Tuesday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on December 5, 2023
As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: Nine agencies in Genesee County including police, fire and emergency medical services will be participating in a simulated active threat situation on Liberty Street on Thursday. They will be at 114 Liberty Street from 8:00am and 3:00pm and want the public to know that this activity is not a real emergency, but a carefully planned simulation designed to enhance the preparedness and coordination of emergency response teams.
Matthew Grant and surveillance still shot of his vehicle on the Thruway
New details have been released involving the ongoing search for missing Rochester Institute of Technology student Matthew Grant. Monroe County deputies have been able to get surveillance footage from a gas station between Exit 39 and Exit 41 on the Thruway from November 20th, the night Grant disappeared. Grant didn’t appear to be in any danger and his vehicle later went through an EZPass scanner near Syracuse. Tips on his whereabouts can be submitted by dialing 911.
Rochester police are issuing a warning following an ongoing surge in the number of carjacking cases. Authorities say there have been 20 to 25 such crimes in the city since the end of October. It most incidents, the victim is approached by a suspect or suspects who are armed with a weapon before having their vehicle taken. Police say the best thing for people to do is to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity immediately.
Club Marcella, file photo
More information has been released involving a weekend shooting at Club Marcella in Buffalo. Officials say Sunday’s gunfire at the Michigan Avenue establishment was targeted and the result of gang violence. A 30-year-old man was shot in the bathroom and brought to a hospital for treatment. Now, 20-year-old Yeramell Benitez and 29-year-old Ramon Lopez have been charged, and other arrests are expected. The police have already shut down the club.
The state Gaming Commission’s Division of Lottery is making a request of Empire State residents this holiday season. The agency is asking folks not to purchase scratch-off lottery tickets for kids as gifts, saying that lottery games should only be gifted by adults to adults. The National Council on Problem Gambling says youth gambling is a public health issue. Anyone who is struggling with a gambling addiction can get help by calling 1-877-8-HOPENY.
Another anchor tenant store will be dropping out of the struggling Boulevard Mall in Amherst. H&M has revealed that it’ll be closing up shop at the mall January 6th. The company also has locations at the Niagara Falls Fashion Outlets and Walden Galleria. Currently, there are approximately 50 empty storefronts at Boulevard Mall, which is undergoing a redevelopment process. Plans are in the works to switch the property over to a place featuring retail, residential, and restaurant opportunities.
Aerial file photo of KeyBank Center
The Buffalo Sabres will be back in action tonight as they look to snap their current three-game losing streak. The Sabres are hosting their rivals, the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center. Buffalo last played on Sunday night when the Nashville Predators came out on top, 2 to 1. This season, the Sabres have earned 22 points in their first 25 games. Face-off this evening is 7:30.
ELSEWHERE…
Oxford University Press is picking its word of the year. “Rizz” was given the honor for 2023, with OUP saying in a release that it was chosen as an “interesting example of how language can be formed, shaped, and shared within communities. Rizz is defined as “style, charm, or attractiveness,” and has become popular online among younger generations.
Dennis Brown
A family in Florida is suing Panera Bread over a man’s death. Their lawsuit alleges 46-year-old Dennis Brown died from drinking Panera’s Charged Lemonade drink. Each drink has almost 400 milligrams of caffeine. That’s the FDA’s suggested daily maximum intake. Brown reportedly had three the day that he died.
The Powerball jackpot continues to grow after no grand prizewinner in Monday’s drawing. That means Wednesday’s drawing will be worth at least $435 million. Please play responsibly.
Today, December 5, the 339th day of 2023; there are 26 days left in the year.
The moon is 22 days old and is in the Waning Crescent phase of its lunar cycle. It is 47% illuminated.
December 5 in history…
The Beatles in Germany, 1960. Left to right: Pete Best, George, John, Paul and Stuart Sutcliffe.
…In 1960, Paul McCartney and Pete Best were arrested for pinning a condom to a brick wall and then igniting it. The two were told to leave Germany and The Beatles returned home, discouraged.
…In 1964, Lorne Greene star of the NBC TV show ‘Bonanza’ was at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Ringo’, making him the second Canadian (after Paul Anka) to have a US No.1 single. The song was a No.22 hit in the UK.
…In 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings released Band On The Run, his fifth album since his departure from The Beatles. Two hit singles from the album – ‘Jet’ and ‘Band on the Run’ made it McCartney’s most successful album. The majority of Band on the Run was recorded at EMI’s studio in Lagos, Nigeria, as McCartney wanted to make an album in an exotic location. McCartney went into the studio with just his wife Linda and Denny Laine, doubling on drums, percussion and most of the lead guitar parts himself as well as bass.
O.J. Simpson is sentenced, today in history.
…In 2008, former NFL star O.J. Simpson was sentenced to up to 33 years in prison for holding up two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel. He was released in October 2017.
