Tuesday News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on November 19, 2024
Batavia Downs Raises Over $25,000 For Breast Cancer Coalition.
The Batavia Downs announced that their September 27th fundraiser raised $25,215.30 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.
The event raised money through the donated dinner, donations, raffles, auctions for donated items, and the local harness racing community as some owners, trainers, and riders donated all or a portion of their winnings from September 27th. Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown presented representatives from the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester with their check in a ceremony on Monday. The Batavia Downs also donated $9,310 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Monday’s ceremony.
Byron Brown spoke of the importance of this donation saying, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month just concluded in October but our focus should be year-round with more than 360,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Early detection is critically important because – so the quicker you act the bigger the impact.”
Elmore Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Sanfratello Case
Following a long eight months, Michael Elmore has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the first-degree for his role in the events that led to the death of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello on March 10th at the Batavia Downs.
Aggravated Manslaughter in the first-degree/intent to cause injury, was the top count in the indictment as a class B violent felony. As part of Elmore’s plea deal, he will be sentenced to no more than 20 years in prison and 5 years of probation. Elmore will be sentenced on December 17th at 9:30 am, and this will be his second felony after previously being convicted of Attempted Burglary in 2016.
Lyndsey Wilcox also accepted a plea deal for her role in Sanfratello’s death, pleading guilty to Assault in the second-degree, which is a class D violent felony. Wilcox was released under supervision and was sentenced to 6 months of shock probation and will face up to 5 years of probation when she is sentenced on January 21st.
Governor Hochul Announces $22 Million For NY’s Electric Grid.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday that $22 million is now available for projects that strengthen and modernize New York’s electric grid.
The money was funded through a U.S. Department of Energy Grid Resilience Formula Grant. Hochul’s grid modernization program will support projects that help ensure infrastructure reliability and expand access to clean energy for New Yorkers, specifically supporting the transition to a zero-emission electricity system.
Governor Hochul said, “New York’s grid infrastructure is the backbone of energy distribution. We must maintain its reliability and resiliency to withstand extreme weather events. This federal formula grant complements ongoing State investments to meet the growing energy needs of families and businesses in our communities.”
