Tuesday News Brief

The doors of a brand-new welcome center are now open to visitors at Niagara Falls State Park. The $46 million Ralph C. Wilson Junior Welcome Center has museum space, immersive experiences, and concession space that features local food vendors. The 28,000 square foot center also features glass walls and a low roof to maximize the view of the falls, ensuring it remains a tourism mecca. The final phase of the center is going to be completed at a later date.

 

28-year-old Emilia Santiago and 31-year-old Ashley Drexinger, both of Buffalo, have been arrested in Batavia. They’re charged with petit larceny, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools. They were stopped leaving Dick’s Sporting Goods; after a search, it was found Drexinger had stolen goods in her bag that she was carrying while leaving the store. She also had pending charges against her with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Santiago was arraigned and released pending another court date; Drexinger was held in County Jail following arraignment.

 

A former daycare employee is expected to be in court today to face child endangerment charges. According to authorities, 22-year-old Alexis Cleveley is accused of mistreating kids at the Sweet Angels Daycare located in Newfane. Back in September, two other former employees were charged with the exact same crime. The daycare will be shutting down for good effective December 29th.

 

An ex-New York State Trooper has been sentenced in connection with a gambling ring. Yesterday, a judge ordered 52-year-old Thomas Loewke to spend the next two years on probation. Loewke was facing federal charges for interfering with an investigation into the gambling ring by alerting its leader of the probe back in 2021. His sentence also includes 100 hours of community service and a fine.

 

 

 

The New York State Thruway Authority has received a more than one-million-dollar boost in the form of a federal grant. The agency will use the money to develop a safety action plan for the 570-mile highway. The goal is to reduce the number of traffic related work zone incidents, lower employee injuries, and to implement training opportunities for workers and contractors. Data shows the Thruway system is already one of the safest highways in the country.

 

As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: The US Postal Service is warning people not to fall for scams involving discounted stamps online. Scammers will post advertisements that look like they are from the USPS with their emblems and name offering 20 to 50 percent off stamps if you order them through their website. When the stamps come they look official but the Post Office says they likely won’t work with their machines and your letters won’t be sent out. According to postal authorities, the most frequently found counterfeit stamp is the flag stamp. USPS suggests you be wary of significant discounts, and make sure you’re getting stamps from a post office or directly on its website. Postal management says that they do not discount stamps.

 

The Rochester Red Wings are training a brand-new bat dog ahead of the 2024 season. His name is Bruce, and the team posted video yesterday of him running around at Innovative Field where he was practicing fetching bats. Bruce is likely going to replace the Red Wings’ last bat dog Milo, who passed away earlier this year after he was diagnosed with a liver problem. There’s no word yet when Bruce could make his debut.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be kicking off a two-game home stand tonight as they try and avoid a second straight loss. The Sabres are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets at the KeyBank Center. Buffalo hasn’t played since Saturday when the Arizona Coyotes shut them out, 2 to 0. Face-off for this evening’s contest will be at 7:00.

 

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

2024 will be a busy year for stargazers. Events that will take place in the sky in the New Year include meteor showers, eclipses and super moons. One of the top celestial spectacles is the Quadrantids meteor shower on January 3rd and 4th. The Lyrid meteor showers between April 21st and April 22nd have been observed for 2,700 years. The next one will be in 2042. Meanwhile, the Penumbral lunar eclipse happens on March 25th, and a total solar eclipse on April 8th over the U.S., Canada and Mexico, will be the last total eclipse until 2044.

 

 

Southwest Airlines is agreeing to a record-setting civil penalty over last year’s holiday travel nightmare. The Department of Transportation said the airline has agreed to pay a $140 million fine. That’s 30-times more than any other fine for violating consumer protection laws. During the year-end holiday travel period last year, Southwest canceled almost 17,000 flights leaving two million travelers stranded.

 

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 19, the 353rd day of 2023 with 12 to go.

The moon is waxing. Morning stars are Jupiter, Uranus and Venus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.

December 19 in history…

 

…In 1777, General George Washington and the Continental Army began a winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

 

…In 1974, Nelson Rockefeller was sworn in as Vice President of the United States under President Gerald Ford.

 

 

 

 

…In 1980, the film “9 to 5,” with Dolly Parton, opened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1987, Paul Simon the musician, and Paul Simon, the presidential candidate, both host Saturday Night Live.

 

 

 

 

…In 1998, Bill Clinton became the second U.S. president to be impeached (Andrew Johnson was the first) by the House of Representatives, which approved articles charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice. Like Johnson, he was acquitted by the Senate.