Tuesday News Brief

Batavia High School has a new principal. Jennifer Wesp-Liestman will be taking over the position starting August 1st. She has served as assistant principal at both Spencerport High School and Greece Odyssey Academy. Wesp-Liestman was a special educator in the Churchville-Chili and Greece Central School Districts. She received a BA in Psychology with a Concentration in Elementary and Special Education and a Master of Science in Inclusive Education from Nazareth College. She has a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from the SUNY Brockport. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Roberts Wesleyan College in the Pathways to Teaching Program.

 

 

Batavia City Schools is looking at capital improvement projects and Superintendent Smith introduced the work at the School Board meeting last night. The proposed work includes necessary updates to all district buildings, including security, auditorium and field upgrades, and improvements to the Richmond Memorial Library. Grades being taught at each school will also change as work is being completed. Batavia High School will see no change but Batavia Middle School, John Kennedy, Jackson Primary and Robert Morris will see changes to grade levels. The total cost is $45 million. New York State Aid will fund 89% of the cost; and the Batavia City School District Capital Reserve Fund will cover the remaining 11% of the funding. There is no increase of the City of Batavia school tax levy anticipated as a result of this project. The projects will be voted on in October.

 

 

Police agencies across Western New York are still on alert as the search for a missing prisoner continues. Last Thursday, Michael Burham was able to escape from custody at the Warren County Jail in Pennsylvania. According to police, Burham was last seen at 11:20pm in a recreational area on jail property. Burham was in the exercise area, was able to get up to the roof, then used bed sheets to lower himself to the ground before making his way on foot away from the jail. Burham is accused of committing a homicide and arson in Jamestown earlier this year, and a reward of up to $9,500 is being offered for the tip that helps lead to his capture.

 

 

Cleanup continues in Ontario County following severe flooding that impacted the area over the weekend. Some spots saw several inches of rainfall, which led to roads being covered in water and has also caused some beaches to be shut down due to bacteria concerns. Governor Hochul made a visit to Canandaigua yesterday and told residents she’s already been in contact with federal leaders about getting FEMA to issue a disaster declaration. So far, only one injury has been reported due to flooding.

 

The New York State Department of Transportation is reminding drivers about a travel advisory that is going to be in effect today. From 8:30am until 3:00pm there will be lane closures on Interstate 490 west between State Route 33 and State Route 386. The closures are needed so that crews can repair pavement in that area and will be in effect through this Friday. Plan accordingly if you need to travel on this portion of the highway and prepared for delays.

 

 

A Lockport man is in some serious legal trouble after being accused of committing disturbing crimes. According to State Police, 71-year-old James Wilson kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint at an apartment complex located on Robinson Road Sunday. Wilson was taken into custody and sent to the Niagara County Jail. Officials haven’t said how badly the victim was injured.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Buffalo says that a worship site in Orleans County that was impacted by a fire earlier this year isn’t going to be rebuilt. Flames caused extensive damage to Our Lady of the Wake in Lyndonville back in February and the cost of making any needed repairs was deemed to be too high. No masses have been held at the site since the fire happened. A memorial to the site will be set up at both Saint Patrick’s in Barker and Saint Mary’s in Medina.

 

A statue of a Buffalo that stood on a concrete platform in the Niagara Street Corridor was stolen over the weekend. There were 4 statues and the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York spent about $10,000 to put them there. According to police it appears the thieves drove up to the statue and loaded the heavy statue into a vehicle with hand tools and then attempted unsuccessfully to take a second statue. A City of Buffalo spokesperson says Buffalo Police are investigating the statue theft.

 

An appellate court has overturned a murder conviction in connection with a deadly shooting that happened back in 2016. Prosecutors say Gregory Ramos acted as the getaway driver in the shooting at the Anchor Bar on Main Street in Buffalo that took the life of 32-year-old Freddie Dizon. However, the court said that it is not convinced that Ramos’ guilt was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says he respectfully disagrees with the court’s decision.

 

 

A grand jury has indicted seven people for their alleged roles in an illegal multimillion-dollar Rochester-based gambling ring. Louis P. Ferrari II, Dominic Sprague and Tomasso Sessa are charged with two counts of conspiracy, one count of transmission of wagering information, and two counts of operating an illegal gambling business. Anthony Amato, Joseph Lombardo, Jeffrey Boscarino and James Civiletti are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of transmission of wagering information, and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. Prosecutors said Ferrari also used his excavating business on Steel Street in Rochester to collect cash payment of gambling losses and launder the proceeds illegally, while Sprague used his own pawnshop on Stone Road in Greece to collect gambling losses and pay them out to winning bettors.

 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is continuing to spread the message about the importance of CPR training. Hamlin, who was resuscitated with CPR during a game in Cincinnati on Jan. 2 and cleared in April to resume football activities, was honored Monday as the New York Yankees began their 14th annual HOPE Week events. Earlier in the day, Hamlin participated in CPR training with several Yankees. Wearing a Babe Ruth jersey, Hamlin threw out the ceremonial first pitch along with former Fordham softball player Sarah Taffet and both participated in the exchange of lineup cards.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

The University of Idaho student murders case is being put on hold. A judge allowed a 37-day ‘stay’ in the Bryan Kohberger case following the defense asking for more time to examine grand jury materials. Kohberger has been arrested and charged with the November 13 murders of four University of Idaho students, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, at an off-campus home in Moscow. In June, the state filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in the case of Kohberger. The court documents cite Idaho Code that the murder was committed in the perpetration of or attempt to perpetrate arson, rape, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, or mayhem and the defendant killed or acted with reckless indifference to human life. Kohberger, who was a senior studying criminology at Washington State University, was arrested at his parent’s home in Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022. (Associated Press photo)

 

It’s July 11th, also known as 7-11 Free Slurpee day. To celebrate the convenience store chain’s 96th birthday, anyone who stops by can get a free small slurpee. The offer also extends to Speedway and Stripes stores.

 

 

 

With Amazon’s Prime Day sales event getting underway, the company is warning customers to watch out for scammers. Scammers posing as Amazon representatives is quite common and leads to millions of dollars in losses every year. The company says if there’s a suspicious text or email asking to get in touch or to download software, do not reply. Instead contact Amazon customer service directly.

 

 

The Mega Millions jackpot just keeps growing and is now closing in on hitting the half-billion dollar mark. The jackpot up for grabs this evening is now $480 million after no one claimed the top prize this past Friday. There has not been a Mega Millions winner since April when a $20 million winning ticket was sold in New York. Tonight’s drawing will be streamed at megamillions.com. Please play responsibly.

 

 

 

The start of the Erie County Fair is just a few weeks away, and organizers of the event are now looking for the 2023 Ultimate Fairgoer. Nominations are being accepted for the role that will be given to the person who can prove that they live and breathe the fair all year long. Candidates must submit a written essay and describe why they deserve to win. The victor will be announced before the fair begins in August, and more information can be found at ecfair.org.

 

Today is July 11th, the 192nd day of the year.

July 11 in history…

 

…In 1914, Babe Ruth made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1934, the government appointed the first seven commissioners to the newly created Federal Communications Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1960, the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee was published.

 

 

 

 

…In 2016, Tim Duncan announced he’s retiring after 19 seasons and five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2019, the last Volkswagen Beetle car was produced. This ended the car’s 80-year run.