Wednesday Afternoon News Brief

New data shows the number of flu cases remains high across the Western New York region. During the week ending March 1st, the area with the highest infection tally was Monroe County with 974. That was followed by Erie County with 623, Niagara County had 236, Livingston County, 108, Genesee County and Wyoming County reported 98 and 57, respectively. Experts continue to say the best way to keep yourself and others protected is to practice good hygiene and get a flu shot. Additional information is available anytime at vaccines.gov.

 

The Lancaster Police Department is investigating a fatal car crash involving a 7-year-old child. According to police, officers responded to calls involving a car crash in the area of Broadway in the Town of Lancaster at 2:50 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday). Officers arrived on the scene and located a single car that had driven off the road and into a tree. A 7-year-old passenger was found and transported to a hospital where they died from their injuries, police said. The 29-year-old male driver has not been charged at this time and is cooperating with the investigation, according to police. Lancaster Police are continuing to investigate and say that if charges are applicable they will be determined based upon evidence found.  Identities of those involved are not yet being shared pending family notification.

 

The seven suspects arrested in connection with the death of a transgender man have returned to court. Yesterday, those individuals pleaded not guilty for their alleged roles in the murder of Sam Nordquist. Prosecutors claim Nordquist was tortured for more than a month before his body was dumped in Yates County. This case is not being treated as a hate crime and the suspects face life in prison if convicted.

 

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance wants you to know that Direct File is now available to many individuals who receive Form 1099-R. That’s the form that identifies distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement, and Individual Retirement Accounts. Direct File is free for New York State taxpayers with basic returns. Here’s detailed information: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/ads/efile_addit1099r-2d.htm

 

The state Department of Motor Vehicles is calling on New Yorkers to check for safety recalls that could affect their vehicle. The agency says one in five registered vehicles in the Empire State has an open, unfixed recall that might put motorists at risk. That total includes thousands of vehicles equipped with Takata airbags that have caused the deaths of dozens of people nationwide. A full list of recalls can be found online at dmv.ny.gov.

 

Governor Kathy Hochul is calling for New York Schools to be phone free.   Yesterday Hochul and Common Sense Media held a youth roundtable in Albany to discuss the benefits of removing smartphones from schools. Hochul and Common Sense Media both support proposed legislation that would label mental health risks on social media, limit stranger interaction with kids online, and limit addictive social media design features.   Hochul says she’s going to continue to fight for this legislation and wants to see a “bell-to-bell distraction free environment” in schools.

 

A hiker is recovering after being rescued on the Eternal Flame Trail in Orchard Parks’ Chestnut Ridge Park. Police say a 62-year-old woman was injured after falling on the trail yesterday afternoon and EMS crews had to extricate her from the trail by using a low-angle rope system. She was taken to an area hospital for a broken pelvis.

 

An Olean man is facing up to twenty years in prison in a child pornography case. Yesterday 48-year-old Greg Hirliman pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography in federal court. Prosecutors say between September of 2021 and July of 2022, Hirliman engaged in sexual communications through Facebook with a minor victim. He also made several requests for naked images from the victim according to prosecutors. Hirliman is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21st.

 

After snapping their six-game losing streak, the Buffalo Sabres will be in the Motor City tonight as they try and earn a second straight victory. The Sabres are set to battle the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesar Arena. The Sabres last played Monday when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers by a final score of 3-2, which boosted their point total this season to 56. Face-off this evening is scheduled for 7:30 and the game airs nationally on TNT.

 

The Buffalo Bills have re-signed running back Ty Johnson. The two-year deal will pay Johnson $5 million. He has been with the team for the past two seasons, and last season, Johnson ran for a touchdown and caught three more.

 

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior is speaking out about the measles outbreak in Texas, suggesting that Vitamin-A can “dramatically” reduce deaths. Doctors are afraid that some parents might take this as meaning the supplement is the same as the vaccine.   Dr. Sapna Singh at Texas Children’s Hospital says there is not a single study that suggests vitamins can prevent infections. There are nearly 200-measles cases in Texas. The epicenter remains a section of West Texas that has the lowest vaccination rates in the state.

 

The Rochester International Jazz Festival is coming up this summer, and the event’s full lineup has been released. The festival runs from June 20th through 28th and is going to feature over 17-hundred artists from nine countries. A total of 285 shows will take place at 18 venues and headliners include Smokey Robinson, Thundercat and The Wood Brothers. For more information, head to rochesterjazz.com.

 

Hampton Inn is looking to hire in Buffalo. Hampton Inn Buffalo-Amherst will hold a job fair tomorrow, Thursday, march 13th, from 12 pm to 3 pm. Both full and part-time opportunities are available.