Wednesday News Brief
Written by Doug Thompson on May 1, 2024
The Genesee County Sheriffs have arrested 27-year-old Matthew Sanchez-Sanquiche of Batavia. He’s charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal contempt. It’s alleged Sanchez-Sanquiche possessed a handgun without a valid permit and was non-compliant with an order of protection that stated all firearms must be surrendered. He was held at the Genesee County Jail awaiting CAP Court arraignment. ALSO: Sheriffs were called for the report of a damaged vehicle and physical altercation on Route 5 in Pembroke. Investigation revealed Jason Armstrong allegedly damaged the windshield of a vehicle and punched a person in the face. Armstrong was arrested and arraigned in CAP Court. He was held without bail and is scheduled for Pembroke Town Court on May 8th.
The Genesee County Health Department is offering a rabies immunization clinic two weeks from tomorrow, on Thursday, May 16th from 4pm until 7pm at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least three months old, and each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. There is a maximum; the limit is four pets per person. For more information, please call 344-2580.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley now faces at least two investigations. One was requested by Governor Kathy Hochul, and another now being launched by the Monroe County Office of Public Integrity. The tense exchange between Doorley and a Webster police officer during a traffic stop last week continues to stir controversy, and the Monroe County Office of Public Integrity says it has received several requests to investigate.
Public defenders for the mass shooter who killed ten people at a Tops in Buffalo in May 2022 will now be able to review his records from prison before they are turned over to prosecutors. According to a court ruling, a federal court judge will review records, and rule on whether prosecutors can see them. Prosecutors are seeking several records from Payton Gendron’s time in prison, including telephone calls, visitor logs, non-legal correspondence and Internet search history. The judge has set a federal trial date for the shooter of September 8, 2025; Gendron pleaded guilty in state court back in February, and is serving a life sentence on those charges.
Governor Hochul and the New York Legislature are reaching an agreement to secure New York’s place at the forefront of AI research. Hochul says the 2025 enacted budget includes a ten-year, $275 million investment to create a state-of-the-art AI computing center at the University at Buffalo. The center will be used by leading New York institutions to promote responsible research and development, create jobs and advance AI for the public good. Earlier this year Hochul proposed the “Empire AI” initiative, announcing it would be covered by more than $400 million in public and private funding.
A Buffalo man has been sentenced for the predatory sexual assault against a child. 51-year-old Steven Burr was sentenced to 32-years to life in prison. Investigators say Burr had subjected a child to sexual contact back in 2016. They say he then engaged in more acts of sexual contact with children from September 2016 through February 2018. The child was less than 13 years old and was known to Burr. An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim and their family, which will remain in effect until March 2074.
City firefighters will continue flushing fire hydrants today through tomorrow from approximately 9:00am to 3:00pm. They’ll be working in the general area of south of East Main Street and East of Jackson Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. The tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As is always the case, do not attempt to wash clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration, run cold water for about five minutes or until it’s clear. If you have questions, or notice a hydrant in need of repair, contact the Fire Department at 345-6375.
63-year-old Dale Henry Mosher of Geneva, has been charged with grand larceny for stealing $92,698 from the American Legion. He was a commander of the Geneva American Legion. The arrest took place after several months of investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, along with the New York State Police after the current commander found improprieties in past financial records and current banking information. Mosher was arraigned and released on his own recognizance on Monday.
Governor Hochul has announced the launch of a brand-new scholarship program aimed at boosting the number of health care professionals. The New York State Healthcare Workers for Our Future Scholarship provides help to students who are looking to earn their degree in fields such as respiratory therapist and surgical technologist. The selected recipients will get a two-year scholarship to attend a SUNY or other accredited college. Additional details on the program can be found online.
The American Red Cross is offering new initiatives in an attempt to boost donations. Anyone who rolls up their sleeves and donates through May 31st will receive a coupon for a free haircut courtesy of Sport Clips (locations in both Clarence and Rochester). They’ll also be entered to win a VIP experience to the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races at Darlington Raceway located in South Carolina this Labor Day weekend. This Friday, May 3rd, you can donate blood at the Social Services Building on East Main Street Road in Batavia from 9:00am to 3:00pm; next Tuesday, May 7th, the Darien Fire Hall is holding a blood drive in Darien Center from 1:00 to 6:00pm. Additional information is available at redcrossblood.org.
The University of Rochester Medical Center is getting $27 million to look into ways to prevent heart failure. Researchers will spend the next few years looking at heart failure patients who do and don’t have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator installed in their bodies. They say these studies may lead to the creation of new therapies that will extend people’s lives. The funding is coming from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
The Rochester Amerks split the opening weekend of the playoffs; they won one game and lost one in overtime against the Syracuse Crunch in the North Division Semi-finals. They’ll play again in Syracuse tomorrow night, with face-off at 7:00.
ELSEWHERE…
A quarter of American workers are worried that they may lose their job in the coming year. A survey by OnePoll found that they’re worried about the job market and the stability of their industry. Others are also worried about falling behind or lacking the skills needed for what they consider success.
