Tuesday News Brief

A firefighter is recovering after being hurt in the line of duty. Crews were called to battle a blaze on Wortendyke Road in Batavia yesterday and arrived to find a fire inside a garage. The firefighter suffered a knee injury and is going to be OK, and the three people inside of the home at the time, a woman and two children, escaped unharmed. However, their pet dog, who was in the garage at the time, perished in the blaze. The fire did not get into the house; however, their home sustained heavy smoke damage. The investigation continues into how the fire started.

 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing a plan to put an end to the shortage of RSV vaccine. During a visit to Rochester yesterday, Schumer says he’s going to try and pressure the FDA and drug manufacturers to produce more of the vaccine. Studies show people who have been immunized have a reduced risk of experiencing complications from RSV. Schumer says it’s unfair that doctors have to decide who gets vaccinated and who doesn’t.

 

The latest flu tracker data suggests the virus is stubbornly hanging on across our region. During the week ending February 10th, Monroe County had the highest number of infections with 503. Erie County was second with 333. Chautauqua County had 130 cases of flu and Niagara County had 86. Since the beginning of flu season, over 262,000 people in New York have contracted the illness.

 

The third week of testimony is scheduled to begin today in the wrongful death civil trial of Richard Metcalf, Jr. Metcalf was an inmate at the Erie County Holding Center when he passed away after being restrained following an encounter involving staff members at the jail in 2012. The jury has already heard testimony from the former county medical examiner that ruled Metcalf’s death was a homicide. His estate has filed a lawsuit against the county and multiple deputies.

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres have come up short in their bid to win a second straight game after suffering a tough loss on home ice. Jordan Greenway, Tage Thompson and Zach Benson had a goal each as their team fell to the Anaheim Ducks four-to-three at KeyBank Center yesterday. Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced just 15 shots in the contest and stopped only 11 of them. Buffalo hits the road for their next game tomorrow evening against the Montreal Canadiens.

 

Damar Hamlin says that he has learned a lot about himself over the past year. That’s no surprise after his near-death experience on the field about 13 months ago when Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a game at Cincinnati on January 2nd, 2023. Hamlin played in five games this past season, plus both of Buffalo’s postseason matchups. Hamlin says that he is focusing on all of his opportunities, setting himself up for the future outside of football.

 

 

With returns due in under two months, state residents are encouraged to know their rights when it comes time to hire someone to do their taxes. The state Department of Taxation and Finance says all tax preparers must tell you immediately if they’ll represent you if your return is audited and have to ask you the correct questions so they can do your return accurately. Preparers are also required to allow you to review your completed return before you sign it. Any complaints can be filed at tax.ny.gov.

 

ELSEWHERE…

Taking antidepressants like Prozac while pregnant can hinder a child’s brain development and possibly cause mental disorders later in life. That’s the findings in a new study published last week in the journal Nature Communications. Experts say antidepressants that raise Serotonin levels can influence how the brain learns and adjusts.

 

 

A dead satellite is returning to Earth this week. ERS-2 is one of the European Space Agency’s advanced observation satellites. From 1995 to 2011 it tracked everything from shrinking polar ice to atmospheric composition. Most of the satellite is set to burn up on re-entry Wednesday morning, with no clear prediction on where any remaining debris will land.

 

 

One of the biggest names in country music is going to be making a stop at Darien Lake this summer. Kenny Chesney is set to be on stage at the popular concert venue on Thursday, July 27th as part of his “Sun Goes Down” tour. The Grammy Award nominated Chesney will be joined at the show by rising artist Megan Moroney. Tickets for this performance go on sale to the general public Friday through Live Nation.