Tuesday News Brief

33-year-old Ashton Mohney of Batavia has been arrested and charged with promoting dangerous contraband in a prison. It’s alleged he possessed the contraband inside the Genesee County Jail. Mohney was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the jail.

 

 

 

 

 

A Springville man has been indicted for his alleged role in a road rage incident that left a person dead. The Erie County District Attorney’s office says Mario Garcia is charged with manslaughter after intentionally hitting 64-year-old Andrew Mikula with his vehicle on Vaughn Street in the East Concord neighborhood last November. Mikula ended up dying at the scene, and Garcia didn’t report what happened until he got home. Garcia faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

 

 

 

A registered sex offender is once again in trouble with the law after being accused of a disturbing crime. According to authorities, 47-year-old Kelvin Hunt broke into a home on Avenue C in Rochester Friday before kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The victim was choked, and at one point Hunt pointed a gun at the girl’s head and threatened to kill her. Hunt is expected to be in court later today.

 

 

The investigation continues this morning into a body that was found in the Genesee River in Rochester on Sunday morning. A person walking across the Andrews Street Bridge noticed the body around 11:15 and called 911. Police and firefighters arrived on scene and retrieved the body from the river. The identity and cause of death will be determined by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

 

Testimony is scheduled to start today in the wrongful death civil trial of Richard Metcalf Junior. Yesterday, both the prosecution and defense laid out their opening statements to the jury. Metcalf was an inmate at the Erie County Holding Center when he passed away days after being restrained following an encounter involving staff members at the jail back in 2012. His estate has filed a lawsuit against the county and multiple deputies. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

 

 

 

Governor Hochul is calling on House Republicans to pass immigration reform. In a press conference Monday, Governor Hochul said Republicans and Democrats have come together with the most significant immigration reform in decades, which President Biden will sign, if the House and Senate pass it. It would mean tougher asylum laws, $1.4 billion for states, which New York would receive a share of, and the border could be shut down. Hochul said the only thing standing in the way is that House Republicans refuse to take action because they don’t want there to be a resolution. The Governor called on the 10 Republicans who are in the majority to vote for the reform.

 

Governor Hochul is out with New York State’s free fishing days. There are six designated dates when the state’s fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing in New York. The first free fishing days include President’s Day weekend, February 17th to 18th; June 29th to 30th, September 28th, which is National Hunting and Fishing Day, and November 11th, which is Veterans Day. The Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give people who might not fish a chance to try the sport of freshwater fishing at no cost.

 

A new poll is showing the impact online sports betting has had on Americans. According to the Siena College/Saint Bonaventure survey, 39% of people asked said they have wagered on sporting events while 19% admitted to having an online betting account. When asked why they decide to gamble, 93% said it was fun and 85% look at it as a way to make money. There are also fans that believe online betting will impact organized sports and that it should be regulated by the federal government.

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be back in front of their home crowd tonight as they return to action after a long break. The Sabres are set to host the Dallas Stars at KeyBank Center. Buffalo is currently on a two-game winning streak, but hasn’t played since January 27th when they beat the San Jose Sharks on the road. Face-off this evening is scheduled for 7:00.

 

 

ELSEWHERE…

Country music superstar Toby Keith is dead. The 62-year-old died peacefully last night surrounded by his family, according to a message on his social media platforms. The singer was diagnosed with stomach cancer not too long ago and had been undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Keith sold more than 40 million records over the course of his career. Long before his diagnosis, Keith had set up a foundation to help children battling cancer.

A new study says healthy living can help fight against cognitive decline even with signs of dementia. The research published in the journal JAMA Neurology used autopsies on nearly 600 people, including those living in retirement communities or senior housing in the Chicago area. They tracked five of their habits beginning in 1997. Those included smoking, exercise, alcohol, brain stimulation and diet. The study’s use of autopsies was particularly unique, with experts saying it’s “one of the first to harness brain pathology.”

 

The NBA is doing something unique to their court for All-Star weekend. The league announced on Monday that a full video, LED court will be used for several events at Lucas Oil Stadium. The new floor will make its debut for the celebrity game on the 16th and stay for the three-point and other skill competitions on Saturday night. The high-tech court will feature design and color changes, live replays and other video content, and real time game stats along with other animations. The traditional All-Star game tips off from Indianapolis on February 18th.

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 6, the 37th day of 2024 with 329 to follow.

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

February 6 in history…

…In 1911, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was born.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1940, TV newsman Tom Brokaw was born (happy 84th!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1962, W. Axl Rose was born (happy 62nd!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2014, Jay Leno ended his 22-year stint as host of The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon took over hosting duties, moving the talk show from Burbank, California, to New York City.