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance along with additional drug-related offenses. The investigation is ongoing.
In a separate case, Aaron Gawlik, 48, of Oakfield, was arrested during a parole check and charged with felony drug possession, including intent to sell, after deputies say they found a large quantity of narcotics and cash.
Other arrests include Junior Duffy, 50, charged with conspiracy in connection to a Walmart theft, Michael Vanslyke, 43, charged with drug possession, Richard Schiersing, 50, charged with petit larceny, and Shante Johnson, 28, charged with criminal mischief.
All are scheduled to appear in local courts.
Le Roy Garden Club Offering Scholarship Opportunity
Graduating seniors in the Le Roy School District have a new scholarship opportunity.
The Town and Country Garden Club of Le Roy is now accepting applications for its annual 500-dollar scholarship through May 1st.
Eligible students, including those who are home-schooled, must plan to attend a 2- or 4-year accredited college.
Applications are available through school counseling offices, the school website, and the Garden Club’s Facebook page.
The organization has served the community since 1954, supporting local beautification projects and educational programs.
Deadly Crash at LaGuardia Airport Under Investigation
A deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport is under investigation after an Air Canada jet struck a fire truck while landing late Sunday night.
Officials say the crash killed both the pilot and co-pilot. More than 70 passengers were on board, and about 40 people, including crew and two fire truck personnel, were taken to hospitals. Most have since been released.
The fire truck had been cleared to check on another aircraft when the collision occurred. Air traffic control audio captured a frantic warning to the truck moments before impact.
The crash shut down the airport for hours, with flights resuming Monday under limited operations.
Federal investigators are now looking into how coordination between ground and air traffic broke down.
